iPhone battery health, screen brightness fluctuation, and unauthorized settings changes

Question

Level 1

33 points

iPhone battery health, screen brightness fluctuation, and unauthorized settings changes

Why can't I manually change my Date & Time & why did I get a Lockdown communication notice ablut someone trying to contact me when they didn't (messaged and asked).

1. Why can't I manually change my Date & Time?

2. Why did I get a Lockdown communication notice about someone trying to contact me when they didn't (I meesaged and asked and sent a screen shot)?

3. Why when attempting to fault find the cause of both 1. and 2. was the Share My Location tab temporary switched on and then quicky turned off (without me interacting with the On/Off tab) while the Find My iPhone tab remained off?

All 3 events occured in a relatively short time frame (~ 5 minutes) and all occured whilst using a VPN which was turned on.

All 3 occurences cannot be a single bug or fault as 1 relates to the override of normal control behaviour (manual time and location override) by an authorised user level, 2 relates to a false notifaction of contact with higher privileges than authorised user level (backend override), and 3 relates to real-time override and manipulation exceeding an authorised user level on the client-side.

My phone's battery health is 79% and the screen is also constantly fluctuating in brightness levels ranging from really dull to really bright, and sporadically going to different levels within one to two minutes.

Is the backend changes to my settings occuring through Apple, the Government, or does my iPhone have malware?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Jan 25, 2025 9:04 PM

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Answer 1

Zachyy

Level 7

20,151 points

Jan 25, 2025 9:21 PM in response to Justin Perth

You may have Screen Time Restrictions in place.
That message is probably a scam attempt, just ignore it.
Your iPhone does not have malware.
Uninstall your VPN.
You are overdue for a battery replacement, that should have been done at 80% battery health. That is likely the reason for most of your iPhone issues. Make an appointment immediately at your nearest Apple Store’s Genius Bar or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a battery replacement. Then post back.

iPhone Battery Replacement - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Bob Timmons

Level 10

190,790 points

Jan 25, 2025 9:22 PM in response to Justin Perth

The battery should have been replaced a few months ago. Get that taken care of and post back when complete. No sense in trying to tackle other issues until a new battery is installed at the Apple Store.....make an appointment....or an authorized Apple service shop.

You can find a list of authorized shops in your area by using this link: Find Locations

Meanwhile......something for you to think about......

Unless your employer or school requires it, there is no valid reason to install a VPN on your phone. Despite the bogus advertising claims that VPN software companies are making......a VPN offers less....not more security for your phone and it can interfere with any number of other things on your phone.

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Answer 3

Justin Perth Author

Level 1

33 points

Jan 26, 2025 11:02 PM in response to Zachyy

In response to your comments,

There is no Screen Time Restrictions in place and nor is the Apps & Website Activity active.

2. How can an Apple Lockdown Mode notification specifying one of my contact names be a “scam attempt”, especially as it appears on a locked screen and is through iPhone’s OS?

Can anybody with Apple iPhone OS architecture knowledge specify and explain how such a “scam attempt” could even be possible without undermining the iOS security infrastructure on my device let alone without the highest authorisation privileges?

3. How can you make such a definitive statement regarding my device’s security integrity given the required security privileges that would be required to infiltrate not only my contacts list in Lockdown Mode, but to then receive an Apple Lockdown Mode Notification through the iOS?

With all due respect, please do not perceive me as being so naïve not to understand device architecture authorisation hierarchy.

4. Even though the Mullvad VPN was downloaded through Apple’s App store (requiring Apple to review the app prior to allowing its release), I have removed the app but will redownload it again as I have trust in Apple’s required duty of care and due diligence pertaining to App security requirements.

5. Please specify and explain how the battery health being less than the optimal 80% or higher can be the “likely reason for most of your iPhone issues”.

I do not see how the power efficiency of a device can possibly cause all or “most of” the adverse occurrences and iOS issues as detailed.

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Answer 4

Justin Perth Author

Level 1

33 points

Jan 26, 2025 11:14 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Per Bob Timmons comment,

“Unless your employer or school requires it, there is no valid reason to install a VPN on your phone. Despite the bogus advertising claims that VPN software companies are making......a VPN offers less....not more security for your phone and it can interfere with any number of other things on your phone.”,

I respond as follows,

The purpose of a VPN is simply to obfuscate my IP address and mitigate privacy intrusion as much as possible.

Seeing as Apple states that they believe in the right to privacy of their users, I would expect them to appreciate that any legal method to reduce data broker data collection and profiling, tracking cookies, device finger printing, and all other privacy invasive tracking and monitoring methods of obfuscation is a users inherent right.

It is for this reason I like many millions if not billions of users wish to do whatever they possibly can to mitigate such privacy intrusion.

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iPhone battery health, screen brightness fluctuation, and unauthorized settings changes

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