How long does it take for police to search a phone?

The process of searching a phone can take many months, sometimes over a year, depending on police resources and case priority. If you have provided the password, the police can typically access and examine the phone much sooner. However, if you have not provided the password, the police will attempt to use their forensic software to bypass security. This process is not always successful and, in some cases, can lead to the irreversible damage or destruction of phone data.