Even while two million apps is a big number, not all Apple customers will require them. Nevertheless, unlike Android, iOS does not allow users to install third-party apps or app stores. As a result, users are limited to using apps from the App Store unless they remove the App Store from their iPhones.
Jailbreaking an iOS device essentially allows you to install third-party apps on it and alter or add features that are fundamental to Apple’s operating system. It opens up a world of possibilities for your device that Apple often shuts down. Some ways to accomplish this include installing third-party apps, customizing the appearance of the phone’s software, or even installing an entirely new operating system.
What to know about jailbreaking
When you “jailbreak” your iPhone, you remove the restrictions that Apple puts on it. You can still use the App Store, but you can also get apps from other places, change how the operating system looks, and do a lot more. It used to be that you had to unlock your iPhone in order to make any changes to it or even run apps in the background. However, jailbreaking is less popular than it was because iOS has changed, and Apple has added many tools that only jailbreakers could use before.
I want to make one thing clear before we start: jailbreaking can be dangerous. There is a good chance that something will go wrong while you’re working on your iPhone since Apple never meant for you to do that. Your iPhone might finally stop working. It looks like Apple won’t help you with this, and we can’t be blamed either. Also, this guide doesn’t promise that you’ll be able to hack your iPhone or iPod.
Laws and warranty help are also things to think about. You can hack your iPhone and other iOS devices without breaking the law in the US, but this might not be the case in other places. Also, it’s essential to know that Apple highly advises against jailbreaking, saying that it can cause security holes, stop services from working, and drain your battery faster.
Check your iOS version and device model.
While Apple doesn’t necessarily disagree with jailbreaking, most of the ways that jailbreaking tools get into current iPhones are by taking advantage of security holes in iOS or the hardware that runs the iPhone. This means that every time Apple releases a new version of iOS, these doors are often shut. This means that people who hack iPhones have to find a new way to get around Apple’s security and install their custom operating system improvements.
No jailbreak has been developed for iOS 15 or any of the subsequent iOS 14 point releases (iOS 14.6 and beyond). You probably won’t be able to downgrade your iPhone from an older version of iOS to one of the newer ones since Apple doesn’t allow consumers to do so. To be sure, this is identical to everything else. A physical defect in the chips used by the iPhone X and previous generations allowed users to jailbreak any version of iOS or even revert to an earlier version.
How to find out what iOS version your iPhone or iPod Touch has
Steps:
- Open the app that says Settings.
- Click on General.
- Press the “About” button.
- Next to Software Version, your iOS version will be shown in the second row. You can also tap on this area to see the internal build number, which could help you find a more specific way to jailbreak your phone.
- Your gadget model will also be shown here, next to the Model Name in the third row.
- Check out the iOS jailbreaking article on Wikipedia to see if your device type and iOS version are enabled and to find out what tools you can use.
Back up your data
If you want to hack an iPhone, you should always back it up first. Because of what we already said, there’s a good chance that something will go wrong during the jailbreaking process, forcing you to erase everything on your iPhone and start over. Before you do anything else, make sure that all of your music, apps, pictures, and other files are safely saved on your computer or in the cloud.
Step 1: Your iPhone or iPod Touch should back up to iCloud automatically every 24 hours if you use iCloud and have a storage plan that is big enough. Going to Settings > (Your Apple ID Name) > iCloud > iCloud Backup will let you see how this is going or even allow you to make a backup whenever you want. This will show you the time of your last backup, which went well. If you want to start a new backup, tap OK.
Step 2: Use iTunes to back up your device to your Mac or Windows PC. You can do this even if you’re backing up to iCloud. It’s always good to have two copies of your files. Using a USB-to-Lightning cord, connect your iPhone to your computer. Open iTunes and choose “if” from the menu on the left. To make a new backup on your computer, click Back Up Now.
If you have MacOS Catalina or later, you’ll find these choices in the Finder app instead of iTunes. This is because Apple has replaced iTunes with separate apps for Music, TV, Podcasts, and other things.
Jailbreaking Older iPhones
Checkra1n, leveraging a hardware flaw, is the prime method to jailbreak older iPhones with A5 to A11 chips, encompassing models released between 2011 and 2017, like iPhone 4S, 8, 8 Plus, and X, irrespective of the iOS version, even iOS 14. Apple remains unable to address this exploit.
The process primarily runs on Mac or Linux. Windows users can utilize bootra1n, a complementary tool, to create a bootable USB flash drive running Linux for executing checkra1n, though Mac remains the preferred platform.
Steps:
- Download checkra1n.
- Launch Applications by dragging the checkra1n button from the DMG file.
- Locate the checkra1n app in Applications and right-click to open.
- Ignore macOS’s source verification warning and proceed.
- Disable Face ID/Touch ID on iPhone X or iPhone 8 running iOS 14.
- Connect iPhone to Mac via USB-to-Lightning cable.
- Trust the computer on the iPhone if prompted.
- Checkra1n should detect the device automatically.
- Click “Start” to initiate the jailbreak.
- Follow on-screen instructions to enter DFU mode.
- Checkra1n will commence the jailbreaking process automatically.
- After completion, a checkra1n loader app will appear on the home screen, granting Cydia access for further customization.
Jailbreaking Newer iPhone Models
For iPhone XS/XR or newer models, jailbreaking is contingent on the iOS version. Unc0ver is prominent, but for iOS 14.3, while Fugu14 complements it for versions up to 14.5.1.
Steps:
- Confirm that your iPhone is running iOS 14.4 or a later version.
- Download and install Fugu14 from the official GitHub repository at https://github.com/LinusHenze/Fugu14 if you have an iPhone XS/XR or a newer model.
- Ensure that iTunes is updated on your Windows PC if you’re using one.
- Use a USB-to-Lightning cable to link your iPhone to your computer.
- Obtain AltServer and install it on your Mac or Windows PC.
- Launch AltServer from Finder (Mac) or the Windows Start menu.
- Locate the diamond-shaped icon in the system tray (Windows) or the macOS Menu bar and click on it.
- Select “Install AltStore > (your iPhone device name)” from the menu.
- To begin the installation process, log in with your Apple ID and password.
- If you’re using a Mac, install the required Mail plug-in and restart Mail to activate AltPlugin.
- An AltStore icon should now be visible on your iPhone’s home screen.
- Go to Settings > General > Device Management on your iPhone.
- Tap on the line displaying your Apple ID under the Developer App.
- Tap “Trust (your Apple ID)” and confirm your selection.
- Open Safari on your iPhone and navigate to https://unc0ver.dev.
- Tap “Open in AltStore” to initiate the installation of Unc0ver.
- If you are prompted, be sure to enter your Apple ID and password.
- Once Unc0ver is installed, long-press its icon on your home screen and select “Open” from the menu.
- Tap “Jailbreak” within Unc0ver and patiently wait for the process to complete.
Upon completion, Cydia will be available for further tweaks and apps.
Jailbreaking opens doors to new possibilities but demands caution as fake tools proliferate, offering limited functionality within Apple’s constraints. Genuine jailbreaking fundamentally alters iOS for expanded capabilities.
