I recently obtained an iPhone through a cash purchase and have only connected it via my Android hotspot running Orbot/Tor VPN. My goal is to configure the device to remain as anonymous as possible.
The phone is already jailbroken. I’m considering two approaches:
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Sideloading all apps without ever creating an Apple ID.
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Creating an Apple ID through Tor with pseudonymous details (name, number, etc.).
I’m unsure which region would be best to select for minimizing censorship and maximizing privacy. From what I understand, Apple IDs can be verified with any phone number, but payment methods and Apple Pay must match the chosen region.
I’d appreciate insights on:
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Which region offers the most flexibility for anonymity.
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Whether sideloading alone is sufficient compared to using a pseudonymous Apple ID.
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Best practices for handling phone number verification and payment methods while keeping the account off the grid.
Any practical tips for maintaining long‑term anonymity with iOS would be welcome.