Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is MASAMUNE?
MASAMUNE is an enterprise data erasure platform developed by Braver Inc. It provides certified, secure data sanitization for smartphones (iPhone/Android), PCs, HDDs, and SSDs. Over 1 million erasure certificates issued since 2016, trusted by major carriers and enterprises. Built by data recovery experts with 20+ years of experience.
What devices are supported?
iPhone 5 to 16 Pro Max (iOS 26), all iPad models, Android 8.0-15 (Samsung, Google Pixel, etc.), Android tablets, Windows/Mac/Linux PCs, HDDs (SATA/SAS/IDE), SSDs (SATA/NVMe/M.2), and USB drives.
What is the difference between deletion and erasure?
Deletion only removes file references — data remains recoverable with specialized tools. Data erasure overwrites the entire storage with zeros or random data, making recovery impossible. NIST SP 800-88 defines three levels: Clear, Purge, and Destroy.
Is factory reset sufficient?
Factory reset reinitializes the OS but does not fully overwrite the data area. For enterprise use and device reuse, NIST/DoD-compliant erasure software with certificate issuance is recommended.
Pricing
Are there upfront or monthly fees?
No. Zero initial cost, zero monthly fees. Completely success-based pricing — you only pay per successful erasure (from ¥100/device).
What are the pricing plans?
Minimum (¥100/device: log viewing), Standard (¥300: + certificates + IMEI check), Professional (¥500: + device management + priority support), Enterprise (¥800: all features + unlimited API + SLA). View pricing details →
What does "success-based pricing" mean?
You are charged only when erasure completes successfully. If erasure fails or an error occurs, there is no charge.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. Contact us for a free evaluation account.
Can I change plans?
Yes, you can change plans at any time. We recommend the optimal plan based on your volume and usage patterns.
Compliance & Certificates
What erasure standards are supported?
NIST SP 800-88 Rev.1 (Clear/Purge), DoD 5220.22-M (3-pass/7-pass ECE), HMG IS5 (Baseline/Enhanced), Gutmann (35-pass) — 19 methods total. Generates audit-ready reports suitable for ISO 27001 documentation.
How are erasure certificates issued?
Auto-generated PDF certificates after each successful erasure, with digital signature and QR code verification. NFT-based blockchain certificate available as an option. Downloadable anytime from the masamune.ai dashboard.
Can I add my company branding to certificates?
Yes. Upload your company logo (PNG/JPEG, max 2MB) and set company name/address in Certificates > Branding Settings.
Mobile
Does MASAMUNE support the latest iOS?
Yes, fully compatible with iOS 26. Updates typically within days of new Apple firmware releases. Supports all models from iPhone 5 to iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Can devices with Activation Lock be erased?
Activation Lock is detected before processing and a warning is displayed. MASAMUNE does not bypass the lock. The lock must be removed before erasure.
How many devices can be erased simultaneously?
Up to 40 simultaneous connections (recommended: 10-40). Multiple devices are erased in parallel via USB Hub. Optimal configuration depends on your environment.
Can FRP (Google Account Lock) on Android be removed?
No. FRP is managed on Google's cloud servers and cannot be removed by erasure software. For device reuse, the original owner must remove the device from their Google account.
IMEI / Network Restriction Checker
What is the IMEI Checker?
An industry-first feature that automatically checks whether a mobile device's IMEI is blacklisted by carriers during the erasure workflow. Helps ITAD operators and resellers avoid purchasing network-restricted devices.
Which carriers are supported?
All 5 major Japanese carriers: NTT docomo, au (KDDI), SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile, and mineo. Real-time carrier database queries during the erasure workflow.
What is "aka-rom" (red ROM)?
A Japanese term for a network-restricted device — a phone whose IMEI has been blacklisted by a carrier due to unpaid installments, loss/theft reports, or contract violations. These devices cannot be activated on carrier networks.
Storage Erasure
Is HDD erasure different from SSD?
Yes. HDDs use overwrite methods (Zero Fill, etc.). SSDs require specialized commands (ATA Secure Erase, NVMe Sanitize) because wear leveling makes conventional overwriting insufficient. MASAMUNE auto-detects drive type and applies the appropriate method.
Can encrypted drives be erased?
Yes. Self-Encrypting Drives (SEDs): cryptographic erasure destroys the encryption key instantly. BitLocker/FileVault drives: standard methods overwrite the encrypted data blocks.
How long does storage erasure take?
HDD: ~3-4 hours for 1TB (single-pass). SSD: seconds to minutes using Secure Erase/Sanitize. Parallel processing supported. View benchmarks →
Business & Integration
Is MASAMUNE suitable for ITAD?
Yes. Features include: device lifecycle management, location-based inventory, bulk certificate issuance, CSV/API integration, dealer management, batch processing, IMEI checker, NIST-compliant certificates, pay-per-use pricing.
Can it integrate with existing workflows?
Yes. CSV export for inventory system integration. REST API for workflow automation and integration with IT asset management platforms.
Does it support multi-location / dealer management?
Yes. Multi-tenant and dealer hierarchy support. OEM partners can provide services under their own brand. Centralized dashboard for all locations.
Platform Operations
How do I get started?
(1) Create API key (Settings > API Key Management), (2) Configure MASAMUNE Erasure with the API key, (3) Erase devices — logs are automatically sent, (4) Check results on dashboard, (5) Download PDF certificates.
What user roles are available?
Admin (full access), Operator (log management, certificates, user invitations), User (log viewing, certificate download).
Troubleshooting
I can't log in
Check your email address and password. Use "Forgot password" on the login page to reset.
Erasure logs are not being reflected
(1) Verify API key configuration, (2) Check network connection, (3) Check erasure software logs for transmission errors.
New device model shows an error
After new iPhone/iPad releases or iOS updates, MASAMUNE promptly verifies compatibility. If you encounter errors, contact support with a screenshot. New model support is typically completed within days.
Security
Is cloud data stored securely?
Yes. All data is stored encrypted. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) protects user accounts. API keys are stored as SHA-256 hashes — plaintext keys are never stored.
Can MASAMUNE be used without internet?
The erasure process itself can run offline, but internet connectivity is required for cloud log upload, certificate issuance, and IMEI checks.
→ Error Code List | → Erasure Benchmark
Contact us for answers not covered above.
Contact Us