Tools / Resources for iOs Game Hacking

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1. Decompiling Tools (The Key to Unlocking Code)

• Il2CppDumper:

  • This is the go-to tool for extracting C# code from Unity games built with IL2CPP (the technology Unity uses to convert C# into native code). It’s the starting point for most people because it helps you decompile the game’s code into a format you can understand. Il2CppDumper GUI just makes this easier by giving you a graphical interface instead of command lines.

• Il2CppInspector:

  • If you want to dive deeper into the game’s code after using Il2CppDumper, this tool helps you inspect the classes and methods in more detail. It’s a bit more complex but useful for advanced analysis.

• Unity Asset Bundle Extractor (UABE):

  • This tool helps you dig into Unity’s asset bundles, which is where the game stores all its textures, models, and sounds. While it won’t help you decompile code, it’s essential if you’re looking to modify or inspect the game’s assets like 3D models or images.

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2. Debugging and Reverse Engineering (For The Really Deep Stuff)

• dnSpy:

  • If you’re dealing with Unity games that use the Mono backend (as opposed to IL2CPP), dnSpy is your best friend. It lets you decompile and edit .NET assemblies (like Assembly-CSharp.dll) in a nice, readable way. This tool makes it easy to see and edit the code directly, which is perfect for modding or analyzing how a game works.

• Frida:

  • This tool is awesome for live analysis. You can hook into a running game and dynamically modify its behavior in real-time. It’s especially helpful when you’re trying to understand how a game handles things like memory or runtime data.

• Hopper Disassembler / IDA Pro:

  • For more advanced users, these are used to break down the game’s native code (like UnityFramework.dylib). They allow you to look at the low-level machine code and understand exactly how the game works under the hood. IDA Pro is very powerful but can be overwhelming unless you’re already comfortable with reverse engineering.

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3. Extracting Assets (When You Want to See What's Inside)

• UnityPack:

  • This is a tool for unpacking Unity files like asset bundles or scene files. If you’re trying to get at the models, textures, or sound files used in the game, this tool will help you pull them out.

• Asset Studio:

  • Similar to UnityPack, Asset Studio lets you view and extract assets from Unity games. It's user-friendly and great for browsing through all the textures, models, and other assets that the game uses.

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4. File Management and Extraction (Accessing Game Files on iOS)

• Filza File Manager (for Jailbroken iOS):

  • If you’re on a jailbroken iOS device, Filza is a great tool for browsing the file system of the game. You can easily find the UnityFramework.dylib and global-metadata.dat files, which are crucial for decompiling IL2CPP games.

• iFunBox:

  • A file management tool for iOS that doesn’t require a jailbreak. It’s good for accessing and transferring game files, though you won’t be able to modify the system files like you can with Filza.

• WinSCP/SSH:

  • If you have SSH access to your jailbroken device, you can use this to transfer files from your iPhone to your computer for analysis. It’s pretty straightforward and helps you grab the important game files remotely.

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5. Repackaging and Re-signing (Making Your Changes Stick)

• ios-deploy:

  • A command-line tool that helps you install apps on a device directly from your computer. This is useful when you’ve made changes to a Unity game and want to push it to your device for testing.

• iOS App Signer:

  • If you’re modding a game and need to re-sign it (to bypass Apple’s restrictions), this tool helps you re-sign the app with your developer certificate so it can be installed on a device.

• ldid:

  • A tool used for signing binaries, like UnityFramework.dylib, with a certificate. This is especially important when you’re working with modified Unity games on iOS.

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6. Learning Resources (When You Need Help)

• Il2CppDumper GitHub:

  • If you’re using Il2CppDumper, the GitHub page is a great place to find updates, detailed documentation, and troubleshooting tips. It’s a community-driven resource, so you’ll find answers to most questions here.

• Unity Documentation:

  • Unity’s official docs are always a great place to start if you want to understand how Unity works, how it handles assets, and how it structures games. It’s the best resource for learning the fundamentals of Unity.

• Reverse Engineering Communities:

  • Communities like Reddit’s /r/ReverseEngineering and XDA Developers are great for getting tips, asking questions, and sharing knowledge. Everyone’s working on similar stuff, so it’s easy to find help.

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7. Bonus Advanced Tools (For the Experts)

• Hex Fiend (Mac) / Cutter:
  • If you want to get into hex editing or more detailed analysis, these tools are great. They allow you to look at and edit the binary files directly, which is super useful when you want to patch or modify a game at a low level.

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Wrapping Up

These tools are your toolkit for decompiling and reverse-engineering Unity games, especially if you're working with iOS. Some tools are for extracting assets (like models or textures), some are for digging into the game’s code (like dnSpy and Il2CppDumper), and others help you test your changes (like Frida and ios-deploy).

Whether you’re a modder, reverse engineer, or just curious about how Unity games work, these tools will help you unlock the inner workings of your favorite games.