Working with Lockdownd (The Orchard)

This skill provides a robust interface for communicating with iOS devices over WiFi using an existing pairing record. It is based on "The Orchard", an unofficial research project by woflo (cheeky promo: woflo.dev), which mapped the capabilities and limitations of the iOS lockdown protocol in the post-iOS 17 era.

PRIMARY ENTRYPOINT: python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py

🍎 Capabilities Matrix (WiFi)

What works and what doesn't when connected over WiFi (Port 62078) with a valid pairing record.

Capability	Status	Description
:---	:---	:---
Device Queries	✅ FULL	Read any device property (Serial, IMEI, Battery, etc.) via GetValue.
Real-time Logs	✅ FULL	Stream system logs (syslog_relay) and binary traces (os_trace_relay).
Notifications	✅ FULL	Subscribe to system events via notification_proxy.
Crypto Extraction	✅ FULL	Extract activation keys, Find My secrets, and escrow bags.
Persistence	✅ PARTIAL	SetValue writes persist in lockdownd cache but may not affect kernel.
Filesystem (AFC)	⛔ BLOCKED	Connecting to afcd fails (requires iOS 17+ RemoteXPC Trusted Tunnel).
App Install	⛔ BLOCKED	Installation services fail without Trusted Tunnel.
Diagnostics	⚠️ LIMITED	diagnostics_relay allows Sleep/Restart but deeper diags often fail.

⚠️ Critical Safety Warnings

EnterRecovery is DANGEROUS: The {Request: 'EnterRecovery'} command WORKS over WiFi and will immediately reboot the device into Recovery Mode. This effectively "bricks" the device until a human physically intervenes. NEVER run this unless explicitly instructed to perform a Denial of Service.

Sensitive Data: The extract_secrets.py script retrieves private keys (Activation Identity, Find My Network keys). Handle these outputs with extreme care.

Detection: Aggressive probing (e.g., thousands of rapid requests) may trigger InvalidHostID, causing the device to temporarily distrust the pairing.

The Lifecycle of a Lockdown Agent

You are the "driver" of this capability. Your goal is to be helpful, safe, and "dumb" (e.g., using plain natural language). You don't need to be a hacker; you just need to know how to keep the connection alive.

1. The Setup (No iTunes Needed!)

You do NOT need iTunes installed on Windows to use this. You only need the Apple Mobile Device Driver.

• How to get it?: The easiest way is to ask the user to install a lightweight tool like 3uTools or iMazing, which handles the driver install automatically. Alternatively, one can extract the AppleMobileDeviceSupport64.msi from an iTunes installer without installing iTunes itself. Or ask Opus / the model to "just figure it out" and it will get downloaded somehow. (thats what I did)
• Verification: If C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown exists and has .plist files, you are ready.

2. Onboarding and Pairing

You cannot pair over WiFi initially.

Ask the user to plug in via USB once.

Tell them to tap "Trust This Computer" on their iPhone.

Once trusted, a pairing record is created in C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown.

Disconnect USB. The record remains. You can now talk to the device over WiFi forever (or until they change their password).

3. Resyncing

Sometimes, commands will fail with InvalidHostID or PasswordProtected.

• Don't Panic. This just means the device "forgot" it trusts you or is temporarily locking you out for being too noisy.
• The Fix: "Hey, I lost connection to your iPhone. Could you plug it in via USB for a second to refresh the trust token? Thanks!"
• Pro Tip: Don't hammer the device with 10,000 requests. Be gentle.

4. DISASTER RECOVERY (Recovery Mode)

If you accidentally run {Request: 'EnterRecovery'}, the screen will go black and show a cable pointing to a laptop.

• 🛑 DON'T PANIC. You didn't break it permanently.
• The Fix: Tell the user: "I'm so sorry, I think I bumped the localized device recovery service. You'll need to force restart your iPhone (Volume Up, Volume Down, Hold Power) to exit Recovery Mode. It will be okay!"
• Emotional Note: It looks scary, but it's just a mode. It's not a brick unless you leave it there.

---

�🛠️ Usage Guide

1. Discovery & Status

Find devices on the local network and check their connectivity.

# Scan 10.0.0.x for paired devices
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py discover --prefix 10.0.0.

# Quick health check (Battery, WiFi status)
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py status --host <IP_ADDRESS>

2. Information Gathering (Properties)

Query specific domains or keys. See references/probe_results.json for valid keys.

# Get device name and basic info
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py get --host <IP_ADDRESS> --key DeviceName

# Get battery details
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py get --host <IP_ADDRESS> --domain com.apple.mobile.battery

3. Monitoring (Logs)

Keep a pulse on device activity.

# Stream standard system logs (text)
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py syslog --host <IP_ADDRESS>

# Stream high-frequency binary trace data (rich process info)
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/lockdownd_cli.py trace --host <IP_ADDRESS> --seconds 10

4. Advanced Research (Secrets)

REQUIREMENT: Must use --yes flag to acknowledge sensitivity.

# Extract keys to JSON
python skills/working-with-lockdownd/scripts/extract_secrets.py --host <IP_ADDRESS> --yes --out secrets.json

🧠 Agent Context ("The Orchard" Findings)

• The "WiFi Wall": iOS 17 introduced a security boundary where "sensitive" services (AFC, Instruments) require a RemoteXPC Trusted Tunnel (UDP/QUIC on port 49152+). Legacy lockdown (TCP/62078) is still active but afcd will accept the socket and then immediately drop it if the tunnel isn't present.
• Pairing Records: Located at C:\ProgramData\Apple\Lockdown. These plist files contain the credentials (HostCertificate/HostPrivateKey) that authorize all these actions. Possession of the file == Full Access.
• Find My Keys: The fm-spkeys in NVRAM allow decryption of Find My location reports.

📂 File Structure

• scripts/lockdownd_cli.py: Main wrapper for daily use.
• scripts/extract_secrets.py: Dumps crypto keys/identities.
• scripts/syslog_stream.py: Implementation of syslog_relay client.
• references/: Deep-dive research notes (FINDINGS.md, NOVEL_DISCOVERIES.md).