在个人数据安全方面，苹果(Apple)一直是行业领导者之一。他们一直处于为其设备生态系统（包括 iPhone、iPad 和Mac）(Mac)中的多种数据类型提供端到端加密的最前沿。
但是，有时您可能会遇到弹出窗口，提示您在设备上“重置端到端加密数据”。是什么触发了这个提示？重置加密数据到底意味着什么？而且，重要的是，重置期间和之后会发生什么？本文旨在揭开这些问题的神秘面纱，让您对该主题有一个简单的理解。
为什么提示您重置加密数据(Encrypted Data)？
此提示可能有多个触发器。一种常见的触发因素是尝试检索加密的 iCloud 数据失败，因为 iCloud钥匙串(Keychain)或加密的备份无法解密。如果您正在设置新的Apple设备，并且无法使用其他受信任的Apple设备对其进行验证，您也可能会看到此消息。
另一个不太常见的情况是，由于加密密钥不一致，您的设备无法与 iCloud 数据同步。如果您最近从Android设备切换到Apple设备并且在设置 iCloud 帐户时出现问题，也可能会发生这种情况。此外，如果您刚刚更新到新版本的 iOS（例如 iOS 16），并且您的设备在同步加密数据时遇到困难，您可能会看到此提示。
了解端到端加密(Encryption)并重置它
要了解“重置端到端加密数据”的含义，首先必须了解端到端加密。用最简单的术语来说，端到端加密是一种安全功能，可以让您的数据（无论是您的Safari搜索历史记录、健康(Health)数据还是QuickType键盘学习数据）从离开您的设备直到到达目的地（另一个受信任的设备或您的 iCloud 帐户），反之亦然。唯一能够使用唯一加密密钥解密数据的实体是两端的设备。
重置端到端加密数据本质上意味着您的 iPhone 或 iPad 将删除所有现有的加密密钥并生成新的加密密钥。此过程还将重置您的 iCloud钥匙串(Keychain)，它存储您的 Wi-Fi 密码、Safari数据和Apple Card交易等支付信息。这是解决同步或检索数据问题时经常采取的步骤。但是，重要的是要了解重置加密数据并不意味着数据丢失！数据在您的 iCloud 备份中仍然安全，但需要为您的设备重新加密。
标准数据保护(Standard Data Protection)与高级数据保护(Advanced Data Protection)
Apple iCloud 的标准和高级数据保护(advanced data protection)提供不同级别的数据安全性。默认设置，标准保护，使用存储在Apple(Apple)数据中心的密钥加密您的所有 iCloud 数据。这可确保即使您忘记密码或需要设置新设备，您也始终可以访问您的数据。Apple还为(Apple)健康(Health)数据和 iCloud钥匙串(Keychain)密码等敏感数据类别提供端到端加密。
另一方面，高级保护为多个附加数据类别提供端到端加密。对于那些需要更高安全性的人来说，这是一个理想的选择，因为解密密钥仅存储在受信任的设备上。然而，不利的一面是，如果你失去帐户访问权限，Apple无法帮助恢复它。您需要依赖设备密码、恢复联系人或个人恢复密钥。值得庆幸的是(Thankfully)，苹果(Apple)在启用高级保护之前引导用户设置恢复联系人或恢复密钥，如果不设置这些备份恢复方法，则无法激活此高级模式。
重置(Resetting)过程及后续操作(Follows)
当您选择重置加密数据时，您的 iPhone 或Mac将首先要求您输入密码或Apple ID进行双因素身份验证——另一项安全功能。执行此步骤后，您的设备将删除存储在其上的所有加密密钥并生成新的密钥。之前加密的任何数据（例如您的(Any)健康(Health)数据、家庭(Home)数据和Siri信息）都将被解密，然后使用新密钥重新加密。
然后，您的设备将开始从 iCloud 重新同步您的数据，现在使用新的加密密钥。这就是良好的 Wi-Fi 连接派上用场的地方，因为重新同步所有数据可能需要一些时间。这也是“重置加密数据”一词可能会产生误导的地方，因为您的数据并未被清除干净，而是重新加密并重新同步。
虽然您的数据在 iCloud 上是安全的，但您可能会注意到一些本地存储的数据（例如存储在Safari中的 Wi-Fi 密码或网站登录信息）在重置后立即丢失。但不要惊慌。一旦您的设备完成与 iCloud 的同步，这些信息就会返回。
重置的后果
重置后(Post-reset)，您可能需要在新 iPhone 或其他Apple设备上重新输入您的Apple ID凭据，以从您的 iCloud 帐户批准它们。此批准过程允许新设备解密并使用 iCloud 备份中的加密数据。
如果审批流程不起作用或者您忘记了备份加密密码，您可以通过导航至“Settings > General > Transfer或重置(Reset)iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings来重置您的 iPhone 。请记住(Remember)，您必须输入密码才能启动此过程。
重置过程可能会删除QuickType 键盘中的搜索历史记录、密码、iCloud 消息、(QuickType Keyboard)健康(Health)数据、Apple Card交易、Siri信息、iCloud 钥匙串、家庭数据、拟我表情(Memoji)、支付信息和已学词汇等项目。但是，您的个人项目（例如加载到手机中的照片和音乐）将保持不变。为了防止任何潜在的数据丢失，最好在 iCloud 上对 iPhone 进行最新备份。
