Jailbreak

From The Apple Wiki

The term "jailbreak" is the process by which some form of arbitrary code execution (usually by spawning of an SSH shell) is obtained by exploiting the kernel (and other protections, such as AMFI, PAC, PPL, KPP, and KTRR - but these do not apply to every software version) of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, audioOS, or bridgeOS. It used to be done by patching /private/etc/fstab to mount the System partition as 'read-write'. This is entirely different from an unlock. Jailbreaking is the first action that must be taken before things like unofficial activation (hacktivation), and unofficial unlocking can be applied.

Older jailbreaks also included modifying the AFC service (used by iTunes to access the filesystem) to give full filesystem access from root. This was later updated to create a new service (AFC2) that allows access to the full filesystem.

Modern jailbreaks now include patching the kernel to get around code signing and other restrictions. These are called Kernel Patches.

Note: The legality of jailbreaking your device varies with each country/region. Wikipedia has a summary of legality for some countries.

Types of Jailbreaks[edit]

Tethered : The device must be booted using a computer every time, otherwise it won't boot at all. This type of jailbreak is uncommon. This is because, starting with the iPod touch 2 (new BR) and iPhone 3GS, Apple has signature checks for its bootchain, which includes LLB, iBoot, and the Kernel, meaning a custom bootchain cannot be loaded unless an exploit is used to patch these checks. Example of tethered jailbreaks are 4039, blackra1n, and orangesn0w.

Semi-tethered : The device must be jailbroken using a computer every time it's rebooted, otherwise it will boot in unjailbroken state. Examples of semi-tethered jailbreaks are opensn0w, geeksn0w, checkra1n, or palera1n. They are similar to tethered jailbreaks in how they jailbreak iOS, but they don't modify iOS' default bootchain - instead sending their own custom one.

Untethered : Untethered jailbreaks were originally how almost every jailbreak was - run the jailbreak once, and then you're jailbroken for life. They could be installed via Safari with JailbreakMe, or with a computer, using redsn0w, Absinthe, or Pangu. However, these types of jailbreaks started to die out in iOS 9.

Semi-untethered : Starting with iOS 9, it was no longer easy to make a fully untethered jailbreak, so devs instead created semi-untethered jailbreaks. These jailbreaks are run using an app which jailbreaks the device, but after a reboot, the app will need to be run again - otherwise the device will be unjailbroken. Examples of these are Home Depot, Meridian, unc0ver, Chimera, Taurine, or Dopamine. Due to Apple limitations, the app must be resigned every week (or every year with a paid developer account). Tools like ReProvision Reborn were created to automate this process. Additionally, with iOS versions compatible with TrollStore, it is possible to permanently sign the jailbreak app so it will never expire.

Jailbreak Tools[edit]

Latest firmware and Jailbreak status[edit]

Devices Latest firmware Last Jailbreakable Firmware Tool
iPad (10th generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (6th generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max 17.1.2 No Jailbreak tool
iPad (8th generation), iPad (9th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Air (4th generation), iPad Air (5th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad mini (6th generation), iPad Pro (11-inch), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (4th generation), iPad Pro (11-inch) (3rd generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation), iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (3rd generation) 15.4.1 Dopamine or XinaA15
iPad (6th generation), iPad (7th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation), iPad Pro (10.5-inch) 17.1.2 palera1n
iPad (5th generation), iPad Pro (12.9-inch), iPad Pro (9.7-inch), iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X 16.7.2 (supported) palera1n
iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPod touch (7th generation) 15.8 (supported) palera1n
iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPod touch (6th generation) 12.5.7 (possibly supported) checkra1n or Chimera
iPad (4th generation), iPhone 5, iPhone 5c 10.3.3 and 10.3.4 (obsolete) h3lix or kok3shiX or socket
iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation), iPad mini, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (5th generation) 9.3.5 and 9.3.6 (obsolete) Phœnix or p0laris or kok3shi9 or openpwnage or Blizzard
iPhone 4 7.1.2 (obsolete) Pangu
iPhone 3GS, iPod touch (4th generation) 6.1.6 (obsolete) p0sixspwn
iPad (1st generation), iPod touch (3rd generation) 5.1.1 (obsolete) redsn0w or Absinthe
iPhone 3G, iPod touch (2nd generation) 4.2.1 (obsolete) redsn0w
iPhone (1st generation), iPod touch (1st generation) 3.1.3 (obsolete)

For other devices, firmware versions and jailbreak tools, see the versions list below.

Versions[edit]

Untethered or semi-untethered jailbreaks are shown with a green 'yes'. Tethered or semi-tethered jailbreaks will be stated in a yellow box. Beta Firmwares are not listed.

See Also[edit]