idevice

File & App Services

AFC, app containers, app install, and developer disk images.

These services cover files, app containers, app install flows, and developer images.

AreaWhat it does
AFCBrowses, reads, writes, creates, and removes files.
House ArrestOpens app containers through an AFC-style connection.
Installation ProxyInstalls, uninstalls, browses, and queries apps.
Install Coordination ProxyHandles newer app installation coordination flows.
CoreDevice App ServiceLists apps and processes through the CoreDevice path.
Mobile Image MounterMounts developer disk images and related images.

File access

afc is the Apple File Conduit service. It is the main file-system style API used by tools that need to browse, read, write, create, or remove files.

house_arrest opens an app container through AFC-style access.

Related service reference:

Useful CLI commands:

idevice-tools afc

App management

installation_proxy handles app install and uninstall flows. installcoordination_proxy covers newer app installation coordination paths. CoreDevice also has app_service for newer RSD/CoreDevice app workflows.

Related service reference:

Useful CLI commands:

idevice-tools ideviceinstaller
idevice-tools instproxy
idevice-tools app_service

Developer images

mobile_image_mounter mounts developer disk images and related images for services that require a mounted image.

Related service reference:

Useful CLI command:

idevice-tools mounter

On this page