Expert help wiping an iphone clean - Computer Technical Help

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Expert help wiping an iphone clean

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12-20-2015 , 05:32 PM

jdgambler

newbie

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 26

I am looking to totally wipe out an iphone by an expert.

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12-20-2015 , 05:55 PM

kazana

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5,658

Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings.

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12-20-2015 , 06:06 PM

MarcoSilva92

adept

Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 734

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazana

Go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings.

Except that does nothing if someone wants to recover it's content x) My friend found some very interesting home made videos on such a device that was 'wiped'

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12-20-2015 , 06:11 PM

jdgambler

newbie

Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 26

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Originally Posted by MarcoSilva92

Except that does nothing if someone wants to recover it's content x) My friend found some very interesting home made videos on such a device that was 'wiped'

That is what I am afraid of and why I am looking for expert advice that may go beyond the basic steps.

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12-20-2015 , 06:13 PM

kazana

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 5,658

It throws away the keys to access the encrypted files (all files are encrypted on phone to begin with). So it is neither trivial nor guaranteed to recover the information.

If you're paranoid about that, you can put it into recovery mode and restore it via iTunes.

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12-20-2015 , 06:23 PM

MarcoSilva92

adept

Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 734

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazana

Do you have any source that iPhones have encryption by default on the file system? I know they encrypt their communications within their ecosystem, but never heard of default encryption of content in the file system.

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12-20-2015 , 07:09 PM

donfairplay

grinder

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 686

I thought only ios 8 and above encrypts file system by default. ios 7 encrypts third-party apps by default (and pretty much nothing else by default)

ars technica article on ios8 "photos, messages (including attachments), email, contacts, call history, iTunes content, notes, and reminders is placed under the protection of your passcode"

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12-20-2015 , 07:14 PM

MarcoSilva92

adept

Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 734

Quote:

Originally Posted by donfairplay

Thanks for the link! The question remains what iOS is the OP running then

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12-20-2015 , 07:22 PM

donfairplay

grinder

Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 686

According to wiki 87% of iphones have ios 8 or later as of september 2015.

However, only the iphone 6 and later have ios 8 installed from the factory. It's probably secure to delete an iphone (less than 6) with default encryption, but you never know - Trust no one, Mr. Mulder.

Last edited by donfairplay; 12-20-2015 at 07:35 PM.

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