Is the data exchanged with the Apple Servers during a manual/itunes ios update any different between a PC and Mac?

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Is the data exchanged with the Apple Servers during a manual/itunes ios update any different between a PC and Mac?

When performing an ios update with an ipsw file, data is exchanged with an apple server to complete the update to the newer ios version. Without an internet connection to the apple server the update does not complete.

Can and Apple software engineer please answer if there is anything done differently during this data exchange process between a Macintosh vs a PC? If not here within the forum, can someone provide me a phone number, email or mail address to contact to get this information? The answer is very important to the organization that I belong to.

From a privacy standpoint, I assume the device name and perhaps some other data is submitted to verify the identity of the device being updated but is any personal information submitted like email, contacts or any other data potentially typed by the user sent during the connection to the Apple update server?

My understanding is that user generated data, settings and apps are handled entirely with the backup file if ones is created?

Dan

iPad 2, iOS 6.1.3

Posted on Sep 11, 2013 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Sep 11, 2013 11:30 AM in response to USVI Dan

Apple does not participate in these forums, so you will not get a reply from an Apple engineer, nor will there be any way for you to contact anyone in the iTunes or iOS engineering team.

I do not, however, think that there is any difference between the Mac and Windows versions of iTunes in what information they transmit to Apple's services. In either version no personal information of any sort is sent when only doing an update to iOS, only to the best of my knowledge the device identification so that the correct update file can be delivered. The only time any of your contacts or any other such information would be sent to Apple's servers is if you are synchronizing via iCloud, and emails only if you use iCloud's email service.

My understanding is that user generated data, settings and apps are handled entirely with the backup file if ones is created?

Except for synchronizing with iCloud, that would be correct. This may be of interest:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4865

Regards.

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Answer 2

USVI Dan Author

Level 1

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Sep 11, 2013 1:38 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for your quick post. I agree 100% with what your saying..

I need something that can hold up in court.

I found these ios expert witnesses on the net, hoping they can draft something for me or anyone else needing an Apple engineer's opinion.

https://www.blackbagtech.com/services/expert-witness.html

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Sep 11, 2013 1:59 PM in response to USVI Dan

If you need something that can be used as court evidence, then you will indeed need to contract with a forensic expert. I know nothing about the company you mention, though the fact that they don't seem to list any of their employees, nor any sort of address or contact information other than a web form, do not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling about their expertise or reliability. They may well and truly be experts whose testimony could be relied on, though. Here are a couple of other companies you could talk to as well:

http://katanaforensics.com/professional-services/

http://www.cellebrite.com/forensic-solutions/ios-forensics.html

You can also search for expert witnesses through the Thomson Reuters Round Table Group:

http://www.roundtablegroup.com/expert-witness-industry/Computers.htm

Regards.

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