Beware of an iPhone-crashing link being passed around on Twitter

On iOS devices, the browser will crash and/or your phone may reboot, according to users’ reports.

The link in question, crashsafari.com (non-hyperlinked for your own sakes here folks), creates a self-generating string of text, designed to overload Apple’s first-party Safari browser. On a Mac, you’ll see the spinning wheel of death (as I refer to the rainbow pinwheel), but not a complete crash.

Don’t get caught in the latest social media prank. The phone didn’t crash, but the website did freeze the app, making it impossible to go to a different URL.

Global News reached out to Apple for comment on the prank; however, a request for comment was not immediately returned.

The link has a similar effect on iPads, which also run the Safari browser, and Android devices running Chrome, which heat up and become sluggish.

Many have compared the prank to the “effective power” text message bug that was widely reported in May.

The prank is reminiscent of last year’s “effective power” text message bug, which allowed pranksters to crash their friends’ iPhones by sending them a text message. Google Chrome on PCs and Macs also slow down to a turtle’s pace.

Security expert Mikko Hyponen said that others have taken to Twitter with a link shortener to try to fool people into clicking on the browser-breaking link. In most cases, you won’t be required to reboot your desktop or laptop because they’re better at dealing with overheating issues than popular smartphones.