October 23, 2026
In an unusual technical experiment, developers succeeded in running Apple’s iOS operating system on Android phones, through a software project called “Hackios.” The project relies on software modifications that allow the Apple system kernel to run on devices that do not belong to its system, in a step similar to the famous “Hackintosh” project that previously allowed the “macOS” system to run on computers that do not belong to the company.
According to a report published by the “PhoneArena” website, the experiment is based on a software project published on the “GitHub” platform under the name “ios-sweet,” and aims to test the ability of Android devices to run the Apple system.
Project work mechanism
The technical idea is based on replacing the Linux kernel used in the Android system with the “XNU” kernel on which Apple systems depend, which is the part responsible for managing the interaction between the physical hardware and the software. To implement the experiment on the Redmi Note 10 Pro phone, the developers used “device tree” data that describes the phone’s physical components, using data taken from the “iPhone
Limited functionality and technical barriers
Despite the success of the launch phase, the project is still in its experimental phases and does not provide an integrated user experience. The available functions are limited to varying degrees to the appearance of the home screen, the Safari browser application, the use of built-in applications, settings, and some touch gestures.
On the other hand, basic functions were completely disabled, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks, in addition to cameras, speakers, fingerprint sensors, and ambient lighting. These limitations are due to the difference in hardware between Apple and Android devices, which requires software compatible with the hardware of each device, as well as security concerns related to the disruption of file encryption mechanisms.
Supported devices
The attempts extended to include different models that rely on various processors, such as the “Pixel 6” with the “Tensor” processor, and the “Galaxy S7” with the “Exynos 8890” processor. The project warehouse includes targeted modifications for several phones, including “Redmi Note 12 Pro,” “LG V60,” “OnePlus 7T,” “Redmi 5 Plus,” and “Galaxy S23 Ultra.” Although there is a variation in the available functions depending on the device – such as audio playback and Wi-Fi in a version dedicated to the Redmi Note 12 phone – none of them reached the required level of integration.
The future of the project and prospects for use
The possibility of running iOS completely on Android remains far from practical, due to compatibility issues between hardware and software, security restrictions, and reliance on outdated versions. Accordingly, the experiment is currently viewed as an advanced technical test aimed at developers and tinkering enthusiasts, with potential risks of data loss or device failure, which would prevent it from being suitable for daily use.
