Here’s Proof That macOS Can Run On An iPhone – But Don’t Get Too Excited

In a surprising breakthrough, a developer has successfully run essential parts of macOS on an iPhone, showcasing a proof-of-concept that has left the tech community buzzing with excitement. Duy Tran, a seasoned Apple hacker, shared his impressive work on Reddit, revealing the feasibility of running macOS on mobile devices.

Since Macs transitioned to Apple Silicon chips, fans have been wondering about the possibility of running macOS on iPhones and iPads, particularly since these devices now share the same hardware with their desktop counterparts. Tran's achievement has confirmed that this is indeed possible, at least in a limited capacity.

Running WindowServer: The First Step Towards Mac Apps On iPhones

Tran began by installing WindowServer, a critical macOS process responsible for rendering graphics elements on the screen, such as windows, icons, and visual effects. This was a crucial step towards running Mac apps on iPhones and iPads, as every app requires WindowServer to function.

a workaround: Using Metal Drivers From iPhone Simulator

However, there's still a catch – most apps also require graphics acceleration to work. To overcome this limitation, Tran utilized Metal drivers from the iPhone Simulator, a part of Xcode that allows developers to test iOS apps on the Mac.

This workaround enabled the developer to run a modified build of macOS 13.4 with essential system components, such as WindowServer, Finder, and the Dock, on his iPhone. To his surprise, it worked – he even showcased an image of Xcode 15 running on the iPhone.

The Catch: Limited Availability And Functionality

While this achievement is impressive, there's a significant caveat. This hack requires a jailbroken device, and unfortunately, there's no available jailbreak tool for the latest devices and iOS versions. Tran used an older iPhone XS Max running iOS 16.5.

Additionally, the hack doesn't support touch inputs, forcing the developer to use a physical keyboard and mouse connected remotely. While this could be overcome on an M1 iPad, those iPads can't be jailbroken on their current software versions either.

A Proof-of-Concept For A Desktop Operating System On Mobile Devices

Tran's project serves as a proof of concept that, with the right tweaks, mobile devices can run desktop operating systems. As iPadOS continues to converge with macOS and rumors surface about a MacBook running an iPhone chip, this development may no longer be necessary.

Getting Involved: The Source Code Is Available On GitHub

For those curious enough, the source code for Tran's project is available on GitHub. Filipe Espósito, a Brazilian journalist and tech expert, has been covering Apple's plans for over 10 years and has published exclusive reports, including the launch of the first titanium Apple Watch.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while running macOS on an iPhone is possible in a limited capacity, it's not without its caveats. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, we may see more seamless integration between mobile devices and desktop operating systems. For now, this achievement serves as a fascinating proof of concept that showcases what's possible with creative coding and hacking.