How to Jailbreak iPhone or iPad on iOS 13.X.X Using checkra1n [Tutorial]

The latest version of the checkm8-based checkra1n jailbreak tool was just released by the checkra1n dev team. This version supports iOS 13-iOS 13.3 devices. Here we should mention that the version released in November 2019 is actually a public beta version released for masses. Therefore, our recommendation is to wait for it to come out of beta. At the same time, your anxiety to try it right away is totally understandable.

Our step-by-step tutorial will show you how to use the checkra1n jailbreak tool. This tool was developed to give you the freedom you need while using your supported iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

Preamble

First of all, as for the most jailbreaks tools, there are certain requirements you should meet to succeed with the jailbreaking process. Here they are:

• Currently, the tool is compatible with macOS only. But dev team states that Windows and Linux versions are on the way.
• The latest iTunes version installed on your Mac. In case you use macOS Catalina, you are good. Finder already has your covered.
• The tool supports 64-bit A5-11 iPhones and iPads. This way, it works with iPhones from 5s up to X. However, there are few exceptions it doesn’t work with, which are iPad Air 2, 5^th generation iPad and 1^st generation iPad Pro. Considering this, checkm8 exploit doesn’t support A12 devices (iPhone XS Max, XS, XR, iPad Pro) and A13 devices (iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max).
• The device should run iOS 12.3 or newer.
• The tool is currently experimental on iPhone 5s, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3 and iPad Air.
• Cydia is installed by default. Other package managers will be added as options at a later date.

Another thing we should note here is that checkra1n beta release is CLI-only (Command Line Interface). However, there is a GUI workaround and we’ll show it in this tutorial.

So, if you comply with the requirements listed above, it’s about time to get actually started.

Step 1: Download the checkra1n jailbreak tool to your Mac. Download it from the official site only.

Step 2: Once the download is completed, open .dmg file by double-clicking on it and drag the checkra1 app to the Applications folder on your Mac.

Step 3: Open the application folder, right-click on the checkra1n app and select Show Package Content option. Go to checkra1n -> Contents -> MacOS and double click on checkra1n_gui Terminal file. You may receive the warning saying the program was obtained from the Internet. This is a security precaution placed by Apple. In this case, launch System Preferences -> Security & Privacy and click open anyway.

Step 4: The cjeckra1n jailbreak app will greet you. You should make sure that the checkra1n has recognized your connected device. If you connect this device to the Mac for the first time, your connection should be trusted. This will be done in Finder if you use macOS 10.15 or newer version. For macOS 10.14 or lower, this will be done in iTunes. In both cases, click “Trust” or “Continue” and tap “Trust” on your device’s screen.

Step 5: Launch Finder and click “Back Up Now”. The backup will keep your data safe if a need to restore your device will arise during the jailbreak process.

Follow the instructions below to enter recovery mode:

• iPhone X and 8
  • Quickly press and release Volume Up button.
  • Quickly press and release Volume Down button.
  • Hold the Side button until you enter in recovery mode.
• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
  • Press and hold Volume Down and Side buttons together for 10 seconds.
  • After that, release the Side button and keep on holding the Volume Down button for another 5-10 seconds.
• iPhone 6s, iPad or iPod touch
  • Press and hold the Home and Side buttons together for 10 seconds.
  • Release the Side button and keep on holding the Home button for another 5-10 seconds.

Step 6: Click the Start button in checkra1n. Now, checkra1n will tell you to enter DFU mode. Click Next. The checkrai1n app will guide through DFU process. This step is crucial for the jailbreak process. Follow the on-screen instructions. If you face any issue about this process, below you’ll find the instructions for compatible devices:

• iPhone X and 8
  • Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons together for about 5 seconds.
  • Release the Side button and keep holding the Volume Down button for 5-10 seconds.
• iPhone 7and 7 Plus
  • Press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons together for about 10 seconds.
  • Release the Side button and keep holding the Volume Down button for 5-10 seconds.
• iPhone 6s, iPad or iPod touch
  • Press and hold the Home and Side buttons together for 10 seconds.
  • Release the Side button and keep holding the Home button for another 5-10 seconds.

If it happens that your device reboots during this process, just start it over. It is possible you won’t complete the process on the first try. Don’t give up, keep trying. Eventually, you’ll put your device into DFU mode. This process will become a routine for you as you’ll have to go through it every time you need to boot tethered.

Note: You should be aware of the extreme importance of this step. If DFU mode step is failed, the jailbreak app will be restarted and you’ll have to start this process over again until it is completed correctly.

Step 7: Once your device enters DFU mode successfully, checkra1n will start your device exploiting and jailbreaking.

Step 8: During the process, a verbose log of the entire jailbreak process will be shown on your device’s screen. DO NOT disconnect it or do anything with the device until the jailbreak is completed. The process will take some time which depends on the device. As a rule, the jailbreak process is fast. Be patient, stay calm and do not disconnect your device and Mac.

Step 9: The device will respring. If everything worked out properly, now you should see the checkra1n app on the Home screen of your iOS device. Open the app and brand-new Loader screen should launch.

Step 10: Tap Cydia cell. Next, tap Install Cydia button. The checkra1n will start the base system download and Cydia installation. Once the process is finished, the app will be closed, device will respring and you’ll see Cydia on the Home screen. Now, you are free to launch it and install your favorite jailbreak tweaks.

That’s it! Enjoy your jailbroken iOS 13.X.X device.

Note: Tethered booting is the jailbreak part which has to be done every time you restart your device to use “jailbreak things”. To do so, enter DFU mode again as described above.

L1ghtning App – All in one recovery utility for checkra1n jailbreak

Another good news is that Luke/@ConsoleLogLuke has released the recovery utility for checkra1n. @Nightiger has developed the icon for L1ghtning app. The highlight of L1ghtning app is that it contains feature allowing the L1ghtning iOS application installation on the iOS device directly, without Mac computer. Here is the link you can download it from:

We’ve listed the L1ghtning app features below to give you an insight:

• Cydia crash fixing
• Cydia uninstallation
• Respring loop exit
• Respring
• Reboot
• Safe mode
• UI cache
• Getting device’s ID, type and iOS version
• Getting device’s public and local IP addresses
• Getting installed tweaks list
• Any tweak removal without a package manager
• Easy performance of the device’s basic actions
• Device recovery from bad tweaks and other issues
• Downgrade to any iOS version with or without blobs
• Tether boot

Hopefully, this tutorial gave you all the information you need. Our aim was to guide you through the entire jailbreak process using checkra1n which will give you the liberty to take full advantage of your iOS device and remove any restriction being out in the way.