Follow this step-by-step guide carefully. Missteps can lead to boot loops or data loss.
Not recommended due to USB passthrough issues, but possible with VMware or VirtualBox + macOS Catalina. Expect lower stability.
| Tool | Windows support | iOS support | Tethered? | A12+ support? | |------|----------------|-------------|-----------|---------------| | checkra1n 0.12.4 beta | Native (beta) | 12.0–14.8.1 | Semi-tethered | No | | unc0ver | Via sideloading (AltServer) | 11.0–14.8 | Semi-untethered | Yes (to A14) | | Taurine | Via sideloading | 14.0–14.8 | Semi-untethered | Yes (to A14) | | palera1n (Linux/macOS only) | No native Windows | 15.0–16.x (A11 only) | Semi-tethered | No |
Verdict: For A11 and older devices on iOS 14, checkra1n Windows is the most direct method—no signing services, no Apple ID needed. But for iOS 15+ or A12+, you cannot use it at all. checkra1n 0.12.4 beta windows
Checkra1n is a semi-tethered jailbreak based on the checkm8 bootrom exploit – a permanent, unpatchable hardware vulnerability affecting all devices from the iPhone 5s up to the iPhone X (A5–A11 chips).
Version 0.12.4 beta was a significant update, bringing:
Despite being a beta, 0.12.4 is considered highly stable for most A9–A11 devices on iOS 12–14. Follow this step-by-step guide carefully
Even as newer jailbreaks emerge, checkra1n remains historically significant. The 0.12.4 beta for Windows symbolized the democratization of hardware-level hacking—no longer requiring a Mac or Linux expertise. It opened the floodgates for thousands of Windows users to experience true root access on iPhones for the first time.
However, with the introduction of Apple’s A12 chip (iPhone XS) and later models, the checkm8 exploit no longer applies. Future jailbreaks will rely on increasingly rare kernel vulnerabilities. That makes checkra1n’s supported devices (iPhone X and older) valuable collectibles for security researchers and tweak enthusiasts.
If checkra1n 0.12.4 beta fails for your device or iOS version, consider: Despite being a beta, 0
| Tool | Windows Support | iOS Versions | Devices | |------|----------------|--------------|---------| | palera1n | Yes (via CLI) | 15.0 – 16.7 | A9–A11 | | Unc0ver | No (needs AltServer or sideloading on Mac) | 11.0 – 14.8 | A9–A13 | | Taurine | No | 14.0 – 14.3 | A9–A14 | | Dopamine | No | 15.0 – 15.4.1 | A12–A15 | | Odysseyra1n | No (Linux/macOS only) | 13.0 – 13.7 | A5–A11 |
For Windows-native checkm8-based jailbreaking today, palera1n has largely superseded checkra1n for newer iOS versions.
Release Date: Late 2020 / Early 2021 (still relevant as a legacy tool as of 2026)
Developer: The checkra1n team (axi0mX, qwertyoruiop, et al.)
Based on: checkm8 bootrom exploit (permanent, unpatchable by Apple for A5–A11 chips)