Apple's new iOS 16 feature will let you bypass annoying CAPTCHAs on websites

Apple says CAPTCHA and site puzzles can sometimes restrict real humans with disabilities.

Apple will soon let users bypass the annoying CAPTCHA and puzzles that we encounter on several websites. The feature spotted by MacRumors and explained by Apple will roll out with iOS 16, likely after the launch of the iPhone 14 series in September or October. In a post, Apple explains that its upcoming Private Access Token on iOS 16 will let websites know the system accessing the platform is genuine and not a bot.

In the post, Apple highlights, "Private Access Tokens are a powerful alternative that help you identify HTTP requests from legitimate devices and people without compromising their identity or personal information". In a separate video, Apple Internet Technologies executive Tommy Pauly explains that CAPTCHA (aka Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) and site puzzles can sometimes restrict real humans with disabilities. "Private Access Tokens are what allow servers to automatically trust clients new in iOS 16 and macOS Ventura", the video notes.

To develop Private Access Tokens, Apple has worked with Fastly and Cloudflare to help users bypass the CAPTCHA page. Fastly even claims it has worked with Google to develop and standardise the technology behind Private Access Tokens.

A Reddit user even spotted the feature on the iOS 16 beta version. It appears that users can check the availability of "automatic verification" through Private Access Tokens by heading to Settings > Apple ID > Password & Security > Automatic Verification. Once the feature is enabled, the system will automatically verify your device on sites with CAPTCHA and puzzle. It seems the Automatic Verification feature is enabled by default on iOS 16.

The latest features sit alongside a bunch of other iOS and macOS tools to help users access sites securely. Apple had previously rolled out Private Relay and Hide My Email.