Your iPhone is Lying to You About Files...

LaurieWired August 26, 2025
Video Thumbnail
LaurieWired Logo

LaurieWired

@lauriewired

About

researcher; serial complexity unpacker

Video Description

Gen Z doesn't Understand Filesystems. It's not their fault. Apple's early abstraction of mobile data storage has caused...confusion to say the least. But what does the *real* iOS filesystem look like? As a researcher myself; it's kind of insanely complicated. Join me as I dive into the hidden structures, sandbox illusions, and...the numerous SQLite databases of this fascinating filesystem. --- Timestamps: 00:00 Gen Z doesn't Understand Filesystems 04:05 iOS's *real* Root structure 06:44 The Apple Wiki (deep iOS info) 09:05 Rooted iPad + Application Analysis 12:06 Two Hidden Illusions (SQLite?) 15:57 The (fake) Files App --- Check out my X account for cool Computer Science stuff! https://x.com/lauriewired --- Links to my Apple/iOS research conference talks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JuSp_7Xf1o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWdKjVCZtTI --- My iOS Decompiler tool (Malimite): https://github.com/LaurieWired/Malimite

You May Also Like

Unveil Hidden iPhone Storage with These Tools

AI-recommended products based on this video

Loading...
Belkin BoostCharge Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cord - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

Belkin BoostCharge Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cord - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

(3,522)
11.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Car Carplay Cable for iPhone 17/17 Pro/Air/16e/16/15 Pro Max/Plus Cable, 2Pack USB A to USB C for CarPlay USBC Cord, iPad, Galaxy, Pixel, Android Accessories Charging Wire Type-C Car Charger Cord 3FT

Car Carplay Cable for iPhone 17/17 Pro/Air/16e/16/15 Pro Max/Plus Cable, 2Pack USB A to USB C for CarPlay USBC Cord, iPad, Galaxy, Pixel, Android Accessories Charging Wire Type-C Car Charger Cord 3FT

(3,346)
$7.51
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
UGREEN Magnetic USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter and Charger 2 in 1 Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz Aux to USB C with PD 60W Fast Charging Dongle Cable for iPhone 16/15 Pro Max, Galaxy S25Ultra, Pixel 9, iPad Pro/Air

UGREEN Magnetic USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter and Charger 2 in 1 Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz Aux to USB C with PD 60W Fast Charging Dongle Cable for iPhone 16/15 Pro Max, Galaxy S25Ultra, Pixel 9, iPad Pro/Air

(1,308)
19.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Anker USB C to USB C Cable, Type-C 60W Fast Charging Cable (6FT, 2Pack) for iPhone 16 Series, iPad mini 6 and More (Black) ClimatePartner certified
Best Seller

Anker USB C to USB C Cable, Type-C 60W Fast Charging Cable (6FT, 2Pack) for iPhone 16 Series, iPad mini 6 and More (Black) ClimatePartner certified

(44,096)
$8.49
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Belkin BoostCharge Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cord - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

Belkin BoostCharge Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cord - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

(3,522)
11.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Apple EarPods Headphones with Lightning Connector, Wired Ear Buds for iPhone with Built-in Remote to Control Music, Phone Calls, and Volume
Best Seller

Apple EarPods Headphones with Lightning Connector, Wired Ear Buds for iPhone with Built-in Remote to Control Music, Phone Calls, and Volume

(16,952)
$15.96$12.80
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
TOCOL for iPhone 17 Pro Case, Full Camera Protection, Built-in Magnetic Ring, Compatible with Magsafe Charger, Drop Protection, Translucent Matte Phone Case for iPhone 17 Pro 6.3 inch (Black) Global Recycled Standard
Best Seller

TOCOL for iPhone 17 Pro Case, Full Camera Protection, Built-in Magnetic Ring, Compatible with Magsafe Charger, Drop Protection, Translucent Matte Phone Case for iPhone 17 Pro 6.3 inch (Black) Global Recycled Standard

