Recreating the First iPhone OS on a Non‑Apple Gadget
It might sound like a sci‑fi plot, but Martjin de Vos has pulled it off in reality. The Dutch developer managed to copy the original iPhone operating system onto a device that isn’t Apple‑made, proving that the classic OS is still infinitely hackable.
The Challenge
- Emulating the hardware—especially the “tiny” chips inside the iPhone—was the toughest part.
- The first prototype ran on an iPod because it doesn’t need the extra hardware found in the iPhone, making it a simpler target.
- Choosing iOS 1.0 gave Martjin a smoother ride: it lacked the modern security hoops that would otherwise block any emulation attempt.
Why iOS 1.0?
Older OSes are like a library with no locks—read every book, page, and stanza aloud. Later versions add firewalls, encryption, and the occasional checksum that would break a naive emulator. By going back to the original release, Martjin sidestepped a ton of extra hassle.
What This Means
This demo shows that, behavior‑wise, the first iPhone OS can still perform its mission on a familiar shell. It doesn’t mean the whole iPhone is now open‑for‑brokers, but it unlocks a lot of creative possibilities for developers and hobbyists who want to mix past and present tech.
Final Takeaway
Martjin’s work reminds us that old tech can still flex if you’re clever—and that the key is patience, love for processes, and a willingness to tinker. The next step? Seeing whether his dream could run on a Raspberry Pi or maybe even a toaster plugged into the internet.
Android Arrives on the First‑Gen iPod Touch and iPhone
Thanks to the open‑source OpeniBoot bootloader, hobbyists can now breathe new life into their vintage Apple devices. The once‑abandoned project now lets users swap out the original iOS with a working Android installation.
Current Play‑Through
- Emulated flawlessly on QEMU
- Pre‑installed apps run smoothly
- Some occasional crashes—classic hobbyist glory
- Glitches are part of the charm
While the buggy elements make daily use a bit of a rollercoaster, the experience is still surprisingly fun. What’s next on the tech playground? De Vos plans to tackle the second‑generation iPod Touch, hoping to tighten the performance and uncover more hidden Android gems.
