It has been more than 3 months since the public release of iOS 10 however we have yet to see a jailbreak release for it. Now it seems like there is still hope for those who are running iOS 10.1.1. It is thanks to the bug report filed by Ian Beer from Google’s Project Zero, which details a kernel and root exploit for iOS 10.1.1. Todesco has announced that he will use the exploit disclosed by Beer to develop a full jailbreak for iOS 10.1.1.
While this is not a full jailbreak, it can serve as an important first step for the development of an iOS 10 jailbreak. The only problem with this exploit is that it has been fixed in the latest iOS 10.2. So if a jailbreak is released, it will not support iOS 10.2.
Good news is anyone who is interested in an iOS 10 jailbreak can downgrade from iOS 10.2 to iOS 10.1.1, as Apple has yet to close the signing window for this software version. This also means that those users who are already jailbroken on iOS 9 but want to have iOS 10 on their devices can temporarily sacrifice their device’s jailbroken status and and upgrade to iOS 10.1.1 using an IPSW file. They can then jailbreak again when a public jailbreak tool is released.
Even though other hackers might also go into the action, well known iOS hacker Luca Todesco has shown intention of working and releasing a full iOS 10.1.1 jailbreak based on the Project Zero exploit. He has advised users to stay on iOS 10.1.1 if they want a jailbreak especially stressing on users with iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
there is a high chance I will take up whatever project 0 drops and write a full jailbreak on top of it. stay on 10.1.1, especially on i7
— @qwertyoruiop@nso.group (@qwertyoruiopz) December 15, 2016
This is a huge deal, as previously, even though Todesco has jailbroken several versions of iOS 10, he has categorically stated that he didn’t have any plans to release a jailbreak.
But when he released the JailbreakMe-style browser-based loader for Pangu iOS 9.3.3 jailbreak it indicated that he was more open to the idea of releasing a jailbreak himself. With the web-based loader, he had addressed one of the biggest pain points of the iOS 9.3.3 jailbreak, which was the requirement of a developer certificate for the loader app. Safari based exploits are very rare, so it was quite impressive that Todesco had managed to release a Safari based solution for the certificate issue with Pangu 9.3.3 jailbreak.
Upgraded to iOS 10.2
Todesco has said that he may not be able to release a jailbreak before the iOS 1.1.1 signing window closes, so if you have upgraded to iOS 10.2, then you may want to downgrade back to iOS 10.1.1 to prepare for the jailbreak.
Already Jailbroken
If you have a jailbroken iPhone, then this is a tricky one, we would still recommend staying where you are till the iOS 10.1.1 jailbreak is released as if he is not able to release the iOS 10.1.1 jailbreak then you may be stuck without a jailbreak.
Non-Jailbroken on iOS 10.1 or lower
While one of the golden rules is to stay where you’re to improve your chances of jailbreaking your iPhone, you may want to upgrade to iOS 10.1.1 while Apple is still signing it, as it most likely that if a jailbreak is released it will definitely support iOS 10.1.1.
While it is no guarantee that Todesco will release a jailbreak, we’re excited as it certainly gives us hope that we will finally have the freedom to customize our iPhones, iPad or iPod touches the way we want.
No ETA has been given for the release of iOS 10.1.1 jailbreak and information is scarce on whether it will be untethered, semi-untethered or just tethered. We will update you will more information once it is available so stay tuned.