This wikiHow teaches you how to jailbreak an iPhone using Unc0ver and Checkra1n. Both tools are easy to operate and work with most of the latest iPhone models. Unc0ver is one of the few tools that can jailbreak most recent versions of iOS (iOS 11 to 13). Meanwhile, Checkra1n offers early support for iOS 14 on some devices. By jailbreaking your phone, you can install apps and tweaks (add-ons) that aren't available (or allowed) in the App Store, giving you more control over your device. Please note that Apple does not recommend a jailbreak procedure and will not provide support or assistance after the procedure is performed. Also make sure the data on your iPhone is backed up before you jailbreak it.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Checkra1n on a Mac
Step 1. Make sure your iPhone is compatible with the app
Checkra1n works on iPhone 5S to iPhone X running iOS 12 through iOS 13. For iOS 14.0 (not 14.1), Checkra1n currently offers early support for iOS 14 and can only be used on iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, SE, iPad fifth generation (5th generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, iPad Pro 1st generation (1st generation), Apple TV 4, Apple TV 4K, and iBridge T2. Support for other iPhone and iPad models will be added in the coming weeks.
Step 2. Visit https://checkra.in/releases/0.11.0-beta via a web browser
This site is the official Checkra1n website.
Checkra1n offers a semi-untethered jailbreak. This means the jailbreak only works until the iPhone or iPad is restarted. After the device restarts, you will need to use the Checkra1n app on a Mac or Linux computer to re-enable the jailbreak
Step 3. Scroll down and click Download for MacOS, or the option for the Linux version you are using
The Checkra1n installation file will be downloaded afterwards.
Step 4. Open the installation file
You can open files directly from your web browser or the “Downloads” folder. Follow the necessary instructions to install the program (especially on Linux). On Mac computers, simply drag the Checkra1n icon to the “Applications” folder.
Step 5. Connect iPhone to Mac computer
Use the lightning cable that came with the iPhone to connect the device to an empty USB port on a Mac or Linux computer.
Step 6. Open Checkra1n
This app is marked by the icon of two chess pawns. Click the icon in the “Applications” folder to open Checkra1n. Make sure the iPhone is detected by Checkra1n when the application is opened.
Step 7. Click Start
It's in the lower-right corner of the Checkra1n window. The jailbreak process will begin.
If you're using an unsupported iPhone model, you can still try installing the Checkra1n jailbreak on your device. However, keep in mind that the jailbreak may not work properly. Therefore, accept the risk if you wish to proceed. To allow jailbreak installation on unsupported devices, click “ Options ” and check "Allow untested iOS/iPadOS/tvOS versions".
Step 8. Click Next
The iPhone or iPad will be put into recovery mode (recovery mode). You will see a lightning cable image on the device screen.
Step 9. Read the instructions and click Start
You need to put your iPhone into DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode for the jailbreak to work. Read the instructions on the computer screen to find out how. On most supported iPhone models, you need to press and hold the power button (at the top right corner of the device) and the “Home” button (at the bottom of the screen) at the same time. Read the instructions and click “Start” after that.
Step 10. Follow the prompts to put the device into DFU mode
Press the “Home” and power buttons simultaneously when prompted.
Step 11. Release the power button
Keep holding the “Home” button, but release the power button when prompted. iPhone will be put into DFU mode. You can see the Apple logo with the Checkra1n logo on the device screen. You may also see some text on the screen. Once done, the jailbreak has been successfully applied and activated.
If you open the Checkra1n app on your iPhone, you'll get the option to install Cydia, an unofficial App Store for jailbreak apps and tweaks
Method 2 of 3: Using Unc0ver on Mac Komputer
Step 1. Make sure the device is running iOS with a supported version
Unc0ver is frequently updated to work with new iOS versions, but as of August 2020, supported iOS versions include iOS 11 through iOS 13.5.5 beta (there is an exception for iOS 13.5.1). To check, go to https://unc0ver.dev and scroll to the "Compatible" section in the middle of the page.
