OneKey founder warns older iPhones have unpatchable chip security flaws
What happened
On November 1, 2026, Yishi, the founder of OneKey, warned that iPhone 11 series devices and earlier models carry hardware vulnerabilities that no software update can fix. Apple is a software and consumer electronics company based in Cupertino.
It is the very first code that runs when an iPhone powers on, and it is etched directly into the chip. Legacy device vulnerabilities highlight the critical need for updated security practices, impacting crypto asset safety and user trust.
He said these flaws could potentially expose wallet seed phrases to attackers who get their hands on the phone, even briefly. Two flaws, one uncomfortable problem The warning centers on two known exploits.
Both target the BootROM, a layer of the iPhone that most users never think about. Think of the BootROM as the foundation poured under a house before any walls go up.
Because it is baked into the hardware, Apple cannot push a patch to rewrite it. The first exploit, checkm8 , affects iPhone models from the 4S through the X.
It has been public knowledge since 2019. The second, usbliter8 , is the newer concern.