Best Mobile Forensic Tools For iPhone And Android

Mobile phones have become an integral part of every user. It is used to store and process data for personal and professional purposes. Mobile phones are used to uncover truths and solve crimes by law enforcement and cyber specialists using mobile forensic software tools.  

Mobile forensic tools are used to uncover hidden data, retrieve deleted data, and troubleshoot issues. It is a must-have software for investigators, security analysts, and IT specialists. Right digital forensic tools make all the difference in solving crimes. In this article, I will list the best mobile forensic tools for Android and iOS. The article lists the features, supporting devices, operating systems, and costs of each software to help you choose the right one.  

1. Cellebrite UFED

The Cellebrite UFED (Universal Forensic Extraction Device) is a leading commercial mobile forensic tool preferred by law enforcement and cyber security professionals for data extraction, decryption, and analysis. It supports over 31,000 devices and 1000 applications, including cloud services. 

Features:

• Key features include bypassing locks using advanced data decryption techniques,
• physical and file system extractions,
• Selective data recovery and access to encrypted content
• It can extract data from 1,000 mobile applications, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Instagram, and more.
• It also retrieves data from cloud services and application-specific databases, such as tokens, chat logs, attachments, and deleted content.

Supporting Devices:

• Android (Samsung, Huawei, etc.)
• iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod)
• Drones, SIM cards, GPS Systems, Smartphones, Smartwatches, and IoT devices.

Supporting Operating Systems: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Cost: Pricing starts at approximately $6,000 annually, depending on the license. 

Website: www.cellebrite.com

2. Magnet AXIOM

Magnet AXIOM is another digital forensic tool that extracts files and data from multiple devices like mobile, cloud, vehicles, computers, and third-party applications. It collects and reports all data in a single report. It uses intuitive analytical tools to automate the acquisition, processing, and analysis of evidence faster.  It is a great tool for filtering data and reviewing evidence in one place.

Features:

• It uses powerful aircraft recovery methods to recover deleted data from multiple devices,  processes warrants, and cloud data.
• It can extract data from mobile devices using Magnet Graykey integrations and other mobile forensic tools like Oxygen, Cellebrite, Berla, and others.
• It uses analytical tools like Magnet Copilot, Magnet AI, Cloud insights,  email explorers, media explorers and others to find case-relevant evidence quickly.

Supporting Devices:

•  Android, iPhone, computer
•  vehicles, Cloud services, Apple Wallet,
•  android motion photos, geolocation data

Supporting Operating Systems: Windows

Cost: Paid but you can request a free trial

Website: https://www.magnetforensics.com/products/magnet-axiom/

3. Oxygen Forensic Detective: 

Oxygen Forensic Detective is a complete digital forensic software tool supporting both mobile and computer devices. It is known for its comprehensive data extraction, decoding, and analysis capabilities. It is a cost-effective solution for investigators and is trusted by law enforcement and government agencies. 

Features:

• Extract data from more than 100 cloud services and 40000 applications. 
• Extract data from locked and hidden applications.
• Perform quick global searches on single and multiple devices. 
• Analyse all the data in a single interface and provide efficient reports by categorising images, social graphing, and merging. 
• Built-in tools for analysis: image and facial  categorization, OCR, CDR analysis, data viewer, evidence viewer, tags, filtering, and data search
• It allows exporting of extracted data to different file formats like PDF, RTF, XLS, XML, HTML, Consilio, and Relativity software formats.
•  Brute Force’s built-in model is used for encrypted backups and images in iTunes, Huwaie, and Android.

Supporting Devices:

•  Android and Apple iOS
•  Drones, Alexa, Google Home
• Wearable devices like Health Apps Like Apple Health, Samsung Health, Fitbit,  and Huwaie Health.

Supporting Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, and macOS

Cost: Paid version with a free trial. You need to request a quote for the trial.

Website: https://www.oxygenforensics.com/en/products/oxygen-forensic-detective/

4. MOBILedit Forensic Tool

MOBILedit is one of the powerful tools for extracting data from multiple devices like mobile phones, smartwatches, and the cloud. It acquires both physical and logical data, recovers deleted data, and bypasses security. The interface is user-friendly and provides detailed reporting of data extraction. The tool provides maximum functionalities, is cost-effective, and is compatible with other applications. 

Features:

• It can extract every data from the phone, such as logs, deleted data, history, contacts, messages, videos, photos, passwords, cloud application data, social media data, and so on.
• It uses multiple communication protocols to gather data and remove duplicate data.
• It can be integrated with camera Ballistics to analyze photo origin. 
• It can also be integrated with other forensic tools like Cellbrite UFED and Oxygen forensics.
• The Reports are available in multiple languages in many formats.
• Supporting file formats like  PDF, XLS, HTM, and UFED

Supporting Devices: 

•  iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, Bada, Symbian, Meego, Mediatek, Chinese phones, CDMA phones
•  smartwatches, Camera Ballistics, Cloud 

Supporting Operating System: Windows

Cost: Paid only starts at $99

Website: https://www.mobiledit.com/mobiledit-forensic

5. Elcomsoft iOS Forensic Toolkit

Elcomsoft iOS Forensic Toolkit acquires data stored in iOS devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It acquires image file systems, secret code, encryption keys, and passwords and decrypts encrypted file systems. It automatically unlocks the phone and uses a bootloader to extract data for forensic use.

Features:

• It recovers data from encrypted iOS backups.
• Bypass screen locks on supported iPhone models.
• Extracts data from iCloud accounts.
• It offers a file system extraction feature for jailbroken devices.

