How to Jailbreak an iPhone

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Four easy ways to jailbreak an iPhone using your PC or Mac
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This wikiHow teaches you how to jailbreak your iPhone using Dopamine, nathanlr, palera1n and Chimera. These tools are easy to use and work on most newer iPhones. Dopamine is a semi-untethered rootless jailbreak tool that works on any iPhone running iOS 15 to 16.6.1. nathanlr is one of the only jailbreak tools that has iOS 17 support, but it is not a full jailbreak. palera1n jailbreak is semi-tethered, can either be rootful or rootless, and works on iPhone 6S to 8/X running iOS 15 to 16.7.14. If you are still rocking an old iPhone 5S or 6 running iOS 12.5.8, Chimera jailbreak, which is semi-untethered, is for you, though it also works for any iPhones running iOS 12.x. Jailbreaking allows you to install apps and tweaks that aren't allowed in the App Store, which gives you more control over your iPhone. Be aware that Apple does not recommend jailbreaking and may not provide you support after doing so. Also, make sure you back up your iPhone data before jailbreaking.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Dopamine (iOS 15-16.6.1)

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  1. Step 1 Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iOS version.
    Dopamine jailbreak is supported on iPhone 6S, SE 1st generation, 7, 8 and X running iOS 15.0 to 16.6.1, as well as iPhone XR, XS, 11 series, SE 2nd generation and 12 series running iOS 15.0 to 16.5.1, and iPhone 13 series, SE 3rd generation and 14 series running up to iOS 16.5.[1]
    • You can check the iOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.[2]
  2. Step 2 Install TrollStore...
    Install TrollStore. The process of installing TrollStore varies depending on the iOS version, but for iOS 15.5 through 16.6.1 on iPhone 6S to X and iOS 15.7 through 16.5.1 on iPhone XR and later, you need to perform the TrollInstallerX method, whereas for iOS 15.0 through 15.4.1 on iPhone 6S to X and iOS 15.0 through 15.6.1 on iPhone XR and later, you need to perform the TrollHelperOTA method.[1]
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  3. Step 3 Install Dopamine.
    Download the Dopamine IPA on your iPhone, and open the TrollStore app, tap the plus button at top-right, select the Dopamine IPA file from files, then tap Install to install the Dopamine app. It is recommended to reboot your iPhone after installation.[1]
  4. Step 4 Run the Dopamine jailbreak.
    Open the Dopamine app, and tap Jailbreak to jailbreak your iPhone. After a moment, the iPhone should reboot and after that the home screen should have Sileo installed.[1]
    • If your iPhone crashes unexpectedly and doesn’t have Sileo installed, rerun the jailbreak again.
  5. Step 5 Install necessary tweaks.
    Open the Sileo app, search for ElleKit tweak and tap Get, Queued and Confirm to install the tweak. Repeat with PreferenceLoader. Tap Restart SpringBoard to restart SpringBoard.[1]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using nathanlr (iPhone XR/XS & later, iOS 16.5.1-16.6.1/16.7 RC/17.0)

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  1. Step 1 Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iOS version.
    nathanlr jailbreak is supported on iPhone XR, XS, 11 series through 15 series, and SE 2nd and 3rd generations running iOS 16.5.1 to 16.6.1, iOS 16.7 RC (20H18), and iOS 17.0.[3]
    • nathanlr is a semi-untethered semi-jailbreak, meaning some of the tweaks might not work.
    • You can check the iOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.[2]
  2. Step 2 Install TrollStore...
    Install TrollStore. The process of installing TrollStore varies depending on the iOS version, but for iOS 16.5.1 through 16.6.1, you need to perform the TrollInstallerX method, whereas for iOS 16.7 RC (20H18) and 17.0, you need to perform the TrollRestore method.[3]
    • If performing TrollRestore method, disable Find My by going to Settings -> [your Apple Account] -> Find My -> Find My iPhone and turn off that toggle. You might be prompted to enter your Apple Account password. [4]
  3. Step 3 Install nathanlr.
    Download the nathanlr IPA on your iPhone, and open the TrollStore app, tap the plus button at top-right, select the nathanlr IPA file from files, then tap Install to install the nathanlr app. It is recommended to reboot your iPhone after installation.[3]
  4. Step 4 Run the nathanlr jailbreak.
    Open the nathanlr app, and tap Bootstrap and Jailbreak to jailbreak your iPhone. After a moment, the iPhone should reboot and after that the home screen should have Sileo installed.[3]
    • If your iPhone crashes unexpectedly and doesn’t have Sileo installed, rerun the jailbreak again.
  5. Step 5 Update packages.
    Open the Sileo app, tap the packages tab, tap Upgrade All and tap Confirm to upgrade all packages.[3]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using palera1n (iPhone 6S to X, iOS 15-16.7.14)

