Unexpected 'Parent: UNKNOWN' and SOS logs in iPhone Analytics

I’m seeing a lot of “UNKNOWN “ and “PARENT” occasionally “parent: UNKNOWN” . Also having apps appearing out thin air. Had this iPhone 16 since May. I’m no stranger to iPhones/androids this phone is doing crap I’ve only seen in movies. I’ve got a long list of things going on. This “Parent “ bologna is really aggravating me! Forgot to add… where I come from SOS is never a good thing. I’ve got several SOS logs . :/ Please someone explain. Totally confused me!



[Edited by Moderator]

Original Title: Analytics

Posted on Sep 1, 2025 08:12 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 1, 2025 08:14 AM

The information in the analytics is intended for Apple Engineering and generally can only be deciphered by a special program they use. If you're actually having a problem with the unit, describe it.


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20 replies

Sep 1, 2025 08:15 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

We don't have the power to read analytics either, as a matter of fact only Apple Employees can and even so they use a iOS dictionary to translate it. They aren't meant to be read by users and are only for when you run a diagnostic or debug an issue. If you would describe some of the issues you are having, without the analytics, we can try to help.

Sep 1, 2025 08:25 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

That is normal. Any personal information that would be shown in Analytics data is automatically redacted and not all processes will have a parent attached and will show as Unknown. You are all good.


The only purpose of the Analytic Logs is after you have contacted Apple about a problem and they issue you a Support Ticket. In some cases and Engineer may follow up by requesting a specific log that may assist them when investigating the previous reported issue. They use special proprietary decoding software on the log files that is not available to users or anyone else to make sense out of the logs. Apple also does not want your personal information included in those logs.


If you have a specific issue with your phone, then describe what that is here.

Sep 1, 2025 08:28 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

Please acquire a copy of Jonathan Levin’s OS X Internals books and read those volumes for background on the organization and structure and terminology of iOS.


I’d also suggest books or courses on iOS forensics, and information on exploit development and detection, if malware is of interest.


Some experience with app debugging will also be helpful, as that’s one of the more common uses for telemetry outside of Apple.


For info on using and monitoring SQLite, see Dr Hipp’s SQLite website.


As for the statistics being collected in the images shown, that looks like normal chatter for an app using the built-in SQLite database, which many apps do, and normal SpringBoard chatter.

Sep 1, 2025 09:00 AM in response to Niel

Okay here is the beginning. Oct 2024 started with Samsung. Went through 4 androids before switching to iPhone. Cause everyone said it’s highly protected! My new iPhone my contacts kept getting deleted and or changed. My name was constantly changing, iPhone name, and settings. Siri was constantly getting turned off. I fight whoever constantly… I don’t share anything. No one knows my passwords or passcode. Then things started changing in my Verizon app. My plan changed to international calling. My name would change. My husband got deleted. My eSIM was shut off. I couldn’t get into my Verizon app. When I could gain access after hours on the phone. I couldn’t see certain things. My Verizon protect app had an old Gmail address Verizon couldn’t get off. This is my 2 phone number and 3rd iCloud. Since May. It’s been a freaking nightmare! Now nothing gets turned off much . Sharing things I don’t even have on my iPhone. My deleted apps gets more battery usage than my games :( Oh and don’t get me started on talk time. I talk 3-4hrs tops a month . My bill reads 680-800+ minutes per billing period. Numbers I’ve never seen before. Crazy thing is shows my husband and I calling each other all day everyday. Here’s the catch we are together everyday all in a big truck. Sorry brah, just realized I wrote a dang book 😫🥺 sad part there’s tons more of my nightmare 😭

Sep 1, 2025 09:24 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

From what you have described with some of those issues, your Verizon account has been compromised. That can be accessed from any device on the web with your credentials to the account. The Verizon app is just a portal into your account and those changes you have seen do not mean they were made from your Verizon app on your phone. If Verizon was unable to remove an old gmail, that is on your Verizon account and nothing to do with the Verizon app or your phone. It does not mean it was added from the Verizon app or even from your phone. Why they can't delete it from your account is a good question form them, but nothing to do with your phone.


