Home » Jailbreak 8.3 » Jailbreak 8.4 » Jailbreak iOS 9 » iOS 9 ‘Rootless’ Security: Jailbreaking Possible After iOS 8.3, iOS 8.4?
Post iOS 8.3 Jailbreak and 8.4, iOS 9’s “Rootless” Security - Yesterday, as the public waits for a new solution to jailbreak iOS 8.3 and the forthcoming iOS 8.4 firmware, interesting reports broke throughout the Apple blogosphere (originating from 9to5Mac) suggesting that iOS 9 will feature a new security initiative from Apple dubbed “Rootless“. While this isn’t the first time we’ve heard tale of increased security measures in the forthcoming iOS 9 release, in fact we recently covered it and dispelled rumors pertaining to the impossibility of jailbreaking post iOS 8.3, we now have additional information (alleged though it may be) as to how Apple may accomplish hindering future jailbreak development. To preface, both TaiG and Pangu have separately confirmed that they’re working on new jailbreak utilities independently (at least from what we know thus far) that are intended for iOS 8, specifically for iOS 8.4. However, as we’ve detailed a number of times, while iOS 8.3 remains the current public firmware, the next jailbreak utility, whether it be from TaiG or Pangu, will be heavily contingent upon iOS 8.4 and its release - see our past jailbreak article for further details. As for iOS 9 and the difficulties the jailbreak community may face moving forward beyond both iOS 8.3 and iOS 8.4, continue past the break.
First, prior to delving into the purported security improvements that may be brought forth by iOS 9.0, it’s important to have a rudimentary understanding of how jailbreaks function and what their goal is.
iCrackUriDevice explains jailbreaking and the concept of a rootless post iOS 8.3 and 8.3 jailbreak.
In the most basic terms possible, jailbreaking enables root access. Think of iOS’ filesystem as essentially consisting of two separate users: mobile and root. For a quick analogy, refer to mobile as a guest user on a Mac and root as an administrator, i.e. mobile has limited access and root has unlimited when it comes to the filesystem.
In a nutshell, an iOS device’s software is split into three primary partitions, though there are others, these are three of the most important: NAND (also referred to as NOR), disk0s1s1 and disk0s1s2. Starting with the latter two , disk0s1s1 is the base directory of iOS’ filesystem, meaning it contains the actual files that consist of the operating system, whereas disk0s1s2 simply consists of a user’s media (e.g. pictures, video, music, etc.). For obvious reasons, by default, disk0s1s1 is off limits to the end-user and AFC (Apple File Conduit), which is how iOS devices interface with computers. When connected to a PC or Mac, AFC simply accesses disk0s1s2 for media management.
Back to the first of the three, NOR essential contains all of a device’s boot files and is separate from the rest of iOS, it consists of iBoot, which runs after the bootrom (the hardware component that was exploited by Geohot in limera1n, though that’s a separate story) initiates a reboot, and other pieces of software that are detrimental to a device’s successful startup.
Once NOR finishes with iBoot, one of its goals is to mount disk0s1s1 for the “root” user, which occurs at / (the base directory that jailbreaks eventually allow access to). After it’s mounted, iBoot loads a kernel stored in a cache on disk0s1s1, which is where things get interesting - once the running kernel loads all the necessary foreign patches from the device’s launchdaemons that originate from a jailbreak’s initial execution upon reboot to apply the untethered portion of a jailbreak, thus maintaining an end-user’s access to the root user.
Putting all this together, the latest jailbreak utility (TaiG for iOS 8.0 - 8.1.2) surprisingly doesn’t need to gain root privileges to successfully complete the jailbreak! Instead, the tool exploits a portion of the OS that’s already owned by the root user - without touching the root partition, TaiG is able to mount another disk (.dmg, like the ones found on OS X) over the already existing disk0s1s1, enabling new system files to replace the old ones. Also, to gain access to disk0s1s1, jailbreakers can change the owner from “root” to “mobile”, which means AFC is free to manipulate it; though it’s easier said than done. In other words, we don’t need full root access to accomplish a jailbreak.
