Even the FBI struggled a few years back when it tried to get Apple to unlock the iPhone belonging to the suspect in a shooting case. But data recovery firm DriveSavers claims that it has developed a “passcode lockout recovery” that enables even an ordinary member of the public to crack an iPhone.
While it doesn’t share details, it claims that service is “100 percent” successful. It’s not cheap, however. The service reportedly costs around $3,900.
“DriveSavers is the ONLY company offering this service to families, individuals and other consumers,” the company’s website notes. “Outside of DriveSavers, this service is only available for use by law enforcement.”
Until now, the most widely publicized iPhone-unlocking device was the so-called GrayKey. This is used by law enforcement to access to the contents of encrypted devices involved in crimes. Apple seemingly hasn’t yet found the vulnerability exploited by GrayKey to allow iPhone unlocking.
A bit of small print
There are, as you might expect, a few provisos from DriveSavers. The company notes that the service is available only to the actual owner of the data on the locked smartphone, or to an owner’s next of kin in the event that the owner has passed away. This latter (sometimes heartbreaking) problem is previously one that Apple and its users have grappled with.
“How do we verify the owner of a device?” DriveSavers asks. “We understand that there may be no perfect solution to this issue. However, we attempt to validate the legal right to access the data during all phases of the recovery process. This starts with the information gathered during the intake process. We also have a legal authorization form requiring specific information identifying the right to the data.”
The iPhone isn’t the only type of phone DriveSavers says that it can unlock. It also says that it can unlock Samsung, Huawei, Lenovo, Xiaomi, LG, ZTE, Oppo, and assorted other devices, running various mobile operating systems.
Source: Macrumors
