How to Unjailbreak Your iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide
Jailbreaking, the process of removing software restrictions imposed by Apple on iOS devices, can open up a world of customization and features not normally available. However, it also comes with risks, including potential security vulnerabilities, instability, and the voiding of your warranty. If you’ve jailbroken your iPhone and now wish to revert it to its original, unjailbroken state, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the necessary steps. We’ll cover several methods, catering to different jailbreak types and iOS versions, ensuring you can safely and effectively unjailbreak your device.
Important Considerations Before You Begin
Before you begin the unjailbreaking process, it’s crucial to understand the implications and take necessary precautions:
* Backup Your Data: This is the most critical step. Unjailbreaking your iPhone will erase all data on the device. Ensure you have a complete and up-to-date backup to iCloud or your computer using iTunes or Finder. This will allow you to restore your personal information, photos, videos, and other files after the process is complete.
* Understand the Risks: While unjailbreaking is generally safe when performed correctly, there’s always a small risk of encountering issues that could lead to data loss or a non-functional device. Carefully follow the instructions provided in this guide to minimize these risks.
* Check Your Jailbreak Type: The unjailbreaking method will depend on the type of jailbreak installed on your device. Common jailbreak types include:
* Tethered Jailbreak: Requires a computer to boot the device into a jailbroken state every time it’s restarted.
* Semi-Tethered Jailbreak: Boots into a stock iOS state, but requires an app or tool to re-enable the jailbreak.
* Untethered Jailbreak: The device boots into a jailbroken state without requiring a computer or additional tools.
* Semi-Untethered Jailbreak: Similar to semi-tethered, but uses an app on the device to re-enable the jailbreak.
* Know Your iOS Version: The unjailbreaking process can vary depending on the iOS version installed on your iPhone. Determine your iOS version by going to Settings > General > About.
* Disable Find My iPhone: Turning off Find My iPhone can help prevent potential issues during the restore process. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and toggle it off. You will need to enter your Apple ID password to disable this feature.
* Gather Required Tools: Depending on the method you choose, you may need the following:
* A computer (Windows or macOS).
* A stable internet connection.
* The latest version of iTunes (if using a Windows computer).
* The latest version of Finder (if using a macOS computer running macOS Catalina or later).
* The IPSW file for your specific iPhone model and iOS version (more on this later).
Method 1: Restoring Your iPhone Using iTunes or Finder (The Recommended Approach)
This is the most reliable and recommended method for unjailbreaking your iPhone. It involves restoring your device to its factory settings using iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS).
Step 1: Download the Correct IPSW File
An IPSW file is a firmware file that contains the entire operating system for your iPhone. Downloading the correct IPSW file for your device and iOS version is crucial for a successful restore.
1. Identify Your iPhone Model: Find the exact model number of your iPhone. You can find this in Settings > General > About > Model Name. It will look something like “iPhone 12 Pro Max”.
2. Find Your iOS Version: Also in Settings > General > About > Software Version.
3. Download the IPSW File: Go to a reputable website like IPSW.me. Select your iPhone model and then choose the latest signed iOS version. Make sure it is marked with a green checkmark, indicating that Apple is still signing it. Downloading an unsigned IPSW will not work.
* Caution: Only download IPSW files from trusted sources to avoid malware or corrupted files. Ensure the IPSW file matches your exact iPhone model to prevent bricking your device.
Step 2: Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode or DFU Mode
Recovery Mode and DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode are special states that allow your iPhone to communicate with iTunes or Finder for restoring the operating system. DFU mode is generally used if Recovery mode fails. The steps to enter these modes vary depending on your iPhone model.
* For iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd generation):
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
3. Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
4. Press and hold the Side (Power) button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears. Continue holding the Side button until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a cable pointing to a computer).
5. For DFU mode, after the screen goes black, continue holding the Side button for 5 seconds, then immediately press and hold the Volume Down button while still holding the Side button. Hold both buttons for 10 seconds. Then release the Side button but continue holding the Volume Down button until your computer recognizes the device in DFU mode (the screen will remain black).
* For iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Press and hold the Side (Power) button and the Volume Down button simultaneously.
3. Continue holding both buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a cable pointing to a computer).
4. For DFU mode, follow the same instructions, but continue holding the buttons until the screen goes black and stays black, and your computer recognizes the device in DFU mode.
* For iPhone 6s and earlier (including iPhone SE 1st generation):
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Press and hold the Home button and the Side (Power) button simultaneously.
