Running Unsupported iOS on Deprecated Devices

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. Planned Obsolescence and E-Waste

Old Apple devices like the iPad Air 1 become e-waste due to ended software support despite capable hardware.
"Yes, we definitely need something like this for the iDevices - it's outrageous that an old but capable device like iPad Air (1st generation) has to become e-Waste simply because Apple has decided not to support it any longer" - thisislife2.
"A device with a 64-bit SoC, higher-than-HD display, battery, gigabytes of RAM and storage being consigned to landfill is bonkers" - _fzslm.

2. Demand for Unlocking Bootloaders or Alternative OS

Users want bootloader unlocks, Linux ports, or legacy patchers (like OpenCore) for unsupported iOS devices to extend usability.
"Better they allowed installing linux on old devices" - dzhiurgis.
"You quit support, you unlock the hardware, or else you're violating the local law" - Fnoord.
"Would be cool if companies are forced to open the devices that they aren't supporting anymore" - norman784.

3. Debate on Old Hardware Viability

Hardware lasts but struggles with modern bloat; PCs enable longevity, mobiles do not; niche reuse possible but not mainstream.
"I'm typing this from my 2009 Win7 PC I use for older Windows games" - Joe_Cool.
"A 2013 iPad Air is not going to be a very usable experience... it can barely browse the web in an acceptably performant way" - dangus.
"Most people don't care about getting the newest and best thing. If a thing still works, they'll use it until it doesn't anymore" - Yokolos.

🚀 Project Ideas

iDevice Legacy App Hub

Summary

A web-based service and companion sideloadable app that scans users' device capabilities (via input or API), recommends compatible apps for old iOS versions, provides step-by-step guides for retrieving previously purchased IPAs from Apple (via old iTunes/iCloud), and suggests lightweight PWAs/alternatives for email, docs, and browsing.
Core value: Extends usability of old devices without jailbreak where possible, reduces e-waste by enabling basic tasks like "reading books, web surfing" (hypercube33, devilbunny).

Details

Key	Value
Target Audience	Owners of unsupported iPads/iPhones (e.g., iPad Air 1, iPhone 8), families, small businesses
Core Feature	Device scanner + app compatibility matrix with install guides and PWA fallbacks
Tech Stack	React/Next.js frontend, Node.js backend, iOS Shortcuts for automation, PostgreSQL for database
Difficulty	Low
Monetization	Hobby

Notes

HN users love tools like https://cjstewart88.github.io/vintage/ (cjstewart88); this expands it into a full hub with guides for "banking apps stopped updating" (gambiting).
High discussion potential as community-contributed app list; practical for "kid using hand-me-down iPad for YouTube/Disney+" (Fnoord).

PostmarketOS iPad Installer

Summary

User-friendly graphical installer app/script (for Mac/Linux host) that automates jailbreak (checkra1n), driver reverse-engineering reuse (from Asahi Linux), and deployment of PostmarketOS Linux on supported old iPads/iPhones (e.g., Air 1, iPhone 7), optimized for lightweight desktop (XFCE, basic browser/office).
Core value: Turns e-waste into viable Linux tablets for browsing/email/docs, addressing "allowed installing linux on old devices" (dzhiurgis) and "Neil44: It's a shame there isn't something like Lineage OS for Apple mobile devices."

Details

Key	Value
Target Audience	Tinkerers, Linux enthusiasts, small businesses repurposing hardware
Core Feature	One-click installer with device-specific images and hardware enablement (WiFi, touch, battery)
Tech Stack	Python (installer), PostmarketOS base, m1n1 bootloader adaptations
Difficulty	High
Monetization	Hobby

Notes

Directly responds to "projects like Asahi Linux... reverse engineer the drivers" (gbear605) and "iOS ecosystem... won't allow other Operating Systems" (thisislife2); users like chasil run LineageOS on old Android.
Sparks HN threads on ports; utility for "small business... browsing, email, word processing" (carlosjobim, thisislife2).

WebKit Legacy Patcher

Summary

Jailbreak tweak (Cydia/Sileo package) that extracts and patches a newer WebKit/Safari from supported sibling devices or blobs, injects it into old iOS (up to iOS 12-15), enabling modern web standards/PWAs without full OS upgrade.
Core value: Revives browsing on old devices for "slightly more current browser... 6-7 hours using it each day" (AstroJetson), bypassing "Webkit is horribly out of date" (nullbyte808).

Details

Key	Value
Target Audience	Jailbreak-capable device owners frustrated with Safari (iPad Air 1, iPhone 8/SE)
Core Feature	Automated WebKit downgrade-proof patching + security polyfills
Tech Stack	Theos (tweak dev), WebKit source patches, checkra1n rootful jailbreak
Difficulty	Medium
Monetization	Hobby

Notes

Quotes "just a browser is all I want" (AstroJetson), "outdated WebKit/Safari" (nullbyte808, thisislife2); builds on OCLP inspiration.
Practical utility for daily use; HN would debate feasibility/security like Asahi discussions.