I Tested iPhone Shortcut "Viruses"

These shortcuts are not actual computer viruses or malicious software. They are simply automated scripts that use built-in system capabilities to prank users, annoy them with repetitive sounds, or cause temporary interface glitches like zooming or screen locking. If a phone becomes unresponsive due to one of these shortcuts, a hard restart reliably resolves the issue.

• Nature of threats — These are not actual viruses but scripts that automate system actions like looping sounds, zooming the display, or spamming notifications [00:28].

• Fixing a frozen phone — A hard restart by pressing volume up, volume down, and holding the power button forces the device to shut down and stops the script loop [02:15].

• Typical prank behaviors — Many scripts exploit basic settings to harass the user, such as setting brightness to zero, activating the flashlight, recording video, or opening unwanted apps [04:20].

• False malware alerts — Several shortcuts use fake antivirus interfaces to claim they are "cleaning" the phone, while actually just flickering the screen or playing audio [05:40].

• Personal data access — More aggressive scripts can capture and display IP addresses, take photos using the front camera, or attempt to send messages [07:21].

• Device control — Certain scripts can force AirDrop settings to "everyone," play audio through connected devices, or create endless alarms [13:25].

• How can a user force an iPhone to restart if a shortcut makes it unresponsive?

• What device settings do these shortcuts typically manipulate?