Now, quickly referencing 9to5Mac’s claims of a “Rootless” iOS 9, because iOS is a unix-based OS, Apple can’t entirely change the way things function on a fundamental level (briefly outlined above).
…new security system called Rootless, which is being described internally as a “huge,” kernel-level feature for both OS X and iOS. To prevent malware, increase the safety of extensions, and preserve the security of sensitive data, Rootless will prevent even administrative-level users from being able to access certain protected files on Apple devices. Sources say that Rootless will be a heavy blow to the jailbreak community on iOS, though it can supposedly be disabled on OS X
Looking at the above quote, that could mean any number of things from creating another user who has higher privileges than root and establishing new files that are only owned by said user to something else entirely that’s related to a kernel function, though it won’t be without its flaws.
However, don’t fret, essentially every piece of software is exploitable and the more Apple changes it, the more room they leave for potential exploitation in the beginning stages. Though we can’t say exactly what Rootless means in terms of iOS 9 until we catch our first glimpse of the firmware, we can confirm that this won’t be the end of jailbreaking.
Special thanks to Andrea Bentivegna (from BlackGeekTutorial - the creator of the Geeksn0w jailbreak tool)
For more updates on the latest in jailbreaking and the forthcoming iOS 9 release, keep your browsers locked to Evasi0n Jailbreak.
Check out Apple’s latest entry-level 5K Retina iMac, perfect for jailbreakers (????)
Thank you for reading and don’t forget to subscribe to our Evasi0n iOS iOS 8.4 Jailbreak news feed, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and add us on  to be expediently informed when we publish new articles pertaining to the upcoming iOS 8.4 release, iOS 9 and the next jailbreak utility, whether it’s from TaiG or Pangu.
81 comments. Leave new
please guys be patient, u keep asking and asking about the jailbreak is’t gonna show up soon !!!! u supposed to thanks thoes great heros how give this jailbreaking tools all of their time just to makes ur life differnet …… ( TaiG , Pangu , EvasiOn ) u r heros for real and my great thanks and appreciate to u our great jailbreak developers … Don’t give up and i already knew & sure that u gonna solve this issue ..
any1 wanna bet there will NO JB anytime soon…stories and articles in this site real good and updated, but still the same points which is NO JB YET…so just tell us when the JB,tired hearing why,where,how,ect.Thanks and Goodluck.
Jailbreaker always win (1) Apple are always a loser (0) who cares, if they go rootless. They will be always a way and thank you so much to dev teams working hard for us ???? we love you, continue the hard works.
Jailbreaker always win (1) Apple are always a loser (0) who cares more if they go rootless. They will be always a way and thank you so much to dev teams working hard for us ???? we love you, continue the hard works.
I hate it when people say an unrooted android phone is same as a jailbroken iphone! I mean.. they should give jailbreaking a try!! I have been a fan of having custom roms and exposed modules on my android phone but certainly.. There is nothing better than jailbreak! Thank god i shifted from android! Cheers to our jbing community! Btw good post! đź‰
Hello http://www.evasi0njailbreak.com, I am ProTechnology and I do have a lot of interest in the jailbreak community. Few months ago, I have created my own channel in Youtube named ProTechnology. As I said before, I do have interest in jailbreaks so I mostly post about jailbreaking. I do post about how to jailbreak devices and jailbreak updates so people can keep up to date on release dates. Since I’ve just started youtube, I do not have a lot of subscribers but I still do like if you can cooperate together. I would also like permission to use http://www.evasi0njailbreak.com in my videos. Please contact me in [email protected] Sincerely, ProTechnology
Hello http://www.evasi0njailbreak.com, I am ProTechnology and I do have a lot of interest in the jailbreak community. Few months ago, I have created my own channel in Youtube named ProTechnology. As I said before, I do have interest in jailbreaks so I mostly post about jailbreaking. I do post about how to jailbreak devices and jailbreak updates so people can keep up to date on release dates. Since I’ve just started youtube, I do not have a lot of subscribers but I still do like if you can cooperate together. I would also like permission to use http://www.evasi0njailbreak.com in my videos. Please contact me in [email protected] Sincerely, Pro Technology
You know what I’ve dreamed last night?…well here goes…. I was in my bed with my phone, then I started to open the evasi0njailbreak.com website and it is stated there in all caps “iOS 8.3 JAILBROKEN” then I woke up a sudden. This isn’t a joke. Its a sign that there is still a jailbreak. And many of you will enjoy having it. I know its gonna come and I believe in them, TaiG and Pangu. Don’t lose hope cause neither do I.
