iOS 16 Exploit Lets You Change Your iPhone's Font System-Wide

[MacRumors]

While Apple has increased the level of customization iPhone users have access to over the years, the iPhone's system-wide font has been one thing users have not been able to change. Thanks to a new tool created by a developer, however, users will now be able to change their iPhone's font if they're running an older version of iOS 16.

The developer, Zhuowei Zhang, made a tool that changes an iPhone's system-wide font by exploiting a security loophole present in past versions of iOS 16. The security loophole Zhang used to make the tool was patched in iOS 16.2, meaning an iPhone will have to be running iOS 16.1.2 or older to use the tool and change its system-wide font.

To check what version your iPhone is running, go to Settings -> General -> About and see what is listed as the iOS version. Apple last weekend stopped signing iOS 16.1.2, meaning if you're running iOS 16.2, you will not be able to downgrade.

The tool is available on GitHub as an IPA file and lets users change their iPhone's font to one of several choices, including Comic Sans MS, Fira Sans, DejaVu Sans Mono, and others. Using the tool will change the appearance of your iPhone, as seen in the screenshots provided by Zhang below.

Users are heavily advised to update their device to iOS 16.2 as it includes important security fixes and a host of new features, including new options for the always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Music Sing, the new Freeform app, and more. You can learn more about iOS 16.2 using our guide.

Article Link: iOS 16 Exploit Lets You Change Your iPhone's Font System-Wide

 

[Dr.Gonzo(LC 575)]

Sweet comic sans here I come!

 

[CK1Czar]

who asked for this? genuine question

 

[iBluetooth]

Be careful about installing a 3rd party IPA file. The developer gets full access to your phone!

 

[LeeW]

Wow Cool, not...

 

[MajorFubar]

Being able to make simple customisations like this is partly why Android is so wholly dominant worldwide outside of USA, but I wouldn't endorse downloading something that exploits a security loophole in order to customize your iPhone. The whole idea seems sketchy as eff.

 

[AndiG]

With 3rd party AppStores (enforced by the DMA within the EU) such tools will be commonly available.

 

[Bustycat]

iOS beautified by Comic Sans looks fantastic.

 

[Shoju]

Sweet comic sans here I come!

Came to the comment section for this. Was not disappointed.

 

[Rockin Robin]

Heavily advised to …16.2?? Strongly, surely?!

 

[jaceapoc]

Buy Android if you want to change your phone's system font

 

[RedGT]

With 3rd party AppStores (enforced by the DMA within the EU) such tools will be commonly available.

What could possibly go wrong….🙄

 

[jorisw_]

A futile maneuver.

 

[bLackjackj]

I don't actally get why your advertising this to one and all. Everyone should be encouraged to close the security "loophole", so they aren't exploited by any vulnerabilities.

Can Macrumors guarantee the safety of this,..I think not.

 

[samifathi]

I don't actally get why your advertising this to one and all. Everyone should be encouraged to close the security "loophole", so they aren't exploited by any vulnerabilities.

Can Macrumors guarantee the safety of this,..I think not.

Users are heavily advised to update their device to iOS 16.2 as it includes important security fixes

It changes the font, nothing else. We do strongly encourage users to update in the post. Thanks!

 

[Wayfarer]

Comic Sans in iMessage? Oh no. 🤢

 

[ForkHandles]

It’s a phone, use it to get things done!

Genuinely I couldn’t care less about the font. #TooMuchTimeOnyourHands

 

[darngooddesign]

Buy Android if you want to change your phone's system font

Android is for Comic Sans lovers.

 

[RamGuy]

With 3rd party AppStores (enforced by the DMA within the EU) such tools will be commonly available.

Not really. Apple has to supply APIs allowing apps to make system-wide changes like these. Having third-party App Store won't change how third-party apps can manipulate things on the system level.

 

[fatTribble]

Oh please oh please let me install something that takes advantage of a security loophole. 🙄

 

[FloridaScrubJay]

And after your font is changed, your bank account will be depleated.

 

[russell_314]

Seriously if you want this level of customization go to android. At least the customization will be safe and you’re not putting on some sort of hack that could put your security at risk.

Before anyone gets upset, this is not trashing android or saying well if you don’t like how things are then go to android. I am saying that this is not safe at all and if you want this, choose a safer option.

 

[FeliApple]

Update to iOS 16 obliterating battery life and performance because of security, they said. It will be fine, they said.

 

[russell_314]

Oh please oh please let me install something that takes advantage of a security loophole. 🙄

It’s unfortunate that it’s being advertised by MacRumors without sufficient warning of how dangerous this is. Someone is going to do this and get burned really bad.

 

[Kram Sacul]

How to make your fancy and expensive iPhone look like a knockoff.