I'm familiar with the lockdown file and where to find it.
My experience in the past and my understanding has always been - if there's a lockdown file and the iPhone it's related to has NOT been powered off it can still be used to access the phone entirely, but if the phone has been turned off since the lockdown file was created you will ONLY be able to obtain the images and videos.
More recently and on newer models of iPhone I'm finding you need user approval from the iPhone (while unlocked) in order to access ANYTHING on the computer even if there is a lockdown file.
Is this the way it is now and the lockdown file is no longer a way in? If so when did this change?
I've read a while ago this article, it gave me all the answers I needed
https://articles.forensicfocus.com/2016/11/14/forensic-implications-of-ios-lockdown-pairing-records/
That raises more questions than answers….
What about what I described before about only being able to obtain images if the device had powered off?
And the issue I was saying was that now the lockdown file doesn't appear to work at all on new devices.
I don't get you, it the article I provided it is clearly written
"Since iOS 8, all pairing relationships remain unavailable after the device restarts or powers on until the device is unlocked (at least once) with a passcode."
So after a reboot of such a device, your lockdown file is most probably useless and it can't be used to get access to the device.