Apple is patching a critical bug in iOS and iPadOS 17.5.1 that saw users’ long-deleted photos mysteriously reappearing in the Photos app.
The 17.5.1 release notes only came with one single line, “This update provides important bug fixes and addresses a rare issue where photos that experienced database corruption could reappear in the Photos library even if they were deleted.”
This corruption essentially made the photos inaccessible but did not truly remove them from the device, which the bug presumably exposed.
The issue gained traction on Reddit over a week ago, with users reporting deleted photos – some dating back to 2010 – resurfacing in the Recents tab. One user, in a now-deleted post, claimed that old photos reappeared on an iPad they swore was wiped clean before being sold.
Even most unsettling, some users reported the phenomenon occurring even without iCloud enabled, raising questions about the true meaning of “deletion” in the digital age. While Apple might downplay this as a minor incident, the potential for privacy concerns is undeniable.
This update is crucial, especially if you recently updated to iOS 17.5. Head to Settings > General > Software Update to ensure your photos stay buried.
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