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A Reddit user has managed to run iPadOS on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, turning the handset into a Mac-like workstation when connected to an external monitor. The exploit highlights how powerful modern phones have become — and why Apple tightly controls which features run on which devices.
How the hack turned an iPhone into a multi-window desktop
The iPhone 17 Pro Max packs an A19 Pro chip and 12GB of RAM — hardware capable of handling tablet- and laptop-style workflows. A Redditor named TechExpert2910 posted screenshots showing the device hooked to an external display via a single cable, with multiple resizable windows open, delivering a true multitasking experience more commonly associated with iPadOS or macOS.
Crucially, this trick relied on an exploit present in iOS 26.1. Apple has already addressed the vulnerability in the iOS 26.2 beta, meaning the unofficial desktop behavior is no longer easily reproducible on updated devices.
Why Apple keeps iPadOS off the iPhone
There are several reasons Apple limits iPadOS features on iPhone. Product segmentation and ecosystem economics matter: letting iPhones replicate iPad or Mac functionality could shift purchasing decisions. Still, the technical argument is weaker — many Android phones have offered desktop-like modes for years. Samsung launched DeX back in 2017, and even midrange Android phones today can drive external displays and multitasking.
What this means for users — and for gaming
The experiment underlines the untapped potential of flagship phones. Beyond productivity, external-display support opens up better mobile gaming and desktop-style entertainment. Creators and power users might use a phone as a compact, portable workstation; gamers could project AAA titles to a monitor for a console-like session. A YouTuber previously showed Resident Evil Village running from an iPhone 15 Pro over USB-C, illustrating the real-world possibilities.
Still, broader adoption is limited. Most consumers don’t tinker with exploits or care about repurposing phones as desktops. Apple is reportedly exploring touchscreen MacBook Pro models, and it appears willing to keep device roles distinct. Whether Apple will ever officially enable a full desktop mode on iPhones remains unlikely in the near term.
Security, warranties and practicality
Running iPadOS on an iPhone via an exploit is inherently risky. It exposes devices to security issues, may void warranties, and depends on software vulnerabilities that Apple can and will patch. For now, this remains a hacker’s curiosity that proves a point: today's smartphone hardware is more than capable — policy and product strategy decide how it’s used.
Imagine a future where your phone is your computer — compact, powerful, and connected. For now, that future still depends on manufacturers choosing to unlock it.
Source: wccftech
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