3. Continue holding both buttons until you see the Recovery Mode screen (a cable pointing to a computer).
4. For DFU mode, follow the same instructions, but continue holding the buttons until the screen goes black and stays black, and your computer recognizes the device in DFU mode.
Step 3: Restore Your iPhone
1. Open iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS).
2. iTunes/Finder will detect your iPhone in Recovery Mode or DFU mode. A message will appear saying, “There is a problem with the iPhone that requires it to be updated or restored.”
3. Click “Restore iPhone…” (Important: Do NOT click “Update”).
4. A popup will ask you to confirm. Click “Restore and Update.”
5. You will be prompted to agree to Apple’s software license agreement. Click “Agree.”
6. iTunes/Finder will download the latest iOS software for your iPhone. This may take some time depending on your internet speed.
7. Once the download is complete, iTunes/Finder will erase your iPhone and install the new iOS software. This process can take 15-30 minutes or longer. Do not disconnect your iPhone during this process.
8. Your iPhone will restart and display the Apple logo with a progress bar. Again, do not disconnect your iPhone during this time.
9. Once the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and display the “Hello” screen. This indicates that your iPhone has been successfully restored to its factory settings and is now unjailbroken.
Step 4: Restore Your Backup (Optional)
During the setup process, you will be given the option to restore your iPhone from a backup. Choose the backup you created before unjailbreaking your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
Method 2: Using Succession (For A11 Devices and Lower – iOS 12.0 – 14.8)
Succession is an on-device restore tool that allows you to restore your iPhone to its factory settings without requiring a computer or iTunes/Finder. This method is only compatible with A11 devices (iPhone 8, iPhone X) and earlier, running iOS 12.0 to 14.8. It’s generally considered less risky than futurerestore (discussed later) but is limited in device and iOS support.
Important: Succession uses your device’s OTA (Over-The-Air) update files. It downloads and utilizes these files directly from Apple’s servers. However, if the OTA files for your specific iOS version are no longer available, Succession will not work. While not required, it is highly recommended that you are jailbroken with a *rootful* jailbreak.
Step 1: Install Succession
1. Open your jailbreak package manager (Cydia, Sileo, Zebra, etc.).
2. Add the following repository: `https://havoc.app` (This repository hosts the official Succession package).
3. Search for “Succession” and install it.
Step 2: Prepare Your Device
1. Ensure your device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. Succession needs to download the OTA update files.
2. Disable or uninstall any tweak that modifies the system’s update process. These tweaks can interfere with Succession’s functionality.
3. Free up sufficient storage space on your device. The OTA files can be quite large.
Step 3: Use Succession to Restore
1. Open the Succession app.
2. The app will automatically detect your current iOS version and check for available OTA updates. If an update is available, it will display the iOS version you can restore to.
3. Tap “Prepare for Restore”. This will download the OTA files and prepare your device for the restore process. This step can take a considerable amount of time, depending on your internet speed.
4. Once the preparation is complete, tap “Erase iPhone”. This will initiate the restore process.
5. The app will display a warning message. Read it carefully and confirm your decision.
6. Your device will begin the restore process. The screen will go black and display a progress bar. Do not interrupt the process or power off your device.
7. Once the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and display the “Hello” screen. This indicates that your iPhone has been successfully restored to its factory settings and is now unjailbroken.
Step 4: Restore Your Backup (Optional)
During the setup process, you will be given the option to restore your iPhone from a backup. Choose the backup you created before unjailbreaking your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
Method 3: Using FutureRestore (Advanced Users Only)
FutureRestore is a powerful tool that allows you to restore your iPhone to a specific iOS version, even if Apple is no longer signing that version. This is useful if you want to downgrade from a newer iOS version or restore to a specific version for jailbreaking purposes. However, FutureRestore is an advanced tool and should only be used by experienced users who understand the risks involved. Incorrect usage can potentially brick your device.
Warning: This method requires you to have saved your SHSH blobs for the iOS version you want to restore to. SHSH blobs are unique digital signatures that are required to restore to unsigned iOS versions. If you don’t have these blobs, you cannot use FutureRestore.
Requirements:
* SHSH Blobs: You must have saved your SHSH blobs for the target iOS version.
* APTicket: The APTicket or No-Nonce IBSec provided along with the saved blobs.
* A Computer: macOS or Linux is recommended. Windows can be used but requires additional configuration.
* FutureRestore: Download the latest version of FutureRestore for your operating system from GitHub.
* IPSW File: Download the IPSW file for the target iOS version.
* Baseband & Sep Files: The latest IPSW file of the currently signed iOS version.
