How to Detect SU Binaries in iOS Apps Using AI

Last updated February 23, 2025 by Appdome

This Knowledge Base article describes how to use Appdome’s AI/ML in your CI/CD pipeline to continuously deliver plugins that Detect SU Binaries in iOS apps.

What Are iOS SU Binaries?

SU binaries, short for “SuperUser” binaries, are integral to iOS jailbreaking. When an iOS device is jailbroken, users gain elevated permissions, enabling them to modify restricted system components. SU binaries grant these superuser privileges, allowing access to areas of the device that are typically protected by the operating system. This access, however, introduces significant security risks, as malicious actors can exploit jailbroken devices to modify system files, install malicious software, or steal sensitive data. Detecting SU binaries is critical for identifying jailbroken devices and preventing potential security vulnerabilities such as debugging, data theft, or malicious code execution. This detection supports compliance with security regulations by preventing risks associated with altered OS permissions.

How Appdome Protects Mobile Apps Against SU Binaries?

Appdome’s dynamic SU Binary Detection plugin for iOS defends against threats associated with jailbroken environments by identifying the presence of SU binaries on devices. The plugin continuously monitors system integrity, alerting the app when superuser privileges are detected. This enables the app to take protective actions, such as restricting access or disabling functionality, to prevent malicious actors from exploiting elevated permissions. By safeguarding user data from unauthorized access and tampering, this feature ensures robust protection against jailbreak-related threats. Mobile developers can use Appdome’s Threat-Events™ to gather data on SU Binary detection events and create a customized user experience when such threats are identified.

Prerequisites for Using Appdome's Detect SU Binaries Plugins:

To use Appdome’s mobile app security build system to Detect SU Binaries , you’ll need:

How to Implement Detect SU Binaries in iOS Apps Using Appdome

On Appdome, follow these simple steps to create self-defending iOS Apps that Detect SU Binaries without an SDK or gateway:

  1. Designate the Mobile App to be protected.

    1. Upload an app via the Appdome Mobile Defense platform GUI or via Appdome’s DEV-API or CI/CD Plugins.

    2. iOS Formats: .ipa
    3. Detect SU Binaries is compatible with: Obj-C, Java, Swift, Flutter, React Native, Unity, Xamarin, Cordova and other iOS apps.
  2. Select the defense: Detect SU Binaries.

      1. Create and name the Fusion Set (security template) that will contain the Detect SU Binaries feature as shown below:
        fusion set that contains Detect SU Binaries

        Figure 1: Fusion Set that will contain the Detect SU Binaries feature

      2. Follow the steps in Sections 2.2-2.2.2 of this article to add the Detect SU Binaries feature to your Fusion Set via the Appdome Console.

      3. When you enable Jailbreak Detection you'll notice that the Fusion Set you created in step 2.1 now bears the icon of the protection category that contains Detect SU Binaries.

        Fusion Set applied Detect SU Binaries

        Figure 2: Fusion Set that displays the newly added Detect SU Binaries protection
        Note: Annotating the Fusion Set to identify the protection(s) selected is optional only (not mandatory).

      4. Open the Fusion Set Detail Summary by clicking the “...” symbol on the far-right corner of the Fusion Set. Copy the Fusion Set ID from the Fusion Set Detail Summary (as shown below): fusion Set Detail Summary image

        Figure 3: Fusion Set Detail Summary

      5. Follow the instructions below to use the Fusion Set ID inside any standard mobile DevOps or CI/CD toolkit like Bitrise, Jenkins, Travis, Team City, Circle CI or other system:
        1. Refer to the Appdome API Reference Guide for API building instructions.
        2. Look for sample APIs in Appdome’s GitHub Repository.
    1. Add the Detect SU Binaries feature to your security template.

      1. Navigate to Build > Security tab > OS Integrity section in the Appdome Console.
      2. Toggle On Jailbreak Detection > Detect SU Binaries.
        Note: The checkmark feature Detect SU Binaries is enabled by default, as shown below. Detect SU Binaries option

        Figure 4: Selecting Detect SU Binaries

        Note: The Appdome Platform displays the Mobile Operation Systems supported by each defense in real-time. For more details, see our OS Support Policy KB.

      3. Configure the User Experience Options for Detect SU Binaries:
        With Threat-Events™ OFF, Appdome provides several user experience options for mobile brands and developers.
        1. App Compromise Notification: Customize the pop-up or toast Appdome uses to notify the user when a threat is present while using the protected mobile app.
        2. Short message Option. This is available for mobile devices that allow a banner notification for security events.
        3. Localized Message Option. Allows Appdome users to support global languages in security notifications.

          Localized Message

          Figure 5: Default User Experience Options for Appdome’s SU Binaries

        4. Detect SU Binaries Threat Code™. Appdome uses AI/ML to generate a unique code each time Detect SU Binaries is triggered by an active threat on the mobile device. Use the code in Appdome Threat Resolution Center™ to help end users identify, find and resolve active threats on the personal mobile devices.
    2. Initiate the build command either by clicking Build My App at the bottom of the Build Workflow (shown in Figure 4) or via your CI/CD as described in Section 2.1.4.
    Congratulations!  The Detect SU Binaries protection is now added to the mobile app
  3. Certify the Detect SU Binaries feature in iOS Apps

    After building Detect SU Binaries, Appdome generates a Certified Secure™ certificate to guarantee that the Detect SU Binaries protection has been added and is protecting the app. To verify that the Detect SU Binaries protection has been added to the mobile app, locate the protection in the Certified Secure™ certificate as shown below: Detect SU Binaries shown in Certificate secure

    Figure 6: Certified Secure™ certificate

    Each Certified Secure™ certificate provides DevOps and DevSecOps organizations the entire workflow summary, audit trail of each build, and proof of protection that Detect SU Binaries has been added to each iOS app. Certified Secure provides instant and in-line DevSecOps compliance certification that Detect SU Binaries and other mobile app security features are in each build of the mobile app.


Using Appdome, there are no development or coding prerequisites to build secured iOS Apps by using Detect SU Binaries. There is no SDK and no library to code or implement in the app and no gateway to deploy in your network. All protections are built into each app and the resulting app is self-defending and self-protecting.

Releasing and Publishing Mobile Apps with Detect SU Binaries

After successfully securing your app by using Appdome, there are several available options to complete your project, depending on your app lifecycle or workflow. These include:

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How Do I Learn More?

If you have any questions, please send them our way at support.appdome.com or via the chat window on the Appdome platform.

Thank you!

Thanks for visiting Appdome! Our mission is to secure every app on the planet by making mobile app security easy. We hope we’re living up to the mission with your project.

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