Downgrading Frida may be necessary due to compatibility issues with certain tools, such as Objection, or when performing FairPlay decryption using frida-ios-dump. These tools often depend on specific Frida versions (e.g., 16.1.4) to function correctly. While 16.1.4 is a commonly recommended version, you can install any version known to be compatible with your workflow.
Notes:
Step 1 – SSH into the Device
ssh mobile@<IP_Address>
You can find your device’s IP address in Settings → Wi-Fi → (Connected Network) → IP Address.
Step 2 – Escalate Privileges
sudo su
Step 3 – Install Required Packages
apt install wget
Step 4 – Create and Run The Downgrade Script
Check the current Frida version:
frida-server –version
Create the script:
apt install nano
nano frida_update.sh
Copy the appropriate downgrade script (Rootful or Rootless) into the file.
chmod u+x frida_update.sh
./frida_update.sh 16.1.4
frida-server –version
Rootful:
#!/bin/bash
FRIDA_VER=$1
# contains plist
cd /Library/LaunchDaemons/
# move plist to root
mv re.frida.server.plist ~
cd ~
# unload service
launchctl unload re.frida.server.plist
# stash plist
mv re.frida.server.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons
mv /Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.plist /Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.backup
# fetch FRIDA
wget -O /tmp/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm.deb https://github.com/frida/frida/releases/download/${FRIDA_VER}/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm.deb
# update server, agent and plist
dpkg -i /tmp/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm.deb
# restore plist
mv /Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.backup /Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.plist
# launch service using new plist
launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.plist
# delete package
rm /tmp/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm.deb
Rootless:
#!/bin/bash
FRIDA_VER=$1
# contains plist
cd /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons/
# move plist to root
mv re.frida.server.plist ~
cd ~
# unload service
launchctl unload re.frida.server.plist
# stash plist
mv re.frida.server.plist /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons
mv /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.plist /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.backup
# fetch FRIDA
wget -O /tmp/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm64.deb https://github.com/frida/frida/releases/download/${FRIDA_VER}/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm64.deb
# update server, agent and plist
dpkg -i /tmp/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm64.deb
# restore plist
mv /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.backup /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.plist
# launch service using new plist
launchctl load /var/jb/Library/LaunchDaemons/re.frida.server.plist
# delete package
rm /tmp/frida_${FRIDA_VER}_iphoneos-arm64.deb
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