← Academy Hub
📱
Learning Track · 14 modules

Mobile App Penetration Testing

Android + iOS pentesting. Frida, Objection, keychain, API surface, defeating hardening.

Why this track

Android + iOS pentesting. Frida, Objection, keychain, API surface, defeating hardening. This track walks you from fundamentals through advanced techniques across 14 practitioner modules — the same body of knowledge senior security professionals build over years, structured for self-paced progression with India-specific context throughout.

Prerequisite: See module 1 for entry context. Most modules are self-contained but follow the suggested sequence for best results.
14
Modules
11.7 h
Total time
14
Free modules
∞
Quiz retries
Difficulty mix
Beginner · 1 Intermediate · 8 Advanced · 4 Expert · 1

Module sequence

M1
Mobile App Security Threat Model
How mobile apps differ from web, Android/iOS security models, OWASP Mobile Top 10, lab setup, and scoping questions.
Beginner 60 min →
M2
Android Pentesting with Objection & Frida
Hands-on Android pentest workflow: Frida server, Objection REPL, SSL pinning bypass, local storage, runtime hooking.
Intermediate 90 min →
M3
iOS Pentesting Fundamentals
iOS device options (jailbreak, Corellium), pulling decrypted IPAs, class-dump, keychain inspection, URL schemes, pinning bypass.
Intermediate 90 min →
M4
Mobile Backend API Testing
Why mobile APIs are weaker, device registration abuse, auth patterns, business logic, client-side validation bypasses.
Advanced 120 min →
M5
Bypassing Mobile Hardening & Exploit Chaining
Root/jailbreak detection bypass, anti-debug, RASP defeat, and chaining findings into a business-impact exploit.
Expert 150 min →
M6
Mobile Static Analysis — APK & IPA
Mobile pentesting starts with the binary. APK and IPA files contain code, resources, configuration, often secrets. Android — APK analysis # Extract APK apktool d app.apk -o app-extracted # Decompile to Java jadx -d output app.apk # Run automated MobSF scan docker run -p 8000:8000 opensecurity/mobile-security-framework-mobsf # Upload APK; get full report iOS — IPA […]
Intermediate 25 →
M7
Frida & Objection — Runtime Mobile Analysis
Frida injects JavaScript into running mobile apps. Objection wraps Frida with ready-made tools. Together: bypass any client-side check. Common bypasses # SSL pinning bypass (so Burp can intercept) objection -g com.example.app explore android sslpinning disable # Jailbreak/root detection bypass ios jailbreak disable android root disable # Hook a specific method android hooking watch class_method com.example.MyClass.checkLicense […]
Advanced 25 →
M9
Android Keystore & Secure Storage
Android Keystore generates and stores cryptographic keys in hardware (TEE / StrongBox on supported devices). Apps that store secrets correctly use it; many don’t. The hierarchy SharedPreferences — plaintext file in app sandbox. NOT secure. EncryptedSharedPreferences — wraps with key from Keystore. Standard. Keystore-bound key — never leaves hardware. Highest security. Biometric-bound key — only […]
Intermediate 20 →
M10
iOS Keychain & Data Protection
iOS Keychain is hardware-backed. Data Protection classes determine when items are accessible. Data Protection classes kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlocked — accessible only when device unlocked. Default for new items. kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlock — after first unlock until reboot. For background tasks. kSecAttrAccessibleAlways — anytime. AVOID; deprecated. WhenPasscodeSet variants — only if user has passcode set; deletes if passcode removed. WhenUnlockedThisDeviceOnly […]
Intermediate 20 →
M11
Deep Links & URL Schemes
Deep links let other apps invoke yours. Misimplemented, they become attack vectors: open phishing pages, leak tokens, hijack flows. Two patterns Custom URL schemes (myapp://login) — any app can register; squatter wins. Insecure. Universal Links (iOS) / App Links (Android) — domain-verified via well-known file. Only your app handles the URL. App Links setup Android: […]
Intermediate 20 →
M12
Runtime Tampering Detection
Many apps add “tamper detection”: Frida hook detection, jailbreak/root detection, debugger detection. Attackers bypass them all (Module 7). Why bother? Why detection still has value Raises attacker effort Generates telemetry — when an account triggers tamper detection, treat as suspicious server-side Combined with server-side enforcement, raises bar significantly What to detect Frida-server processes / TCP […]
Advanced 20 →
M13
Android Permission Model
Android 6.0+ introduced runtime permissions. Android 11+ added more restrictions. Mobile pentesters check permission patterns; defenders limit ask. The categories Normal — auto-granted (network, vibrate) Dangerous — runtime permission required (location, camera, contacts) Signature — only granted to apps signed with same cert as system Special — Settings opt-in (overlay, accessibility, device admin) What pentesters […]
Intermediate 20 →
M14
Mobile Malware Analysis Workflow
Indian users are targeted by mobile banking trojans regularly. Defenders need to understand the patterns. Common Android malware patterns Accessibility service abuse — read screen, autofill credentials, dismiss prompts SMS interception — intercept OTPs from banks Overlay attacks — display fake login screen on top of legitimate banking app Notification listening — read notifications including […]
Advanced 20 →
M15
Mobile Pentest Reporting
OWASP MASVS (Mobile Application Security Verification Standard) is the reporting baseline. MASTG (Testing Guide) is the methodology. MASVS verification levels L1 (Standard) — basic security; suitable for most apps L2 (Defense in Depth) — for apps handling sensitive data R (Resiliency) — additional resistance to client-side attacks; for high-value targets The categories tested Architecture, design, […]
Intermediate 20 →

Common questions about this track

How long will this track take me? +

Most learners finish in 4-8 weeks at a sustainable 4-5 hours per week. Modules are self-paced so you can move faster or slower as life allows.

Do I need prior experience? +

Module 1 sets the entry baseline. The first module is always free; if it feels approachable, the track is for you.

Will this prepare me for industry certifications? +

Most modules align with the body of knowledge tested by senior security certifications. The Academy is not a cert-prep course but produces working knowledge that transfers to any cert exam in the same domain.

Ready to start?

Begin with Module 1. Work through at your own pace. Free modules require no signup — everything else unlocks with a free RingSafe Academy account.

Start Module 1 → View pricing tiers 🗺️ Explore Skill Map