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by vbezhenar 3728 days ago
There's nothing magical in Mac. iOS apps use standard cryptographic algorithms for their digital signature, so one can write a crossplatform client which will generate developer certificate for user, sign any given binary using that certificate and install it onto iOS device. For user it won't be any harder than typing "iport install things" (or click button with some fancy GUI).

I'm surprised that this idea wasn't implemented yet.
2 comments
HappyTypist 3728 days ago
Because when you do, Apple will require you to pre register devices and sign builds online from Apple servers, or do something else that blocks this
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rjvir 3728 days ago
Still requires an external Laptop/PC, you would not be able to install custom software using only the device itself.
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conradev 3728 days ago
It would require an enterprise cert or Laptop/PC to bootstrap, but theoretically you could build an on-device store. I'm still waiting for someone to build this:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BsOd4PXQ0SfsdMP0n30Ud_Aa...

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