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.

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
}

Commercial Alternatives

When evaluating mobile app security and Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP), developers often compare various Talsec alternatives to find the right fit for their architecture. The "right choice" depends on the specific problem you need to tackle and which vendor offers the best bang for your buck.

The market is diverse, offering different philosophical approaches to protection. Talsec prioritizes top-tier root detection and a balanced security SDK portfolio covering the most popular attack vectors. Meanwhile, some vendors specialize primarily in heavy code obfuscation and compiler-based hardening, while others focus on a drag-and-drop (no-code) integration experience for DevOps-oriented teams. There are also solutions dedicated specifically to API security, active cloud hardening, enterprise compliance, or gaming protection. The most prominent providers alongside Talsec include Guardsquare, Appdome, Promon, Build38, Approov, and AppSealing.

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.

Handle App Security with a Single Solution! Check Out Talsec's Premium Offer & Plan Comparison!

Plans Comparison

https://www.talsec.app/plans-comparison

Premium Products:

• RASP+ - An advanced security SDK that actively shields your app from reverse engineering, tampering, rooting/jailbreaking, and runtime attacks like hooking or debugging.

• AppiCrypt (Android & iOS) & AppiCrypt for Web - A backend defense system that verifies the integrity of the calling app and device to block bots, scripts, and unauthorized clients from accessing your API.

• Malware Detection - Scans the user's device for known malicious packages, suspicious "clones," and risky permissions to prevent fraud and data theft.

• Dynamic TLS Pinning - Prevents Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks by validating server certificates that can be updated remotely without needing to publish a new app version.

• Secret Vault - A secure storage solution that encrypts and obfuscates sensitive data (like API keys or tokens) to prevent them from being extracted during reverse engineering.