iPhone appears remotely controlled after iOS 18.7.10 update

Something to do now in case it IS a scammer:

Turn off wifi and bluetooth IMMEDIATELY.

FULL RESET the phone, and change apple account password without any delay, feel free to back up data, but turn off wifi and bluetooth so they don't have remote access.

magsafe4_creator wrote:

Bob Timmons,

May you please advise them to do something rather than just telling them the phone is useless now?

Thanks

If they did what we think they did and let someone else sign into their phone, we can't help them. We're seeing examples of this daily, often multiple times a day. The process goes like this:

1. They want to update or download something they can't get, so they are offered by the scammer to get what they want, if they just sign out of their account and into the scammers account.
2. The scammers now have control of the phone and usually put the phone in lost mode and demand a ransom to unlock the phone, which they still won't unlock.
3. Once in lost mode, even with verifiable proof of ownership, which is acceptable to Apple, Apple cannot unlock the phone.
4. The Author has a useless brick they can't use, we can't help them use and Apple can't help them use.

Hello,

What you are facing is probably ghost touches on the device, which are basically fake touches out of nowhere the come on your device, since it is 8 years old.

Steps to take:

Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.

If you see any configuration profile that you did not install yourself, tap it and select Remove Profile.

If your phone is being controlled by FaceTime or accessibility features, try this:

Go to settings

Go to accessibility

Turn off voice controls and remote control access, unless you deliberately use them.

Thanks, and feel free to ask for more information.

magsafe4_creator wrote:

Keep in mind, I understand how intense it can get, as I watch lots of scam baiting.

Since we see this daily here, I just wrote a short User Tip anyone is welcome to use for situations like this --> What Do You Do If You Sign Out of Your Ap… - Apple Community

I see, but the physical buttons can still-hopefully- do their job and let them shut down

This sounds like you have been scammed by someone who tricked you into providing your Apple Account details and Password.

The scammers will probably ask you to pay a ransom to return service to your phone. Do NOT trust them, they will simply keep asking for more money.

Unfortunately, the phone is useless to you now. Drop it off at the recycle center.

In the future, never give out your account details to anyone.

The OP told us that they spoke to someone about authorizing an "update" to their phone. Clearly, the OP provided their account details to the scammers.

I wish this really was a "ghost touch" issue though. At least that is fixable.

magsafe4_creator wrote:

Keep in mind, I understand how intense it can get, as I watch lots of scam baiting.

I know you wanted to help and it's always great to see a new member here on the forums offering help. We just have to understand that sometimes we can't help when someone makes a fatal mistake.

Unfortunately, you are not familiar with this type of scam. It is too late. The OP cannot change the Password because they have already turned over control of their phone to the scammers.

Bob Timmons,

May you please advise them to do something rather than just telling them the phone is useless now?

Thanks

We tell the truth on this site, and do not provide false hope.

Don't get me wrong, I was trying to help, that is all, I don't want to fight here

Sorry for that if it wasn't helpful the way I think

Keep in mind, I understand how intense it can get, as I watch lots of scam baiting.

It's good that you tried to help, but you missed the giveaway in the OP's post:

"remote contol and cheek (check) autorisng by a person ofter (ing) update to this version."

Really good stuff in that new User Tip.

Bob Timmons wrote:

Really good stuff in that new User Tip.

Thank you Bob. And it's actually short to boot!

Thanks for supporting me here, I am still a new member, and I am definitely trying to reach the high levels some people are reaching.

I agree, very helpful, thanks!

Thanks again, officially following you!