Diatrus to release a Cydia fork for checkra1n & unc0ver that works with Sileo

It was only a couple of days ago that the Sileo Team released a brand-new Sileo package manager installer for the checkra1n jailbreak. The updated installer, created with the help of prominent Sileo porter Diatrus, leaves most of checkra1n’s bootstrap components intact. On the other hand, the installer still upgrades APT to a version that is incompatible with the pre-installed Cydia package manager, thus uninstalling it in the process.

If you were hoping that you could finally use Sileo on your checkra1n device without having to uninstall Cydia, then the Sileo Team’s updated installer probably left you disappointed. Fortunately, Diatrus seems to be working on a solution that could answer the community’s cries to have both package managers present on the same checkra1n or unc0ver device.

In a Tweet shared just this afternoon, Diatrus said that he would be releasing a custom APT and Cydia fork to the same GetSileo repository that currently hosts the Sileo installer for the checkra1n and unc0ver jailbreaks:

The Tweet includes a Discord screenshot in which Diatrus apparently reached out to Sam Bingner, the current maintainer for Cydia on the checkra1n and unc0ver jailbreaks. In the conversation, Diatrus appears to have asked Bingner to split Cydia into two different packages – one for essential structure files and one for the GUI. Bingner appeared to deny the request, although his rationale is unclear.

Obviously, this particular conversation only shows one side of the story, and Bingner could have legitimate reasons for setting things up how they are. Big-picture details like these were not included in the conversation snapshot above, and so Bingner’s public call-out was quick to grab attention. Chariz repository maintainer Adam Demasi (@hkirb), for example, was among those who quickly decried some of the comments:

Demasi has a point, as a humbler approach typically yields the best results.

Given the circumstances, the upcoming release of Diatrus’ Cydia fork could be the next best option for checkra1n and unc0ver jailbreak users who are looking to have both Cydia and Sileo on the same device. It will purportedly make this feat possible without prompting the user to uninstall one or the other.

While I’ve always exhibited a mild attraction to Sileo’s sleek user interface and zippy Swift-based framework, I’ve also always liked having Cydia as a backup. Cydia is not only tried and true as a package manager, but its interface is incredibly familiar to me since I’ve been using it for over a decade. That said, I’ve always fancied running the two side-by-side; however, uninstalling Cydia for Sileo was never a viable option for me.

If remains to be seen if the checkra1n/unc0ver teams and the Sileo Team will work things out for the end users who are patiently waiting for the ideal synergy. Unfortunately, all we can do is wait to see what happens and use third-party workarounds for the time being.

Are you happy that Diatrus appears to be working on a solution that will let checkra1n and unc0ver jailbreak users have both Cydia and Sileo on the same device? Discuss in the comments section below.