Password Recovery of a Smartphone in less than 15 minutes

In today’s era, safeguarding personal data with passwords is the norm. However, this routine security measure presents a unique challenge for investigators seeking access to devices while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines. In a recent assignment, a prestigious Government Organization sought assistance in unlocking a Vivo Y21G phone safeguarded by a 4-digit passcode. Join us as we unveil the intricate process of unlocking the device while maintaining the utmost integrity throughout this digital quest.

The Vivo Y21G phone was protected by a passcode, making conventional unlocking methods ineffective. The first step in tackling this challenge was to conduct a comprehensive examination of the device to understand its specifications and potential vulnerabilities. Initial attempts to boot the device from recovery mode using button combinations proved futile, highlighting the need for a more sophisticated approach.

To surmount this, we employed the JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) technique, a method used for acquiring data from devices that cannot be accessed through conventional means. JTAG entails establishing a connection to the device’s Standard Test…