> Why shouldn't you be able to install a linux distro and turn your old iPhone or iPad into a really power-efficient home server-type appliance, if you want to?

> Why shouldn't you be able to install a linux distro and turn your old iPhone or iPad into a really power-efficient home server-type appliance, if you want to? My old MacBook is doing exactly this. I don't wholly disagree, but there are good reasons. 1. Warranty and repair: I once went to the Genius Bar because the speakers on my iPhone 6 were crackling and popping. I expected them to do an in-warranty repair or swap. Nope. They told me that they couldn't help because I had a developer beta of iOS installed. They recommended I go home and downgrade to a GA build and see if the problem persists. It was very wise of them not to help me do that, because I had compatibility issues with my backups and lost a bunch of data, but lo and behold, the downgrade fixed my speaker problem. Sometimes the damage is permanent: I recall a software bug in windows 10 that was [ruining SSDs](https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-could-kill-your-ssd-what-you-need-to-know https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-could-kill-...) Software updates can brick phones, such as in Apple's own [Error 53](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205628 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205628). This is actually really prevalent in home-brew/jailbreak installs. I'd bricked a couple Xboxen myself, and didn't dare seek help via Microsoft, but others surely have. Keeping a lithium-ion battery at 100% is not the best for it's health, so now most Apple OSs will try reach a peak battery charge just as you will likely begin using it, and normally holds at 3/4 capacity or so. Software can cause permanent hardware problems, or ones that neither you nor support are equipped to fix. It can exponentially increase complexity on support staff to try. Replacement would affect their bottom line, so they need to then find a way to see if you tampered with the software and deny support or replacement, but what if you did this and then sold it? This all gets complicated, unfriendly, and costly quick. 2. "It just works" This idea that Apple products "Just Work" is core to their marketing. I've used hackintoshes for years, and know there are many, many things that "Just Won't Work" (one of those things is power management). Maybe you're willing to take a chance on a linux distro anyway. There is still an outward impression others can glean while noticing you using a product. This is why franchises have standards. They want to maintain a level of quality for those that may patronize or even glance at the product. To Apple, the business works better if they force a single, well supported experience.