Jaromir Miko Although Apple had good intentions with the U1 chip, some iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro users are concerned about the existence of the chip. That is why the company started testing a new function that will enable the chip to be turned off, but at the expense of precision when connecting to wireless networks and devices.
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Dan Pražák The Apple U1 chip uses ultra-wideband technology to precisely locate other devices with this chip, allowing for example faster file sharing using AirDrop. The very fact that it is a chip with the ability to precisely target the location is also the reason why some users started to worry about their privacy and the fact that Apple can use this chip to collect data about users without asking.
The latest iOS 13.3.1 beta, currently only available to developers, allows users to turn this feature off. They can do so in the settings Location services in the subsection System services. In case the user wants to turn off the U1 chip, the system will alert him to the fact that turning off the function may affect the functionality of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and ultra-wideband. YouTuber Brandon Butch, who runs the DailyiFix channel, drew attention to this news via his Twitter.
With iOS 13.3.1 beta 2 does have a new toggle to disable Ultra Wideband. pic.twitter.com/Tswt7V5GMV
— Brandon Butch (@BrandonButch) January 17, 2020
Concerns and discussion surrounding the functionality of the location chip were sparked in December/December by security journalist Brian Krebs after he discovered that his iPhone 11 Pro was regularly using GPS services for system purposes even though all iOS location features were turned off. The company said at the time that this was normal phone behavior and nothing to worry about. However, it said a day later that devices with the U1 chip constantly monitor the device's location because the use of ultra-broadband technology is strictly prohibited in some places. Therefore, the iPhone can detect whether the function can be active or not, thanks to the regular location check.
The company has also said that it will allow the technology to be completely disabled in a future update, which appears to be the upcoming iOS 13.3.1 update. The U1 feature and chip is now only available on iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
