You probably read about the major problem with iPhones back in 2018. The problem was eventually solved. Experts were able to determine that iPhone failures were attributed to telugu characters.
What led to this problem? How could it have been avoided? iPhone users and developers alike should understand the root cause of the problem and take the steps to avoid it.
Background on the Telugu Characters that Caused Problems for iPhone Users
A flaw in the iOS 11 operating system sparked anger among iPhone users. The trigger is an Indian character -called telugu- that affects the operation of the device and the apps, causing them to shut down and a systemic crisis in the device.
Users detected that the “bug” spreads through instant messaging or email services, such as iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Outlook and Gmail. Also Safari and MacOS applications and Apple Watch.
This is a frustrating failure, as it leaves emails, messages and other basic smartphone functions inaccessible.
What happens when the error is triggered? The system simply “hangs” when a device displays, receives or pastes into a text field a character in Telugu, an Indian language used by some 70 million people.
Even when it appears through a notification that is previewed on the home screen, the failure could directly prevent access to the main screen and automatically restart the computer.
The Indian character of the discord.
The Indian character of discord.
The causative letter is curious, as the character involved is not very common in Telugu words. However, because the sound it makes is unusual, it cannot easily be replaced by another character when necessary.
Nevertheless, Apple quickly developed a corrective update to address this issue with the release of iOS 11.2.6. It is now available for download on all of the apple company’s media, whether they are phones, iPads or smart watches.
Prior to the update, the possible workaround was to try to delete the entire message or conversation containing this symbol, either through an unaffected device or with some beta version. Another way, although more radical, was to restore a backup before the message was received.
Frequent Bugs
This is not the first time that the system has suffered this type of failure and it generates headaches among users. Apple devices have already suffered other “text bombs”. One of them was the “Chaios” bug, which has led to the message application freezing or restarting after special links were included within the body of a text.
There were also issues with an “exploit” that was triggered when sending messages with emojis of white colored flags and rainbows, or the typing of a zero.
Last month, it became known that a link could freeze the iPhone, something that was solved with the iOS 11.2.5 update, before iOS 11.3 arrived, which already has a fixed version.
The iOS also suffered problems in 2016, when a five-second video that could destroy the phone was released; and the year before, when a text that could disable the iMessage app was viralized.
Malicious Messages
The truth is that failures are breeding grounds for evil. After the last mistake with the Telugu character became public knowledge, many took advantage of it to cause harm.
As a joke, messages with the symbol began to multiply on Twitter and social networks. Others, directly, preferred to send it to their friends and family.
Regardless of who circulated it, anger and stupefaction among the victims was the order of the day.
We Can Learn from This Issue
Developers should do a better job beta testing new features with smartphones. The Telugu character problem is a prime example. Fortunately, we have learned from this problem and have started taking appropriate steps.