What Graykey iPhone hack tool can unlock

Leaked documents reveal the secrets behind Graykey, the covert forensic tool used to unlock modern smartphones, exposing its struggles with Apple's latest iOS updates.

Graykey is a forensic tool designed to unlock mobile devices and extract data, primarily used by law enforcement agencies and digital forensics experts. Developed by the secretive company Grayshift — now owned by Magnet Forensics — Graykey has earned a reputation for its ability to bypass smartphone security measures.

The tool helps law enforcement and forensic professionals in accessing locked mobile devices during criminal investigations. It breaks device encryption and security features to retrieve personal data like messages, photos, app data, and metadata.

Graykey supports Apple and Android devices, though its effectiveness varies depending on the specific hardware and software involved. Graykey's capabilities and limitations, however, are rarely disclosed.

However, a leak of some Grayshift's internal documents was recently reported on by 404 Media. According to the data, Graykey can only perform "partial" data retrieval from iPhones running iOS 18 and iOS 18.0.1.

A compatibility table listing various iPad and iPhone models against software versions, with status indicators like Partial, Full, Consent, None in different colors.

An image of a document detailing Graykey's functionality with iPhones operating on iOS 18.0 and 18.0.1. Image credit: 404 Media

These versions were released in September and early October, respectively. A partial extraction likely includes unencrypted files and metadata, such as folder structures and file sizes, according to past reports.

Notably, Graykey struggles with beta versions of iOS 18.1. Under the latest update, the tool fails to extract any data, as per the documents.

Meanwhile, Graykey's performance with Android phones varies, largely due to the diversity of devices and manufacturers. On Google's Pixel lineup, Graykey can only partially access data from the latest Pixel 9 when in an "After First Unlock" (AFU) state — where the phone has been unlocked at least once since being powered on.

Andrew Garrett, CEO of Garrett Discovery, confirmed that the leaked documents align with Graykey's known capabilities. Meanwhile, Magnet Forensics and Apple declined to comment on the leak.

Cat and mouse game

The leaked documents shed light on the ongoing battle between tech companies like Apple and forensic firms. Apple's frequent security updates and features, including USB Restricted Mode and iPhone rebooting after inactivity, have made unauthorized access increasingly difficult.

In response, companies like Grayshift and Cellebrite continue to develop new exploits to bypass these safeguards. While tools like Graykey may lag behind new OS releases, historical trends suggest they often catch up eventually.

Forensic experts expect the cycle of vulnerabilities and patches to persist as Apple and Google continue fortifying their systems against unauthorized access.

Latest Exclusives

Latest comparisons

30 Comments

DAalseth 3053 comments · 6 Years

About 3 weeks ago

I fully expect 47 to push through a law requiring Apple to build in a back door. With that, there will go our security.

22july2013 3725 comments · 11 Years

DAalseth said:

I fully expect 47 to push through a law requiring Apple to build in a back door. With that, there will go our security.

How would you feel if the back door only was installed for non-American iPhones. Would you be comfortable with that? When you say "our security" are you talking about Americans, or citizens of the world, including Hamas?

Trump doesn't have the constitutional authority to create any law. Maybe you know that, but the way you worded it sounded like he has some degree of law-making authority.

kmarei 209 comments · 16 Years

22july2013 said:

DAalseth said:

I fully expect 47 to push through a law requiring Apple to build in a back door. With that, there will go our security.

How would you feel if the back door only was installed for non-American iPhones. Would you be comfortable with that? When you say "our security" are you talking about Americans, or citizens of the world, including Hamas?

Trump doesn't have the constitutional authority to create any law. Maybe you know that, but the way you worded it sounded like he has some degree of law-making authority.

so your argument is we should monitor all phones?

yes about your trump statement, but unlike other presidents, no one says no to him. no republican senator or member of the house dares say no to him. or he will get negative tweets that night around 2-3am from trump. and he'll get a moderately funny schoolkid nickname.
he has close to absolute power
presidency
senate
house
and supreme court

22july2013 said:

DAalseth said:

I fully expect 47 to push through a law requiring Apple to build in a back door. With that, there will go our security.

How would you feel if the back door only was installed for non-American iPhones. Would you be comfortable with that? When you say "our security" are you talking about Americans, or citizens of the world, including Hamas?

Trump doesn't have the constitutional authority to create any law. Maybe you know that, but the way you worded it sounded like he has some degree of law-making authority.

First the President has had a huge amount of power to control the agenda and what goes to and through Congress. Especially if both the house and senate are controlled by the same party. If he wants a law to declare chicken masala illegal, he could get it and this SCOTUS will back him up on it. A back door on our devices for ‘national security’ would be something he could do without breaking a sweat.

Second, back doors are always bad. Trying to restrict them to just this or that group is a minefield that is doomed to failure. Security for the law abiding will be compromised, police and security will abuse the power, the keys to the ‘secret’ opening will get into the hands of criminals. That is an absolute gold plated certainty. Meanwhile groups like Hamas will just use alternative software options and systems to render their communications immune to spying and the back door. So no, any back door is a bad idea.

thrang 1036 comments · 17 Years

DAalseth said:

I fully expect 47 to push through a law requiring Apple to build in a back door. With that, there will go our security.

Despite the public statements around this during the assassination attempt, I sincerely doubt this... that backdoor would swing both ways, intelligence knows this...