Since ionic was flaunting his 8.4 jailbreak don’t you think Apple already knows? Don’t you think that they are probably already working on patching the exploit before 8.4’s release?? Imagine if Apple discovers the loophole and patches the exploits that the jailbreakers were working on.. After all this time we would lose the possibility of jail breaking iOS 8.3 and 8.4 and probably not have another jailbreak for months after iOS 9’s release. That would be pathetic and all this time working (developers) and waiting (jailbreakers) would be wasted for nothing.
Keep it up guys!!…you are the best 🉠as I always said, iOS without jailbreak it’s just a too bored OS to me, so I hope jailbreaks perdure or a lot of people are gonna choose a different side, me included :*(
To be honest I hope you guys update us when there’s a jailbreak tool for iOS 8.3-8.4 or higher. Thanks for keeping us updated with these articles. Keep up the good work!????
I prefer Android (rooted and custom ROM) for my mobile device OS) and iOS for my Tablet needs (iPad Air) so I’m the furthest thing from a fan boy than one can be. But man, I really miss iOS jailbroken. I still wouldn’t trade my iPad for an Android or Windows tablet even without jailbreak.
I also made the mistake of updating my jailbroken Ipad Air on 8.1.2 to 8.3 thinking that a jailbreak would be out soon. What an idiot. I knew I should have waited. I miss my tweaks
i been jailbreaking since 3.1.2 even before that
Don’t give up and i appreciate jailbreak developers and so much efforts I love you guys
Stuck on 8.3 need a jb wish i didnt update should have stayed jbed with 8.2
Rootless?! Based on my own understanding, there won’t be a jailbreak anymore? How could this happen! Apple is ruining our lives. I can’t enjoy 25 percent of my life when there’s no jailbreak for ios 8.3 and higher. Hoping pangu and taiG is still doing their part in jailbreaking ios 8.3 or ios 8.4 or even higher than that. Well, just keep updating us andd i will be waiting for the tool! Thumbs up???????? keep up the good work!
Guess you stopped reading at the word “rootless”? Give the post a good read
Nice info, been following this this websites updates since the very early stage of development. Always has valid and relevent info. And NO, it’s not always the same stuff..
Thank you for being the voice of reason, we appreciate your support and readership
Thank you for update I’m looking forward to see the new jailbreak soon or later thanks again for those haters if you think you read craps again don’t butter to jailbreak your device.
am i the only one having an issue connecting to app store or it happened only on jailbroken devices..?
do you have a link for jealbreak ios8.3
where cydia ios 8.3 i wait cydia
Im sure jailbreak community will eventually find an exploit with this ‘rootless’ thing..;)
I just downloaded an app for DirectTV and it stated… “This app is not supported on jailbroken devices. Please connect to Apple iTunes to update or restore your device.” Looks like they’re upping their game :/
Dang, you should still be able to use it though?
If there is no jail, no jailbreak is possible. I’m sure we will find a way!
I think no mor jb!!
Then you’re wrong - read the post
i don’t care. Whennnnnnnnnnnn can we jb ios 8.3 ??? ????????????
Swap to android already
Ios 8.3 jailbreak pls.. ????
There is always a jailberak just wait for ios 9 and we all will have our 8.4 JB
with out jailbreaking I prefer android thas simply
hi. jailbreak 8.3 released or not? plz link im waiting her so many month.
