Apple Developing iPhone Feature to Overwrite All Storage Before Sale

Apple is reportedly developing a new feature for iPhones that will completely overwrite all storage data, including unused areas, before a device is sold or transferred. Currently, iPhones encrypt data and then destroy the encryption keys when a user selects 'erase all content and settings,' rendering the data cryptographically inaccessible. The upcoming feature, spotted in the beta version of iOS 27.2, goes a step further by writing blank or meaningless data over the entire storage space.

This enhanced data wiping process, however, comes with potential drawbacks. According to text found in the code, Apple warns that the operation may take significantly longer than the standard erasure and could potentially reduce the lifespan of the storage component due to increased write operations on flash memory.

Initially, this feature appears to be limited to iPhones sold in China. This is likely due to a new Chinese standard, GB 46864 2025, which will take effect on January 1, 2027. This standard mandates that manufacturers provide a method for irreversible data deletion on electronic products sold in the country, including overwriting storage areas with meaningless data.

Apple is also exploring similar functionality for iPads, HomePods, and Apple Vision Pros. It remains unclear whether Apple will eventually make this advanced wiping feature available for devices sold outside of China. For users in Israel, the current method of deleting data is still considered secure as it makes encrypted information inaccessible.