Monolith can be accessed from the web, the Monolith Desktop application, and the Monolith Mobile app.
Monolith can be accessed through a web browser, the Monolith Desktop application, or Monolith Mobile.
Choose the method that best fits your workflow and make sure you are connecting to the correct Monolith environment.
Monolith Web App
Monolith can be accessed through supported web browsers, including:
Google Chrome
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Edge
Apple Safari
Select the cloud region or partner environment where your Monolith tenant is hosted.
Monolith can also be used as a desktop application called . The desktop app is available for Windows and macOS.
Download the version that matches your device:
Tip: Most newer Macs use Apple Silicon. To check your Mac type, open Apple menu > About This Mac and look for the chip or processor listed.
is available for iOS, iPadOS, and Android.
On tablets, Monolith provides a larger-screen experience that is closer to the full desktop/web application, without the additional browser header and controls that appear when accessing Monolith through Safari or another web browser.
On phones, Monolith Mobile is focused on mobile-friendly case and evidence workflows. The phone experience is not yet a full replacement for the Monolith web or desktop application, but it supports key workflows such as viewing case and evidence information, uploading evidence photos, adding notes, scanning evidence details, and completing chain of custody actions.
Download the version that matches your device:
Organizations running Monolith on-premises connect to their organization's Monolith server rather than one of the Monolith cloud regions listed above.
Your organization should provide the URL or server information required to access the environment.
For Monolith Desktop connection details, see .
After accessing the correct Monolith environment, sign in using the authentication method configured for your organization.
For standard Monolith authentication, see . If your organization uses Single Sign-On, see .
Monolith Cloud Regions
United States / North America
Use this URL if your Monolith tenant is hosted in the United States / North America:
Australia
Use this URL if your Monolith tenant is hosted in Australia:
Canada
Use this URL if your Monolith tenant is hosted in Canada:
United Kingdom / Blue Lights Digital
Use this URL if your Monolith tenant is hosted with Blue Lights Digital in the United Kingdom:
United Kingdom / Europe
Use this URL if your Monolith tenant is hosted in the United Kingdom / Europe:
Blue Lights Digital is a Monolith partner environment for supported customers in the United Kingdom. If your organization accesses Monolith through Blue Lights Digital, select that environment when connecting.
Trial environments are typically hosted in the United States / North America region unless another supported region is requested. Trials can be provisioned in Australia, Canada, or the United Kingdom / Europe when preferred for data residency, organizational requirements, or to avoid moving the environment later.
Start here to access Monolith, get your environment ready, and find the product areas and resources most relevant to your workflow.
Welcome to the Monolith documentation site.
Monolith is a case, evidence, and analysis management platform built for digital forensic workflows. Use these docs to get started, learn how Monolith fits into your process, and reference specific features as your team works in the platform.
New to Monolith?
If you are accessing Monolith for the first time, start with:
Accessing Monolith: Find the correct cloud region and learn how to access Monolith through the web, desktop, or mobile applications.
: Review the recommended configuration steps for a new Monolith environment.
: Learn how Monolith authentication and two-factor authentication work.
: Learn how to sign in when your organization uses Single Sign-On.
: Install and connect the Monolith desktop application.
Monolith brings the major parts of the forensic workflow together in one system.
Common areas include:
Case and Inquiry management
Evidence intake, tracking, and storage
Chain of custody
Acquisitions and forensic work
Use the section to explore these product areas in more detail.
extends common Monolith workflows to your phone or tablet.
Use the mobile app to work with cases and evidence, capture evidence information and photos, perform chain of custody actions, collect signatures, and take notes while away from your workstation.
See to get started.
Relay is Monolith's structured request portal.
Relay allows investigators, attorneys, employees, partner organizations, and other requestors to submit forensic requests without requiring access to the primary Monolith application.
Requests submitted through Relay flow into Inquiries in Monolith for review and triage before becoming active casework.
See to learn how Relay fits into Monolith.
For technical deployment and security information, see .
Topics include:
Cloud security
On-premises deployments
Monolith endpoints and network access
Other technical deployment guidance
Monolith provides APIs for organizations that need to integrate case, evidence, acquisition, storage, task, client, contact, Inquiry, and other supported data with external systems.
See for authentication and endpoint documentation.
Webhook documentation will also be added to provide guidance for event-driven integrations.
Use these resources alongside the documentation based on how you prefer to learn:
: Product, solution, and platform information.
: Product overview and mobile workflow highlights.
: Learn more about structured forensic request intake.
Tasks, notes, files, and quality assurance
Clients and contacts
Lab resources
Case reporting and analytics
Administrative settings and configuration
: Monolith Mondays, Workshop Wednesdays, and how-to videos.
Learn how to sign in to Monolith using your organization's Single Sign-On provider and understand how SSO applies to Monolith and Relay.
Single sign-on, or SSO, allows users to log in to Monolith using their organization’s identity provider.
If your organization has configured SSO, you may not need to use a separate Monolith password. Instead, Monolith will redirect you to your organization’s login page after you enter your email address.