如前所述，设置新 iPhone 时可能会弹出重置加密数据提示，而另一台受信任设备不批准该设备。在这种情况下，您可以从其他受信任的设备批准新 iPhone，或者在弹出的消息中
选择重置加密数据选项。(Reset Encrypted Data)
保护您的数据：备份(Backups)的作用(Role)
在重置加密密钥之前，请花点时间备份数据，以防万一。您的 iPhone 备份可以存储在两个主要位置：iCloud以及通过 iTunes（ (iCloud)Windows和旧版 macOS 版本）或Finder （现代 macOS 版本）存储在本地计算机上。
iCloud 备份是一个自动过程，将您的数据存储在 Apple 的云服务器中，而 iTunes 或Finder备份是一个手动过程，将您的数据存储在Mac或 PC 上。两个备份都包含一个备份文件，该文件本质上是备份时 iPhone 上数据的快照。该文件包含您设备上的几乎所有数据和设置，包括您的健康(Health)数据、家庭(Home)数据，甚至您的QuickType键盘学习。
无论您使用 iCloud 还是 iTunes，您都可以加密您的备份文件。为此，您需要设置备份密码。此密码很重要，因为如果您忘记了它，您将无法从备份中恢复它，Apple将无法帮助您恢复它。因此，记住该密码或将其存储在安全位置非常重要。
考虑不同的 iOS 版本
虽然本文主要关注在运行 iOS 16 的设备上重置端到端加密数据的过程，但值得注意的是，同样的原理也适用于旧版本的 iOS，包括 iOS 11 及更高版本。端到端加密的安全功能现已成为多个版本的 iOS 生态系统的一部分，确保您的 iPhone 数据在操作系统的不同迭代中的安全。
重新开始的选择：删除所有内容(Content)
重置端到端加密数据与选择iPhone 上的“删除所有内容和设置”不同。(Erase)后一个选项会完全擦除您的设备并将其恢复为出厂设置，删除您的所有个人数据、应用程序数据、系统设置，当然还有加密密钥。这是一个更为激进的步骤，通常在您想要出售 iPhone 或将其送给其他人时使用。不过，在选择删除所有内容之前，请确保您在 iCloud 或 iTunes 上对 iPhone 进行了最新备份，以避免数据丢失。
要点
重置端到端加密数据并不是您应该害怕的事情。该流程旨在增强数据安全性并解决与Apple设备上的加密相关的问题。我们知道您刚刚吸收了很多新信息，因此需要记住以下几个要点：
- 重置端到端加密数据并不意味着数据丢失。照片和音乐等个人项目保留在手机上，但搜索历史记录、密码和付款信息等某些数据可能需要从 iCloud 重新同步。
- 重置之前，建议在 iCloud 上进行最新备份，以防止任何潜在的数据丢失。即使重置后，您的数据在 iCloud 上仍然安全，等待重新同步和重新加密。
- 双因素身份验证对于端到端加密的正常运行至关重要。如果您遇到问题，关闭并重新启用双因素身份验证可能会有所帮助。
- 如果您正在设置新的 iPhone 或 iPadOS 设备并提示重置加密数据，则可能是因为另一台受信任的设备尚未批准该新设备。您可以批准新设备或重置加密数据。
端到端加密是Apple提供的一项强大的安全功能，可确保您的数据免遭窥探。虽然重置加密数据的提示似乎令人震惊，但这只是Apple(Apple)为保护您的数据安全所做的努力的一部分，即使是来自Apple！
What Happens When You Reset End-to-End Encrypted Data on Apple Devices
When it comes to the ѕecurity of personal data, Apple has alwayѕ been one of the indυstry leaders. They’ve been at the forefront of offering end-to-end encryption for a host of data tуpes across their dеvice ecosystеm including the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
However, there might be times when you encounter a pop-up prompting you to “reset end-to-end encrypted data” on your device. What triggers this prompt? What exactly does it mean to reset encrypted data? And, importantly, what happens during and after a reset? This article aims to demystify these questions and provide you with a simple understanding of the topic.
Why Are You Prompted to Reset Encrypted Data?
There could be several triggers for this prompt. One common trigger is an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve your encrypted iCloud data because the iCloud Keychain or encrypted backup was unable to decrypt. If you’re setting up a new Apple device, and you fail to verify it using another trusted Apple device, you may also see this message appear.
Another less common instance could be when your device fails to sync with the iCloud data due to inconsistencies in the encryption keys. It could also occur if you’ve recently switched from an Android device to an Apple device and there’s a hiccup in setting up your iCloud account. Also, if you’ve just updated to a new version of iOS, such as iOS 16, and your device is having a hard time syncing your encrypted data, you might see this prompt.
Understanding End-to-End Encryption and Resetting It
To get what it means to “reset end-to-end encrypted data”, it’s essential first to understand end-to-end encryption. In the simplest terms, end-to-end encryption is a security feature that keeps your data – whether it’s your Safari search history, Health data, or QuickType keyboard learning – encrypted from the point it leaves your device until it reaches its destination (another trusted device or your iCloud account), and vice versa. The only entities capable of decrypting the data are the devices at either end, using unique encryption keys.
Resetting end-to-end encrypted data essentially means that your iPhone or iPad will delete all the existing encryption keys and generate new ones. This process will also reset your iCloud Keychain, which stores your Wi-Fi passwords, Safari data, and payment information such as Apple Card transactions. It’s a step often taken to resolve issues with syncing or retrieving data. However, it’s important to understand that resetting encrypted data does not mean data loss! The data remains safe in your iCloud backup but needs to be re-encrypted for your device.
Standard Data Protection vs. Advanced Data Protection
Apple iCloud’s standard and advanced data protection offer differing levels of data security. The default setting, standard protection, encrypts all your iCloud data with keys stored at Apple’s data centers. This ensures that you can always access your data even if you forget your password or need to set up a new device. Apple also offers end-to-end encryption for sensitive data categories like Health data and iCloud Keychain passwords.
On the other hand, advanced protection provides end-to-end encryption for several additional data categories. This is an ideal choice for those needing greater security, as the decryption keys are stored only on trusted devices. However, the flip side is that if you lose account access, Apple can’t help recover it. You’ll need to rely on a device passcode, a recovery contact, or a personal recovery key. Thankfully, Apple guides users through setting up a recovery contact or recovery key before enabling advanced protection, it’s not possible to activate this advanced mode without setting up these backup recovery methods.
The Process of Resetting and What Follows
When you choose to reset encrypted data, your iPhone or Mac will first require you to input your passcode or Apple ID for two-factor authentication – another security feature. After this step, your device will erase all encryption keys stored on it and generate new ones. Any data that was previously encrypted, like your Health data, Home data, and Siri information, will be unencrypted and then re-encrypted using the new keys.
Your device will then start re-syncing your data from iCloud, now using the new encryption keys. This is where a good Wi-Fi connection comes in handy, as resyncing all your data could take some time. It’s also where the phrase “reset encrypted data” might be misleading, as your data is not wiped clean, but rather, re-encrypted and re-synced.
