UFS (Universal Flash Storage)
Definition
A newer flash storage standard using a serial interface that allows simultaneous reads and writes. Faster than eMMC and common in flagship devices from 2018 onward. Chip-off acquisition requires specialised UFS readers and is more complex than eMMC.
- Full name
- Universal Flash Storage
- Interface
- Serial, supports simultaneous read/write
- Adoption
- Common in flagship devices from 2018 onward
- Vs eMMC
- Faster; chip-off acquisition more complex
Common questions
Why does UFS complicate chip-off acquisition compared to older eMMC storage?+
UFS uses a different serial protocol and command set than the parallel-style eMMC interface, so examiners need UFS-specific readers and adapters, and the chip's data structures require different parsing than the well-established eMMC forensic tooling.
Does UFS being faster than eMMC affect forensic imaging speed?+
The interface speed advantage benefits normal device operation, but forensic acquisition speed depends more on the reader hardware, the acquisition method used, and whether the chip must first be desoldered, so UFS is not necessarily faster to image forensically.
Related terms
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- Flash Translation Layer (FTL)
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- Secure Enclave / Trusted Execution Environment (TEE)
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- System on Chip (SoC)
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