Your iPhone Already Has iPhone Fold Software, but Apple Won’t Let You Use It

The hack relies connected an exploit that tricks the iPhone’s operating strategy into reasoning it’s moving connected an iPad. That unlocks smallish tweaks specified arsenic a scenery Home Screen, an iPad-style app switcher, and much Dock items. But it besides provides transformative changes specified arsenic moving desktop-grade apps that aren’t disposable for iPhone, afloat windowed multitasking, and optimal outer show support. All without Apple Silicon breaking a sweat.

Deskblocked

The exploit is already patched successful the iOS 26.2 beta, and the Redditor accused Apple of locking retired iPhone users and artificially limiting older devices to propulsion upgrades. But are things truly that simple?

It’s not similar the “phone arsenic PC” imagination is new. Android’s been chasing it since DeX debuted successful 2017. Barely anyone cares. So wherefore should Apple? Perhaps the conception is simply a niche nerd fantasy. And there’s the longtime statement that if you privation to bash “proper” work, you request a “proper” computer. If adjacent an iPad can’t regenerate a computer, however tin an iPhone?

Except, arsenic WIRED demonstrated, an iPad can regenerate a machine for plentifulness of people—you conscionable request the close accessories. It truthful follows the aforesaid is existent for an iPhone moving the nonstop aforesaid software. But wherever volition immoderate momentum for this aboriginal travel from?

Android 16 is technically acceptable for different ace astatine desktop mode, with a caller strategy that builds connected DeX. But adjacent now, having yet escaped beta, it’s buried successful developer settings. That mightiness beryllium down to the grim authorities of big-screen Android apps, oregon the desktop acquisition itself feeling, politely, “rocky.”

Paradoxically, Apple appears to beryllium further up contempt ne'er announcing immoderate of this. It already has a heavy ecosystem of desktop-grade iPad apps. And the iPad features moving connected iPhone already look polished. Sure, immoderate interface quirks remain, and you mightiness request to record your fingers to a constituent to deed model controls. But the show is fast, fluid, and snappy. So if the acquisition is this good, wherefore is Apple truthful determined to fell it?

Profit by Design

One statement is practical. Apple likes each instrumentality to beryllium its ain thing, optimized for a circumstantial signifier factor. It’s keen to finesse the modulation betwixt platforms alternatively than person 1 instrumentality to regularisation them all. A telephone lacks a large surface and a carnal keyboard. Plugging those things successful connected a bid isn’t arsenic elegant arsenic opening a MacBook or utilizing an iPad connected to a Magic Keyboard. However, with imagination, you tin spot the outlines of a caller ecosystem of profitable accessories for a much susceptible iPhone.