Android is too comfortable for me to switch, but this shocking bug got me looking at iPhones
WhatsApp is rolling out a fix for a severe bug that affected only some Android phones.
How secure are you feeling today?
There are billions of Android users around the world and I'm one of them, but what got me thinking—only for a second, but still—about the iPhone is a recent WhatsApp situation.
As it turns out, there was a severe bug, a kind of showstopper bug, really—that plagued certain Android phones.
The bug made it possible for anyone to access your private photos on your locked Android handset.
As the latest report has it, Android phones take privacy seriously, but not entirely when it comes to the popular WhatsApp messaging app.
If you were to take an Android phone and give it a WhatsApp video call, you could access its photos even if the phone itself isn't unlocked.
Here's how it looks like:
This is shocking, since you don't need any third-party apps or software, or any sophisticated technical skills or knowledge. With a couple of menu taps you're browsing the locked Android phone's photos.
This was made possible on a Pixel 6 Pro phone with Android 17 installed on it. The Pixel 6 Pro may be old by today's standards, but so what? There are still plenty of users out there who are enjoying it daily.
"We've begun rolling out a fix for this issue, which is limited to a rare case when someone has physical access to a user's device", an official WhatsApp account on X has confirmed. The company doesn't disclose if there are any other devices that are prone to such "attacks".
Well, if you want to check if everything's fixed, run this little experiment on your Android phone when it's locked, too. Have someone on your friend list to call you and try to repeat the same steps as in the video above.
The report correctly states that Apple has a different security approach applied in the iPhone.
Because iOS enforces strict CallKit restrictions, this vulnerability cannot occur on iPhones. When a locked iPhone gets a WhatsApp call, CallKit automatically takes over and renders Apple's native phone interface rather than WhatsApp's custom screen, blocking all access to other features.
Users must fully unlock the device first if they want to reach their local photo gallery. Simple, but effective.
As it turns out, there was a severe bug, a kind of showstopper bug, really—that plagued certain Android phones.
Incoming WhatsApp call
As the latest report has it, Android phones take privacy seriously, but not entirely when it comes to the popular WhatsApp messaging app.
If you were to take an Android phone and give it a WhatsApp video call, you could access its photos even if the phone itself isn't unlocked.
Here's how it looks like:
Be aware that your photos can be accessed without unlocking your phone when you receive a WhatsApp video call on Android.
— Jose Rodriguez (@VBarraquito) September 1, 2026
This is in plain sight. It's not hidden, not a secret feature. Not a hack.
This has already been reported to Meta and Google.#Privacy #Security #Android17 pic.twitter.com/F7wulhNiZ1
Here's some more software-related news:
Is there a fix?
"We've begun rolling out a fix for this issue, which is limited to a rare case when someone has physical access to a user's device", an official WhatsApp account on X has confirmed. The company doesn't disclose if there are any other devices that are prone to such "attacks".
What now?
Well, if you want to check if everything's fixed, run this little experiment on your Android phone when it's locked, too. Have someone on your friend list to call you and try to repeat the same steps as in the video above.
How come iPhones don't allow this?
The report correctly states that Apple has a different security approach applied in the iPhone.
Because iOS enforces strict CallKit restrictions, this vulnerability cannot occur on iPhones. When a locked iPhone gets a WhatsApp call, CallKit automatically takes over and renders Apple's native phone interface rather than WhatsApp's custom screen, blocking all access to other features.
Users must fully unlock the device first if they want to reach their local photo gallery. Simple, but effective.
Which new iPhone are you most excited about?
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