mobster phone

Phone utilities that aren’t tasks: put text on the phone’s clipboard (or print what it holds), and install a signed .app or .ipa on a USB iPhone or a Mobster simulator.

Usage

mobster phone <command>

examples:
  mobster phone clipboard set "https://example.com/invite/42"
  mobster phone clipboard get
  mobster phone file put menu.pdf --app com.apple.Pages
  mobster phone install build/YourApp.ipa --device "Work iPhone"

Commands

Command	What it does
`mobster phone clipboard`	set or read the phone’s clipboard (text, at most 64 KB)
`mobster phone file`	move files between this Mac and an app’s folder on the iPhone (USB)
`mobster phone photos`	add photos and videos to the iPhone’s Photos, or copy the newest to this Mac
`mobster phone open`	open a URL or deep link on the phone
`mobster phone button`	press a hardware button, or lock the screen
`mobster phone install`	install a signed .app or .ipa on the device
`mobster phone record`	record a USB iPhone’s screen to a movie on this Mac
`mobster phone network`	create network profiles, diagnose this Mac, or capture USB traffic
`mobster phone password`	enter a password privately into a focused secure app field

`mobster phone clipboard`

Set the phone’s clipboard from the Mac, or print what it holds.

Commands

Command	What it does
`mobster phone clipboard set`	put text on the phone’s clipboard
`mobster phone clipboard get`	print the phone’s clipboard

mobster phone clipboard set Put text on the phone’s clipboard: TEXT, a file’s text with --file, or standard input with -. At most 64 KB.

Name	Default	Description
`[TEXT]`	none	the text, or - for standard input
`--file FILE`	none	put this UTF-8 file’s text on the clipboard
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone clipboard get Print the phone’s clipboard. WebDriverAgent’s runner comes to the front for a moment to read it (iOS lets only the front app read the clipboard). Only the CLI reads it: no MCP tool does, because it may hold a password.

Name	Default	Description
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

`mobster phone file`

Copy files between this Mac and the Documents folder of an iPhone app that shares files (the folder Files shows under On My iPhone). Over the cable only. Nothing else on the phone is reachable, the camera roll included.

exit codes: 0 done, 1 it failed, 2 usage, 3 no iPhone on a cable or no iPhone tools

Commands

Command	What it does
`mobster phone file put`	copy a file from this Mac into an app’s folder
`mobster phone file get`	copy a file from an app’s folder to this Mac
`mobster phone file ls`	list the apps that share files, or the files in one

mobster phone file put Copy a file (up to 100 MB) into an app’s folder on the iPhone. A file with the same name is kept: the copy gets a new name (menu 2.pdf) unless you pass --replace.

Name	Default	Description
`PATH`	required	the file on this Mac
`--app BUNDLE`	required	the app’s bundle ID, such as com.apple.Pages (`mobster phone file ls` lists them)
`--name NAME`	its own	the name it gets on the iPhone
`--replace`	off	overwrite a file with the same name
`--container`	off	the app’s own Documents folder, for a development build of yours that doesn’t share files
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone file get Copy a file from an app’s folder on the iPhone to this Mac.

Name	Default	Description
`NAME`	required	the file’s name in the app’s folder
`--app BUNDLE`	required	the app’s bundle ID
`-o, --output PATH`	the current folder	where to save it: a folder, or a file name
`--container`	off	the app’s own Documents folder, for a development build of yours
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone file ls Without --app, list the iPhone’s apps whose folders show in Files. With --app, list the files in that app’s folder.

Name	Default	Description
`--app BUNDLE`	none	the app’s bundle ID
`--container`	off	the app’s own Documents folder, for a development build of yours
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

`mobster phone photos`

Add a photo or video from this Mac to the iPhone’s Photos library (Mobster’s runner saves it; the first time, iOS asks on the iPhone), or copy the newest photos, screenshots and screen recordings from its camera roll to this Mac (over the cable).

exit codes: 0 done, 1 it failed, 2 usage, 3 no iPhone on a cable or no iPhone tools

Commands

Command	What it does
`mobster phone photos add`	add photos and videos to Photos
`mobster phone photos pull`	copy the newest photos and recordings to this Mac

mobster phone photos add Add JPEGs, HEICs, PNGs, GIFs, WebPs, MOVs or MP4s (up to 4 GB each, 50 at a time) to the iPhone’s Photos library, into the album Mobster unless you name another. Each one is checked by SHA-256 on the iPhone, and the library’s count is read before and after.

