File deletion, encryption, and recovery of long-gone files.

Question

File deletion, encryption, and recovery of long-gone files.

Hello,

I'm a 12 user with the latest iOS (14.6).

At the very bottom of Settings > Face ID & Passcode on my iPhone, it says Data protection is enabled. I read that this means the iPhone is encrypted. If true, is it the entire iOS that's encrypted or it leaves some sectors unencrypted?
Usually, when I delete files, I do so through the Files app. I click on the On My iPhone, navigate through the folders and starts deleting files. Since the iOS is encrypted, any files (literally, anything) should turn into scrambled and unreadable nonsense, right? And when I delete files, and I'm sure it is possible to recover those, but will what they (anyone trying to get my files) get eventually be only gibberish, unreadable data?

NB: I do not use iCloud. I've made sure by checking Settings > [[MyName]] > iCloud, and iCloud Drive is toggled off.

TL;DR I delete files through the Files app, and I'm worried of the possibility of someone recovering my files through third-party (or perhaps, Apple's own?) tools.

Posted on Jun 20, 2021 5:00 AM

Reply

Answer 1

LACAllen

Level 8

43,602 points

Jun 20, 2021 5:25 AM in response to aphajawaila47

aphajawaila47 wrote:

Hello,

I'm a 12 user with the latest iOS (14.6).

At the very bottom of Settings > Face ID & Passcode on my iPhone, it says Data protection is enabled1. . I read that this means the iPhone is encrypted. If true, is it the entire iOS that's encrypted or it leaves some sectors unencrypted?.

The entire storage of the phone is encrypted by using a passcode. If you have a strong passcode, nobody should be able to access your device. Conversely, an easy to guess passcode is risky.

It can be erased to remove the passcode, but that removes the encryption key and renders all data on it unreadable by any method currently known.

See >> https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/security/sece3bee0835/1/web/1

Reply

Answer 2

Jun 20, 2021 5:25 AM in response to aphajawaila47

While not directly answering your questions, you might find Apple’s Platform Security document interesting reading.

(Click on “Table of Contents”)

https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/security/welcome/web

Reply

Answer 3

LACAllen

Level 8

43,602 points

Jun 20, 2021 5:52 AM in response to aphajawaila47

aphajawaila47 wrote:

Thank you.

Anyway, I'm curious of what you think about the story about the U.S. government capable of breaking into iPhones. What makes iPhones breakable other than weak passocodes?

This subject is not permitted here.

Reply

Answer 4

Jun 20, 2021 5:47 AM in response to LACAllen

Thank you.

Anyway, I'm curious of what you think about the story about the U.S. government capable of breaking into iPhones. What makes iPhones breakable other than weak passocodes?

Reply

File deletion, encryption, and recovery of long-gone files.

Similar questions