How We Updated Our System to Deliver Day Zero Support for iOS 18 and iPhone 16
Apple recently released iOS 18 and their newest smartphone, iPhone 16. With the updates, companies now must consider a broader range of data sources when it comes to preserving and extracting data for e-discovery/legal hold, corporate compliance, and internal investigations. To reduce risk and drive compliance, organizations need a smartphone data discovery solution that accommodates these new data sources–with no down time.
ModeOne Evolves Alongside Apple
ModeOne is always monitoring Apple’s product roadmap and release schedule to keep our system up to date. In fact, since we’re a certified Apple developer, our clients can relax knowing we’re always one step ahead of Apple updates; we’ll always be ready to help our customers scope the appropriate data from mobile phones.
In the lead-up to the iPhone 16 and iOS 18 launch, our team worked diligently to test new features and functionality and quickly update the ModeOne platform to deliver same-day compatibility. Below are the new sources of data that companies need to be aware of for e-discovery/legal hold, corporate compliance, and internal investigations purposes–and the ways in which we updated our framework to ensure our customers are covered.
iOS 18 and iPhone 16: New Data Sources to Consider
iOS 18: Scheduled Text Messaging
With iOS 18, users can schedule text messages to send up to two weeks in advance using the “Send Later” update on iMessage. The function enables users to set a specific time or date for messages to be sent to recipients on any device––plus reschedule, edit, or delete a scheduled message before the send date. To support this new feature, ModeOne’s system now displays the future message the same way Apple will on the iPhone and includes metadata for customers to identify unsent messages that were scheduled to be sent.
Rich Communication Services (RCS)
On iOS18, users can now send and receive RCS messages, significantly enhancing the messaging experience for iPhone users who communicate with Android users. Unlike SMS and MMS, RCS enables sending high-resolution media, typing indicators, and read receipts between iPhone users and Android users. Today, ModeOne fully supports RCS messages on Apple devices, including the metadata identification that a message was sent using RCS versus SMS, MMS, or iMessage.
iOS 18: Call Recording
Coming in iOS 18.1, all models that support iOS18 will have the ability to record phone conversations and save the audio recording and transcript to the iOS Notes app. ModeOne supports the collection of iOS Notes data and will be able to discern that a note was a recorded call and when it took place, empowering customers to meet requirements for legal hold, corporate compliance, and internal investigations. We are working on providing the ability to convert and export Notes to a more friendly, reviewable format.
While iOS Call Recording provides significant functionality to iPhone users, it simultaneously introduces complex legal and ethical considerations when contemplating user data privacy rights and dual-consent obligations related to the recording of conversations. We recommend that companies closely monitor the compliance and regulatory landscape as this issue gains more attention. Companies might consider managing this setting via their MDM by electing to disable the recording feature for company-issued devices.
iPhone 16
ModeOne is compatible with the entire line of iPhone 16 devices. We support all features currently offered across all available Apple devices and we’ll continue to monitor new data sources in future R&D to offer same-day compatibility and ensure our customers are covered.
Looking Ahead: Proactive Testing to Maintain Compatibility and Zero-Day Support
On that note, Apple typically rolls out smaller, subsequent updates to software and hardware after the primary release date to fix bugs and enhance functionality (i.e. iOS 18.1). For example, Apple is slated to release a groundbreaking AI product, called Apple Intelligence, for iOS18 on iPhone 16 (plus the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max) in future updates.
As Apple releases further updates to its iOS and the iPhone, ModeOne will be actively monitoring, performing hands-on testing, and updating its framework to provide immediate compatibility with all of Apple’s latest products––ensuring litigation, cybersecurity, corporate compliance, and eDiscovery professionals can successfully do their jobs.