This week, I took my first forensic look at iOS 26 beta, using a brand-new test setup designed to replicate the conditions I used in previous analyses on iOS 18. By repeating the same interaction patterns, for example unlocks, gestures, and idle phases. I have built a baseline for comparison between the old and the new.
Let me start with both good and bad news
The good news? Apple now logs far more detail in the Unified Log.
The bad news? Apple now logs far more detail in the Unified Log.
From a digital forensic standpoint, this is excellent! The presence of new and expanded artifacts improves traceability. But from a research and triage perspective, the increase in log volume and complexity presents a real challenge.
Initial Focus: Face ID Unlock
My first target in iOS 26 was to observe the familiar Face ID unlock flow.
At first glance, many of the core artifacts (such as biometric matching and keybag transitions) remain consistent with iOS 18. Some log messages have minor formatting or phrasing changes, but the unlock process still follows a recognizable pattern
Example:
iOS 18 Face ID artefact:
2025-03-09 14:50:43.337360+0100 localhost kernel[0]: (AppleH13CameraInterface) PearlCamFrameReceived - isFaceDetected=1, isBracketedCaptureFrame=1, isUserEngaged=1, hasAttention=1, hasGlasses=1, hasOcclusion=0, hasEyeOcclusion=0, fIDfsmFDStatus=2, sensorTemp=30, isFIDValidFrame=1, isERDataValid=0, isMDDataValid=0, isAttnDataValid=1iOS 26 beta Face ID artefact:
2025-06-27 14:04:10.557032+0200 localhost kernel[0]: (AppleH13CameraInterface) PearlCamFrameReceived - isFaceDetected=1, isBracketedCaptureFrame=0, isUserEngaged=1, hasAttention=1, hasGlasses=1, hasOcclusion=0, hasEyeOcclusion=0, fIDfsmFDStatus=1, sensorTemp=33, isFIDValidFrame=1, isERDataValid=0, isMDDataValid=0, isAttnDataValid=1There are no changes noticeable in the Face ID artefact.
However, what stood out immediately in iOS 26 is the richness of context now surrounding those same artifacts.
iOS26 beta : Contextual Detail Around Face ID
Here are some examples of the expanded contextual signals now logged during Face ID unlock:
Distance Measurement from Face to Camera
2025-06-27 14:04:10.557222+0200 localhost kernel[0]: (ApplePearlSEPDriver) [com.apple.BiometricKit:IOPearlFrameSupport] IOPearlCameraFrame::getFaceDetectInfo: FD Distance: 386, ER Distance: 0IOPearlCameraFrame::getFaceDetectInfo: Method that retrieves Face Detection (FD) and Eye Region (ER) information.
FD Distance: 386: Measured value (in millimeters) of the distance between the face and the camera.
ER Distance: 0: Indicates that the Eye Region probably was not detected.
The system now logs the measured distance between the user’s face and the device, giving a new physical dimension to biometric events.
Explicit User Presence Detection
2025-06-27 14:04:10.561422+0200 localhost SpringBoard[35]: (CoverSheet) [com.apple.SpringBoard:DashBoard] [User Presence Monitor] Face in view.A clear confirmation that a face has entered the camera field of view. Something that was previously inferred, now explicitly stated.
Disk Unlock Traces (APFS)
2025-06-27 14:04:10.731426+0200 localhost kernel[0]: (apfs) handle_async_keybag_unlock:6567: disk1s8 apfs is being UN-locked!The Unified Log now reports which encrypted disk (volume) is being unlocked. This ties biometric actions to APFS disk-level access — a valuable correlation point.
Observation
This is just an early glance, but one thing is already clear:
The artifacts themselves haven’t radically changed — but the world around them has.
For future forensic analysis, this means:
- We’ll need to update existing detection rules for the AUL artefacts
- And then layer in the new contextual artifacts that surround those events
These contextual traces provide a richer environment for interpretation, but also raise the bar for proper filtering and predicate design.
Teaser: BIOME Logging
One last detail worth teasing: AUL now includes logs involving Biome, Apple’s behavioural data engine:
2025-06-27 14:04:10.299943+0200 localhost biomed[53]: (BiomeStreams) [com.apple.Biome:BiomeCompute] Wrote bookmark file for subscription <private> domain: User path: <private>The implications of this are wide open, but it suggests a connection between biometric activity and user behaviour tracking.
Stay tuned. iOS 26 is shaping up to be the most verbose Apple log environment yet and that’s both a challenge and an opportunity.
Happy hunting!
