Skip to main content
  • Search
    • Best Products
    • See All
      • Computing
        • Best Laptops
        • Best Graphics Cards
        • Best Desktop Computers
        • Best Chromebooks
        • Best Routers
        • Best Gaming Laptops
      • Mobile
        • Best Phones
        • Best Tablets
        • Best Smartwatches
        • Best Wireless Earbuds
        • Best Fitness Trackers
        • Best iPhones
      • Audio / Video
        • Best TVs
        • Best Headphones
        • Best Soundbars
        • Best Speakers
        • Best Streaming Devices
        • Best Bluetooth Speakers
      • More
        • Best PS5 Games
        • Best Xbox Series X Games
        • Best Game Consoles
        • Best Refrigerators
        • Best Robot Vacuums
        • Versus
    • Product Reviews
    • See All
      • Computing
        • Laptop Reviews
        • Monitor Reviews
        • Desktop Reviews
        • Mac Reviews
        • Windows Reviews
      • Mobile
        • Phone Reviews
        • Tablet Reviews
        • Smartwatch Reviews
        • Fitness Tracker Reviews
        • iPhone and iPad Reviews
      • Audio / Video
        • TV Reviews
        • Headphone Reviews
        • Soundbar Reviews
        • Speaker Reviews
        • Media Streamer Reviews
      • More
        • Game Reviews
        • Car Reviews
        • Smart Home Reviews
        • Vacuum Reviews
        • Video Game System Reviews
    • News
    • See All
      • Categories
        • Computing
        • Mobile
        • Audio / Video
        • Gaming
        • Smart Home
        • Entertainment
        • Cars
      • Brands
        • Apple
        • Microsoft
        • Amazon
        • Google
        • Samsung
        • Tesla
        • SpaceX
      • Platforms
        • PlayStation
        • Xbox
        • Nintendo Switch
        • Apple iOS 16
        • Android 13
        • Windows 11
        • MacOS
      • More
        • 5G
        • Streaming Media
        • Wearables
        • Space
        • PC Gaming
        • Wordle
        • Small Business
    • Buying Guides
    • See All
      • Computing
        • Laptop Buying Guide
        • Computer Monitor Buying Guide
        • Chromebooks vs. Laptops
        • Windows 11 vs. Windows 10
        • MacBook Air vs. iPad Pro
      • Mobile
        • iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 12
        • Apple Watch Series 6 vs. Fitbit Versa 3
        • Samsung Galaxy A52 vs. iPhone SE
        • Android vs. iOS
      • Audio / Video
        • QLED vs. OLED TV
        • Soundbars vs. Speakers
        • Soundbar Buying Guide
        • 4K TV Buying Guide
        • Surround Sound Guide
      • More
        • Xbox Series X vs. PS5
        • Nintendo Switch vs. Switch Lite
        • Nest Mini vs. Echo Dot
        • 5G home internet
        • Printer Buying Guide
    • Deals
    • See All
      • Computing
        • Best Laptop Deals
        • Best Printer Deals
        • Best Monitor Deals
      • Mobile
        • Best Smartphone Deals
        • Best Smartwatch Deals
        • Best iPhone Deals
      • Audio / Video
        • Best TV Deals
        • Best Headphone Deals
        • Best Soundbar Deals
      • More Deals
        • Best Gaming Deals
        • Best Apple Deals
        • Best Drone Deals
    • Downloads
    • See All
      • Categories
        • Browsers
        • Office & Productivity
        • Development Tools
        • Learning
        • Games
        • Internet
        • Music & Video
        • Customization
        • Security & VPN
        • Social & Messaging
        • OS & Tools
      • Platforms
        • Windows
        • Mac
        • Android
        • iOS
    • Originals
    • See All
      • Original Editorial Series
        • Tech for Change
        • Summer Gaming Marathon
        • ReSpec
        • Oscar Effects
        • Women With Byte
        • Better, Faster, Stronger
        • Special Features
      • Original Video Series
        • Genius Home
        • Life on Mars
        • Picture This
        • What’s in the Bag?
        • The Future Of
        • Robots Everywhere
    • More
      • Company
        • About Us
        • Advertise with Us
        • Sponsored Content
        • Digital Trends Media Group
        • Careers
        • Freelance Opportunities
        • Press Room
      • Our Brands
        • DT en Español
        • The Manual
        • 21Oak
        • NewFolks
        • HappySprout
        • PawTracks
  • Trending:
  • Wordle Today August 19
  • ColorOs 13 Coming in August
  • Google Docs Powerhouse Feature
  • Oppo Enco X2 Review
  • Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro Review
  • Best Touchscreen Laptops
  • Best Motherboards
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Law enforcement agencies are buying GrayKey, a device to unlock iPhones

Lulu Chang
By Lulu Chang April 13, 2018

Unlocking an iPhone may no longer be the arduous task it once was for law enforcement officials. It would appear that an increasing number of U.S. law enforcement agencies are buying a cost-effective device capable of unlocking iPhones without breaking a sweat. It’s called GrayKey, and it’s a small grey box with two lightning cables that stick out like antennae.

