Mobile Technology

How to jailbreak iOS 7 on any iPhone or iPad

How to jailbreak iOS 7 on any iPhone or iPad
Gizmag's step-by-step instructions walk you through the process of jailbreaking your iOS 7 Apple device (chain: Shutterstock)
Gizmag's step-by-step instructions walk you through the process of jailbreaking your iOS 7 Apple device (chain: Shutterstock)
View 13 Images
The evasi0n 7 icon on your PC
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The evasi0n 7 icon on your PC
Before doing anything, you'll want to disable passcode lock on your device, and also back it up in iTunes
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Before doing anything, you'll want to disable passcode lock on your device, and also back it up in iTunes
This is the screen that the evasi0n tool will welcome you with on your PC
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This is the screen that the evasi0n tool will welcome you with on your PC
After hitting "jailbreak," most of the process is automated from that point on
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After hitting "jailbreak," most of the process is automated from that point on
You will need to unlock your device and tap on the evasi0n icon at one point
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You will need to unlock your device and tap on the evasi0n icon at one point
At that point, the tool completes its process
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At that point, the tool completes its process
evasi0n icon on an iPad Air
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evasi0n icon on an iPad Air
You'll still need to open Cydia on your iOS device
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You'll still need to open Cydia on your iOS device
After first opening Cydia, you'll have to be patient as it prepares the file system
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After first opening Cydia, you'll have to be patient as it prepares the file system
After the file system is prepared, open Cydia again and choose "user"
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After the file system is prepared, open Cydia again and choose "user"
Congrats, you're now jailbroken
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Congrats, you're now jailbroken
The evasi0n site, where you can download the appropriate file for your operating system
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The evasi0n site, where you can download the appropriate file for your operating system
Gizmag's step-by-step instructions walk you through the process of jailbreaking your iOS 7 Apple device (chain: Shutterstock)
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Gizmag's step-by-step instructions walk you through the process of jailbreaking your iOS 7 Apple device (chain: Shutterstock)
View gallery - 13 images

Are you a fan of Apple's mobile devices, but wish their software wasn't quite so locked down? Well, today's your lucky day, as iOS hackers "the evad3rs" just released a huge jailbreak for all iOS 7 devices. That includes the iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPad Air, iPad mini ... if it runs iOS 7, it's covered. Read on, for Gizmag's fool-proof, step-by-step instructions.

Setup

Before doing anything, you'll want to disable passcode lock on your device, and also back it up in iTunes
Before doing anything, you'll want to disable passcode lock on your device, and also back it up in iTunes

The first thing you'll want to do is to turn the passcode lock off on your iOS device. To do this, tap the gray Settings icon, go to General, then Passcode Lock. Make sure it's off. This also includes turning off Touch ID on the iPhone 5s (don't worry, you can turn it off after jailbreaking).

This is also a good time to back up your iPhone or iPad. Grab the device's cable, and connect it via USB to your Mac or PC. Open iTunes, and it should automatically back up and transfer any new purchases. If anything goes wrong (during the jailbreak or anytime after) you can restore a fresh install of iOS 7 in iTunes and then restore your apps and data from this backup.

Of course jailbreaking does technically void your warranty, so if any part of this process turns your iPhone into a $650 paperweight (extremely unlikely), it's entirely your responsibility.

Download evasi0n

The evasi0n site, where you can download the appropriate file for your operating system
The evasi0n site, where you can download the appropriate file for your operating system

Now you'll want to head on over to the jailbreak developers' site, and download the appropriate version for your Mac or PC. You'll be redirected to a third-party file sharing site, where you can download the jailbreak file.

Find and open the jailbreak app on your PC

The evasi0n 7 icon on your PC
The evasi0n 7 icon on your PC

After you go through the download process, you'll want to check your downloads folder and open the file. On Mac, it's a DMG that starts with "evasi0n7-mac-1.0.0" and on Windows it's a zip that starts with "evasi0n7-win-1.0.0." Click on it to open or unzip.

Now, with your device again connected via USB cable, open the enclosed file called "evasi0n 7" on your Mac or PC and let the process begin.

Jailbreak

This is the screen that the evasi0n tool will welcome you with on your PC
This is the screen that the evasi0n tool will welcome you with on your PC

Now you should see a screen similar to the one above. Make sure it lists your correct device, and lists it as supported. Tap that "jailbreak" button and let the evasi0n tool work its magic.

After hitting "jailbreak," most of the process is automated from that point on
After hitting "jailbreak," most of the process is automated from that point on

It will go through several different stages, most of which don't require your attention.

You will need to unlock your device and tap on the evasi0n icon at one point
You will need to unlock your device and tap on the evasi0n icon at one point

At one point, though, you'll see the screen above, which prompts you to unlock your device and tap on the evasi0n 7 icon on your device ...

evasi0n icon on an iPad Air
evasi0n icon on an iPad Air

Go ahead and do that.

At that point, the tool completes its process
At that point, the tool completes its process

Soon after that, the tool's process will end. Congrats: your device is now jailbroken.

Open Cydia

You'll still need to open Cydia on your iOS device
You'll still need to open Cydia on your iOS device

The next step is to look for the new Cydia icon on your device's home screen. If you aren't familiar, Cydia is basically a jailbreak app store, where you'll find your new apps and tweaks.

After first opening Cydia, you'll have to be patient as it prepares the file system
After first opening Cydia, you'll have to be patient as it prepares the file system

When you first open Cydia, the screen will go black while it prepares the file system.

After the file system is prepared, open Cydia again and choose "user"
After the file system is prepared, open Cydia again and choose "user"

Once that completes, go ahead and open Cydia again. This time you'll be asked what kind of user you are. If you're reading this tutorial, chances are, you'll want to choose "User."

Congrats, you're now jailbroken
Congrats, you're now jailbroken

There you have it. You're now completely jailbroken, with Cydia locked, loaded, and ready to go.

It will take a while for most apps to be compatible with iOS 7. But if you need some suggestions while you're waiting, you can hit up our list of the best jailbreak apps in Cydia.

Source: evasi0n

View gallery - 13 images
4 comments
4 comments
Caimbeul
When you're through, please, please don't whine all over the interwebitubes about how upset you are because the latest free (of course) app you loaded doesn't run right - or the latest .1 update "broke" your iPad.
christopher
Awesome! Do this now guys, or forever regret missing out when this small window of opportunity closes (read: when apple patch their mistake).
Lewis M. Dickens III
Hey, just download the i41CX+ and program to your heart's content.
Denis Klanac
Just buy an android phone and avoid the hassles of having to jailbreak every time you update.