5jl Online Casino Philippines: Fast 5jl Login, Register & App Download. Play Premium 5jl Slots Today! Join 5jl Online Casino Philippines! Fast 5jl login, easy 5jl register & 5jl app download. Play premium 5jl slot games and win big at the best online casino today. visit: 5jl
[5711]PH357: Best Online Casino & Slots in the Philippines. Quick PH357 Login, Register, and App Download to Win Big Today! Join PH357, the Philippines’ top online casino. Secure PH357 casino login, fast ph357 register & ph357 app download. Play ph357 slot games and win big today! visit: ph357
[7853]Experience the best ph90 slot online and casino in the Philippines. Quick ph90 login, easy register, and official ph90 app download via our secure casino link. Play the best ph90 slot online in the Philippines. Secure ph90 login, easy ph90 register, and official ph90 app download via our link. Join ph90 casino now! visit: ph90
[7515]777plus Online Casino Philippines: Easy Login & Register for Premium 777plus Slots. Get the 777plus App Download Now for the Best Gaming Experience. Join 777plus Online Casino Philippines! Quick 777plus login & register for premium 777plus slot games. Get the 777plus app download now for the best gaming experience. visit: 777plus
[1621]phwin365: The Best Online Casino in the Philippines. Login, Register, or Download the phwin365 App to Play Top Slots and Win Big Today! Experience the best at phwin365 online casino. Secure phwin365 login, quick phwin365 register, and fast phwin365 app download. Play premium phwin365 slots and win big in the Philippines today! visit: phwin365
[6153]Phjoin Online Casino: Easy Phjoin Login, Register, & App Download for Premium PH Slots Experience Phjoin Online Casino! Quick Phjoin login, easy register, and Phjoin app download for premium PH slots. Join the best Phjoin online casino and win big! visit: phjoin
[4153]Jilievo Online Casino: Best Jilievo Slot Games in PH. Jilievo Login, Easy Register, and Fast Jilievo App Download for 24/7 Winning Action. Experience the best Jilievo slot games at Jilievo Online Casino PH. Quick Jilievo login, easy Jilievo register, and fast Jilievo app download for 24/7 winning action! visit: jilievo
[2763]Jilibet178 Login & Register: Official PH Online Slot Casino Link & App Download Join Jilibet178, the official PH online casino. Access fast Jilibet178 login & register options. Play Jilibet178 slots or get the Jilibet178 app download & latest casino link today! visit: jilibet178
[7824]Filbet Philippines: Official Filbet Login & Register. Play Top Filbet Slot, Casino Games & App Download. Experience the best of Filbet Philippines! Access the official Filbet login and register page to play premium Filbet slot and casino games. Get the Filbet download for mobile and start winning today! visit: filbet
[1050]phil168 login|phil168 giris|phil168 casino|phil168 slots|phil168 register Experience the ultimate online gaming at Phil168 Casino. Register now for top-tier Phil168 slots, secure Phil168 login, and seamless Phil168 giris access. Join the leading Philippines gambling platform and start winning today! visit: phil168
[9846]ug7771 download|ug7771 app|ug7771 giris|ug7771 login|ug7771 register Join ug7771, the leading Philippines online casino. Secure the official ug7771 download for our mobile app. Fast ug7771 register and ug7771 login (giris) to enjoy premium slots, live games, and big rewards today! visit: ug7771
[9430]BW77: The Best Legit Online Casino Philippines – Fast GCash Login & Top Slots Experience the ultimate gaming at **BW77**, the **best legit online casino Philippines**. Enjoy a seamless **bw77 login gcash** for instant access to the **best online slots Philippines** and immersive **bw77 live casino games**. Join the most trusted **bw77 online casino Philippines** today for secure play, fast payouts, and a world-class gambling experience! visit: bw77
[1619]yyy777 Casino Philippines: Your Top Destination for Slots. Quick yyy777 Login & Register—Download the App for the Ultimate Gambling Experience! Join yyy777 Casino Philippines! Fast yyy777 login & register. Play the best yyy777 slot games and yyy777 download the app for a premium mobile gambling experience. visit: yyy777
[1742]WJSLOT: Official Slot Gacor Site, WJSLOT Login & Register. Access Link Alternatif and Download APK for the Best Philippines Casino Experience. Experience the best Philippines casino at WJSLOT, the official slot gacor site. Easy WJSLOT login & register, access link alternatif, and download APK for big wins! visit: wjslot
