Based on our findings, the new system internally called “countryd” was silently added with iOS 16.2, but is not being actively used for anything so far. It combines multiple data such as current GPS location, country code from the Wi-Fi router, and information obtained from the SIM card to determine the country the user is in.
I’m surprised that works at all. Most apps that use your location is based the location provided by iOS, which is using gps, and that can’t be spoofed easily.
It can be spoofed very easily on android. Well, not GPS itself. With developer options you can simulate other GPS locations. So any service that runs on both android and iOS can’t rely on using GPS to catch all users using a VPN.
Also both OSs make it easy for a user to deny an app access to any kind of location info other than the IP address
I bought a phone in Japan and I live in the EU. While in Japan, the camera shutter sound couldn’t be turned off as per local law. Then when I came home it was silent as normal. Then upgraded to a new phone and old one is making the shutter sound again without a SIM in it. So it both detects which market it’s from and where it’s used.
Yea, I live in Japan and came back to US. Phone shutter never switched over and I bought US iPhone then went back and shutter never reactivated. Dude story sketchy
I’m in Korea and there’s the same camera sound law. Bought a 14 Pro Max in the UAE, no camera sound. Brought it to Korea, inserted Korean SIM (not tourist account, but resident postpaid), still no sound.
Just so you’re aware and not spreading complete lies, there is no law about the shutter sound in Japan. There never was and never will be. The shutter sound is an entirely OEM decision and was never ever a law.
Can I ask what model phone this is? That’s interesting, I used to work at the Genius Bar and the handful of Japanese model phones I’ve seen all had the shutter no matter what. But these were slightly older models that had been sold second hand to end up in the US.
Zero chance without jailbreak but then you don’t need it. You might be able to fool a single app into believing a false location but an entire OS that has access to GPS, local WiFi details etc….
Depends what the EU stipulates. Don’t they require iPhones which are sold in the EU to abide by these rules? Or like you said phones which reside in the EU?
I bought a phone in Japan and I live in the EU. While in Japan, the camera shutter sound couldn’t be turned off as per local law. Then when I came home it was silent as normal. Then upgraded to a new phone and old one is making the shutter sound again without a SIM in it. So it both detects which market it’s from and where it’s used.
I’m guessing they base it on your credit card associated with your account. I’ve had credit cards from different countries, and using one from a specific country will make the App Store (and some services) swap to that country, independent of where I am physically. Although this can be a different situation.
I don’t think so.
I’ve lived in the Middle East for the last few years.
When I’m home in the UK, certain features work on my phone but they disappear as soon as I head back to the Middle East.
I used UK card on my account always.
When I was in the UK, I could identify plants/animals in my photos but as soon as I got to Kuwait, it just didn’t give me the option anymore.
How do I make my phone think I’m in the EU?
Move to the EU
I’m in the UK. Can I change the date to pre-Brexit 2015? [Drifts into adolescent memory] Or 2000?
As a German bro, I hope you guys come back. We would love to have you back tbh.
Thank you mein freund. Although, I can’t think why – we’re fools. We elected Boorish Johnson. We must be.
The UK will have a similar rule, just lags a bit behind.
Good luck.
https://9to5mac.com/2023/04/25/ios-16-restrict-features-based-on-location/
Based on our findings, the new system internally called “countryd” was silently added with iOS 16.2, but is not being actively used for anything so far. It combines multiple data such as current GPS location, country code from the Wi-Fi router, and information obtained from the SIM card to determine the country the user is in.
OK good, it’s not tied to your apple account then.
I really hope some apps can’t exploit this.
Mostly because I VPN into some streaming apps, so they think I’m in a different country when I’m not to get that sweet dirt cheap PPV cost.
I do hope Apple won’t allow access.
I’m surprised that works at all. Most apps that use your location is based the location provided by iOS, which is using gps, and that can’t be spoofed easily.
It can be spoofed very easily on android. Well, not GPS itself. With developer options you can simulate other GPS locations. So any service that runs on both android and iOS can’t rely on using GPS to catch all users using a VPN.
Also both OSs make it easy for a user to deny an app access to any kind of location info other than the IP address
Europe suddenly became the #1 tourist attractions of all time
I bought a phone in Japan and I live in the EU. While in Japan, the camera shutter sound couldn’t be turned off as per local law. Then when I came home it was silent as normal. Then upgraded to a new phone and old one is making the shutter sound again without a SIM in it. So it both detects which market it’s from and where it’s used.
And yet my phone is from Hong Kong and I went to Japan and it didn’t make a peep.
Yea, I live in Japan and came back to US. Phone shutter never switched over and I bought US iPhone then went back and shutter never reactivated. Dude story sketchy
Did you put a japanese SIM?
No, but my gf did and her phone didn’t start making the sound.
I’m in Korea and there’s the same camera sound law. Bought a 14 Pro Max in the UAE, no camera sound. Brought it to Korea, inserted Korean SIM (not tourist account, but resident postpaid), still no sound.
And yet my phone is from Hong Kong and I went to Japan and it didn’t make a peep.
What happens if you remove the SIM, disconnect from cellular and wifi?
Doesn’t make a difference
From what was described above it sounds like it goes to the default setting (i.e. shutter) if there’s no SIM in it.
Just so you’re aware and not spreading complete lies, there is no law about the shutter sound in Japan. There never was and never will be. The shutter sound is an entirely OEM decision and was never ever a law.
Can I ask what model phone this is? That’s interesting, I used to work at the Genius Bar and the handful of Japanese model phones I’ve seen all had the shutter no matter what. But these were slightly older models that had been sold second hand to end up in the US.
It was an 8 plus
Zero chance without jailbreak but then you don’t need it. You might be able to fool a single app into believing a false location but an entire OS that has access to GPS, local WiFi details etc….
Depends what the EU stipulates. Don’t they require iPhones which are sold in the EU to abide by these rules? Or like you said phones which reside in the EU?
There was concerns when this was announced that Apple could legally delete all your sideloaded apps the moment you stepped outside of the EU.
I bought a phone in Japan and I live in the EU. While in Japan, the camera shutter sound couldn’t be turned off as per local law. Then when I came home it was silent as normal. Then upgraded to a new phone and old one is making the shutter sound again without a SIM in it. So it both detects which market it’s from and where it’s used.
I’m guessing they base it on your credit card associated with your account. I’ve had credit cards from different countries, and using one from a specific country will make the App Store (and some services) swap to that country, independent of where I am physically. Although this can be a different situation.
I don’t think so. I’ve lived in the Middle East for the last few years. When I’m home in the UK, certain features work on my phone but they disappear as soon as I head back to the Middle East. I used UK card on my account always.
When I was in the UK, I could identify plants/animals in my photos but as soon as I got to Kuwait, it just didn’t give me the option anymore.