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iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

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21–30 of 152 posts

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#21
post #3

With this, would it finally be possible to test iOS apps without having to first buy into the Apple ecosystem? Seems super helpful for developers, security testing, etc.

You can also buy into Corellium for this - I suppose the same idea but a closed "cloud" virtualization provider.

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#22
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is currently possible with Hackintoshes, but only because Apple tolerates plausible-but-fake serial numbers that follow their usual format. They can trivially restrict this if they want to.

Couldn't I go to the Apple store & copy down a real serial number?

Yes you can, however there's a good chance it may also carry over the iCloud Activation Lock status and refuse to work for that reason (all Apple Store machines are Activation Locked to deter theft & assist with recovery).

This might get you in trouble though, less about the theoretical element of fraud and more that they’ll legitimately believe the device has been stolen.

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#23
post #3

With this, would it finally be possible to test iOS apps without having to first buy into the Apple ecosystem? Seems super helpful for developers, security testing, etc.

Wouldn't you need an Apple ID at some point?

And doesn't it phone home and report you?

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#24
post #5
post #4

Ooohhh! This will be interesting from a reverse engineering perspective. Also, does that mean I can get iMessage on PC?

I think you need a valid iPhone serial number to activate iMessage?

Curious, would this not apply to Macs and iPads as well?

Can you access iMessage just through the Messages app on Mac?

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#25
post #7
post #4

Ooohhh! This will be interesting from a reverse engineering perspective. Also, does that mean I can get iMessage on PC?

It's technically already possible by installing/virtualizing macOS and giving the SMC emulator a plausible serial number - it's tolerated by Apple for now, however they can trivially block this (both for Hackintosh as well as this iOS emulator) by requiring a real serial number.

I have an old iPhone, could I use a serial number from that potentially?

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#26
post #23
post #3

With this, would it finally be possible to test iOS apps without having to first buy into the Apple ecosystem? Seems super helpful for developers, security testing, etc.

Wouldn't you need an Apple ID at some point? And doesn't it phone home and report you?

Good questions. I guess for eventual publishing, the app repository fees need to be paid indeed. That only applies to development and not security testing though.

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#27
post #3

With this, would it finally be possible to test iOS apps without having to first buy into the Apple ecosystem? Seems super helpful for developers, security testing, etc.

Is it "buy into" if you use stuff like Browserstack?

I use their live devices (camera/audio feed specifically) although not sure how far you can go eg. app-level install. Looks like you can and use stuff like Appium.

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#28
post #21
post #3

With this, would it finally be possible to test iOS apps without having to first buy into the Apple ecosystem? Seems super helpful for developers, security testing, etc.

You can also buy into Corellium for this - I suppose the same idea but a closed "cloud" virtualization provider.

That sounded amazing until I clicked to the pricing and then to the FAQ about this "cores" concept

> newer devices, such as the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, require six cores

I'm not keeping up to date with apple phone numbers, but since OP speaks of 11 I take it that 8 must be at least a few years old. So "newer devices" here just means "any reasonable device".

6 cores is $295 a month on the cheapest plan. If you need it more than once every few years, it's cheaper to get a real phone used.

Thanks for the tip nevertheless! Can be useful in a pinch for sure :)

Re: iPhone 11 Emulated on QEMU

#30
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you need a valid iPhone serial number to activate iMessage?

Curious, would this not apply to Macs and iPads as well? Can you access iMessage just through the Messages app on Mac?

Yes, you can, but only if you are signed into your Apple ID and connected to Wi-Fi. I believe Macs and non-cellular iPads send messages over Wi-Fi to the iMessage servers.
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