Using the device, you can connect two iPhones simultaneously, and users are meant to keep them connected for about two minutes. While they’re not immediately unlocked upon disconnection, Malwarebytes reports that “some time later, the phones will display a black screen with the passcode, among other information.”

Exactly how long it takes to unlock the phone varies, and in Malwarebytes’ observation, it took about two hours. It can, however, take up to three days or even longer for longer passwords (up to six digits), and for passwords even longer than that, there’s no word yet in exactly how long it takes. But allegedly, this device works for disabled phones, as well as phones running iOS 11.

GrayKey comes from a company called Grayshift, an Atlanta-based company founded in 2016. As per a Forbes report, the GrayKey is meant for law enforcement officials or labs, which means that it is indeed a device designed specifically for the authorities. Once a device is unlocked, its contents are downloaded to the GrayKey, where they can be further analyzed by the powers that be either on a connected computer, or as a downloaded file. Moreover, Malwarebytes reports, “The full, unencrypted contents of the keychain are also available for download.”

So how much does this device cost? There are two options available. The first requires internet connectivity, and will set police stations back $15,000. It’s also geofenced, which means that once it’s been activated, it cannot be used on another internet network. Then, there’s a $30,000 version, which does not depend on the internet to work, and does not have a limit on the number of phones it can unlock. While this may sound expensive, authorities ultimately paid Israeli company Cellebrite $900,000 to unlock the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone.

As per a report from Motherboard, a number of police forces — including ones in Maryland and Indiana — have already acquired or are considering acquiring a GrayKey. The U.S. State Department allegedly already has one as well, while the Secret Service and Drug Enforcement Administration are also looking into making a purchase.

Editors' Recommendations

  • The Pixel 6a is the iPhone SE for Android I’ve been waiting for
  • You need to update your iPhone and iPad right now to fix a critical security flaw
  • Apple iPhone 14: Everything we know about the 2022 iPhone
  • Android 13: Everything we know about Google’s big OS update
  • iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Series 8 could arrive on September 7

Video-editing app LumaFusion to get a Galaxy Tab S8 launch

A tablet featuring the LumaFusion video editing app.

This 3-in-1 MagSafe stand charges your iPhone with a twist

Ugreen 3-in-1 MagSafe charging stand.

Android 13 is here, and you can download it on your Pixel phone right now

Official artwork of Android 13

Apple plans to put more ads on your iPhone, report claims

iOS's App Library page shown on an iPhone 13 Pro.

As a loyal iMessage user, I’m sick and tired of Apple’s resistance to RCS

Close up detail of a man iMessaging on an iPhone.

The PlayStation Backbone is a great mobile gaming controller, but a bad PS5 companion

The DualSense Backbone resting on a window sill displaying the PS5 logo on its screen.

I want Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 Pro for all the wrong reasons

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

The Galaxy Z Flip 4’s best trick is hiding in plain sight

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

The best Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 watch bands

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

When is my phone getting Android 13? Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and more

The Android 13 logo on a Galaxy S21.

Best cheap Fitbit deals for August 2022

fitbit versa review version 1522045407 full 19

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 buying guide: everything you need to know

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Everything we know about Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro refresh

The iPad Pro 2021 on a table, showing the screen.

Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Mobile
  • Computing
  • Gaming
  • Audio / Video
  • Connected Living
  • Entertainment
  • Automotive
  • Space
  • Streaming Guides
  • Original Shows
  • Downloads
  • How-To
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Logo & Accolade Licensing
  • Sponsored Content
  • Digital Trends in Spanish
  • Manage Preferences
Digital Trends Media Group
  • Portland
  • New York
  • Chicago
  • Detroit
  • Los Angeles
  • Toronto
  • Careers
  • Advertise With Us
  • Work With Us
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Press Room
  • Sitemap
Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites.
©2022 Digital Trends Media Group, a Designtechnica Company. All rights reserved.