* Nonce Setter: A jailbreak tweak to set the nonce (generator) on your device. (e.g. NonceSet1112)
Step 1: Prepare Your Computer
1. Install FutureRestore: Download the appropriate FutureRestore executable for your operating system and extract it to a convenient location.
2. Install Dependencies:
* macOS: Install Homebrew if you don’t already have it. Then, open Terminal and run `brew install libusb`. You may also need to install `brew install pkg-config`. `brew install autoconf automake libtool`
* Linux: Install the necessary dependencies using your distribution’s package manager. Typically, this will involve `libusb-1.0`, `libzip`, and `libplist`. The specific package names will vary depending on your distribution (e.g., `libusb-1.0-0-dev`, `libzip-dev`, `libplist-dev` on Debian/Ubuntu).
* Windows: Installing FutureRestore on Windows is complex and less reliable. It is strongly discouraged, but if you still want to proceed you may need to manually install libusb drivers for your device, which often presents issues.
3. Place all required files in the same folder as the FutureRestore executable: This includes the FutureRestore executable, the target IPSW file, the baseband and SEP IPSW file, and your SHSH blob file.
Step 2: Prepare Your iPhone
1. Jailbreak Your iPhone: If your iPhone is not already jailbroken, jailbreak it using a compatible jailbreak tool for your current iOS version.
2. Install a Nonce Setter: Install a nonce setter tweak from Cydia or your preferred package manager. Popular options include NonceSet1112. Ensure the tweak is compatible with your iOS version.
3. Set the Generator (Nonce): Open the nonce setter tweak and set the generator value to the one specified in your SHSH blob file. This is a crucial step for FutureRestore to work. The generator value typically starts with `0x`. For example, `0x1111111111111111`.
4. Verify the Nonce: Some nonce setter tweaks have a verification feature. Use it to ensure that the generator value has been set correctly.
Step 3: Put Your iPhone into Recovery Mode
Follow the instructions for putting your iPhone into Recovery Mode, as described in Method 1.
Step 4: Execute FutureRestore
1. Open Terminal (macOS/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows) as an administrator.
2. Navigate to the directory containing the FutureRestore executable and required files. Use the `cd` command (e.g., `cd /Users/YourUsername/FutureRestore`).
3. Run the FutureRestore command. The exact command will depend on your specific setup and requirements. Here’s a general example:
*macOS/Linux:*
`./futurerestore -t
*Windows:*
`futurerestore.exe -t
Replace the following placeholders with the actual file names:
* `
* `
* `
Example:
`./futurerestore -t blob.shsh2 -i iOS13.5.ipsw –latest-sep –latest-baseband iOS15.6.ipsw`
4. **Monitor the output:** FutureRestore will display a lot of text in the terminal. Carefully read the output for any errors. Address any errors before proceeding.
5. **Wait for the Restore to Complete:** The restore process can take a significant amount of time. Do not interrupt the process or disconnect your iPhone.
6. **If you encounter an error code that looks like this: `[Error]: Unable to send iBEC component: Unable to find device`, make sure you have all necessary drivers installed and try again with DFU mode.**
7. Once the restore is complete, your iPhone will restart and display the “Hello” screen.
Troubleshooting
* Stuck in Recovery Mode: If your iPhone gets stuck in Recovery Mode, try restarting your computer and iPhone. If that doesn’t work, try using a tool like ReiBoot to exit Recovery Mode.
* Error During Restore: If you encounter an error during the restore process, carefully read the error message and search for solutions online. Common errors include issues with the IPSW file, USB connection problems, or driver issues.
* FutureRestore Errors: FutureRestore errors can be complex to troubleshoot. Refer to online forums and communities dedicated to FutureRestore for assistance.
* Baseband Incompatible Error: This is one of the common errors of FutureRestore, make sure you select a compatible signed iOS for baseband.
Important Considerations:
* Always download IPSW files from trusted sources like IPSW.me
* Check compatibility before using any tool.
* If you are not technically sound, it’s better to seek help from an expert.
* Always back up your device data.
* Never disconnect the device during the restore or update.
Conclusion
Unjailbreaking your iPhone is a relatively straightforward process, especially when using the iTunes/Finder restore method. However, it’s important to understand the risks involved and take necessary precautions. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely and effectively unjailbreak your iPhone and restore it to its original, unjailbroken state. Remember to always back up your data before beginning the process and choose the method that best suits your needs and technical expertise. If you’re uncomfortable with any of the steps, seek assistance from a knowledgeable technician.