Apple drops Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Vimeo integration in iOS 11

Though Apple introduced a multitude of features with iOS 11, the company also removed core functionality from the next-generation mobile operating system, namely system-level integration with certain social media services.

First noticed by venture capitalist Sean Cook shortly after the first iOS 11 beta was released for developer testing on Monday, Apple has apparently removed iOS Settings integration with Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Vimeo. Axios later confirmed the elimination of services.

According to notes accompanying the beta release, Apple is no longer allowing third-party social media apps access to stored account credentials.

"Social accounts have been removed from Settings iOS 11. Third-party apps no longer have access to those signed-in accounts," Apple says.

The change is a major about-face for Apple, which first incorporated Twitter integration as a system feature in 2011. Facebook sign in support arrived in 2012, while Flickr and Vimeo followed in later iOS iterations.

Prior to the change, iOS users were able to provide their social media logins in Settings and use those credentials to log in to other third-party apps and services. For example, many apps allow new users to create accounts by signing in via Facebook, and Apple's social media integration allowed for easy credential sharing. With those services disabled in iOS 11, users might be forced to rely on web-based cookie sharing.

As noted by The Verge, however, Apple software engineer Ricky Mondello tweeted about an upcoming WWDC session covering Password AutoFill for Apps, suggesting the company might have a workaround prepared that goes far beyond simple social media credentials.