←back to thread

Build an iOS app on Linux or Windows

(xtool.sh)
168 points todsacerdoti | 6 comments | 25 Jun 25 01:31 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
Show context
TheDong ◴[25 Jun 25 04:26 UTC] No.44373611[source]▶
You have to accept Apple's licensing agreement as part of downloading XCode to run this tool (which relies on XCode's SDKs etc).

Quoting from the license agreement:

> You may not use the Apple Software, Apple Certificates, or any Services provided hereunder for any purpose not expressly permitted by this Agreement, including any applicable Attachments and Schedules. You agree not to install, use or run the Apple SDKs on any non-Apple-branded computer, and not to install, use or run iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS, watchOS, and Provisioning Profiles on or in connection with devices other than Apple-branded products, or to enable others to do so.

Both xtool itself, and anyone who uses it, is violating this license agreement, and apple has shown itself in the past to be a real ass about this sort of thing.

I think this can fly under the radar as long as no one uses it, but as soon as people actually start using this tool in any significant amount, I wouldn't be surprised if apple comes for it.

replies(7): >>44373741 #>>44373777 #>>44373782 #>>44373907 #>>44373997 #>>44374071 #>>44375788 #
1. scripturial ◴[25 Jun 25 05:31 UTC] No.44373907[source]▶
I’m curious, would Apple know if you are building on Linux on a Mac, or building on Linux on PC?
replies(1): >>44375455 #
2. bornfreddy ◴[25 Jun 25 10:00 UTC] No.44375455[source]▶
I would be surprised if they didn't. It is trivial to detect this.
replies(1): >>44375635 #
3. scripturial ◴[25 Jun 25 10:26 UTC] No.44375635[source]▶
How would they detect it? If the interface with Apple is simply an API to fetch and upload data. How would they know if the underlying physical machine is an Apple built computer running Linux, or a dell built computer running Linux?
replies(1): >>44379672 #
4. mystified5016 ◴[25 Jun 25 17:14 UTC] No.44379672{3}[source]▶
What possible reason do you have to assume it fetches only this data?

Apple is absolutely slurping up any and all data they can get about your machine, you, whatever is visible on the network, nearby WiFi networks and your physical location.

They have no reason whatsoever to not do this, they explicitly do this on iOS, and there is a lot of money for them to sell the data they collect about you.

This is how modern corporations are. Apple is no different from Google, Facebook, Microsoft, et al.

replies(2): >>44383637 #>>44384343 #
5. ◴[26 Jun 25 02:13 UTC] No.44383637{4}[source]▶
6. scripturial ◴[26 Jun 25 05:09 UTC] No.44384343{4}[source]▶
I have not seen any evidence that would lead to a conclusion one way or another.