[ummonk]

While photos aren’t end to end encrypted (at least today), the fact that they show up on a new phone isn’t proof that if non-encryption. E.g. keychain passwords and iMessage messages are end to end encrypted (except in iCloud backups) but show up when you buy a new phone.

[spoonjim]

So... how does the new phone decrypt the content? Where's the key?

[ummonk]

https://support.apple.com/guide/security/escrow-security-for...

(Caveat that if you have iCloud backup enabled - which it is by default, the backups aren't end-to-end encrypted. This feature is basically on the convenience side of convenience vs privacy / security - too many consumers would irretrievably lose their data if iCloud backup weren't enabled by default)

[spoonjim]

But doesn’t this mean after 10 attempts the data gets nuked? Fine for stored passwords but unworkable for photos.