iPhone 5S Passcode?

[iphonefreak450]

Hi everyone,

When I purchased my new iPhone 5S I had setup as new iPhone and during the setup process, I did not add a Passcode being only 4-digits. The reason I did not add a passcode DURING the setup process, is because I needed a longer passcode anyways since on the passcode setup page it only accepts a 4-Digit passcode.

Now since I had no data at all on my phone, I had created a long passcode after the phone had been setup by disabling the Simple Passcode option.

Now here is my question and I thought about this recently.

Since I did NOT add a passcode during the setup process and then adding one AFTER the phone had been set up, whatever data I add from now on to the phone, will that still be encrypted?

Once again, this was a totally new iPhone with no data at all.
But I chosen not to add a passcode during the setup process and then adding one AFTER the phone had been setup.

There is NO data on there yet.

So is this OK or not?

Thanks in advance

 

[C DM]

It doesn't matter when it was added. When it's there the data is protected.

 

[iphonefreak450]

So it will not matter if I add a screen-lock Passcode before or after I add any important data on my phone?

 

[ardchoille50]

The data on your phone was encrypted from the beginning, regardless of whether or not you have ever or will ever use a passcode.

 

[Newtons Apple]

So it will not matter if I add a screen-lock Passcode before or after I add any important data on my phone?

Makes no difference if you add it now or later. Without, anyone can get in your phone. When you add a code it must be used to get into the phone. You can remove the pass code later if you wish.

 

[iphonefreak450]

The data on your phone was encrypted from the beginning, regardless of whether or not you have ever or will ever use a passcode.

I don't understand your point here. Without the screen-lock passcode, anyone can go through your phone and read all your contents. Suppose I loose my phone or someone steals my phone and my phone did not have the screen-lock passcode enabled, the attacker can still access my data anyways even if the iPhone has the built-in hardware encryption to it.

 

[ardchoille50]

I don't understand your point here. Without the screen-lock passcode, anyone can go through your phone and read all your contents. Suppose I loose my phone or someone steals my phone and my phone did not have the screen-lock passcode enabled, the attacker can still access my data anyways even if the iPhone has the built-in hardware encryption to it.

You seem to think that the passcode is what implements the encryption. The passcode only prevents unlocking the screen and has nothing to do with the hardware encryption. The hardware encryption was enabled when the phone was set up, before the system ever prompted for a passcode.

True, without the passcode anyone can pick up the phone and view its content - this is why the passcode is a vital security feature. It not only prevents anyone from viewing the phone contents, but it also prevents others from changing certain features and factory resetting the phone from within the settings app on the phone. For example; if you unlock your phone, using the passcode, and hand it to someone, they cannot turn off Find My iPhone nor can they Erase All Content And Settings without the passcode.

Using an iPhone without a passcode is a serious breach of personal security.

 

[iphonefreak450]

Thanks for the explanation. I even downloaded the iOS Security Guide PDF. Its GREAT stuff and lots of information.
https://www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

But just to confirm once again. Is it OK to restore all my important data BEFORE enabling the screen-lock passcode or should I enable it AFTER I restore the data?

 

[ardchoille50]

Thanks for the explanation. I even downloaded the iOS Security Guide PDF. Its GREAT stuff and lots of information.
https://www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

But just to confirm once again. Is it OK to restore all my important data BEFORE enabling the screen-lock passcode or should I enable it AFTER I restore the data?

The screen lock passcode has no bearing on your data, so it doesn't matter when you enable the passcode. You can enable the passcode and then restore your data, or you can restore your data and then enable the passcode, the order doesn't matter.

In fact, I believe that iOS Security Guide states that the user cannot disable the encryption - which further indicates that the passcode has nothing to do with encryption because the passcode is optional.

 

[C DM]

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202064 and http://apple.stackexchange.com/ques...-my-device-when-i-set-a-passcode-to-my-iphone have some more information about it all.

 

[Applejuiced]

This gotta be an android user still not getting it

 

[iphonefreak450]

This gotta be an android user still not getting it

hehe

Yes, I used to be an Android user. Because Android has less security than iOS. That's why I switched.
But I did not know that iOS devices had hardware based encryption already.
Now that I know, I am NOT going back to Android. Android has a lot of security flaws especially in their apps.

Again, thanks to all your support on this.