How to add and decrypt a pre encrypted sqlcipher sqlite db in ios step by step?

SQLCipher
1

my database is sqlite kind and i created it with VALENTINA STUDIO software.
now i want to encrypt that database. i searched all the google and totally find out my solution is SQLCIPHER.
I used your tutorial step by step and it just made a new empty encrypted db as your sample said.
finally i success to write two methods one for encryption and second for decryption .
I replaced sqlcipher encrypted db instead of old unprotected and i copied
to my bundle .
after that i called my decryption method in my **- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication )application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary )launchOptions
{ }
my question is how can i add an encrypted sqlcipher database to my ios target and how use it correctly?
it’s always crashed.please help me to solve my problem.

2

Hello @iSibDev

Can you please provide the code that you are using to interface with SQLCipher that is crashing?

3

Hello @developernotes
sure

  • (void)runDecodeWithDB:(NSString *)path keyword:(NSString *)key{

    dispatch_async(dispatch_get_global_queue(DISPATCH_QUEUE_PRIORITY_DEFAULT, 0), ^{

      NSString *origin_DB_Path = path;
  
  origin_DB_Path = [[NSBundle mainBundle]pathForResource:@"encrypted" ofType:@"db"];
  NSLog(@"original db path : %@" , origin_DB_Path);
  
  sqlite3 *convert_DB;
  NSString *attachPath = [[NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains(NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES)
                           objectAtIndex:0]
                          stringByAppendingPathComponent:@"decrypted.db"];
  
  if ([[NSFileManager defaultManager] fileExistsAtPath:attachPath]) {
      NSLog(@"exist");
      return;
  }
  
  if (sqlite3_open([origin_DB_Path UTF8String], &convert_DB) == SQLITE_OK) {
      
      const char *dbkey = [key UTF8String];
      
      sqlite3_key(convert_DB, dbkey, strlen(dbkey));
      
      NSLog(@"Database Opened at Time :%@",[NSDate date]);
      
      sqlite3_exec(convert_DB, [@"vacuum;" UTF8String], NULL, NULL, NULL);
      
      NSString *sql = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"ATTACH DATABASE '%@' AS encrypted KEY '';",attachPath];
      
      if(sqlite3_exec(convert_DB, [sql UTF8String] , NULL, NULL, NULL)==SQLITE_OK){
          
          if(sqlite3_exec(convert_DB, "SELECT sqlcipher_export('encrypted');", NULL, NULL, NULL)== SQLITE_OK){

              if(sqlite3_exec(convert_DB, "DETACH DATABASE encrypted;", NULL, NULL, NULL) == SQLITE_OK){

                  
              }
              
          }
          else{
              
              deleteDatabase();
          }
      }
      else{
         
          deleteDatabase();
      }
      NSLog (@"End database copying at Time: %@",[NSDate date]);
      
  }
  else {

      
  }
  
  sqlite3_close(convert_DB);

    });

i used this method and call it in my - (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions {

[self runDecodeWithDB:[self.databaseURL path] keyword:@“1234”];

}

my code is very messy and i’m sorry for that.
i’m new in ios programming please help me to solve it.

4

Hello @iSibDev

What line causes the crash? Is there a reason you are calling vacuum; following the keying process? Performing an ATTACH followed by a DETACH will not decrypt the database. I would recommend you look into the sqlcipher_export functionality as it will likely fit your needs.

5

Thank you so much but my main problem is my old database.i drag and drop my database to my project it copied in bundle and i wrote a method for encryption successfully.now i have my unlocked and old database and a new encrypted in my simulator document folder.i dont want to have old open database and i don’t know how to call a correct decrypt method to call new encrypted .my crashing was for path .always said “path sources is nill”.

6

Hello @developernotes
Is there any way to make secure or encrypt whole the bundle content or ipa file?if it’s possible can i ask you to have sample code or refrence or something like that?i spend many time for this but i could not find a correct and possible way?I appreciate your help.

7

Hello @developernotes

In that case you are likely providing an invalid value for the path. Please check to make sure you are providing a valid path. There is some sample code on this tutorial that may help.

SQLCipher provides a fully encrypted SQLite database, I do not have any recommendations for encrypting the IPA file itself, that would likely make it unusable.

8

Hello again @developernotes
I could solve my problem finally.Now i have new problem.i build and run my project it works in simulator perfectly but in my device crashed.what should i do?!?

9

Hello @iSibDev

Where is your application crashing? Is everything being built for the target environment? We would need more information in order to help you debug this situation.

10

Hello @developernotes

i replaced

NSString *dbname = [[NSBundle mainBundle] pathForResource:@“mydb” ofType:@“db”];
NSString *documentpath = [NSHomeDirectory() stringByAppendingPathComponent:@“Documents/mydb.db”];
[[NSFileManager defaultManager] copyItemAtPath:dbname toPath:documentpath error:NULL];

instead

NSArray *documentPaths = NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains(NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES);

NSString *documentDir = [documentPaths objectAtIndex:0];
NSString *documentpath = [documentDir stringByAppendingPathComponent:@"mydb.db"];

solved. just it … i don’t know why?

11

Hello @developernotes
SQLCipher made my app laggy .
I can guess what is happening?
every time my database opens ; sqlcipher decrypt database and is read my db and cause this happen.do you have any idea?do you have any solution?

12

Hi @iSibDev

Yes, we have published a post covering the details of SQLCipher Performance, along with our recommendations on how to address common issues. Can you review this and see if it addresses your issues? Thanks!

1 Like
13

@developernotes

wow!!!
Thank you for your complete post.
i 'll try to solve it with your perfect information.