A bug in iOS 6.1 acts as a security flaw, allowing anyone with physical access to an iPhone to bypass the lock screen and access the phone, contacts, voicemail, and photo apps. The flaw was first discovered by YouTube user “videosdebarraquito” and reported by The Verge Thursday.
The steps required to take advantage of the flaw are a bit detailed, making it unlikely that a curious user could inadvertently bypass the lock screen without prior knowledge of the bug. The process, detailed in the video by The Verge, below, involves attempting to turn the phone off, then making, and immediately canceling, an emergency call, and holding down the power and home buttons in sequence.