SpringBoard.app is essentially iOS's graphical user interface (much the same as GNOME is to Linux, Explorer is to Microsoft Windows, and Dock is to Mac OS) and manages graphical services ranging from icon badges, the dock, multitasking, and folders (among others). When it is launched, it registers as the FrontBoard system app (iOS 8.0+) or PurpleSystemEventPort (earlier versions), essentially making it the main application.
Primary Functions
- SpringBoard acts a stacking window manager, rendering the child applications
- SpringBoard activates/deactivates and manages memory of the UIKit applications it launches
- SpringBoard is responsible for most of the interactions with CoreTelephony
Starting in iOS 6, some of SpringBoard's former functions are now in backboardd. Starting in iOS 8, many of SpringBoard's core functions shared between other iOS-derived platforms' equivalent system apps, such as tvOS's PineBoard, have moved to FrontBoard.framework.
Cydia Substrate Extensions
After jailbreaking the device, SpringBoard.app can be extended with 3rd party extensions injected by Cydia Substrate.
Alternatives
While there are no publicly available fully-fledged SpringBoard alternatives, iOS devices are briefly flashed with Internal Firmware during the manufacturing process that is used for testing purposes. It includes SwitchBoard.app, a simple launcher for other internal utilities, such as SkankPhone and BurnIn.
Main Application Ports
- com.apple.SpringBoard
- com.apple.SpringBoard.UIKit.migserver
- PurpleSystemEventPort
- CARenderServer
Children
Folders
- Translations
Files
- $model$.plist
- Related artwork
- ring.m4r (Marimba)
- com.apple.springboard.plist
