Apple will allow multiple users to own an iPhone at once, according to Appleinsider.
At the disposal of the editors of the publication was a patent, which describes the Secure Enclave technology, which is necessary to ensure secure access to the iPhone. Among others, the document mentions the ability to write multiple accounts to the device and, thus, use the device together. The journalists noted that a similar function is available in Mac computers, and in the future it will be available in the iPhone and iPad. At the same time, earlier in advertising materials Apple positioned its smartphone as a personal device.
The description of the patent states that each individual smartphone user will have his own set of personal settings, such as biometrics (Face ID), digital code, system parameters, contact list, call history and web page visits. When a specific account is activated, iOS will end the previous session and start a new one. The creators of the technology clarify that the settings and content of individual users will not overlap.
The patent specification mentions a “secure enclave processor” (SEP) that will be responsible for securing user data. According to the authors of the publication, Apple has already used a similar design before. The company’s product range includes a line of Mac computers that have a T2 coprocessor designed for data protection.
Appleinsider noted that this is not Apple’s first attempt at configuring the iPhone as a multi-user device. In 2013, the company applied for a patent in which a similar function was carried out using a Touch ID fingerprint sensor.