[6399]ug7778 giris|ug7778 app|ug7778 download|ug7778 login|ug7778 slots Experience the ultimate online gaming at ug7778, the Philippines’ premier destination for casino enthusiasts. Secure your ug7778 login to explore a massive selection of ug7778 slots and exclusive rewards. Access the platform easily via ug7778 giris or enhance your mobile experience with the ug7778 app. Start your winning journey today with a quick ug7778 download! visit: ug7778
[9618]JILI8 Online Casino Philippines: Quick JILI8 Login, Register & App Download. Play the Best JILI8 Slots and Win Big Today! Experience JILI8 Online Casino Philippines! Quick JILI8 login & register to play top JILI8 slots. Get the JILI8 app download for mobile fun & win big today! visit: jili8
[3460]phwin77 Online Casino: The Best phwin77 Slots in the Philippines. Quick phwin77 Login, Register, and App Download to Win Big Today! Experience the ultimate phwin77 online casino in the Philippines! Play top-rated phwin77 slots, enjoy a fast phwin77 login, easy phwin77 register, and secure phwin77 app download to win big today. Join now for the best gaming experience! visit: phwin77
[4658]22Win: The Best Online Casino in the Philippines. Quick 22Win Login & Register to Enjoy Premium 22Win Slot Games. Get the 22Win App Download Now! Join 22Win, the best online casino in the Philippines! Easy 22Win login & register for top 22Win slot games. Start winning & get the 22Win app download now! visit: 22Win
[1419]The Philippines’ Premier Destination for Legit Online Casino Games and Betting visit: nustar online
[7619]SpinBit Philippines: Easy Login & Register for Top Casino Slots, Sign Up Bonus & App Download Join SpinBit Philippines today! Experience easy SpinBit login & register to play the best SpinBit casino slots. Claim your exclusive SpinBit sign up bonus and try our SpinBit app download for top-tier mobile gaming. visit: SpinBit
[816]Tongitstok Online Casino: Easy Login, Register & App Download for the Best Slot Games in the Philippines. Join Tongitstok Online Casino, the Philippines’ premier destination for gaming. Enjoy seamless tongitstok login, quick tongitstok register, and the tongitstok app download for the best tongitstok slot games. Experience secure, high-payout online casino action and start winning today! visit: tongitstok
[3842]Phmapalad Login & Register: Experience Top Phmapalad Slot Online and Easy Phmapalad App Download for the Ultimate Casino Experience. Join Phmapalad for the ultimate casino! Quick Phmapalad login & register to play Phmapalad slot online. Get the Phmapalad app download & phmapalad casino login. visit: phmapalad
[2240]LuckyPH Online Casino Philippines: Register & Login to Play Top LuckyPH Slots. Get the LuckyPH App Download for Premium Gaming and Big Wins! Join LuckyPH Online Casino Philippines! Access your LuckyPH login or LuckyPH register to play top LuckyPH slots. Get the LuckyPH app download for big wins today! visit: luckyph
[8802]Kinggamebio: Top Philippines Slot Online & Casino Games. Experience easy Kinggamebio login, register today, and enjoy our official app download for the best gaming experience. Experience the premier Philippines slot online and casino games at Kinggamebio. Enjoy easy Kinggamebio login, fast register, and our official app download for the ultimate gaming experience. Join today! visit: kinggamebio
[2719]swerte77 download|swerte77 app|swerte77 slots|swerte77 login|swerte77 casino Experience the ultimate online gaming at Swerte77 Casino, the premier destination for players in the Philippines. Play exciting Swerte77 slots, enjoy a secure Swerte77 login, and get the mobile-optimized Swerte77 app. Download Swerte77 today to start winning and enjoy the best casino experience! visit: swerte77
[9435]The Top Online Casino and Slot Games Destination in the Philippines visit: slotphlogin
[9861]PHCity Online Casino: Best Philippines Slots, Easy Login, Register & App Download Join PHCity Online Casino for the best phcity slots in the Philippines. Enjoy secure phcity login, fast phcity register, and the official phcity app download for a premium gaming experience. visit: phcity
[877]jl365 Online Casino Philippines: Quick jl365 Login, Register, and App Download for the Best jl365 Slot Games. Experience the top jl365 online casino Philippines! Fast jl365 login, easy jl365 register & jl365 app download. Play the best jl365 slot games & win big today! visit: jl365
[459]The Philippines’ Best GCash Online Casino for Peso Betting and Top Slots. visit: pesomaxfun
[9845]nice888 register|nice888 giris|nice888 casino|nice888 download|nice888 login Join nice888 casino, the Philippines’ premier destination for online gaming. Complete your nice888 register today for exclusive bonuses and instant access. Use the nice888 login or nice888 giris for a seamless experience. Don’t forget to get the nice888 download app for top-tier mobile casino gaming on the go! visit: nice888