The iPhone is among the most popular mobile phones on the market. Apple released the first generation iPhone in June 2007. Ever since the first release, the iPhone has gained a lot of popularity due to its advanced functionality and usability. The introduction of the iPhone has redefined the entire world of mobile computing. Consumers started looking for faster and more efficient phones. Various iPhone models exist now with different features and storage capabilities to serve the consumer requirements. The following table lists all iPhone models with their initial iOS versions:

iPhone models

The iPhones released since the first edition of Practical Mobile Forensics, the iPhones 6, 6 Plus, 6S, and 6S Plus, remain difficult when dealing with physical forensic acquisition methods. Just like the devices released since the iPhone 5, there is no method or tool available to physically recover data from these devices, unless they are jailbroken. However, the file system and a logical...

The iPhone is a collection of modules, chips, and electronic components from different manufacturers. Due to the complexities of the iPhone, the list of hardware components is extensive and each device should be researched for internal components.

The following images show the internals of iPhone 6. The images were taken after dismantling the iPhone 6. Internal images for all iPhones can be found in the teardown section at http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iPhone.

The iPhone 6 teardown image-side 1 (https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+6+Teardown/29213)

The following is the image shows the back of the iPhone 6:

The iPhone 6 teardown image-side 2 (https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+6+Teardown/29213)

The Apple iPhone changed the way cell phones are produced and used. Similarly, the iPad, a version of the tablet computer introduced in January 2010, squashed the sales of notebooks. With the iPad, individuals can shoot videos, take photos, play music, read books, browse the Internet, and do much more. Various iPad models exist now with different features and storage capabilities. The following table lists all the iPad models and their initial iOS versions. Details on identifying iPad models can be found at http://support.apple.com/kb/ht5452.

iPad identifiers and release dates

Similar to iPhone, not all versions of the iPad are supported for physical acquisition. In addition, Apple has changed data storage locations in iOS versions, which affects the iPad devices as well. The examiner must be aware of the different models, the released and currently installed iOS version, storage capability, network access vectors, and more.

Every release of the iPad comes with improved or newly...

One of the key factors of the success of Apple iOS devices is the proper selection of its hardware components. Just like the iPhone, the iPad is also a collection of modules, chips, and electronic components from different manufacturers. Internal images for all iPads can be found in the teardown section of http://www.ifixit.com/Device/iPad.

The following images show the internals of the iPad Pro. The images were taken after dismantling the iPad Pro cellular model and were obtained from https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Pro+Teardown/52599.

The iPad Pro teardown image (https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Pro+Teardown/52599)

The following image shows side 1 of the iPad Pro:

The iPad Pro teardown image (https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Pro+Teardown/52599)

The following image shows side 2 of the iPad Pro:

The iPad Pro teardown image (https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad+Pro+Teardown/52599)

The Apple Watch was released in spring 2015. This smartwatch enabled users to sync iPhone data to the watch and leverage the watch as a way to interact with the iPhone and as a singular device. The Apple Watch enables users to answer calls, send and respond to SMS, iMessage, and e-mail, access third-party applications, use Apple maps, and more. The Apple Watch can only be paired with an iPhone capable of running iOS 8.2 or later, not an iPad. The first release of Watch OS required the watch be within Bluetooth range of the iPhone for full functionality, but Watch OS 2.X allows the watch to function independently on Wi-Fi. The Apple Watch 2 is expected to be released in late 2016.

Apple released Watch OS2 in September 2015; it offered more features, repaired bugs, and enabled the watch to function without an iPhone.

The features of the current Apple Watch are listed here: