Chinese Researchers Develop Contactless Digital Forensics Technique for Smartphones

• •New digital forensics technique identifies smartphone app usage via electromagnetic signals.
• •Achieves up to 99.07% accuracy without accessing device data or operating systems.
• •Potential for surveillance by authorities raises privacy concerns.

Researchers at the People's Public Security University of China have created a contactless digital forensics method that detects low-frequency electromagnetic signals emitted by smartphones. This technique identifies app usage without accessing the device's operating system or stored data, overcoming challenges posed by device locks and anti-forensics measures. The technology achieved up to 99.07% accuracy in identifying app usage on tested devices, including iPhone 15 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Pro. It can analyze user actions on various platforms, even when devices are locked or in airplane mode. The implications suggest potential use by authorities for surveillance and evidence collection. The findings were published in the journal Radioengineering on May 22, 2026.