SSO can be configured for both Monolith and Relay. Because they are separate applications, SSO configuration for Monolith and Relay is handled separately.
Logging In With SSO
To log in with SSO:
Open Monolith using the correct web, desktop, or mobile application.
Enter your account email address.
Select Log In.
If SSO is enabled for your organization, Monolith will redirect you to your organization’s identity provider.
Complete the login process required by your organization.
After authentication is complete, you will be redirected back to Monolith.
Organizations using Relay may also configure SSO for Relay access.
Relay and Monolith use separate authentication configurations. Enabling SSO for Monolith does not automatically enable SSO for Relay.
Relay SSO allows approved Relay users to authenticate through the organization's identity provider rather than using a separate Relay password.
SSO configuration requires coordination between your organization's IT team and Monolith Support.
To configure SSO for Monolith or Relay, contact . Monolith Support can provide the required service provider information and coordinate configuration and testing with your IT team.
Monolith and Relay SSO should be configured and tested separately when your organization uses both applications.
If you are unable to log in with SSO, confirm that:
You are using the correct Monolith URL for your organization's cloud region or environment
Your Monolith user account has been created and is active
Your email address is associated with your organization's SSO configuration
If the issue continues, contact your Monolith administrator or Monolith Support.
Your email address in Monolith matches the identity information provided by your organization's identity provider
Your organization's identity provider is allowing access to Monolith
An active Monolith account is required to use the application.
For a visual overview of the mobile application, see the .
Open Monolith Mobile and sign in using your Monolith account.
Select the appropriate Monolith region or environment when prompted.
Organizations using Single Sign-On can also use their configured SSO authentication workflow.
See and for additional access information.
Use Monolith Mobile to review cases and evidence while away from your workstation.
You can:
View cases
View evidence items
Search for cases and evidence
Review case and evidence details
This can be useful during evidence intake, field work, court, laboratory movement, or other situations where a desktop workstation is not convenient.
New evidence items can be created from Monolith Mobile.
This is particularly useful when evidence is physically in front of you during intake or collection.
Use your device camera to scan:
A physical item
A device label
An About This Device screen
Monolith can use information from the image to assist with populating evidence details.
Review the information before saving the evidence item.
Use your phone or tablet to photograph evidence and upload the images directly to the appropriate evidence item.
Photos added through Monolith Mobile synchronize with the evidence item and case in your Monolith environment.
This can reduce the need to photograph evidence separately and transfer the images later.
Monolith Mobile supports chain of custody workflows from your mobile device.
Use the app when evidence is being received, moved, released, checked out, or transferred through other supported custody actions.
Chain of custody activity completed through the mobile app synchronizes with Monolith.
Monolith Mobile includes a digital signature workflow for chain of custody.
A signature can be collected directly on the phone or tablet while an evidence transfer is taking place.
This can be especially useful during evidence intake or release when the person involved in the custody transfer is physically present.
Monolith Mobile allows you to work with case and evidence notes away from your workstation.
You can:
Create case notes
Create evidence notes
Review existing notes
Edit existing notes
Changes synchronize with your Monolith environment.
Monolith Mobile adapts to the device being used.
Phones are well suited for mobile workflows such as:
Evidence intake
Evidence photography
Scanning
Chain of custody
Tablets provide additional screen space and a larger Monolith experience for users who want to work more extensively from a mobile device.
Monolith Mobile can be especially useful for:
Receiving evidence at an intake counter
Photographing evidence as it arrives
Creating evidence items in the field
Scanning device information instead of manually entering it
For screenshots and a visual overview of Monolith Mobile, visit the .
Monolith Desktop Setup
Learn how to install Monolith Desktop and connect it to the correct Monolith cloud region or on-premises server.
Monolith Desktop allows users to access Monolith from a dedicated desktop application instead of a web browser.
The application is available for Windows and macOS. After installation, connect Monolith Desktop to the correct cloud region or environment before logging in.
Download and install the version of Monolith Desktop that matches your operating system and device type.
The latest desktop installers are available on the page.
Monolith Desktop can also be downloaded from within the Monolith web application:
Filter for records assigned to you
Open individual records to review additional information
An existing image from your photo library
Digital signatures
Quick case and evidence review
Notes
Collecting chain of custody signatures
Moving evidence between locations
Reviewing case or evidence information away from a workstation
Taking case or evidence notes while working
Sign In
Access Cases and Evidence
Add Evidence Items
Scan Evidence Information
Capture Evidence Photos
Manage Chain of Custody
Collect Digital Signatures
Work With Notes
Phones and Tablets
Monolith Mobile focuses on workflows that benefit from being available away from a workstation. Some functionality available in the full Monolith web and desktop applications may not be available from a phone.
Download the appropriate Monolith Desktop installer for your device.
After installing Monolith Desktop and opening it for the first time, you will be prompted to select an API mode.
This setup screen determines whether Monolith Desktop connects to a Monolith cloud tenant or an on-premises Monolith server.
Monolith Desktop - API Mode Selection
Customers using a Monolith-hosted cloud region or supported partner environment should keep the API mode set to Cloud.
