What Is Air-Gapped Mode?
Air-gapped mode ensures that FrameCounsel has absolutely zero network connectivity while processing sensitive evidence. When enabled, the application blocks all outbound and inbound network requests at the application level, ensuring that case data, transcripts, and AI analysis never leave your machine — even accidentally.
Enabling Air-Gapped Mode
- Open Settings > Security.
- Toggle Air-Gapped Mode to On.
- FrameCounsel displays a confirmation dialog explaining what will be disabled.
- Click Enable and authenticate with your system password or Touch ID.
When active, a blue shield icon appears in the top-right corner of the toolbar, providing a constant visual indicator that air-gapped mode is engaged.
What Gets Disabled
In air-gapped mode, the following features are disabled:
- Update checks: Automatic and manual update checks are blocked. You must disable air-gapped mode to update.
- Crash reporting: No crash or analytics data is sent.
- License verification: Your license is validated locally using a cached token. Ensure you activate your license before enabling air-gapped mode.
- Cloud features: Any future cloud-based features (if added) will be automatically disabled.
Tip: Activate your license and check for updates before enabling air-gapped mode. The cached license token is valid for 90 days. After that, you will need to briefly connect to revalidate.
Verification
To verify that air-gapped mode is working:
- Open Settings > Security > Network Monitor.
- The monitor shows a live log of all network requests. In air-gapped mode, this log should be completely empty.
- You can also run the built-in Connection Test which attempts to reach external servers and confirms all connections are blocked.
When to Use Air-Gapped Mode
We recommend air-gapped mode for:
- Cases involving classified or highly sensitive evidence
- Situations where opposing counsel may challenge data handling procedures
- Compliance with specific court orders regarding evidence isolation
- Any time attorney-client privilege is a primary concern
Hardware-Level Air Gap
For maximum security, you can also physically disconnect from the network:
- Disable Wi-Fi from the macOS menu bar.
- Disconnect any Ethernet cables.
- Enable FrameCounsel's air-gapped mode as an additional software layer.
This two-layer approach (hardware + software) provides the strongest guarantee against data exfiltration.
Warning: Disabling air-gapped mode while a case is open will not retroactively transmit any data. However, if another application on your system has network access, exercise caution with shared clipboard contents or screenshots.