• iOS 8.3 Puts an End to Using iExplorer, iFunBox, and Other iOS File Browsing Apps on Stock Devices

    by
    Anthony Bouchard
    Published on 2015-04-13 04:38 PM
    50 Comments Comments


    Not only does iOS 8.3 patch another exploit used by the TaiG jailbreak, but Apple appears to have added yet another measure of security in the newly-released firmware update related to using third-party file browsers for modifying the file contents of applications via a USB connection... so now they don't work anymore.

    Applications of this nature include, but are not limited to, iExplorer, iFunBox, PhoneView, and iTools. They are available for both Mac and Windows users and have been widely used by users to modify or transfer files from applications on the device to a computer without having to use iTunes.

    Above, you can see a screenshot of iFunBox failing to connect to open a directory to a restricted application in iOS 8.3. The warning says that users now need to be jailbroken to use the software with specific applications due to a security patch by Apple that no longer permits the software to access many the device's internal files.

    While Apple sees this as increased security for their devices, those that used the software to modify files and make changes to their devices will be disappointed by the change.

    The developers of the applications in question report that they're working on workarounds, and have publicly announced that the issue is directly related to iOS 8.3:

    Originally Posted by iFunBox
    OS 8.3 ruined our freedom of controlling data in our installed Apps and Games. Apple blocked access of the entire sandbox directory of every installed App since iOS 8.3. Previously only writing is block in executable directory. Now we totally lost the control of Apps on our own devices. We are investigating the situation. Before there is a solution, iFunbox will fail to open data directory of any App if the device is not jailbroken.
    Originally Posted by Macroplant
    We are currently investigating how the iOS 8.3 update blocked access to the Apps directory, and we are looking into ways around it. All iDevice transfer utilities seem to be experiencing this exact same blocked access in iOS 8.3, so it's not just a bug with iExplorer or iBrowse. Apple has definitely changed something with the way apps can be accessed in iOS.
    For the most part, file browsing was very limited on non-jailbroken devices anyhow. Only when you're jailbroken do you have access to root system files that can be used for true device modification, but even the very limited file access that we had is now gone on a stock device.

