A forensic tool claims it can stop seized iPhones from locking down after 72 hours
Magnet Forensics has developed new tools designed to prevent iPhones from entering a locked state after an inactivity reboot. By preserving the 'After First Unlock' (AFU) status, these tools aim to bypass Apple's 72-hour security lockdown feature for forensic investigators.
Why it matters
This development highlights the ongoing arms race between consumer privacy protections and law enforcement's ability to access digital evidence.
Add TechSpot Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust . TL;DR: Magnet Forensics, maker of the GrayKey phone-cracking tool, can apparently stop seized iPhones from falling into a more secure state after Apple's 72-hour inactivity reboot. The claim hasn't been independently verified, but it suggests mobile forensics firms are adapting to Apple's security changes by going beyond defeating a passcode and trying to keep the phone from locking down in the first place.
The company's GrayKey Preserve device and a new Evidence Preservation Mode for existing GrayKey systems are designed to prevent an iPhone from losing its After First Unlock, or AFU, status, according to an instructional video 404 Media obtained. That puts the tools in direct conflict with an Apple security feature known as inactivity reboot.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in