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Error: Data on iOS device is encrypted

Encryption needs to be removed through iTunes or Finder before Bark can analyze the device.

If you're seeing an error that your child's iOS device is encrypted, follow the steps below in order until the issue is resolved.

Step 1: Remove encryption in iTunes or Finder

iTunes (Windows or older Mac)

  1. Open iTunes icon iTunes on Windows or Mac.

    Don't have iTunes on your Mac? Newer Macbooks use Finder instead. Click the Finder instructions tab above.

  2. Plug in your child's iOS device.
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  3. If applicable, click Trust in iTunes.
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  4. Unlock your child's iOS device and tap Trust Computer, if prompted. If there is no prompt to tap Trust, you may have granted it already.
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  5. Click the small phone button at the top of iTunes:

    itunes device icon.png

  6. ⬜ uncheck the Encrypt Local Backup option:

    itunes settings crop.png

  7. Enter the encryption password.

    Forgot the encryption password? Move on to the next solution below.

  8. Check your child's iOS device screen for a prompt to enter their lock screen passcode twice.

  9. Once the password is entered successfully, iTunes will automatically back up the device again.

  10. Click Apply or Sync on the bottom right.
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  11. Then, unplug the device and plug it back in.
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  12. Verify the device is detected over USB in Bark.
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  13. Start an analysis.
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  14. If the analysis still fails due to encryption, continue to Step 2.

Finder (newer Mac)

  1. Open Finder.png Finder.
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  2. Plug in your child's iOS device.
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  3. Find Locations on the left column, and click on your child's iOS device.
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  4. If applicable, click Trust on Finder.
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  5. If applicable, tap Trust Computer on the child's iOS device itself. You will need to unlock your child's iOS device with their PIN/Passcode to do so.
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  6. ⬜ uncheck the Encrypt Local Backup option:

    finder settings crop.png

  7. Enter the encryption password. Forgot the encryption password? Click Change Password next to Encrypt local backup. If the old password pre-populates, it was saved to your Mac's keychain. Set a new password, then uncheck Encrypt local backup and enter the new password.
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  8. Check your child's iOS device screen for a prompt to enter their lock screen passcode twice.
    ​

  9. Once the password is entered successfully, Finder will automatically back up the device again.
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  10. Once it's done, click Apply or Sync on the bottom right.
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  11. Then, unplug the device and plug it back in.
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  12. Verify the device is detected over USB in Bark.
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  13. Start an analysis.
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  14. If the analysis still fails due to encryption, continue to Step 2.

Step 2: Remove encryption caused by third-party apps

Your child's device may have a configuration profile added by a third-party app.

  1. Check for and remove any configuration profiles.
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  2. If you removed one:
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    1. Restart the device.
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    2. Unplug and replug the device.
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    3. Verify the device is detected over USB.
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    4. Start an analysis.
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  3. If you didn't find one, or the analysis still fails, continue to Step 3.

Step 3: Reset All Settings (without erasing data)

This will definitely remove encryption if the steps above didn't work. This is not a factory reset — your data will not be affected. It will reset preferences for backup encryption, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, notifications, and a few other settings that you can adjust again afterward.

  1. Follow the steps below to Reset All Settings:

    • Newer Devices
      ​ios 16 reset all settings final.png

    • Older Devices
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  2. Then, unplug the device and plug it back in.
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  3. Verify the device is detected over USB.
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  4. Start an analysis.

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Still getting an encryption error?

Contact us with screenshots of the issue and a description of the steps you've tried.

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