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  1. Step 1 Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iOS version.
    palera1n jailbreak is supported on iPhone 6S, SE 1st generation, 7, 8 and X running iOS 15.0 and later up to the last supported iOS version for each iPhone.[5]
    • You can check the iOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.[2]
    • palera1n only works with macOS and Linux.
    • For Linux, Intel CPUs are preferred.
    • palera1n jailbreak is semi-tethered, meaning you need a computer to rejailbreak your iPhone. If you are running iOS 15-16.6.1, Dopamine jailbreak is a better choice (unless you want the jailbreak to be rootful) because Dopamine is semi-untethered.
  2. Step 2 Disable passcode if using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus or X.
    Go to Settings -> General -> Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode and tap Turn Off Passcode. You might be prompted to enter your Apple Account password.[5] [6]
    • If you have an iPhone 6S, SE 1st generation or 7, you can skip this step.
    • If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later, you also need to factory reset your iPhone.
  3. Step 3 Plug your iPhone into your computer.
    Use USB-A to Lightning cable. Plug the Lightning end into your iPhone and USB-A end into your computer.[5]
  4. Step 4 Install palera1n.
    On your computer, open a terminal window and run sudo /bin/sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://static.palera.in/scripts/install.sh)" to install palera1n.[5]
    • If using Linux, before installing palera1n, open another terminal window, and run sudo systemctl stop usbmuxd and sudo usbmuxd -f -p.
  5. Step 5 Run the palera1n jailbreak.
    Type sudo palera1n -l and press the Enter key to run. Follow the instructions to put your iPhone into DFU mode.[5]
    • After you perform this step, your iPhone should reboot, and palera1n loader app should appear.
    • For iPhone 6S and SE 1st generation, these may have an issue when this get stuck in this process. To fix, press Ctrl + C and rerun sudo palera1n -l again.
  6. Step 6 Install Sileo.
    Open the palera1n loader app on your iPhone and tap Sileo, and set a password for command line things.[5]
    • After performing this step, Sileo app should be installed.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using Chimera (iOS 12.x)

