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Apple’s iOS 8.3 update blocks access to apps from desktop file managers like iExplorer

iexplorer

Apple has seemingly moved to block desktop apps that allow users to manage files on their iOS devices in its recent iOS 8.3 update, as noted by MacRumors. Many popular file transfer apps, such as iFunBox, iTools, iExplorer, iBackupBot and PhoneView, have experienced the issue that prevents users from accessing file directories for apps on iOS devices. The apps were previously a popular way for users to install software on iOS devices that Apple does not allow in the App Store, like game emulators.

“iOS 8.3 ruined our freedom of controlling data in our installed Apps and Games,” writes iFunBox in a Facebook post. “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.”

Another popular file explorer app, iExplorer, is also investigating the issue: “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.”

iFunBox at least has released an update that fixes some of the issue — it will allow apps with iTunes File sharing enabled to be browsed — but otherwise non-jailbreakers are left out in the cold for now.

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Comments

  1. I’m kind of surprised this didn’t happen earlier.

    • Taylor Li - 9 years ago

      Howdy, you won’t worry about that iOS 8.3 will not allow you to access app documents, simply use the third-party program to get it worked such as iTools, iFunbox, apowersoft phone manager, etc. Tested, working great for the latest version.

      http://www.apowersoft.com/phone-manager

  2. prffl - 9 years ago

    Exactly. Apple never allows third parties to install apps outside of the App Store environment

  3. John Kim (@johnkim1x4) - 9 years ago

    On the iExplorer website, it says it’s iOS 8.3 ready?
    http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/

  4. mime454 - 9 years ago

    Is this why popcorn time installs but crashes on iOS 8.3? Or is that just because of bad coding?

  5. Rhys Morgan - 9 years ago

    Clearly done because it was a big security flaw.
    Incredible Apple didn’t do this years ago.

  6. Gazoo Bee - 9 years ago

    The thing that stands out to me most here, is the complete unprofessionalism of “iFunBox” and their shockingly poor writing skills. The idea of sending out a company, sending a message to the whole world but failing to do a simple grammar check is a bit appalling. What idiots they must be. I wouldn’t trust them with anything.

    • bfredit - 9 years ago

      Y’know, English might not be their first language. I think they are Chinese.

      How many languages other than your mother tongue can you write that well?

  7. Inaba-kun (@Inaba_kun) - 9 years ago

    This authoritarian trait which infects Apple needs to be fixed. If I buy a computer, I can do with it whatever the hell I like, End of story.

    • iSRS - 9 years ago

      Actually, like jailbreaking, Apple has a responsibility to address security holes. Chance are, that is what “broke” these apps. Before passing judgement, we should wait to see what happens going forward.

      Haven’t there been recent reports of security issues coming up? Perhaps 8.3 addressed those, and this is a side effect.

      I used iExplorer to copy levels achieved for some games. Will miss that.

      • bata684 - 9 years ago

        You won’t miss any. They updated today for ios 8.3. It’s working perfect for me.

    • kanecheshire - 9 years ago

      Correct. You can do what you want with the computer, but the software that is preinstalled you agree to use the way Apple decide. That’s the whole point of a software licence agreement, which you agreed to when you set up your device. If you don’t like it, don’t use it.

    • Liam Deckham - 9 years ago

      Well said, Inaba-kun! Best comment on this whole blog! 1050% agree!
      8.3 also made my camera roll on my iPad not be in a chronological order. I do not care what they introduce but messing with my content and my files is just ridiculous.

      In response to kane…, keep that mentality up. Eventually, you will be asking Apple and Google for permission to view your own photos!

      Our own content is our most valuable asset, yet, like blind sheep, we give these big companies absolute right to do whatever THEY want with it. Wake up!

      • kanecheshire - 9 years ago

        So don’t agree to the user agreement and don’t use the software. If I agree to a user agreement which says that Google or Apple can have the rights to my photos that I upload using their software onto their servers, why would I be surprised about that?

        It really is very simple. If you don’t like a user agreement, don’t agree to it.

      • Roman Hawke - 9 years ago

        Kanechesire, your sheep language is very strong.