    Sources: MacRumors
    This article was originally published in forum thread: iOS 8.3 Puts an End to Using iExplorer, iFunBox, and Other iOS File Browsing Apps started by Anthony Bouchard View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPhone,
    3. iPad,
    4. iOS,
    5. Apple,
    6. Accessories,
    7. AppStore,
    8. Cydia,
    9. iPad,
    10. Software
    Comments 50 Comments
    1. cpotoso's Avatar
      cpotoso - 2015-04-13, 04:54 PM
      Control freaks! I do despise my android phone and tablet (the OS is lousy), but can't fathom going to a system in which I do not own the device I paid for.
    1. Brad.carmichael's Avatar
      Brad.carmichael - 2015-04-13, 05:06 PM
      Apple just needs to stop this and have it so we can use iTunes better make it so we can keep our music when booking up to a different computer make it so we can transfer music from our iPhone to the computer and we wouldn't have to use websites like that
    1. Brad.carmichael's Avatar
      Brad.carmichael - 2015-04-13, 05:07 PM
      Hooking*
    1. Simon's Avatar
      Simon - 2015-04-13, 05:08 PM
      Well that's annoying. Used this to put back settings/game saves for certain apps/games after a restore and setting up as new.
    1. NewD's Avatar
      NewD - 2015-04-13, 05:10 PM
      Are you kidding, Apple?!?! [emoji20]
    1. Brad.carmichael's Avatar
      Brad.carmichael - 2015-04-13, 05:12 PM
      Yeah I like using it for my music they need to stop and let us do this on iTunes Apple sucks right now always putting a block on stuff
    1. Scotty Manley Silberhorn's Avatar
      Scotty Manley Silberhorn - 2015-04-13, 05:25 PM
      I don't think everyone realizes that those applications can be security risks
    1. Anthony Bouchard's Avatar
      Anthony Bouchard - 2015-04-13, 05:28 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Simon View Post
      Well that's annoying. Used this to put back settings/game saves for certain apps/games after a restore and setting up as new.
      I also use an application called 'PhoneExpander' which iOS 8.3 breaks. It used to let me clear the caches of applications that would accumulate huge caches over time, like Instagram. Now that I can't do that, my storage space is filling up relatively quickly.
    1. jtanner's Avatar
      jtanner - 2015-04-13, 05:31 PM
      DigiDNA (iMazing, formally DiskAid) have said they should be bringing a fix "early this week". Apparently.
    1. bigboyz's Avatar
      bigboyz - 2015-04-13, 06:09 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Anthony Bouchard View Post
      I also use an application called 'PhoneExpander' which iOS 8.3 breaks. It used to let me clear the caches of applications that would accumulate huge caches over time, like Instagram. Now that I can't do that, my storage space is filling up relatively quickly.
      Yes, I too have noted my free space disappearing rather quickly on my iPhone 6+.
    1. envious86's Avatar
      envious86 - 2015-04-13, 06:13 PM
      If iOS 8.3 is not jail broken by the end of May I'm buying the s6. iOS is boring without a jailbreak.
    1. docmagoo2's Avatar
      docmagoo2 - 2015-04-13, 08:20 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by envious86 View Post
      If iOS 8.3 is not jail broken by the end of May I'm buying the s6. iOS is boring without a jailbreak.
      I'm sure apple will really miss you. And frankly stock iOS is still better than android
    1. StuG III's Avatar
      StuG III - 2015-04-13, 08:21 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Scotty Manley Silberhorn View Post
      I don't think everyone realizes that those applications can be security risks
      Hardly. It is not Apple's job to protect us from ourselves.
    1. Nuff Said's Avatar
      Nuff Said - 2015-04-13, 09:22 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Scotty Manley Silberhorn View Post
      I don't think everyone realizes that those applications can be security risks
      You post this on a site dedicated to using security risks to mod our phones??
    1. Hondamaker's Avatar
      Hondamaker - 2015-04-13, 09:39 PM
      Man, I knew I shouldn't have given up my j/b to update to 8.3. <smh>
    1. envious86's Avatar
      envious86 - 2015-04-13, 10:41 PM
      [QUOTE=docmagoo2;7253555]I'm sure apple will really miss you. And frankly stock iOS is still better than android[/yeah iOS is better but the features you get on the other phones are far superior than iPhone. Don't get me wrong I love apple and have spent thousands in the last few years but I'm sick of having to wait to mod my iPhone when most the tweaks I want on jailbreak come stock on other phones.
    1. Anthony Bouchard's Avatar
      Anthony Bouchard - 2015-04-14, 01:07 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by envious86 View Post
      yeah iOS is better but the features you get on the other phones are far superior than iPhone. Don't get me wrong I love apple and have spent thousands in the last few years but I'm sick of having to wait to mod my iPhone when most the tweaks I want on jailbreak come stock on other phones.
      I think you'll be highly disappointed. Read up on why Android isn't as customizable as you think and why so many people regret the switch.
    1. Al226's Avatar
      Al226 - 2015-04-14, 01:21 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Hondamaker View Post
      Man, I knew I shouldn't have given up my j/b to update to 8.3. <smh>
      You deserve it for having given up your JB, WTH is wrong with you???
    1. Eonhpi's Avatar
      Eonhpi - 2015-04-14, 01:26 AM
      You think this is a bad thing apple keep ios secure thats why i ***** with ios when jb is available ill do what after jb comes out still ios is better then android
    1. studderman's Avatar
      studderman - 2015-04-14, 04:00 AM
      We pay A Lot Of Money for theses phones, (iPhone 6 here) and we shouldn't be told what we can and can not do with it. Its our devices and we are responsible for our own actions, so we should be able to jailbreak if we so choose
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