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  1. Step 1 Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iOS version.
    Chimera jailbreak is supported on iPhone 5S, 6, 6S, SE 1st generation, 7, 8 and X running iOS 12.0 to 12.5.8, as well as iPhone XR and XS running iOS 12.0 to 12.1.2. [7]
    • You can check the iOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.[2]
  2. Step 2 Download and install the necessary files.
    Download the appropriate version of Chimera, listed below, and PlumeImpactor on your computer, and install PlumeImpactor.[7]
  3. Step 3 Plug your iPhone into your computer.
    Use USB-A to Lightning cable. Plug the Lightning end into your iPhone and USB-A end into your computer. Trust the connection on your computer and on your iPhone. [7]
  4. Step 4 Install Chimera.
    Open PlumeImpactor and click Settings and Sign In. Enter your Apple Account details. Drag and drop the Chimera IPA into the main PlumeImpactor window. Install the IPA by clicking Install.[7]
  5. Step 5 Trust the developer.
    Go to Settings -> General -> Device Management -> [your Apple Account] on your iPhone and tap Trust [your Apple Account] to trust the developer.[7]
  6. Step 6 Run the Chimera jailbreak.
    Open the Chimera app on your iPhone and tap Jailbreak. Wait for a prompt to appear, then reboot your iPhone, then open Chimera and tap Jailbreak again. After you perform this step, your iPhone should have Sileo installed.[7]
    • If your iPhone crashes unexpectedly and doesn’t have Sileo installed, place your iPhone in ziploc bag in the freezer for 1 to 2 minutes and rerun the jailbreak again.
  7. Step 7 Install necessary tweaks.
    Open the Sileo app, search for libiosexec1 tweak and tap Modify, Upgrade, Queued and Confirm to upgrade the tweak. Search for libhooker (common), PreferenceLoader and RocketBootstrap tweak and tap Install on all. Tap Queued and Confirm to install these tweaks. Once installed, tap Restart SpringBoard to restart SpringBoard.[7]
  8. Step 8 Rejailbreak without using app (iPhone 5S, 6, 6S, SE 1 and 7 only).
    Chimera is a semi-untethered jailbreak, meaning, after rebooting, you normally have to use Chimera app to rejailbreak, but for iPhone 5S, 6, 6S, SE 1st generation and 7, there is another method that utilises the WebKit exploit called TotallyNotSpyware-v2. Open Safari on your iPhone, go to http://jbme.h4ck.kr/ and tap re-jailbreak to run the rejailbreak. Tap Close on any prompts that may appear within the Safari app and tap userspace reboot to reboot into a jailbroken state.
    • If the webpage crashes, close Safari in App Switcher, reopen Safari and repeat the process.[7]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I can't get the passcode to unlock my iPhone, will jailbreaking still work?
    OPJustin
    OPJustin
    Community Answer
    No it won't. You need your passcode to be able to jailbreak. I suggest visiting an Apple store.
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  • Question
    I can't download evasi0n7 anywhere. Where can I find this software?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    That program can be located at techspot.com/downloads/6494-evasi0n7.html
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  • Question
    How can I jailbreak my device without a PC or Mac?
    NghtmareReborn
    NghtmareReborn
    Community Answer
    You can jailbreak your device without a PC or Mac, but it depends on your iOS version. For older versions, you can use untethered jailbreaks like p0sixspwn or Pangu. For more recent versions, semi-untethered jailbreaks like Dopamine may work. Some exploits, such as palera1n, may be challenging or impossible without a computer, so explore options like unc0ver that don't require another device.
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  • Be careful when downloading tweaks or other usually unsupported files from your package manager such as Sileo or Zebra. Jailbreaking removes the restrictions that prevent you from being able to download malware.[8]
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  • Jailbreaking violates Apple's terms of use. Doing so may increase your risk security vulnerabilities, instability, and the disruption of Apple services. Apple reserves the right to deny service to any devices that have used unauthorized modifications or software.
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  • If your iPhone prompts you to update to the latest version of iOS, you should only do so if you're okay with having to jailbreak the iPhone again.
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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Michael, Michael McAuliff, emiyl, opa334, iCraze, & Alriceee. (2024). Installing Dopamine | iOS Guide. Cfw.guide. https://ios.cfw.guide/installing-dopamine/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Find the software version on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support (UK). (2025, March 24). Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/109065
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Installing nathanlr | iOS Guide. (2025). Cfw.guide. https://ios.cfw.guide/installing-nathanlr/
  4. ↑ Set up Find My on your iPhone, iPad or Mac – Apple Support (UK). (2025, September 22). Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102648
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Michael McAuliff, Michael, BananaOnGitHub, alexia, Jade, Worf1337, emiyl, hg13bs, Musa Ahmed, Mineek, & nebula. (2025, September 23). Installing palera1n | iOS Guide. Cfw.guide. https://ios.cfw.guide/installing-palera1n/
  6. ↑ Use a passcode with your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support (UK). (2025, March 20). Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/119586
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 Installing Chimera | iOS Guide. (2026, January 26). Cfw.guide. https://ios.cfw.guide/installing-chimera/
  8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/unauthorized-modification-of-ios-iph9385bb26a/ios

About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Stan Kats
Professional Technologist
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. This article has been viewed 1,984,595 times.
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Co-authors: 91
Updated: February 3, 2026
Views: 1,984,595
Categories: IPhone
Article SummaryX

1. Make sure your iOS version and iPhone model are compatible.
2. Download and install the Checkra1n app for Mac from https://checkra.in/.
3. Connect your iPhone to your Mac and open Checkra1n.
4. Click Start.
5. Click Next.
6. Read the instructions to put your iPhone in DFU mode.
7. Click start and put your iPhone in DFU mode as prompted.
8. Wait for the jailbrake to finish installing.

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