Apple fixes HomeKit API bug that freezes iPhones and iPads

Apple’s latest update fixes a HomeKit API bug which maliciously uses an extremely long name for smart home devices such as the HomePod mini (pic) to ‘lock’ iOS devices that try to connect to it. — Apple

Apple has patched an iOS bug that could cause connecting to a HomeKit smart home setup to crash your smartphone or tablet.

The latest iOS version 15.2.1 update deals with the bug reported by the Verge, which was originally spotted by security researcher Trevor Spiniolas who disclosed it to Apple in August 2021, per his Jan 1 blogpost.