A new jailbreak for Apple mobile devices is available, which its makers describe as particularly beginner-friendly: Odyssey should compete with the popular Checkra1n and be quick and easy to install.

Only certain models supported During Checkra1n, however, on all iPhones from the 5s runs until X and is now even ready for the current iOS 13 on this hardware, Odyssey relies on bugs in iOS 13 to open the Apple systems. Devices between iOS 13 to 13. 7 are jailbroken, although A8 (X) and A9 (X) hardware will be supported soon. Accordingly, the tool cannot yet be used on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, iPad Air 2, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus and the iPad Pro from 2015.

Source code and installation methods Odyssey is available entirely in source code. It is “particularly responsive”, according to the makers. Procursus is used as the bootstrap. The installation takes place via AltStore and a matching repo or, if desired, via a shortcut. A third possibility is IPA sideloading with the help of AltDeploy or nullximpactor. How it all works is explained on the Odyssey website.

Rooting opens all possibilities For all jailbreaks it applies that these are always installed at your own risk. Opening up the system also makes it more vulnerable to attacks, as the associated rooting leaves all possibilities that Apple otherwise forbids.

Bootrom exploit remains unpatchable Nevertheless, the scene is currently experiencing a renaissance. The Checkra1n team succeeded in using a bootrom exploit that could not be patched by Apple. Since this is “cast in hardware”, devices up to the iPhone X cannot be protected subsequently by patch. With more modern iPhones, suitable security gaps must first be found for jailbreaks. (bsc)