Supported Devices:

• All Generations of iPhones, iPads, iPod Pro, iPod Touch, Home Pod
• Apple Watch, Apple TV, iTunes

Supported Operating Systems: All versions of iOS, Mac, Linux, Windows

Cost: Commercial Software tool at $2199

Website: https://www.elcomsoft.com/eift.html

6. MSAB XRY

MSAB XRY is a mobile forensic software tool that recovers mobile data lawfully and securely.  It is a great tool for providing high-quality evidence from mobile devices within less time. 

Features

• It allows gathering and analysis of data from three phones at a time with a single software license.
• Recover deleted data faster than other tools
• Extracts data from apps, SIM cards, and more.
• Bypass locked devices with ease.
• Securely decode images, cloud data, backups, and third-party application data.
• Frontline extractions, lab extractions, managers, and forensic specialists can use it.

Supporting Devices: Android and iOS

Supporting Operating system: Windows 10/11

Cost: Paid

Wesbite: https://www.msab.com/product/xry-extract/

7. Forensic Explorer

Forensic Explorer is a digital forensics software solution that allows investigators to easily analyze mobile devices, retrieve deleted files, and recover encrypted data.

Features:

• Data extraction from Android and iOS devices.
• Supports analyzing and recovering data from SD cards and SIM cards.
• Full-featured support for logical and physical analysis.
• Easy-to-use interface with advanced reporting capabilities.

Supporting Devices: Android and iOS

Supporting Operating Systems: Windows

Cost: Contact for pricing.

Website: Forensic Explorer

8.  Belkasoft Evidence Center

Belkasoft Evidence Center is a flagship tool that runs various analytical tasks and case-driven searches for data extraction, recovery, and analysis. It supports mobile devices, computers, and cloud platforms.

Features:

• It is a user-friendly and easy-to-use software
• It uses powerful analytical techniques such as Visual timeline and link analysis to uncover hidden data.
• It saves time and effort by automating tasks and analysing case-driven data. 
• The licensing and pricing of the tool depend on the case needs.
• Supports customizable file formats 
• Analyze RAM live
• Recover data from SQLite databases.

Supported Devices: Android, iOS, and computer

Operating Systems: iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android, Windows Phone 8/8.1, Blackberry

Cost: You can get a free trial and have a free tool for RAM capture.

Website: www.belkasoft.com

9. Passware Kit Mobile

Passware offers a suite of tools for extracting encrypted data from mobile devices, allowing forensic experts to retrieve critical evidence.

Features:

• Extracts password-protected and encrypted data from mobile devices.
• Recovers various types of data, including messages, call logs, and media.
• Fast processing and recovery time for encrypted files.

Supporting Devices: Android and iOS

Supporting Operating Systems: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS

Cost: It is paid software. Even for a trial, you need to pay some euros

Website: Passware Mobile Forensics

10. MSAB XAMN

MSAB XAMN is another popular mobile forensic tool, providing investigators with a user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities for extracting, analyzing, and visualizing mobile data.

Features:

• Can extract data from mobile devices, including apps, photos, videos, and texts.
• Supports iOS, Android, and other operating systems.
• Ability to decode encrypted data and passwords.
• Visualizes data for easy evidence analysis.

Supporting Devices: Android and iOS

Supporting Operating Systems: Android, iOS, Windows

Cost: Contact for pricing.

Website: MSAB XAMN

Free Mobile Forensic Tools

Magnet RAM Capture

• Description: A lightweight tool for capturing volatile memory (RAM) from a suspect’s device. RAM analysis can reveal crucial artifacts like encryption keys, passwords, and sensitive application data.
• Supported Devices: Desktop and mobile devices (via connected systems).
• Supported OS: Windows OS.
• Ideal Use: Investigating applications and processes running on a suspect’s system in real time.
• Website: Magnet Forensics

FAW (Forensics Acquisition of Websites)

• Description: A browser forensic tool designed for capturing and preserving web content, including HTML, multimedia, and other web-based data.
• Supported Devices: Any device capable of web browsing.
• Supported OS: Cross-platform (Linux, macOS, Windows).
• Ideal Use: Internet-related investigations to preserve evidence from live websites.
• Website: FAW Project

RAM Capturer by Belkasoft

• Description: A tool for dumping live memory from a computer, allowing investigators to analyze volatile data. This can include hidden malware processes or sensitive data not stored on the disk.
• Supported Devices: Computers and linked mobile devices.
• Supported OS: Windows.
• Ideal Use: Capturing sensitive or hidden processes during an active investigation.
• Website: Belkasoft

Dumpzilla

• Description: A forensic tool for extracting data from browsers such as Firefox and Seamonkey. It can analyze browsing history, cookies, cache, and even encrypted passwords.
• Supported Devices: Desktop and mobile devices.
• Supported OS: Windows, Linux, macOS.
• Ideal Use: Browser-based forensic investigations.
• Website: Dumpzilla

Open-Source Mobile Forensic Tools

Conclusion

The mobile forensic tools listed above are the best and preferred tools by law enforcement,  cybersecurity professionals, IT investigators, and IT specialists. The tools can extract, analyze, and report data in a simple format. The article lists the features, supporting devices, and budget to help you choose the best fit. As per my research, MOBILedit or Magnet AXIOM is good to start with mobile forensics as these are user-friendly. However, there are a few free and open-source mobile forensics software listed as well, which are popularly used by law enforcement and IT investigators. Depending on your needs, you can select the most suitable software.