Name	Default	Description
`PATH [PATH ...]`	required	the photos or videos on this Mac
`--album NAME`	Mobster	the album they go into, made if it isn’t there; `--album` ” for none
`--via ROUTE`	auto	auto (default), cable, wifi, airdrop, mirroring or icloud
`--profile PROFILE`	none	send to this profile’s iPhone (Settings › Profiles)
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone photos pull Copy the newest photos, screenshots and screen recordings from the iPhone, newest first, each checked by SHA-256 or size. Over the cable by default; --via wifi reads them through Mobster’s runner, --via tunnel through Apple’s own tunnel (needs pymobiledevice3), --via icloud from this Mac’s Photos library.

Name	Default	Description
`-n, --count N`	1	how many, 1 to 20
`--since WHEN`	none	only newer ones: 10m, 2h, 1d or an ISO time
`--jpeg`	off	convert HEIC photos to JPEG (over the cable)
`-o, --output DIR`	the current folder	the folder to save into
`--via ROUTE`	auto	auto (default), cable, wifi, tunnel or icloud
`--profile PROFILE`	none	copy from this profile’s iPhone (Settings › Profiles)
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

`mobster phone open`

Open a URL or deep link on the phone, such as maps://?q=coffee or App-prefs:WIFI. Links that act as they open (tel:, facetime:, running a shortcut) ask for --yes.

Arguments and options

Name	Default	Description
`URL`	required	the link
`--yes`	off	open a link that asks first: a call, a message, a shortcut run, or a new app’s link
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

`mobster phone button`

Press Home, Volume Up or Volume Down, or lock the screen. Mobster can’t unlock an iPhone: after lock, unlock it yourself.

Arguments and options

Name	Default	Description
`BUTTON`	required	home, volume_up, volume_down or lock
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

`mobster phone install`

Install a build on a USB iPhone (xcrun devicectl) or a Mobster simulator (xcrun simctl). The build must be signed for that iPhone, and the iPhone needs Developer Mode on.

Arguments and options

Name	Default	Description
`PATH`	required	the .app folder or .ipa file
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

exit codes: 0 installed, 1 the install failed, 2 usage, 3 no device or no Xcode

`mobster phone record`

Record a paired iPhone’s screen, and the audio it offers, over USB into a new .mov file, without a WebDriverAgent session. It uses the capture device QuickTime Player records from, so macOS asks once whether Mobster may use the camera and microphone. iOS shows its demonstration status bar while it records, and protected content may not be recorded. It never overwrites a file.

Options

Name	Default	Description
`--output FILE`	required	write a new .mov file
`--seconds N`	10	how long to record, 1 to 300
`--device NAME`	your iPhone	the device: an id, UDID or name from `mobster devices`
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

exit codes: 0 saved, 1 it failed, 2 usage, 3 no iPhone on a cable or no native helper

`mobster phone network`

Create removable iPhone network profiles, inspect this Mac’s connectivity, or capture a USB iPhone’s packets. Profiles need installation in Settings.

Commands

Command	What it does
`mobster phone network proxy-profile`	write a Wi-Fi HTTP proxy or PAC profile
`mobster phone network vpn-profile`	write an IKEv2 VPN profile with username authentication
`mobster phone network relay-profile`	write an Apple HTTP/2 network relay profile
`mobster phone network diagnose`	inspect this Mac’s route and optional TCP endpoint reachability
`mobster phone network capture`	save a bounded USB iPhone packet trace

mobster phone network proxy-profile Write a Wi-Fi profile for one SSID. Apps may ignore HTTP proxies; this does not route cellular traffic or decrypt TLS.