Hehe I am happily jailbroken on iOS 8.1.2 can’t wait for the next jailbreak, here in Manitoba Canada Winkler I have started so many people to jailbreak, a friend of mine I jailbroke his phone and then he broke the screen and got a new phone, he hated it so he changed the screen like swamped them, from a new phone… Crazy guy eh? Lol it’s nice having a jailbreak so pretty much I’m like the jailbreak central here, so right now just waiting for the new iOS release
Am still waiting for 8.3 JB. But pls stop posting this kind of thread every few days, it’s just waste my time to read them all for nothing ????
Is the jail break out yet
Yes
What the link to the pangs
No its not
If there is no jailbreak I’m going back to Android.
They’ll find a way to jailbreak. These guys are dedicated to the jailbreak community. I’m still on 8.1.1 on my iPhone 6 just so I can have all my jailbreak tweaks. Keep it up guys. ????
IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO INTALL APPLE FILE CONDUIT 2 WITHOUT JAILBREAKING? BECAUSE I CAN’T SEND MESSAGE ON MY IPHONE 5 LOCKED IN SPRINT. I JUST WANT TO DELETE CARRIER BUNDLE. IM WAITING SO LONG . I WANT TO JAILBREAK MAY IPHONE 5 8.2 PLEASE HELP
No, it’s not possible without jailbreaking. That doesn’t sound like it would solve it anyway - the only way to switch from a carrier-locked phone is to unlock it (completely different than jailbreaking).
?? ?????? ?? ?? ????? ?? ????
Yeah right, rootless. Lol
Tell 9to5, who is right on every single report… “Rootless” doesn’t mean what you think it does though, read our explanation.
When is the jailbreak going to be I’ll for the IOS 8.2 or 8.3
Is not out yet
Ok cool
It open and download I’ll check this out when I finish my work
Ali AlKhazraji Don’t listen to the previous comment, it’s fake… There’s NOT a new jailbreak available for 8.1.3+
i love jb therefor i now love apple phones my 6 plus is by far better than android in terms of ease to use and resale value i lost my jb when 8.2 came out phone got stuck in blank screen now running un jb phone kinda lost i miss my jb but haters are haters with nothing better to do than cry cause apples better than the droid i shouldnt fuel the fire but im sorry if I offended you all droid lovers
????
No more jailbreak
I’m on ios 8.2 beta 3 can i jb my 5s?
nope
Gotta be on beta 1 or beta 2. You just missed the window by 1 beta.
Glad I have jailbreak!
I’ve been jailbreaking since 1.1.4
Lucio Castro
Kenneth Cruz Massiel Antonio
I’ve been jailbreaking since 2008. When u jailbreak your device it usually means u want to get more from ur device…. If you are going to do that u might as well get a device that offers more… Android for me from now on, years more advanced
i always said….nomore JB ……apple WON
You didn’t read the article.
why read it it’s the same crap every time
They need to hurry up with the jb.
Without jailbreaking, I’m Android; that simple!
Then do it, but you’ll be back. Jailbreaking will survive, it always does. Check out the article for details on what it means exactly.
I Really Hope For Jailbreak IOS 8.4 Beta 1 Always I was Thinking it may be impossible to jailbreak if you make a new jailbreak to me im gonna be so glad so i may Doing anything Anyway contact me when new jailbreak out
8.2v1.2.1
Soooo are we seen a #jailbreak, cause am going crazy
Only want to get 8.4 and its jb No need for 9
Ios 8.3 jailbreak ??
Ramcy H. Hanna ????????????
i guess there will no jailbreak anymore at all.
Not true read it… We wrote this article in layman’s terms.
This might become our typical comment - In BEFORE the haters comment: we’ve been reporting on Jailbreak news since 2012 (long before you started following us and likely before you started jailbreaking) - we’re NOT going to stop now. If you don’t like iOS / iPhone / Jailbreak updates, feel free to unlike/unfollow. For those of you who do value our effort to keep you updated, thank you so much, we appreciate your support! Sincerely, Jailbreak Evasion - http://www.evasi0njailbreak.com
Faheem Aftab