What happens to data on non-functioning iPads that Apple replaces?

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What happens to data on non-functioning iPads that Apple replaces?

iPad Pro will not turn on. Force restarting worked last week but no longer works. I took it to an authorized repair location who ran a diagnostic on it and said that it’s not even registering power. We’re sending it back to apple and the tech said that it will likely be replaced. I have iCloud backups of my data. I’m not worried about that. My question is what happens to my data on the dead iPad once it’s repaired? Can that be accessed by anyone? Or is it gone? Just don’t want people having access to data, photos, texts, etc.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Apr 2, 2024 8:54 PM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Level 10

303,590 points

Apr 3, 2024 6:03 AM in response to ice950

When returned to Apple, any residual data present on the device is protected by encryption - and is safe. If the iPad is ever restored to a running state, all encrypted data will be automatically erased.

Unless the iPad can be restarted to a running state - and the device Passcode (this being known only to you) is successfully entered - nobody will be able to access or recover any data from your iPad.

iPadOS uses an encrypted filesystem. Successful entry of the correct iPad Passcode unlocks the Secure Enclave (this being the iPad's security chip) within which the only copy of the encryption keys - that are required to access and decrypt data - are stored. Only a very limited number of tries to enter the correct passcode are possible. As such a brute-force attempt to access the iPad, by guessing the correct passcode, is highly unlikely to be successful.

iOS/iPadOS is architecturally designed to protect the owners data. If an incorrect Passcode is repeatedly entered, the Secure Enclave automatically wiped and the device disabled - an operation that erases all stored encryption keys. This is known as a crypto-erase. Once erased, all locally stored data is permanently beyond reach and cannot be recovered.

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