How to Detect Hooking (Frida) using Swift

Protect your iOS app from runtime manipulation with Frida detection.

iOS apps are prime targets for hooking frameworks like Frida. Attackers use them to bypass protections, steal data, or alter app logic. Fortunately, SDKs like freeRASP by Talsec give Swift developers a simple way to detect and stop these attacks.

What is Hooking?

Hooking is when attackers intercept and modify method calls at runtime. On iOS, this is often achieved through:

• Frida-server – enabling dynamic instrumentation on jailbroken devices

• Objection – built on Frida, frequently used to bypass SSL pinning or jailbreak detection

• frida-trace – helps attackers log and manipulate API calls

With these tools, attackers can:

• Bypass payment checks or subscriptions

• Steal credentials, tokens, or API keys

• Inject malicious logic into sensitive apps (banking, healthcare, messaging)

Imagine someone secretly attaching a device to your phone line—every call you make could be recorded, redirected, or modified in real time. That’s how hooking works in your app.

Check out freeRASP and RASP+ for industry leading hook detection.

How to Detect Hooking?

Detection on iOS is complex. Frida developers continuously update their frameworks to evade naive checks. Simple DIY solutions like searching for frida-server processes or suspicious ports often fail. That’s why expert SDKs are the safer choice:

• freeRASP (by Talsec) – detects Frida, jailbreak, debugger, and runtime tampering

• RASP+ (by Talsec) – commercial premium robust protection

These SDKs evolve alongside attacker techniques, giving you peace of mind.

Popular Libraries for Hooking Detection

1. freeRASP (by Talsec)

• Actively maintained to detect jailbreak, debugger, tampering, and hook attempts

• Comes with 14 extra detections like root, debugger, hooking (Frida, Xposed), emulators, and more

• Trusted by 6000+ apps worldwide

Swift Example:

import TalsecRuntime

let config = TalsecConfig(
    appBundleIds: ["YOUR_APP_BUNDLE_ID"], 
    appTeamId: "YOUR TEAM ID", 
    watcherMailAddress: "WATCHER EMAIL ADDRESS", 
    isProd: true
)

extension SecurityThreatCenter: SecurityThreatHandler {
    public func threatDetected(_ securityThreat: TalsecRuntime.SecurityThreat) {
        print("Found incident: \(securityThreat.rawValue)")
    }
}

public enum SecurityThreat: String, Codable, CaseIterable, Equatable {
    // ... other cases ...
    case runtimeManipulation
    // Hooking reaction
}

Key Takeaway

On iOS, attackers equipped with Frida, objection, or frida-trace can hijack your app’s logic at runtime. DIY detection is fragile—serious apps need serious protection. With freeRASP by Talsec, Swift developers get a lightweight, continuously updated SDK to block hooking and keep users safe.