Checkra1n: How to Jailbreak an iPhone with an Android Phone

Rooting (Android) and jailbreaking (iOS) Two different expressions pointing in the same direction: granting end users full control of their mobile device via privilege escalation and enabling features like sideloading apps and alternative stores. The jailbreaking of Apple devices has historically been more complex due to Cupertino's opposition, but the exploit called Checkra1n offers a temporary solution on iOS 12.3 or later. The best part? Checkra1n works on Linux, and since Android is just another distro, today we have the possibility of using a rooted Android smartphone to jailbreak an iPhone..

The idea of freeing an iPhone essentially was born with the device. Many enthusiasts out there want to experiment with their own code or control more advanced aspects of the operating system, but Apple has never changed its stance: The iPhone is an experience, which must be delivered as Cupertino dictates. No alternative stores, no modified programs. The vast majority of iPhone users accept these conditions, but there are entire communities dedicated to bending the will of higher forces, and thanks to them we get solutions like Checkra1n.

Checkra1n is an exploit compatible with iOS from version 12.3 onward, and works on any iPhone from the 5s onwards. It works very well except for one detail: it's a temporary exploit. The jailbreak is achieved successfully, but it disappears once the iPhone is restarted. This necessitates some portability when running Checkra1n, and its Linux compatibility opens that door. Many users of the subreddit 'Jailbreak' recommend something like a Raspberry Pi or similar, however, the user 'Stblr' demonstrated that under the right conditions, Checkra1n also works on Android hardware. In other words, what he did was use an Android phone to jailbreak an iPhone..

(Editor's note: In this article, 'jailbreak' is synonymous with 'liberate' and is not to be confused with 'carrier unlock'.)

How to jailbreak an iPhone with an Android phone

Unfortunately, it's not a straightforward trick. First, we need the iPhone to be compatible and have the minimum iOS version (as mentioned above, 12.3 or later). Then, the Android device must be rooted, and the more recent the Android version, the better. Then you need to install a terminal app on the Android phone (Termux is a good option, but there are others). Finally, you need to find a way to connect the two devices.

This is not so simple, because the adapter to convert the Android USB to Apple Lightning must be compatible with DFU mode. 'Stblr' used an Exsys EX-47990 to go from male USB-C to female USB-A on his Sony Xperia XZ1, and then an official Apple Lightning to USB-A male cable. With the software and hardware ready, follow the tutorial:

• Download the Checkra1n binary for Linux compatible with your Android phone's microarchitecture (ARM, probably).
• Place the binary in a directory that allows execution.
• Connect the iPhone to the Android device.
• Open the terminal and get root access with su.
• Verify iPhone detection with lsusb. It should report 05ac:12a8.
• Put your iPhone in DFU mode (varies by model, check here for more instructions).
• Repeat the lsusb command, it should now report 05ac:1227. If it doesn't, disconnect the iPhone and try again.
• Run Checkra1n in CLI mode with ./checkra1n -c.
• If it throws an error, try again. The process is not very stable.

And as expected, several users on the subreddit report different errors. That means that jailbreaking an iPhone with an Android phone is not a completely clean procedure for now, something reasonable considering that Checkra1n is in beta. Patience, and be careful.

Source: Reddit

Official checkra1n site: Click here