The checkra1n jailbreak recently picked up support for iOS 14 on devices equipped with Apple’s A8-A9X processors, but as many noticed on the night this happened, the checkra1n team also elucidated on how it would take more time to add support for A10 and A10X devices and that they weren’t even sure if they would be able to add support for A11-equipped devices like the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X.
Given the rather unexpected and uncertain circumstances, we’re sure there are a lot of questions about the checkra1n jailbreak and when or if it will receive updates to support newer devices. With that in mind, we wanted to take a moment to deliver an FAQ-style post that would discuss many of the most common questions and the best answers for those questions that we have at the time of this writing.
iOS 14 checkra1n jailbreak FAQ
Here’s a brief overview of everything you should know about the current circumstances surrounding checkra1n’s iOS & iPadOS 14 compatibility:
What devices does checkra1n support on iOS 14?
At the time of this writing, checkra1n v0.11.0 supports A8, A8X, A9, and A9X devices running Apple’s iOS & iPadOS 14 operating systems. Update: checkra1n can now jailbreak all A8, A8X, A9, A9X, A10, A10X, and A11 devices running iOS or iPadOS 14, however there’s a catch for A11 devices, as you won’t be able to use a passcode on these devices if jailbroken.
What devices does checkra1n not support on iOS 14?
At this time of this writing, checkra1n v0.11.0 does not support A10-A11 devices running Apple’s iOS & iPadOS 14 operating systems. Update: checkra1n now supports all A8-A11 devices running iOS or iPadOS 14.
Will the checkra1n team ever add support for the above devices?
The checkra1n team said they to add support for A10 and A10X devices “in coming weeks,” but there is no concrete ETA for such support. Update: support for these devices is now available. The checkra1n team is needing to jump through extra hoops to make the jailbreak work on A10 and newer devices because Apple implemented new a security mitigation to SEPOS that makes it substantially more difficult to achieve a jailbreak these handsets. A known security vulnerability called blackbird, however, will allow the checkra1n team to work around this on devices equipped with A10 and A10X processors.
As for A11 devices like the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X, these devices utilize newer hardware with even tighter security. The checkra1n team isn’t entirely sure if they can get the jailbreak up and running on these devices anytime soon, but they won’t be giving up. In fact, they’ll be working around the clock to find ways around the upgraded security in the near future in an attempt to reestablish support for these devices. Unfortunately, A11 devices aren’t affected by the aforementioned blackbird security vulnerability, which leaves the hackers forced to start back at square one.
How do I jailbreak with checkra1n?
If you have a Mac, then you can follow our step by step tutorial showcasing how to jailbreak with checkra1n on a Mac. If you have a Windows computer, then we have a similar tutorial that you can take advantage of.
I accidentally updated to iOS 14, what do I do now?
Assuming you have an A8-A9X device, you can jailbreak it with checkra1n right now. Unfortunately for everything else, Apple stopped signing the last iteration of iOS 13 earlier this week, which means official methods of downgrading your firmware are no longer viable. We’d recommend saving your SHSH blobs and remaining patient for a novel development.
Isn’t the checkra1n jailbreak supposed to be un-patchable?
The checkm8 bootrom exploit that powers the chreckra1n jailbreak is, in fact, un-patchable, but Apple’s iOS 14 update makes it more difficult to complete the process that checkra1n sets out to achieve on A10-A11 devices by adding security mitigations via SEPOS. More specifically, as the checkra1n team puts it, “if the device was booted from DFU mode and the Secure Enclave receives a request to decrypt user data, it will panic the device.” With that in mind, the checkra1n team will now need to consider burning SEPROM exploit(s) if they are to make checkm8 viable on A11 devices.
In short, the checkm8 bootrom exploit hasn’t been patched (and can’t be), Apple has just made it more difficult to apply it to certain devices. The checkra1n team will need time to develop a workaround.
How much longer before the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X can be jailbroken on iOS 14 with checkra1n?
This is a good question, and unfortunately, no one knows the answer. It could take a while to develop a workaround for Apple’s latest security mitigation, and there’s no telling how long that might take. Fortunately, we have very talented hackers at the forefront of the checkra1n team, so let’s keep our fingers crossed.
How does all of this impact the jailbreak community?
As long as you have an A8-A9X device at your disposal, the latest security mitigation won’t impact you at all and you can continue jailbreaking iOS 14 with checkra1n just as you did on iOS 13.
If you have an A10 or A10X device, you’ll simply need to wait a little longer (a few more weeks) to be able to jailbreak on iOS 14 as you were able to on iOS 13.
If you have an A11 device, then you should keep it on iOS 13 instead of upgrading for now. This ensures that you can jailbreak with checkra1n in the meantime until a workaround can be found for Apple’s new security mitigation. Alternatively, you can use another jailbreak like Odyssey or unc0ver.
What does the future of checkra1n hold?
From what we can gather, the checkra1n team has no intention of raising the white flag merely because Apple made things a little bit more difficult with iOS 14. Checkra1n team member Luca Todesco Tweeted just this afternoon that the team will “put in real effort to drop real research and development to keep it alive.”
It doesn’t seem like the checkra1n team will be going anywhere, and this certainly also applies to the jailbreak itself. Just because Apple made it more difficult to jailbreak certain devices running iOS 14 doesn’t mean that checkra1n will become any less relevant to the community or that it will suddenly disappear off the face of the Earth.
Should I ask the checkra1n team for ETAs?
Please don’t pester the checkra1n team with relentless ETA questions. Not only are they likely to be ignored to receive sarcastic responses, but they do nothing productive to help the team. For everyone’s sake, merely follow the checkra1n team and its members on Twitter to receive the latest updates and keep it tuned to Lazyroar for the latest news and tutorials.
What about A12 and newer devices on iOS 14?
The checkra1n jailbreak has never supported devices newer than the A11 variety, and it probably never will. This is because the jailbreak is based on a bootrom exploit that only impacts older hardware. Those using A12 and newer devices should wait for another jailbreak tool to receive iOS 14 support.
What advice can you offer to jailbreakers today?
Having been with the jailbreak community for more than a decade and witnessing all that there is to witness, my best advice to jailbreakers is to remain patient and stay on the lowest possible firmware that they can. Furthermore, follow trusted hackers on Twitter and to keep it tuned to Lazyroar for regular news updates.
Although some iOS & iPadOS 14 users have hit rough water with the checkra1n jailbreak, that doesn’t mean that newer devices affected by the checkm8 exploit will be un-jailbreakable on iOS 14 forever. It’s entirely possible that someone from the checkra1n team will find a way around Apple’s latest security mitigation or that another jailbreak team might develop a tool for all devices before then.
In any case, we see regular jailbreak updates and releases throughout the year, and so I don’t expect that the community will be too horribly burned from the circumstances.
Conclusion
Apple may have made iOS and iPadOS 14 a bit more difficult to bust on certain devices, but we remain overtly optimistic about the situation. Our community is in good hands with the talented hackers that develop the jailbreaks we use every day, and there’s no shortage of exploits making their way to the pubic that may help push the community forward.
Have you been able to jailbreak iOS 14 yet, or will you stay on iOS 13 until a jailbreak for iOS 14 becomes available for your device and firmware combination? Share in the comments section below