(23,902)
$9.99
FREE delivery Mon, Sep 29 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
New on Amazon in past month
Loading...
ESR for iPhone 17 Pro Max Case, Camera Control, Compatible with MagSafe, Shockproof Military-Grade Protection, Magnetic Phone Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max, Classic Hybrid Case, Clear Carbonfree Certified

ESR for iPhone 17 Pro Max Case, Camera Control, Compatible with MagSafe, Shockproof Military-Grade Protection, Magnetic Phone Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max, Classic Hybrid Case, Clear Carbonfree Certified

(127,198)
$8.49
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
FNTCASE for iPhone 17 Pro-Max Case: Clear Magnetic Phone Cases with Screen Protector Compatible with Magsafe Slim Anti Yellowing Rugged Shockproof Protective Transparent Cell Cover (A-Clear) Recycled Claim Standard Blended

FNTCASE for iPhone 17 Pro-Max Case: Clear Magnetic Phone Cases with Screen Protector Compatible with Magsafe Slim Anti Yellowing Rugged Shockproof Protective Transparent Cell Cover (A-Clear) Recycled Claim Standard Blended

(0)
$3.95
FREE delivery Wed, Nov 19 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
DUEDUE Magnetic Case Compatible with iPhone 16e Case,Glitter iPhone 16e Phone Case MagSafe Shining Bling Slim Shockproof Women Girl Protective Cover for iPhone 16e,Pink/Blue

DUEDUE Magnetic Case Compatible with iPhone 16e Case,Glitter iPhone 16e Phone Case MagSafe Shining Bling Slim Shockproof Women Girl Protective Cover for iPhone 16e,Pink/Blue

(7)
Loading...
Belkin BoostCharge Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cord - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

Belkin BoostCharge Lightning Cable - 6.6ft/2M - MFi Certified Apple iPhone Charger USB to Lightning Cable - iPhone Cable - iPhone Charger Cord - Apple Charger - USB Phone Charger - Black

(3,522)
11.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
100+ bought in past month
Loading...
Car Carplay Cable for iPhone 17/17 Pro/Air/16e/16/15 Pro Max/Plus Cable, 2Pack USB A to USB C for CarPlay USBC Cord, iPad, Galaxy, Pixel, Android Accessories Charging Wire Type-C Car Charger Cord 3FT

Car Carplay Cable for iPhone 17/17 Pro/Air/16e/16/15 Pro Max/Plus Cable, 2Pack USB A to USB C for CarPlay USBC Cord, iPad, Galaxy, Pixel, Android Accessories Charging Wire Type-C Car Charger Cord 3FT

(3,346)
$7.51
FREE delivery Fri, Oct 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month
Loading...
UGREEN Magnetic USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter and Charger 2 in 1 Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz Aux to USB C with PD 60W Fast Charging Dongle Cable for iPhone 16/15 Pro Max, Galaxy S25Ultra, Pixel 9, iPad Pro/Air

UGREEN Magnetic USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter and Charger 2 in 1 Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz Aux to USB C with PD 60W Fast Charging Dongle Cable for iPhone 16/15 Pro Max, Galaxy S25Ultra, Pixel 9, iPad Pro/Air

(1,308)
19.99
PrimeFREE delivery Saturday, June 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
1K+ bought in past month
Loading...
Anker USB C to USB C Cable, Type-C 60W Fast Charging Cable (6FT, 2Pack) for iPhone 16 Series, iPad mini 6 and More (Black) ClimatePartner certified
Best Seller

Anker USB C to USB C Cable, Type-C 60W Fast Charging Cable (6FT, 2Pack) for iPhone 16 Series, iPad mini 6 and More (Black) ClimatePartner certified

(44,096)
$8.49
FREE delivery Thu, Jul 3 on $35 of items shipped by Amazon
10K+ bought in past month