Name	Default	Description
`--ssid SSID`	required	the Wi-Fi network name
`--server SERVER`	none	the HTTP proxy hostname or IP address
`--pac URL`	none	the HTTP or HTTPS proxy auto-configuration URL
`--port PORT`	8080	the HTTP proxy port
`--username USERNAME`	none	the HTTP proxy username
`--password-file FILE`	none	read the proxy password from this UTF-8 file
`--wifi-password-file FILE`	none	read the Wi-Fi password from this UTF-8 file
`--encryption {Any,WPA2,WPA3,None}`	Any	the Wi-Fi encryption type
`--output FILE`	required	write a new private .mobileconfig file; existing files are kept
`--name NAME`	Mobster proxy	the profile’s display name
`--identifier IDENTIFIER`	app.mobster.network.proxy	the stable profile identifier
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

--server and --pac can’t be used together; one is required. mobster phone network vpn-profile Write an IKEv2 EAP VPN profile for your provider. This does not create a VPN server. Install the profile and connect in Settings.

Name	Default	Description
`--server SERVER`	required	the VPN server hostname or IP address
`--remote-id REMOTE_ID`	required	the server identifier from your VPN provider
`--local-id LOCAL_ID`	required	the client identifier from your VPN provider
`--username USERNAME`	required	the VPN account username
`--password-file FILE`	none	read the VPN password from this UTF-8 file
`--output FILE`	required	write a new private .mobileconfig file; existing files are kept
`--name NAME`	Mobster VPN	the profile’s display name
`--identifier IDENTIFIER`	app.mobster.network.vpn	the stable profile identifier
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone network relay-profile Write an Apple network relay profile for an existing compatible HTTP/2 relay service. This is not an ordinary HTTP proxy or a new relay server.

Name	Default	Description
`--url URL`	required	the HTTPS relay endpoint
`--token-file FILE`	none	read the bearer token from this UTF-8 file
`--output FILE`	required	write a new private .mobileconfig file; existing files are kept
`--name NAME`	Mobster relay	the profile’s display name
`--identifier IDENTIFIER`	app.mobster.network.relay	the stable profile identifier
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone network diagnose Check this Mac’s default route and optional TCP endpoint. With --device, also report USB attachment. This does not test the iPhone’s internet egress, proxy authentication, or installed profiles.

Name	Default	Description
`--device NAME`	none	also inspect USB attachment for this device
`--host HOST`	none	the hostname or IP address to test from this Mac
`--port PORT`	8080	the TCP endpoint port
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

mobster phone network capture Capture packets through Apple’s Remote Virtual Interface. Requires a paired USB iPhone, Xcode tools and BPF permissions on this Mac. TLS remains encrypted; packet data may contain private information.

Name	Default	Description
`--device NAME`	required	the paired USB iPhone’s id, UDID or name
`--output FILE`	required	write a new private pcap file
`--seconds SECONDS`	30	stop after 1 to 300 seconds
`--packets PACKETS`	10000	stop after 1 to 100000 packets
`--snaplen SNAPLEN`	128	capture 64 to 65535 bytes per packet
`--json`	off	print one JSON object

`mobster phone password`

Enter one password from a hidden prompt or a private UTF-8 file. Requires a rebuilt Mobster runner and an empty, focused secure field. Does not submit, retry, or enter a phone passcode.

Options

Name	Default	Description
`--app BUNDLE`	required	the foreground app’s bundle ID
`--field NAME`	required	the secure field’s accessibility identifier or label
`--file FILE`	none	read the password from a private UTF-8 file
`--device NAME`	none	the device’s id, UDID or name
`--json`	off	print one JSON object without the password

CLI

MCP

Settings and errors

Inside Mobster

Usage

Commands

`mobster phone clipboard`

Commands

`mobster phone file`

Commands

`mobster phone photos`

Commands

`mobster phone open`

Arguments and options

`mobster phone button`

Arguments and options

`mobster phone install`

Arguments and options

`mobster phone record`

Options

`mobster phone network`

Commands

`mobster phone password`

Options

​Usage

​Commands

​mobster phone clipboard

​Commands

​mobster phone file

​Commands

​mobster phone photos

​Commands

​mobster phone open

​Arguments and options

​mobster phone button

​Arguments and options

​mobster phone install

​Arguments and options

​mobster phone record

​Options

​mobster phone network

​Commands

​mobster phone password

​Options

Usage

Commands

`mobster phone clipboard`

Commands

`mobster phone file`

Commands

`mobster phone photos`

Commands

`mobster phone open`

Arguments and options

`mobster phone button`

Arguments and options

`mobster phone install`

Arguments and options

`mobster phone record`

Options

`mobster phone network`

Commands

`mobster phone password`

Options