3

I've read some articles that tend to say that app store downloaded apps on a non-jailbroken iPhone can't read SMS messages, which seems to be confirmed by the fact there's no "messages access" category under settings>privacy.

However, I remember that some apps sending OTP through SMS can automatically detect reception of the SMS and pull the OTP without intervention. There are also some apps that claim they can spy on a phone text messages.

So I have a doubt, and I would appreciate your input on this.

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

It is nearly impossible for this to occur because Apple has next level security, as well as they scan apps before they are placed on the AppStore! They specifically scan for malware and security breaches, like this one!! All iPhones are extremely secure and if an app can access your messages (which I don’t think it can) they would be breaching the Apple Privacy Policy along with some other Terms and Conditions! Highly unlikely, but good question.

Improve this answer
1

However, I remember that some apps sending OTP through sms can automatically detect reception of the SMS and pull the OTP without intervention.

Yes, that functionality is specifically available for one-time codes. Here is the documentation: if your app has a text box and you configure it like this, it will be automatically populated. iOS has no way to verify whether the app and the SMS are related to each other, but it's rather uncommon for a user to start another app in the mean time with that functionality, and since these codes are short lived, the security risk is minimal.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .