What Is Jailbreaking And How To Do It?

Updated on

You’ve probably seen or heard someone mention Jailbreaking before, whilst talking to someone about iPhone’s, but h ave you ever consider what a jailbreak actually is? Yes, I realise that if you did not know better you would think it meant some one breaking out of prison. However in this instance that is not what the term “Jailbreak” means. It’s actually a way in which people can unlock an iPhone and be able to do almost whatever they want with it.

Why Jailbreak an iPhone?

Unlike Android handsets, the iPhone is the most locked down of all the smartphones available to buy today. Yes, it allows you to install apps developed by third-party developers, alter the interface to your liking and if you want to make it look more like an Android handset you can.

Way before the 1st iPhone was launched, Apple decided that security would be its main concern. And it would protect its users from unscrupulous individuals who could alter software to enable it to steal money, data and other important user credentials. This however, has taken the iPhone and more importantly the software that runs on it called iOS down a path towards almost complete lock-down. A path which some users actively hate and wish to circumvent, and this is where the term jailbreak comes in.

What is a Jailbreak?

Jailbreaking is a term adopted by the computer science’s and more recently the Apple community to describe an action, which involves removing the restrictions of a piece of software running on a device (iPhone). What you need to know about is why people started to jailbreak their iPhone’s in the first place. Well, when Apple first launched the handset, there was no app store, and iOS severely limited what a user could do with the handset.

What Is Jailbreaking And How To Do It?

However, it’s not just Apple and its devices that have to put up with this flagrant disregard for the securities put into place to protect a user. As Android handsets also have what is called Rooting, this too is a form of jailbreak. As it allows a user to circumvent the system and place new software on to a device. But, the term jailbreak is still most often referred to when talking about the iPhone, and at this moment is becoming less popular due to Apple cracking down on software bugs in iOS. And actually paying those who would once of created a jailbreak software, to report to them any vulnerabilities they find.

What does a Jailbreak enable you to do?

In simple terms, a jailbreak will give you more control over your iPhone. It will allow you to install software not found on the app store and you will basically become the administrator of your own device with all the rights associated.

How to Jailbreak an iPhone

Before I go on to tell you how to do this, I must first warn you of the potential dangers.

After successfully jailbreaking your device, you will be able to gain access to many tempting unofficial apps. Apps for which you would have not been able to install on your device without jailbreaking it. As with everything in life, and Jailbreaking is no different there are those who’s only goal in life is to take advantage of others. So, I would recommend that you only install apps and tweaks from reputable sources.

One such source is Cydia, most of what you will find pre-loaded within it can be trusted as safe, however do not be tempted by pirated repositories!

How to Jailbreak an iPhone or iPad on iOS 9

There is a piece of software called Pangi 9, it was specifically developed to jailbreak iPhones, iPads and iPod Touchs running on either iOS 9, iOS 9.0.1 or iOS 9.0.2. Users who have iOS 9.1 running should download a different version of the Pangu software for that version of iOS. However, the instructions I am going to give will still work for you.

Pangu 9 iOS Jailbreak
Image Source: cydiaios9.com

I’m sorry to say that if you’re running on iOS 9.2 or later at the moment you are out of luck with regard to a jailbreak. As no jailbreak software has been developed for the later versions including iOS 9.3.2 or iOS 9.3.1.

The Pangu 9 jailbreak is compatible with the following iOS devices:

  • The iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, and iPhone 4s.
  • The iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2, iPad mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 1, iPad Air 2, and the iPad Air 1.
  • The iPod touch 6, and the iPod touch 5.

As well as the iOS version, you will also need to using either a Mac oe a Windows based PC for this jailbreak to work. Please make sure that you follow these instructions to the letter.

1. Back Up Your iOS Device

Choose either iTunes or iCloud to back up your device, this will make sure that the data currently on it will be secure and retrievable. Also, some users of Pangu 9 have reported issues, which include failed jailbreaks. So it is better to be safe than sorry!

2. Download Pangu 9

This next step is to download the software you need to complete the jailbreak with. You can get Pangu 9 from here for PC and here for Mac. Also you should make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed, it won’t be needed, but its installed files are required.

3. Disable Find my iPhone, Touch ID, and Passcode

To be able to successfully complete a jailbreak, you will first have to disable Find my iPhone, Touch ID and Passcode.

Pangu 9 iOS jailbreak
Image Source: Macworld.co.uk

4. Run Pangu 9

Now that you have backed up your device, disabled Find my iPhone, Touch ID and Passcode, you are now ready to jailbreak your iPhone. If you’re using a Windows PC, you need to right click the .exe file and click “Run as administrator”. It is best that you do not try to run the software by double clicking it, as this has been known to produce problems in later stages of the process.

However, running the software as an administrator should help prevent any problems. If you’re using a MAC, open and run the software as you would with any other.

5. Plug you iPhone or other iOS device in to your PC/Mac

Next once you have started to run Pangu, it is time to attach your iOS device to a Mac or Windows based PC. At this point the software should automatically detect your device. When it has been detected, just press “Start” and the jailbreak process will begin!

6. Toggle Airplane Mode on and Off

At this point there is not much to do unless prompted to do so. However, make sure that you do follow any on screen instructions that do crop up. This may include occasionally unlocking your device and placing it into Airplane mode. You can do that by entering the control centre and swiping upwards from the bottom of the display.

7. Your Device will Reboot

Next be on the look out for the words “Jailbreak Complated” on the Pangu 9 software, not long after seeing this message your device should reboot and show you Cydia. iT is the app store for jailbreaks done via Pangu.

8. Configure Cydia

On the homescreen of your device you will now find an icon for Cydia. Tap it and this will take you to a configuration window, which should only take you a few seconds to complete. Now once that you’ve completed all of the steps above, you are free to explore the various available apps and tweaks.

Oh, and if you want to share anything with me and other readers feel free to do so, but in the meantime enjoy your jailbroken iOS device.

Leave a Comment