Apple's DRM Bypassed to Allow Pirating of iOS Apps Without Jailbreak

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Posted January 1, 2013 at 11:04pm by Shalom Levytam

Disturbing new services are surfacing that circumvent Apple's DRM to allow for pirating of iOS apps without a jailbreak, according to TNW report.

A Chinese site called Kuaiyong has seen a surge in popularity following the closure of Hackulous. Using a mobile or desktop application users can simply search for and install apps without paying for them.

The apps appear to have been purchased under an Apple enterprise license, which allows for installation to multiple devices. There could also be a bundle of smaller developer accounts being used, which max out at 100 ‘slots’. They are then being re-distributed to other users through the two tools. There are some indications, however, that the issues go further than a single enterprise license.

TNW notes that Kuaiyong is distributing the exact same copy of an app with the same set of (encrypted) credentials. It suggests that perhaps they've figured out a way to bypass Apple's licensing rules to redistribute the same copy of an application over and over.

Another service called Zeusmos is also distributing cracked apps utilizing a developer licensing certificate and actually charging users for the service. TNW believes that they may have found a way to 'ease the process of purchasing a developer slot' which Apple has clearly indicated is against their terms of service.

Hopefully, Apple will take notice and address the problem as soon as possible. We strongly suggest you support the developers who work incredible hard to create the many apps available for iOS and OS X.

Apple's DRM Bypassed to Allow Pirating of iOS Apps Without Jailbreak

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isitpossible - January 3, 2013 at 5:17pm

Wait, can't you make this into something else? What if they made Cydia as an IPA or something like that and have it signed with the system and somehow let it sync to people's phone like a regular app with this DRM bypass? Does the app get signed once it is sent in the App Store or before it is sent in the App Store, such as right after it is created in the Apple SDK?

Dyllon - January 3, 2013 at 12:17am

Well it still shows the apps in English and the app descriptions are in English and the search function is English what's the problem

pan - January 2, 2013 at 10:37pm

I agree we are mistaken! Paying 800 euro for a device where we cannot even download our photos from Facebook! Without a jailbreak, the iPhone feels very limited, so I will try these programs since I already had issues upgrading my iOS 5.1.1 jailbroken 4S to iOS 6.01.

Darryn - January 2, 2013 at 6:02pm

I can totally agree. I don't jailbreak my iDevices. But you make an excellent point. Where did all of these great features start? Cydia!

Run, Forrest, run! - January 2, 2013 at 4:03pm

Don't you think it's ironic that you are asking to support app developers by not buying or downloading pirated apps, when this site's popularity is based primarily on jaibreaking... pretty much pirating too, and a circumvention of the software licence agreements you're supposed to accept when you buy or use an iphone? Either you're for complete anarchy, or you follow the rules.

steve - January 2, 2013 at 4:55pm

There a many reasons to jailbreak your iPhone. I have jailbroken several of my iPhones over the years, and have not pirated a single app.

odedoo1 - January 2, 2013 at 5:26pm

If anyone believes you then he is a fool. I still jailbreak my devices and not to download free apps, but it's there and I do use it once in a while. Just like four months ago SBSettings showed up in the App Store but I didn't get it because my devices are jailbroken. About a week later Apple took it out from the store; it happened again a month or two ago. SBSettings showed up in the App Store for 2 dollars and before I realized that it was back, Apple took it out of the App Store again. Well, my point is that jailbreaking is not just to get free apps, but many times you are not sure if you want to buy the app so you try it first. There's always time to buy it later.

rockne1865 - January 2, 2013 at 3:32pm

I like to try apps before I buy but if I keep them I pay for them, but I don't have much use for an IPhone that is not jail broken. I know a lot of people that have no need for a jail broken phone but I want to do things with my phone that Apple doesn't want me to! Apple does not own me & after I buy the Phone they don't own my phone either!

vinasky - January 2, 2013 at 3:21pm

No jailbreak apple will shrink . apple try to release jailbreak

daninn - January 2, 2013 at 7:40am

I have the same opinion with DODO. The must annoying thing about ios developpers, is that 95% of them didn't offer trial applications. You have to see what you buy, so you don't have any bad surprises. I believe that closing installous it's a mistake from apple. If we look at ios 4, 5, 6, they have a lot of improvements taken from various developpers and from cydia. And at last, a part of future clients will move from apple to samsung, or any other android producer..

Jay - January 2, 2013 at 6:09am

This worked for me ... No user

DODO - January 2, 2013 at 4:50am

JB needed and i dont care about pirated apps. After testing pirated apps people will buy them if they really find them good enough. There are thousands of useless apps. Apple - just let the JB to enter the world of your products and win the global market.

tzvifiller - January 2, 2013 at 4:35am

How can I do this on my ipod?

Working - January 2, 2013 at 4:08am

Guys if u install apps through their software for windows it is working!!!

Tk. - January 3, 2013 at 10:01pm

Same here, only working through the Win Software, Not directly via iPhone.

cciev - January 2, 2013 at 4:07am

I really miss Lockscreen on my iphone 5. Never cared for hacked apps.

chah - January 2, 2013 at 3:31am

right after installous is shut down....cleaver move installous

FAIL - January 2, 2013 at 3:23am

Yes you can install app but It is asking Apple username and password... its not working Fail.

nono09 - January 2, 2013 at 12:15am

These are the type of developers you need to support!

Mannygsx - January 2, 2013 at 1:52am

Well thanks for spreading the word. This will not last long.

Dyllon - January 3, 2013 at 12:22am

Why won't it copywriting doesnt exist in china and there's nothing apple can do about it

Luis - January 1, 2013 at 11:56pm

All of this is crap...Time ago I started a project like this..and decide to leave it because it isn't as simple as people think...and else because anyone of us (developers) should want to see our apps on Pirate sites

Luis - January 2, 2013 at 5:19am

if for you "clever" means "support piracy instead of support other people effort", man you are a genius

oltreepie - January 1, 2013 at 11:36pm

So without jailbreak, the piracy software can be install in iDevice??

Ellis - January 1, 2013 at 11:15pm

Well this is pretty huge, nobody's managed to do anything like this without jailbreak before, if they don't stop this quick piracy will rise tenfold

Latworx - January 1, 2013 at 11:49pm

You can translate it via web translator for FREE! Then you can have the apps for FREE! So whats your problem?? Btw, support the dev by buying apps after 'trying'