While your data is safe on iCloud, you might notice that some locally stored data, like your Wi-Fi passwords or website logins stored in Safari, are missing immediately after the reset. But don’t panic. These will return once your device finishes syncing with iCloud.
The Aftermath of a Reset
Post-reset, you might need to re-enter your Apple ID credentials on your new iPhone or other Apple devices to approve them from your iCloud account. This approval process allows the new device to decrypt and use the encrypted data from your iCloud backup.
If the approval process doesn’t work or if you’ve forgotten your backup encryption password, you can reset your iPhone by navigating to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Remember, you must enter your password to initiate this process.
The resetting process may erase items like search histories, passwords, iCloud messages, Health data, Apple Card transactions, Siri information, iCloud keychain, home data, Memoji, payment information, and learned vocabulary in the QuickType Keyboard. However, your personal items, such as photos and music that are loaded into your phone, will remain intact. To safeguard against any potential data loss, it’s a good idea to have an up-to-date backup of your iPhone on iCloud.
As mentioned before, the reset encrypted data prompt might pop up when setting up a new iPhone, and another trusted device does not approve the device. In such cases, you can either approve the new iPhone from another trusted device or select the Reset Encrypted Data option in the message that pops up.
Protecting Your Data: The Role of Backups
Before you reset your encryption keys, take the time to back up your data, just in case. Your iPhone backup can be stored in two primary locations: iCloud and on a local computer via iTunes (Windows and older macOS versions) or Finder (modern macOS versions).
iCloud backup is an automatic process that stores your data in Apple’s cloud servers, while iTunes or Finder backup is a manual process that stores your data on your Mac or PC. Both backups contain a backup file, which is essentially a snapshot of the data on your iPhone at the time of the backup. This file includes almost all the data and settings on your device, including your Health data, Home data, and even your QuickType keyboard learning.
Whether you’re using iCloud or iTunes, you can encrypt your backup file. To do this, you would need to set a backup password. This password is important because if you forget it, you won’t be able to restore it from your backup, and Apple won’t be able to help you recover it. So, it’s essential to remember this password or store it in a secure location.
Considering Different iOS Versions
While this article mainly focuses on the process of resetting end-to-end encrypted data on devices running iOS 16, it’s worth noting that the same principle applies to older versions of iOS, including iOS 11 and later. The security feature of end-to-end encryption has been a part of the iOS ecosystem for several versions now, ensuring the safety of your iPhone data across different iterations of the operating system.
An Option for a Fresh Start: Erasing All Content
Resetting end-to-end encrypted data differs from choosing to “Erase all content and settings” on your iPhone. The latter option completely wipes your device and restores it to factory settings, erasing all your personal data, app data, system settings, and, of course, encryption keys. It’s a more drastic step, typically used when you want to sell your iPhone or give it to someone else. However, before you choose to erase all content, make sure you have a recent backup of your iPhone, either on iCloud or iTunes, to avoid data loss.
Key Takeaways
Resetting end-to-end encrypted data is not something you should be scared of. It’s a process designed to enhance the security of your data and resolve issues relating to encryption on your Apple devices. We know you’ve just absorbed a lot of new information, so here are a few key points to remember:
- Resetting end-to-end encrypted data does not mean data loss. Your personal items like photos and music stay on your phone, but some data like search histories, passwords, and payment information may need to be re-synced from iCloud.
- Before resetting, it’s advisable to have an up-to-date backup on iCloud to prevent any potential data loss. Even after resetting, your data remains safe on iCloud, awaiting re-syncing and re-encryption.
- Two-factor authentication is essential for the proper functioning of end-to-end encryption. If you face issues, turning off and re-enabling two-factor authentication may help.
- If you’re setting up a new iPhone or iPadOS device and are prompted to reset encrypted data, it’s likely because another trusted device hasn’t approved the new device. You can either approve the new device or reset the encrypted data.
End-to-end encryption is a robust security feature by Apple that ensures your data is protected from prying eyes. While the prompt to reset encrypted data can seem alarming, it’s just a part of Apple’s efforts to keep your data secure, even from Apple!
