Waypoint

Pick a place. Tap Start. Waypoint handles the connection.

An open-source, map-first location simulator for iOS 26 that runs directly on your device. No Mac, VPS, or always-on computer is required during normal use.

Install · Set up · How it works · Build · Limitations

Waypoint gives you a clean SwiftUI map for controlling Apple's developer location-simulation service. Search for an address or point of interest, tap the map or drag the pin, then start or move the simulated location without returning to a computer.

After one-time Developer Mode and pairing setup, Waypoint adapts to the current connection. On Wi-Fi, tap Start spoofing. On 4G/5G, tap Start on mobile data and follow the two Airplane Mode prompts. Waypoint handles the remaining preparation automatically.

Highlights

	Feature	What it does
🔎	Live place search	Suggests addresses and points of interest with MapKit
📍	Natural map controls	Selects a location by search, tap, or draggable pin
⚡	Instant moves	Moves an active simulation without stopping it first
✅	Clear status feedback	Shows animated Start, Move, Stop, and connection-loss states with haptics
🔔	Connection warnings	Warns when Waypoint can no longer confirm the simulation heartbeat
🌙	Optional background keepalive	Improves reliability while switching between apps
🔄	Connection-aware start	Uses a normal start on Wi-Fi and shows the guided cellular flow only on mobile data
🧩	Guided dependency setup	Detects a missing LocalDevVPN, links to the App Store, and continues automatically after installation
📡	Guided mobile-data start	Opens LocalDevVPN, prepares the session, and guides the two Airplane Mode changes while Wi-Fi stays off
🔐	Protected local pairing data	Stores the pairing record on-device and excludes it from backups

Important

Waypoint uses Apple's software-simulated developer location. Apps can detect or reject simulated locations, so compatibility depends on the destination app. Waypoint does not attempt to conceal simulation.

Requirements

You'll need:

• An iPhone running iOS 26 with Developer Mode enabled
• A compatible way to sign and install the unsigned IPA, such as SideStore or AltStore Classic/AltServer; alternatively, build and sign Waypoint from source with Xcode
• LocalDevVPN installed, with its one-time VPN permission accepted
• A valid remote pairing record for the iPhone, usually a .mobiledevicepairing or compatible .plist file
• Internet access for the one-time developer-image download and MapKit search

For the cellular-only start, mobile data must be working before you begin and Wi-Fi must remain off during the handoff.

The personalized developer-image files are downloaded once, cached locally, and normally only need to be mounted again after restarting the iPhone.

Download and install

Waypoint releases contain an unsigned IPA. iOS requires it to be signed before installation. SideStore is supported, but it is not a runtime dependency.

1. Open the latest Waypoint release and download its .ipa asset.
2. Sign and install it with SideStore, AltStore Classic/AltServer, or another compatible iOS signing method.
3. Keep the app signed and its provisioning profile valid according to the method you selected.

To use Xcode instead, follow Build from source. Xcode builds and signs the app directly rather than installing the unsigned release asset.

Tip

For a SideStore-free setup, install Waypoint with AltStore Classic/AltServer or build it with Xcode, create the pairing record with idevice_pair, then import it using Choose Pairing File. LocalDevVPN is still required by the current connection architecture.

The same release page contains the release notes and SHA-256 checksum.

First-time setup

Recommended: start on Wi-Fi

1. Enable Developer Mode in iOS Settings and restart when prompted.
2. Install Waypoint using your preferred signing method. If LocalDevVPN is missing, Waypoint links directly to its App Store page and continues setup when you return. Complete LocalDevVPN's one-time VPN permission if iOS asks.
3. Keep Wi-Fi connected, choose a location, and tap Start spoofing.
4. If prompted, import this iPhone's pairing record. Waypoint downloads about 17 MB of developer-support files once, opens LocalDevVPN, and prepares the device automatically.
5. Leave Waypoint open until it confirms that the spoof is active.

Airplane Mode is not needed when starting on Wi-Fi.

Importing the pairing record

Waypoint needs a valid pairing record created for this iPhone. Generate or export a compatible remote-pairing file, then transfer it to the iPhone. When Waypoint asks for it:

• Choose Pairing File imports the record from Files. This is recommended because it avoids placing the record in a callback URL.
• Import with SideStore is an optional shortcut shown only when SideStore is installed. It asks SideStore to return its existing record directly.

If you do not already have a record, the cross-platform idevice_pair utility can generate one over USB. Keep the iPhone unlocked, trust the computer, choose RPPairing for iOS 17.4 or later, save the generated record, and transfer it to Files on the iPhone.

The same controls remain available under Settings → Device Setup if the record needs to be replaced.

Caution

A pairing record contains trusted device credentials. Use only the record for your own iPhone, transfer and store it securely, and never share it, post it in an issue, or include it in logs or screenshots.

Without Wi-Fi: cellular-only start

1. Turn Wi-Fi off, confirm that mobile data is working, and choose a location.
2. Tap Start on mobile data.
3. Complete pairing and the one-time support download if Waypoint asks.
4. When prompted, turn Airplane Mode on and keep Wi-Fi off.
5. When prompted again, turn Airplane Mode off and still keep Wi-Fi off.
6. Leave Waypoint open until it confirms Spoof Active on Mobile Data.