For the issue with Contacts getting deleted, which accounts are you syncing your contacts from. You can check at Settings > Apps > Contacts > Accounts. If you are syncing from a third party such as a Google gmail account, those changes are being made on the Google servers and syncing to your Contacts app. To prevent any third party syncing issues, make sure you are only using iCloud to store/sync your contacts and turn off the Enabled switch on each of those other accounts listed in Settings.


For the deleted apps getting more battery usage then your games, post the screenshot of Settings > Battery and choose the last 24 hours option to list the apps that are consuming your battery.


Don't know what you are referring to with sharing things that you don't have on your phone. It may be helpful to provide screenshots to visualize what you are seeing as long as they do not contain any personal information.

Sep 1, 2025 09:28 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

OldieNeedsHelp wrote:

Thanks! I’m feeling a bit more comfortable. I got an update I went to check my support history. It’s empty!!! My geek squad visit . Apple Store visit. Everything gone my emojis even changed. WTH is going on

Your Support History noted here will show when parts have been replaced on your phone and confirm whether they are Genuine. It does not list your Geek Squad visits or Apple Store visits that do not involve replacing any parts.

About iPhone Parts and Service History - Apple Support


New emojis are included with the iOS update and there have been some changes. When the Unicode Consortium changes the emojis, all device manufacturers simply adopt those with an update. Each device manufacturer does not maintain their own emojis, they just adopt the ones approved by the Unicode Consortium.


Sep 1, 2025 09:33 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

Okay, so this is unrelated to what was initially posted.


After the first equipment change or first platform change, that whole replacement path is clearly futile, too.


Which means your assumptions on what is happening here are wrong. Clearly, and repeatedly, wrong.


Whether this is exceedingly well-funded adversary and beyond what help can be offered here, or there are other factors.


What steps have you already taken past the (obviously futile) replacements? Reviewed the carrier bills for, for instance, unrecognized or repeated numbers called?


Cases of my acquaintance have included the reporting person themselves making the changes, and forgetting making the changes. Other cases have had others with access to the device and its passcode, and gaslighting about their activities. Sharing or re-using or compromised credentials factors into yet other cases.


There are yet other possibilities. A compromise at Verizon or of a still-active (lost, stolen) device, certainly looks possible here, particularly if you have other (and unrecognized) phones associated with your account.


But. None of this is going to get solved here, or solved by calls to support either, whether this is an immensely well-funded adversary, or gaslighting, or some other cause entirely. Or solved by reading telemetry. We can’t ask — and you wouldn’t and shouldn’t answer — the sorts of personal risk and tech and security and account-related and other questions that would be involved in a discussion here, too.

Sep 1, 2025 10:09 AM in response to OldieNeedsHelp

  • You need to switch to the last 24 hour option at Settings > Battery.
  • The message you see when using Safety Check is expected when you have deleted any of those apps listed there and you will be unable to continue with those steps because those apps have been deleted. That is normal and nothing to be concerned about.
  • Your Photos app is showing background processes because you recently updated your software and that will re-index and optimize the photos in your Library for object detection. Again, changing the setting to the last 24 hours will provide more useful information.
  • Yep, the emoji list changed in iOS 18.6.1 and also included 8 new emojis.

Sep 1, 2025 02:22 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

I only have my device. That’s what driving me nuts . Can’t understand how they’re doing this. I turn airplane mode on . They’re still doing whatever. I’m no genius by no means.. I’ve tried doing everything I know to do. I’ve read and done everything everyone has suggested to no avail. I even had geek squad totally erase and they’re in my phone quicker than I am

Unexpected 'Parent: UNKNOWN' and SOS logs in iPhone Analytics

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