# Magnet Forensics iPhone security bypass development

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/magnet-forensics-iphone-security-bypass-development
> Updated: 2026-10-03T22:11:09.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2.

Magnet Forensics has reportedly developed new tools to bypass security features in Apple’s iOS, specifically targeting the inactivity reboot function. This feature automatically restarts an iPhone if it remains unlocked for 72 hours, transitioning the device from the ‘After First Unlock’ (AFU) state to the more secure ‘Before First Unlock’ (BFU) state, where encryption keys are locked.

To counter this, Magnet Forensics is introducing a hardware device called ‘GrayKey Preserve’ and a software feature named ‘Evidence Preservation Mode’. The hardware device reportedly works by isolating the iPhone—disabling cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth—to prevent the internal timer from triggering a reboot. The preservation mode is designed to prevent the automatic deletion of cached location data, recently deleted iMessages, and photos.

These tools aim to maintain devices in the AFU state, even after a power loss or restart, to facilitate data extraction by forensic investigators. The GrayKey technology is currently used by more than 1,200 agencies across 40 countries.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Magnet Forensics develops tool to bypass iPhone security restarts

Magnet Forensics’ new ‘GrayKey Preserve’ tool reportedly allows investigators to bypass Apple’s 72-hour inactivity restart on iPhones to maintain access to sensitive data.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/magnet-forensics-develops-tool-to-bypass-iphone-security-restarts

### 2026-10-01: Magnet Forensics claims new tools can bypass Apple iPhone inactivity reboot

Magnet Forensics claims new GrayKey tools can bypass Apple’s iOS 18.1 inactivity reboot, keeping seized iPhones in an accessible state to prevent data encryption and automatic deletion of messages and photos.

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/magnet-forensics-reportedly-bypasses-iphone-inactivity-reboot-security

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Cite as: Magnet Forensics iPhone security bypass development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/magnet-forensics-iphone-security-bypass-development