Jailbreaking

Jailbreaking is the process of removing limitations imposed by Apple's mobile OS through the use of software and hardware exploits. Jailbreaking permits unsigned code to run and gain root access on the OS. The most common reason for jailbreaking is to expand the limited feature set imposed by Apple's App Store and to install unapproved apps. Jailbreaking can aid in forensic acquisition but will void the user's warranty, potentially brick the device, and may not support being restored to the factory settings.

Many publicly available jailbreaking tools add an unofficial application installer to the device, such as Cydia, which allows users to install many third-party applications, tools, tweaks, and apps from an online file repository. The software downloaded from Cydia opens up endless possibilities on a device that a non-jailbroken device would never be able to do. The most popular jailbreaking tools are Pangu, TaiG, Electra, and Unc0ver. Not all iOS versions are jailbreakable. The following table will help you to choose the appropriate jailbreak tool according to the device you have and its iOS version:

          
Version           Release date           Tool

          
iPhone OS 1.0           June 29, 2007           (no name)

          
iPhone OS 2.0           July 11, 2008           PwnageTool

          
iPhone OS 3.0           June 17, 2009           PwnageTool

          
iOS 4.0           June 21, 2010           PwnageTool

          
iOS 5.0           October 12, 2011           redsn0w

          
iOS 6.0           September 19, 2012           redsn0w

          
iOS 7.0 - 7.0.6           September 18, 2013           evasi0n7

          
iOS 7.1 - 7.1.2           May 29, 2014           Pangu

          
iOS 8.0 - 8.1           September 17, 2014           Pangu8

          
iOS 8.1.1 - 8.4           November 17, 2014           TaiG, PP Jailbreak

          
iOS 8.4.1           August 13, 2015           

          EtasonJB

          
iOS 9.0            September 16, 2015           Pangu9

          
iOS 9.1           October 21, 2015           Pangu9

          
iOS 9.3.5           August 25, 2016           Phoenix

          
iOS 10.0 - 10.1.1           September 13, 2016           Yalu

          
iOS 11.0 - 11.1.2           September 19, 2017           LiberiOS

          
iOS 11.0 - 11.1.2           September 19, 2017           Electra1112

          
iOS 11.0 - 11.4.1           July 7, 2018           Electra1131

          
iOS 11.0 - 11.4.1           October 14, 2018           Unc0ver

          
iOS 12.0 - 12.2, 12.4 - 12.4.2           September 17, 2019           Chimera, Unc0ver

          
iOS 12.3 - 13.2.3           November 10, 2019           checkra1n

We have now learned about the jailbreaking process and have had a look at the different jailbreaking tools currently available.