Cloud mode connects Monolith Desktop to a Monolith-hosted cloud tenant. When using cloud mode, select the region where your Monolith tenant is hosted.
Monolith currently supports the following cloud regions:
United States / North America
Australia
Canada
United Kingdom /Blue Lights Digital
United Kingdom / Europe
Select the cloud region or partner environment where your Monolith tenant is hosted.
If you are not sure which region to select, use the same region you use when accessing Monolith from the web application, or contact your Monolith administrator.
Note: Trial tenants are typically hosted in our US / North America region by default. However, trials can be requested in any supported Monolith region. Selecting the preferred region during the trial can help avoid a tenant migration later and may be preferred for data residency or organizational reasons.
On-premises customers should change the API mode to On-Premises.
This mode allows Monolith Desktop to connect to a Monolith server running within your organization’s own environment or network.
After selecting On-Premises, enter your Monolith server’s API endpoint. This is typically the IP address of your Monolith server or a custom domain configured by your organization.
The API endpoint should use one of the following formats:
Examples:
If Monolith Desktop can successfully reach the server, a green check mark will appear and the Monolith login screen will load.
Monolith On-Premises Server Connection
If the connection does not validate, confirm that the endpoint is correct, the server is reachable from your device, and your organization’s network or VPN settings allow access to the Monolith server.
If you need to change the Monolith Desktop connection settings after initial setup, use the Reset Monolith option on the Monolith login screen.
Monolith Login Page
Resetting Monolith returns the desktop application to the API mode selection screen. From there, you can switch between cloud and on-premises mode, select a different cloud region, or enter a new on-premises API endpoint.
This can be useful if:
You selected the wrong cloud region during setup
Your on-premises server address changed
You need to switch between cloud and on-premises environments
Monolith Support asks you to reset your connection settings during troubleshooting
Blue Lights Digital is a Monolith partner environment for supported customers in the United Kingdom. If your organization accesses Monolith through Blue Lights Digital, select that environment when connecting.
On-Premises Customers
Reset Monolith Connection Settings
Related Documentation
Login & 2FA
Learn how to log in to Monolith, set up two-factor authentication, and reset your 2FA device if needed.
Monolith users can log in with their account email address and password. Cloud users are also required to use two-factor authentication unless Single Sign-On (SSO) has been configured for their organization.
Login
To log in to Monolith:
Open Monolith using the correct web, desktop, or mobile application.
Enter your account email address.
Enter your password.
Select Log In.
If your organization uses SSO, you may be redirected to your organization’s identity provider instead of logging in with a Monolith password.
For more information, see .
Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, adds an additional security step when logging in to Monolith.
Monolith uses time-based one-time passwords, also known as TOTP. To complete 2FA setup, you will need an authenticator app that can generate six-digit verification codes.
Common authenticator apps include:
Google Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator
The first time you log in to Monolith, you may be prompted to set up 2FA.
To set up 2FA:
Open your preferred authenticator app.
Scan the QR code shown on the Monolith 2FA setup screen.
Confirm that the authenticator app adds your Monolith account.
Enter the six-digit code generated by the authenticator app.
After setup is complete, Monolith will ask for a new six-digit code during future logins.
After 2FA has been set up, Monolith will prompt you for a verification code after you enter your email address and password.
To complete login:
Open your authenticator app.
Find the code for your Monolith account.
Enter the current six-digit code into Monolith.
Select Verify
If you lose access to your authenticator app, replace your device, or need to set up 2FA again, a Monolith Super Admin can reset MFA for your account from Organization > .
After your 2FA device is reset, Monolith will prompt you to connect a new authenticator app the next time you log in.
If you do not have access to a Super Admin, contact your organization's Monolith administrator or Monolith Support for assistance.
Two-factor authentication is an important security measure and is strongly recommended.
For cloud customers, 2FA is enabled by default. If your organization has a specific need to change this behavior, contact .
For on-premises customers, 2FA settings may be managed from the user profile page.
Initial Setup
Review recommended setup steps before using Monolith for active casework.
Your organization should review and configure the core settings that support users, cases, evidence, storage, reporting, and quality assurance.
Some settings may already be configured during implementation or trial setup. Use this page as a setup checklist to confirm that Monolith is ready for your team’s workflow.
Confirm your organization details before users begin working in Monolith.
See:
This information may be used throughout Monolith, including reports, labels, and other organization-specific areas.
Create user accounts for team members who need access to Monolith.
Complete the login process.
or continue the login process.
If you are not sure which Monolith URL or application to use, see Accessing Monolith.
Two-Factor Authentication
Set Up 2FA
Authenticator codes refresh automatically. If a code is about to expire, wait for the next code before entering it into Monolith.
Log In With 2FA
Reset 2FA
Disable 2FA
Disabling 2FA reduces account security. Monolith recommends keeping 2FA enabled unless your organization has an approved alternative authentication control in place.
Locations should reflect how your organization tracks evidence in the real world, such as evidence rooms, shelves, bins, lockers, or other storage areas.
If your organization already uses storage items that should be tracked in Monolith, add them before beginning the related storage workflows.
