Advanced Data Protection (ADP)
Definition
Apple's opt-in feature since iOS 16.2 (December 2022 in US, global by iOS 16.3) that extends end-to-end encryption to iCloud Backup, iCloud Drive, Photos, Notes, Reminders, Safari Bookmarks and most other classes. Apple holds no decryption key and cannot honour a production order for ADP-protected data.
- Platform
- Apple iCloud
- US rollout
- iOS 16.2, December 2022
- Global rollout
- iOS 16.3
- Effect
- End-to-end encryption of most iCloud data
Common questions
Which iCloud categories stay outside ADP's coverage?+
Mail, Contacts and Calendar remain on standard iCloud encryption because they must interoperate with widely used protocols, so those categories stay accessible to Apple under a valid legal request even with ADP enabled.
What does ADP mean practically for a digital forensic investigator?+
A production order to Apple returns nothing readable for ADP-protected categories, so investigators must instead pursue acquisition from the device itself or from a synced local backup where the keys are held.
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