One of the biggest changes Apple has made with iOS 11 is the new customisable Control Centre. While it was always a handy location to easily adjust the phone’s brightness or turn on the flashlight, it’s awesome to have the option to add other things, like Apple TV, for example.
Being able to switch your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on and off from here has always been one of its main uses. While you’ll still have access to the buttons, they no longer switch off the features entirely, and it’s got folks bloody fuming.
The buttons will now disconnect you from any devices using the connections, but the actual radios in the device will remain on. Apple’s done this to maintain connections that run in the background, like AirDrop or pairing with an Apple Watch.
On the plus side, it’ll be harder to accidentally disconnect from your other products, but it could come at a cost to your security. Researcher Andrea Barisani noticed the change in functionality and subsequently Tweeted it out, telling Motherboard it’s “good practice” to disconnect from these if you’re concerned about security.
PSA: iOS 11 new control center WiFi and Bluetooth toggles don’t actually turn off their respective radios.
— Andrea Barisani (@AndreaBarisani) September 20, 2017
To actually disable the services, you now have to go into their respective areas in Settings and switch them off manually. Annoying, no? Barisani would like to see this changed by Apple.
Hey @AppleSupport, feature request: long press to actually turn them off. Thanks! https://t.co/dEhIwpDmHN
— Andrea Barisani (@AndreaBarisani) September 20, 2017
Be safe out there, folks. Don’t go accepting any dodgy looking AirDrops or join any unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and if you’re still concerned, turn that shit off until you need it.