Later cellular-only starts use the same two Airplane Mode prompts. Waypoint handles LocalDevVPN, device preparation, and session verification around them.

When finished, press Stop before disconnecting LocalDevVPN so Waypoint can clear the simulated location. If Waypoint cannot confirm the stop, disconnect LocalDevVPN or restart the iPhone, then verify the reported location before relying on it.

Everyday use

While the simulation is active, choose another place and tap Move spoof here to update it immediately. Tap Stop before disconnecting LocalDevVPN so Waypoint can restore the real location cleanly. Waypoint shows a banner and triggers a haptic response whenever the simulation starts, moves, stops, or loses its connection.

The background keepalive is enabled by default and can be disabled in Settings. It uses low-accuracy Core Location activity and silent audio mixed with other playback, may request Always location access, can show iOS location activity, and uses additional battery. Location permission is not required for foreground spoofing.

The keepalive improves reliability while switching apps, but cannot prevent every iOS suspension or termination.

If Waypoint goes roughly 30 seconds without a successful heartbeat, its watchdog can notify you that the simulated location can no longer be confirmed. Enable Notify If Spoof Stops under Settings to receive these alerts, including without Wi-Fi or mobile data. If permission was denied, Waypoint provides a direct shortcut to iOS notification settings. The wording is intentionally cautious: after iOS suspends or terminates the app, Waypoint cannot directly verify the current GPS state.

Mobile data with no Wi-Fi

On the tested iOS 26 device, a new developer-service connection failed while cellular was the only active physical interface. Waypoint's guide creates the simulation while the phone is temporarily offline, retains that same session, and verifies that it still responds after 4G/5G returns. It never claims success merely because mobile data reappeared.

The retained-session mechanism and guided workflow have been confirmed on a physical iPhone running iOS 26 using a SideStore-installed build. SideStore was only the installation method; results can still vary with the device and current iOS network state.

Warning

Cellular operation remains device-dependent. An app termination, VPN restart, iPhone reboot, or iOS closing the retained session requires running the guided start again.

Troubleshooting

Problem	What to try
Waypoint asks for LocalDevVPN	Install it from the offered App Store link, open it once, accept the VPN permission, and return to Waypoint. If iOS closed Waypoint, tap Start again.
Pairing is missing or rejected	Confirm Developer Mode is enabled, then replace the record under Settings → Device Setup with a fresh record for this same iPhone.
Developer support will not download or mount	Check the internet connection, choose Settings → Reset Support Files, and start again.
The cellular guide times out	Restore mobile data, keep Wi-Fi off, confirm 4G/5G works, and retry the guide from the beginning. Follow each Airplane Mode prompt only when it appears.
Disconnect alerts cannot be enabled	Allow notifications in iOS Settings. The shortcut under Settings → Alerts opens the correct page after permission is denied.
Another app still shows the simulated location after Stop	Disconnect LocalDevVPN or restart the iPhone, then verify the location again before relying on it.

When reporting a problem, include the iOS version, Waypoint version, installation method, connection type, and reproducible steps—but never attach a pairing record or a callback URL containing one.

For more help, read the support guide. Report suspected security issues through the private process in SECURITY.md, not a public issue.

Privacy and data flow

A pairing record contains trusted device credentials. Treat it like a secret and never share it.

Waypoint:

• Stores the imported record under Application Support
• Uses iOS file protection and file mode 0600
• Excludes the record from device backups
• Does not log the record in Waypoint's own code

Importing through Files is the recommended option. When SideStore is installed, Waypoint also offers an optional direct callback. It is more convenient, but it places the pairing data in a custom URL that may be exposed by URL or debug logging.

Waypoint has no account system, analytics, or Waypoint-operated server. The app does use these external services during normal operation:

• Apple's MapKit services provide map content and place search.
• Developer-image files are downloaded from the DeveloperDiskImage repository and cached on-device.
• SideStore supplies the pairing record only when its optional direct import is selected.
• LocalDevVPN exposes the iPhone's developer service through an on-device VPN.
• Disconnect warnings are local iOS notifications and do not require an internet connection.

The pairing record is used for the local developer connection and is never sent to a Waypoint-operated service.

How it works

flowchart LR
    A["Waypoint map"] --> B["idevice FFI"]
    B --> C["LocalDevVPN loopback"]
    C --> D["Apple DVT LocationSimulation"]
    D --> E["Core Location apps"]

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Technical overview

1. Waypoint imports this iPhone's pairing record from Files or, optionally, through the explicit SideStore callback.
2. LocalDevVPN exposes the remote-pairing service locally at 10.7.0.1:49152.
3. Waypoint uses the MIT-licensed idevice FFI to establish remote pairing and Remote Service Discovery.
4. It checks or mounts the personalized Developer Disk Image.
5. It opens Apple's DVT LocationSimulation channel and sends the selected coordinates.
6. While active, it keeps the DVT client alive and resends the point every four seconds.

Waypoint does not require JIT, a jailbreak, private entitlements, a bundled Network Extension, patches to locationd, or an external spoofing server.

