How Cellebrite Cracks iPhones — Inside the Forensics Company

The Israeli company Cellebrite specializes in cracking iPhones for law enforcement agencies. They successfully bypass smartphone security using their UFED and Physical Analyzer tools. These technologies exploit vulnerabilities in iOS to extract and analyze data. As of now, iOS 17.4 remains resistant to their methods.

To protect your device, it is recommended to regularly update iOS, enable automatic data wipe after 10 failed unlock attempts, and disable USB accessories when the device is locked. In 2021, the creator of Signal discovered vulnerabilities in Cellebrite's products, demonstrating the possibility of reverse-hacking their tools.

One notable case was the unlocking of the San Bernardino terrorist's iPhone in 2016, which brought the company international prominence. However, Cellebrite has been repeatedly criticized for using its technology to invade the privacy of activists and journalists.