This Is Not a Drill: The New iOS May Send Your Salty iMessages to the Wrong People

The nightmare scenario you always feared has arrived.

Apple users who recently updated to iOS 12 need to be aware of a new bug that is blowing up spots around the world.

According to Forbes (piggybacking off a find by PiunikaWeb), Apple's new operating system has an issue with iMessage.

See, iOS 12 apparently creates a "unified thread" for iMessage contacts with multiple numbers and emails. This means you’d no longer have to deal with separate conversational threads for an individual texting you over their iPhone, iPad and/or Mac.

That sounds pretty good. Except, in execution, iOS 12 is reportedly merging threads with different contacts, meaning a message intended for one person could end up going to some unintended recipients.

More than 320 people (as of this writing) have flagged the issue on Apple Support.

Early complaints on social media suggest that most of the combined threads are coming from within the same household (usually if they’re sharing an Apple ID), but still, if you’re the kind to gossip about your siblings, or complain about your parents, you could be in for some awkward family dinners if everyone’s added to the same thread.

does anyone know how to fix this ios 12 bug that merges two contacts together bc my mum & sister are now under the same text thread thing so i gotta message my sister under snapchat now

— elyza (@sanscery) September 27, 2018

A user who spoke to Apple support was told this was "an intended consequence" for those sharing an Apple ID. So, get ready to find out exactly what your family thinks of you.

Apple support has contacted me re this issue, they’ve confirmed this is an intended consequence of ios12, if you’re in the same appleID it doesn’t matter what phone number or email you have assigned in settings, it will combine our messages in an thread

— DomN (@domjnye) October 1, 2018

Anyway, you know what GIF is coming...

Header Image: iStock.com/hocus-focus