Compatibility and limitations

Environment	Status
iPhone on iOS 26, Wi-Fi start	Primary supported and physically tested configuration
iPhone on iOS 26, cellular-only start	Physically tested and supported through the guided handoff
iPhone on iOS 17.4–25	Included by the build target, but not physically validated
iPad on iPadOS 17.4 or later	Included by the build target, but not physically validated

• iOS marks the location as software-simulated. Apps can inspect CLLocationSourceInformation.isSimulatedBySoftware.
• Destination apps may reject simulated locations or compare them with IP address, time zone, Wi-Fi, cellular, or motion data.
• Force-quitting Waypoint ends its keepalive.
• VPN interruption, memory pressure, background suspension, app re-signing or reinstallation, or provisioning-profile expiry can stop the DVT connection.
• On the tested iOS 26 device, fresh DVT connections could not be opened on a cellular-only path. Waypoint's guided handoff keeps the existing session alive while mobile data returns; repeat the guide if iOS closes that session.
• A watchdog notification means Waypoint lost confirmation; it does not prove exactly when iOS restored the real location.
• The developer image generally needs to be prepared again after an iPhone reboot, but cached files normally do not need to be downloaded again.
• Use Waypoint for development and testing, and follow the rules of the apps and services you test.

Build from source

Install directly with Xcode

This path builds, signs, and installs Waypoint without SideStore:

1. Install Xcode 26 and XcodeGen on a Mac.
2. Fetch the pinned device library and generate the project:

bash scripts/fetch-idevice.sh
xcodegen generate
open Waypoint.xcodeproj

3. In Xcode, select the Waypoint target, open Signing & Capabilities, choose your Apple development team, and set a unique bundle identifier.
4. Connect and unlock the iPhone, trust the Mac if prompted, select the iPhone as the run destination, and press Run.

Xcode then signs and installs the app directly. A free Personal Team can be used for a personal device, but its provisioning profile expires after seven days and the app must be rebuilt and reinstalled. See Apple's developer-account documentation.

GitHub Actions

The included Build unsigned IPA workflow:

• Uses Xcode 26.0.1
• Downloads and checksum-verifies the location-enabled idevice binary/header pair
• Verifies the required location-simulation symbols
• Generates the Xcode project with XcodeGen
• Archives without code signing
• Packages Waypoint.app as Waypoint-unsigned.ipa

Run it from Actions → Build unsigned IPA → Run workflow. It also runs automatically for pushes to main and pull requests targeting main.

Codemagic

The repository owner can queue the waypoint-unsigned workflow from Actions → Trigger Codemagic build → Run workflow. Requests from any other account or branch are rejected.

The Action recreates a single codemagic-build tag at the current main commit. Codemagic listens only for that tag, so no build branch or empty commit is created. Regular pushes, pull requests, other tags, and public contributors cannot start a Codemagic build. No Codemagic API token or GitHub secret is required.

The resulting unsigned IPA is stored as a Codemagic build artifact for signing and installation with any compatible method.

Create an unsigned IPA locally

To reproduce the unsigned release packaging on a Mac, install Xcode 26 and XcodeGen, then run:

bash scripts/fetch-idevice.sh
xcodegen generate
xcodebuild clean archive \
  -project Waypoint.xcodeproj \
  -scheme Waypoint \
  -configuration Release \
  -archivePath build/Waypoint.xcarchive \
  -sdk iphoneos \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS' \
  CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY='' \
  CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO \
  CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED=NO \
  ONLY_ACTIVE_ARCH=NO

Place the archived Waypoint.app inside a top-level Payload directory and package it with an .ipa extension.

Project status

Waypoint's core map, pairing, preparation, and Start/Move/Stop flow is the stable V1 experience. The guided no-Wi-Fi cellular workflow has also been confirmed on a physical iPhone running iOS 26 and is part of the supported start flow.

• Automatic preparation stays inside the Start flow; there is no separate Prepare button.
• Every release is archived with Xcode 26 and packaged as an unsigned arm64 IPA by GitHub Actions.

For a new iOS release or destination app, test pairing import, device preparation, Start/Move/Stop, backgrounding, lock/unlock, VPN interruption, app refresh or re-signing, provisioning-profile expiry, and developer-image remount after reboot.

Contributing

Bug reports, compatibility results, feature ideas, and pull requests are welcome. Read CONTRIBUTING.md, then open a GitHub issue with the iOS version, installation method, and reproducible steps when reporting a problem. Never attach a pairing record or an unredacted pairing callback URL.

Before submitting a pull request, keep the change focused and confirm that the unsigned IPA workflow builds successfully. The Xcode project is generated from project.yml and should not be committed.

Community participation follows the Code of Conduct.

Credits

• jkcoxson/idevice provides the MIT-licensed device-service FFI.
• StephenDev0/StikDebug provided a functional reference for the on-device iOS 26 workflow. StikDebug is not required to use Waypoint.
• doronz88/DeveloperDiskImage provides the personalized developer-image files downloaded during setup.

See THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md for details.

License

Waypoint is open source under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0.