iPhone Encryption questions

[Ambrosia7177]

Hi. I need some help with encryption on my iPhones.

Background:
I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max with cellular service on it, and an iPhone 15 Pro Max with no SIM card. Both are used almost entirely for videography, and my 1st cell is also used to look up weather and do basic info surfing online. Only used for emergencies to call, as I use VOIp on my MBP for a phone. As such, I never set up a password. But I am going to a protest this weekend, so probably a good time to encrypt things!!


Questions (iPhone 11 Pro Max w iOS 18.5):
1.) Adding a password encrypts my phone and ALL data?
2.) Can I updated my password later?
3.) Can I later decrypt my phone if I choose?
4.) How long for the encryption to finish?
5.) Any other concerns or advice before I do this?


Questions (iPhone 15 Pro Max w iOS 18.5):
1.) Adding a password encrypts my phone and ALL data?
2.) Can I updated my password later?
3.) Can I later decrypt my phone if I choose?
4.) How long for the encryption to finish?
5.) Any other concerns or advice before I do this?


Any other tips or words or advice on all of this?

Thanks!

 

[MacCheetah3]

I think, this should answer many of your inquiries:

Set a passcode on iPhone

For better security on your iPhone, set a passcode that needs to be entered to turn it on or wake it up.

support.apple.com

 

[baconcat_8964]

Once you set up a PIN or passcode, the iPhone's storage will be full-disk encrypted.

Currently, iOS 18.5 is safe from most forensic tools’ brute-force attacks and decryption attempts. Both iPhone 11 and iPhone 15 are safe from the checkm8 exploit, which is useful for acquisition.

One advice, force restart or turn it off when necessary. iPhone BFU (before first unlock after bootup) mode is the most secure state, since all data are encrypted on the disk. AFU (after first unlock) mode is generally safe, but there’s still some information being decrypted and stored in the memory, which could be vulnerable to forensic acquisition.