- To find out which version of iOS you are using, go to the device settings menu (“ Settings "), choose " General ", touch " About ”, and look at the number that appears to the right of the " Software Version " text.
- Unc0ver offers a semi-untethered jailbreak. This means the jailbreak only works until the iPhone or iPad is restarted. After the device restarts, you will need to use the Unc0ver app on a Mac or Linux computer to reactivate the jailbreak.
Step 2. Install the AltStore program on the computer
This app allows you to access tools that can jailbreak your iPhone. Follow these steps to download AltStore:
- Visit
- Click the link " macOS ” at the bottom of the page.
- Extract file " altserver.zip ” file that has been downloaded to your computer's main downloads storage folder. After the file is extracted, you can find the file “ AltServer.app ”.
- In the Finder window, drag the file “ AltServer.app ” to the “Applications” folder.
Step 3. Open AltServer
Double-click the icon in the “Applications” folder to open the application. A diamond icon will be added to the top right side of the screen on the Mac menu bar.
AlterServer.app requires MacOS 10.14.4 or later to run
Step 4. Select the AltServer icon and click Install Mail Plugin
The plug-in for the Mail app will be installed afterwards.
Step 5. Enable the AltPlugin add-on in the Mail app
Follow these steps to install the AltPlugin in the Mail app:
- Open the Mail application via the “Applications” folder.
- Select menu " Mail ”.
- Choose " Preferences ”.
- Click the tab " General ”.
- Choose " Manage Plug-ins ”.
- Check the box next to " AltPlugin ".
- Apply the changes, then restart the Mail program.
Step 6. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the lightning cable that came with your device purchase (or another suitable cable), then connect your iPhone to an empty USB port on your computer.
If iPhone asks if you want to trust the computer, select the affirmation option
Step 7. Click the AltStore icon, then select the device
You will be asked to sign in to your account.
Step 8. Sign in to your account with your Apple ID, then click Install
Use the same Apple ID as the active ID on the device. The AltStore app will be installed to the device afterwards.
Step 9. Tell iPhone to trust AltStore
This procedure is important so that Unc0ver can be installed. Follow these steps on the device to do this:
- Open the device settings menu (“ Settings ”).
- Choose " General ”.
- Choose " Device Management ”.
- Select your Apple ID.
- Choose " Trust " twice.
Step 10. Download Unc0ver
Once the AltStore is allowed to bypass the device's security system, you can install the jailbreak tool. Follow these steps to download UnC0ver:
- Open the phone's web browser.
- Visit
- Choose " Download v5.3.1 ”.
- Choose " Download ” to confirm. Installation will start after that.
Step 11. Install Unc0ver
Follow the steps below to install the Unc0ver jailbreak:
- Open the AltStore on the phone.
- Choose " My Apps ” at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose " Refresh All ”.
- Re-type the Apple ID and password, and select “ Sign in ”.
- Choose " + ” in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Select the file " unc0ver_5.3.13.ipa ".
- Select button " 7 Days ” in green next to Unc0ver to complete the installation.
Step 12. Open UnC0ver
This application has a white icon with the words "UO" in black and is displayed on the home screen.
Step 13. Select the blue Jailbreak button
After the jailbreak procedure is complete, you may see a "Jailbreak Completed" message.
Step 14. Select OK which is loaded in the confirmation message
The device will restart afterwards.
Step 15. Run the Jailbreak tool via Unc0ver a second time
After the iPhone turns on, reopen the Unc0ver app and select “ Jailbreak This time, when the jailbreak procedure is complete, select “ OK ” and wait for the device to restart. After turning on again, the iPhone has been successfully jailbroken.
Method 3 of 3: Using Unc0ver on PC
Step 1. Install iCloud
You need to download and install iCloud from the Apple website (not the Microsoft Store). If you have installed it from the Microsoft Store, right-click the application on the Windows “Start” menu and select “ Uninstall After that, follow these steps to install iCloud from the Apple Store:
- Visit
- Click " download iCloud for Windows on Apple's website ” under the Microsoft Store link.