      • vboom90 - 9 years ago

        Roman, calling someone a sheep is not an argument.
        Kanecheshire has a valid point that many would agree with, I struggle to see how calling them names makes your point any more valid.
        Apple and Google are majorities not monopolies, other more secure operating systems are available to you should you want that.

      • kanecheshire - 9 years ago

        I’m a sheep for abiding by software agreements? A sheep to who? I didn’t mention whether one company was better than the other, just that you legally agree to abide by the rules of the software you’re using before you can start using it.

        But by all means continue to call me names, because all it does is validate my opinion that you understand you’re in the wrong but don’t want to admit it.

      • Liam Deckham - 9 years ago

        Apple was built on servicing what customers want. We have an obligation to tell Apple when it is going the wrong way. You do not just accept it because of a software agreement that no one reads, just like we do not accept it when our government makes bad decisions.

        If enough people speak out, Apple will change. Don’t ever forget, they only exist because of the money we spend on their products.

      • Liam Deckham - 9 years ago

        And remember, when Apple got rid of the camera roll is iOS 8, it was the people screaming WTF that brought it back!

  8. When you buy an Apple device, right or wrong, you accept the End User License Agreement (EULA). I am going to guess that Apple did not disable something that was excluded from that EULA.

  9. Matt Vaughan (@mattido) - 9 years ago

    iExplorer works fine for me. /shrug

    • crashtx1 - 9 years ago

      The only feature of iExplorer that I’ve been using recently is to clean up cache. That stopped working with 8.3. Is that feature working for you?

  10. Kito (@kito0920) - 9 years ago

    They have been in place since 8.3 Beta 2…
    http://www.dtathemes.com/access-blocked-for-ifunbox-iexplorer/

  11. gshenaut - 9 years ago

    Can’t you do pretty much any kind of file sharing, etc., via iCloud Drive (if the iOS app supports it)? In fact, perhaps this will build a fire under some of the developers of apps that do not yet support iCloud Drive.

  12. icerabbit - 9 years ago

    Apple makes it seems like these tools are only used for hacking and nefarious uses, but just las week I had to resort to one of these tools to copy our own photos from our old iPhones.

    Noticed our images from the prior two years had not carried over to the new phones. So, I figured just USB plugging the phones to iTunes would do the trick. Authenticated in iTunes. iPhoto wouldn’t grab them. Image capture wouldn’t grab them. The photos are right there in photos on the old phones, but no, all the Apple programs saw were the default wallpaper screens.

    Enter the third party program. Explore folder tree on phone. Enter directory. Select all photos. Copy. Done!

  13. bata684 - 9 years ago

    I’m using iExplorer and they updated their software today (13 Apr) to be compatible with ios 8.3.

    • crashtx1 - 9 years ago

      Some features do not work. The updated added a message explaining that, it didn’t fix it.

  14. nana (@purplemaize) - 9 years ago

    Thank for pointing that out now I know what to get for my 2nd phone number… when my contract is up in August.

  15. Ryan (@basebander) - 9 years ago

    Apps like this have saved me more than a few times. Also pretty helpful in app development. Shame.

  16. 0verblogger - 9 years ago

    I have downgraded an iPad Air 2 to iOS 8.2 because of this. (For those who want to know how: At the moment it is still possible with a firmware from https://ipsw.me. After downloading the right version of iOS 8.2 you must start iTunes, connect your device and hold down the option key while pressing the restore button, then choose the firmware – but hurry!)

    I am really angry now! I am working with that machine and I NEED that kind of access – period! As a long lasting Apple shareholder I cannot imagine how they will be able to gain ground in the business area when they are continuously shutting down our possibilities for accessing data. In my opinion that is a valid point for other systems!

    Maybe the most of you are not working with your iOS devices. But even if you are just playing games you must know that you cannot copy your gaming progress to other devices anymore and you cannot feed emulators like “Gridlee” (see http://toucharcade.com/2013/01/26/mame-is-back-in-the-app-store-for-now-with-gridlee) or “Floppy Cloud” (see http://toucharcade.com/2014/12/22/how-to-emulate-super-nintento-and-nes-without-jailbreaking/) with fresh games anymore – but Apple is taking your money for this …

    But hey, keep on arguing for them and give them your money. The more, the better ;-))

  17. Alayna Aldaine - 8 years ago

    i’m so mad about this

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.