Prepare your device for a forensic analysis
Inviolable does not install permanent software on your device. We ship a per-analysis signed software that uses well-known system tools to create an isolated backup, analyzes it against current indicators, and cleans up after itself. These are the prerequisites — please confirm them before you purchase a plan.
Mandatory hardware
Two physical items you must have on hand before starting.
Data-capable USB cable
USB-A or USB-C — whichever matches your phone.
Used only to connect the phone to the computer and transfer data during the analysis. It is a cable, not a storage device.
Verify it transfers data: before starting, plug your phone into the PC and open a trusted app (Apple Devices or iTunes on Windows, or your file explorer for Android). The phone must appear listed for file transfer — not just charging. If it only charges, try another cable or USB port.
External USB drive
Required — not optional.
This is where the forensic backup of your phone is preserved. It must be physically separate from your computer to maintain the chain of custody required for forensic analysis.
Size must be equal to or greater than the storage currently used on your phone. Example: 128 GB used on the phone → 128 GB+ USB drive. 256 GB used → 256 GB+ drive. Free space on the drive is what matters, not its label.
Do not confuse this with the cable above. The cable transfers data; the USB drive stores the backup.
Device to analyze
We currently support mobile phones only.
ADB backup for supported devices, app-data dump for the rest — we detect the right path automatically.
What you need
- Developer Mode enabled (tap Build Number 7× in About Phone).
- USB Debugging turned ON (Developer Options).
- Device unlocked and staying awake for the duration.
- Device passcode available (we never ask you for it).
Step by step
- 1
Enable Developer Options
Settings → About Phone → tap 'Build number' seven times. Enter your PIN when prompted.
- 2
Turn on USB Debugging
Settings → System → Developer Options → USB Debugging = ON.
- 3
Connect via cable and authorize the computer
The phone will show a fingerprint prompt — tap 'Always allow from this computer'.
- 4
Run the Inviolable software
Double-click the downloaded file. The software auto-detects your device model and selects the appropriate collection path (ADB backup or targeted app-data dump).
- 5
Keep the screen on during collection
Some Android builds interrupt the USB session when the screen locks; plug the phone into a charger to be safe.
- 6
Move the backup to your USB drive and unplug it
When the analysis finishes, copy the backup folder to the external USB drive, eject it, and store it somewhere safe. If the result is positive, this isolated copy becomes the evidence you can hand to a lawyer or authority — untouched by the day-to-day computer.
Things to keep in mind
- • Some manufacturers (Samsung, Huawei) restrict ADB backup; in those cases we collect a narrower dataset.
- • Rooted devices are flagged, not rejected, but add review time.
Computer used for the analysis
The Windows PC you connect the phone to.
Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11 — signed software, zero installation.
What you need
- Windows 10 (22H2) or Windows 11.
- Administrator account on the machine.
- Free disk space ≥ used storage on the phone (the backup lives here briefly before moving to the USB drive).
- Apple Devices (Microsoft Store) or iTunes installed if analyzing an iPhone.
Step by step
- 1
Plug in the external USB drive
Connect the empty USB drive that will hold the backup. Note the drive letter assigned (e.g. E:).
- 2
Connect the phone with the data cable
Verify the phone appears for file transfer in Apple Devices/iTunes (iPhone) or File Explorer (Android) — not just charging.
- 3
Double-click the downloaded software
Consent to the UAC prompt. The software is signed with our Extended Validation certificate — Windows will display 'Inviolable.io' as the publisher.
- 4
Follow the on-screen progress
The software collects the artifacts, encrypts them, and shows an upload progress bar.
- 5
Move the backup to the external USB drive and eject it
When done, the software prompts you to copy the backup to the USB drive. Eject the drive and store it safely.
Things to keep in mind
- • BitLocker does not need to be disabled.
- • Antivirus products occasionally quarantine our software; add an exception for the session if that happens.
No installation required
The software is signed per analysis and removes itself when the collection is complete. The only thing that remains is your isolated evidence copy.
Privacy by design
We never store your device passcode, your messages, or the backup. The artifact stays on your machine; only the indicator match results and the signed certificate are retained.
Ready when you are.
Pick a plan, run the software, receive the signed report.