- Open the “iCloudSetup.exe” file in the “Downloads” folder.
- Follow the instructions to set up iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID.
Step 2. Install AltStore on the computer
At this stage, you need to install tools to jailbreak your iPhone. To install it:
- Visit
- Choose " Windows (beta) ” to download the ZIP archive file.
- Right click " altinstaller.zip ” in the computer's main download storage directory, click “ Extract all, and select " Extract ”.
- Double click the file " setup.exe ” in the newly extracted folder to run the installation of the program.
- Click " Next ”.
- Choose " Browse ” to specify the installation location or click “ Next " continue.
- Click back" Next ”.
- Choose " Yes so that the installation can continue.
- Choose " Close ”.
Step 3. Connect iPhone to computer
Use the lightning cable that came with your device purchase (or another suitable cable), then connect your iPhone to an empty USB port on your computer.
Unc0ver offers a semi-untethered jailbreak. This means the jailbreak only works until the iPhone or iPad is restarted. After the device restarts, you will need to use the Unc0ver application on your computer to re-enable the jailbreak
Step 4. Select Trust on the device when prompted
This option is displayed after the phone is connected to the computer.
Step 5. Install AltStore on the phone
Follow the steps below to install AltStore on the device:
- Click the AltStore icon displayed in the system section (near the clock) on the computer. The icon looks like a diamond outline. You may have to click the up arrow icon to the left of the watch to see the icon.
- Choose " Install AltStore ”.
- Select your phone.
- Type in the Apple ID and password.
- Choose " Install ”.
Step 6. Tell iPhone to trust AltStore
This procedure is important so that Unc0ver can be installed. Follow these steps on the device to do this:
- Open the device settings menu (“ Settings ”).
- Choose " General ”.
- Choose " Device Management ”.
- Select your Apple ID.
- Choose " Trust " twice.
Step 7. Download Unc0ver
Once the AltStore is allowed to bypass the device's security system, you can install the jailbreak tool. Follow these steps to download UnC0ver:
- Open the phone's web browser.
- Visit
- Choose " Download v5.3.1 ”.
- Choose " Download ” to confirm. Installation will start after that.
Step 8. Install Unc0ver
Follow the steps below to install the Unc0ver jailbreak:
- Open the AltStore on the phone.
- Choose " My Apps ” at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose " Refresh All ”.
- Re-type the Apple ID and password, and select “ Sign in ”.
- Choose " + ” in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Select the file " unc0ver_5.3.13.ipa ".
- Select button " 7 Days ” in green next to Unc0ver to complete the installation.
Step 9. Open UnC0ver
This application has a white icon with the words "UO" in black and is displayed on the home screen.
Step 10. Select the blue Jailbreak button
After the jailbreak procedure is complete, you may see a "Jailbreak Completed" message.
Step 11. Select OK which is loaded in the confirmation message
The device will restart afterwards.
Step 12. Run the Jailbreak tool via Unc0ver a second time
After the iPhone turns on, reopen the Unc0ver app and select “ Jailbreak This time, when the jailbreak procedure is complete, select “ OK ” and wait for the device to restart. After turning on again, the iPhone has been successfully jailbroken.
Tips
- Be careful when downloading tweaks or other generally unsupported files from Cydia. Active jailbreak removes the restrictions that actually prevent you from downloading malware.
- You can still download apps from the App Store after your device is jailbroken.
- If your device prompts you to update your operating system to the latest version, only perform the update if you don't mind jailbreaking again from scratch.
- The jailbreak procedure actually violates Apple's terms of use. If performed, the jailbreak procedure increases the risk of security vulnerabilities, device instability, and disruption to Apple services. In addition, Apple reserves the right to revoke or refuse service on devices that use unauthorized modifications or software.
