§ Guide

IOS Full File System Vs Logical Acquisition

Ref · E-D · 2026 · §LIBClass · ConfidentialJuris · England & WalesStatus · Active

Guide · 17 pages · 25 min read · Published 2026-09-02

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§ Credit and source

Published by Computer Forensics Lab on 2026-09-02. Original material of the practice, free to read, cite and download. The authority behind this subject is ACPO/NPCC Good Practice Guide for Digital Evidence, which you should read alongside this guide. See every guide's author and source.

§ Full text of IOS Full File System Vs Logical Acquisition

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IOSACQUISITIONMETHODS · A GUIDE FOR UK LAWYERS

iOS Full-File-System vs Logical Acquisition

How Deep the Extraction Goes, and Why It Matters for What You Will Find

11 Questions to ask · Suggested wording

12 Checklist and red flags · When to involve a digital forensic expert

13 Frequently asked questions

14 Glossary · References · Disclaimer · How a specialist laboratory can assist

Executive summary

The headline point: iOS extractions differ in depth, a logical acquisition collects what the phone hands over

through normal interfaces, while a full-file-system acquisition reaches the deeper file system including far

always be under stood and stated.

§ 12 · QUICK CONTROL

Checklist and red flags · When to involve a digital forensic

expert

What is the difference between logical and full-file-system extraction?

If a logical extraction found nothing, does that mean it isn't there?

Working with Computer Forensics Lab

Speak to a forensic examiner, not a salesperson.

§ Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Can you always do a full-file-system extraction?
No, its availability depends on the device (
Why does the method used need to be disclosed?
Because it determines what the exam in at i on could reach (
§ Related documents
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