SwitchBoard.app

This article discusses software internally used by Apple. Acquiring a copy without Apple's consent is illegal and may result in being scammed. Engaging in illegal activity is not condoned. This information is provided for educational purposes only.

SwitchBoard.app is one of Apple's internal utilities. It's a simple launcher of other utilities. Generally, it's the same set of applications (new test apps are created to test new features). It's usually located in the /AppleInternal/Applications folder along other internal applications. It usually finds the applications it needs to load in /AppleInternal/Applications/SwitchBoard/.Currently, there is no SwitchBoard binary available for public.

SwitchBoard and diagnostic utilities are copied onto the device during restore from special firmware bundles which are seeded only to Apple official service centers. It may be installed onto devices through PurpleRestore. Switchboard and its internal utilities are, in fact, present on all iDevices during manufacturing. The utilities run extensive tests on the devices, including sensors, thermal measurements and more - and only when all tests pass do the devices go through a final stage, which involves removing the debug utilities and installing the stock version of iOS.

Gallery

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  iPhone 3GS running Sierra 7C108b

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  iPhone 4 running Inferno(?) 8A2130h

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  iPod touch running Inferno 7C1023e

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  iPad running SwitchBoard

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  iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS

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  SwitchBoard 8A2130h

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  iPhone 5 running SwitchBoard 10A23110z

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  iPhone 6 running SwitchBoard 12A93311h

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  iPad Mini with retina display running SwitchBoard 11B6490j

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  Prototype iPhone 7 running SwitchBoard 14A92340t

The file structure of SwitchBoard.app:

Entitlements.plist		SwitchBoard
Info.plist			SwitchBoard-Settings.plist
PkgInfo				_CodeSignature
ResourceRules.plist		com.apple.SwitchBoard.plist