Apple on Monday released iOS and iPadOS 13.5.1 to the general public for the sole purpose of patching the new exploit in the unc0ver v5.0.0+ jailbreak tool, and as you might come to expect, Apple will soon unsign the jailbreakable iOS 13.5 firmware.
It usually takes the Cupertino-based company a week or two after a new firmware release before it stops signing an older version of iOS or iPadOS, but in recent memory, just one week has been a lot more common. By doing this, Apple can leave its user base with no option of downgrading or upgrading back to iOS or iPadOS 13.5, effectively preventing users from jailbreaking.
Given the aforementioned circumstances, anyone using any of Apple’s latest handsets (specifically the iPhone XS and later) with any intention of jailbreaking will want to downgrade or upgrade to iOS or iPadOS 13.5 immediately before it becomes unsigned by Apple in the foreseeable future. If you’re already using iOS or iPadOS 13.5, then you should stay on that firmware and jailbreak immediately with unc0ver, following Pwn20wnd’s recent advice to circumvent your device’s automatic software update mechanism.
An important note, however, is that if you’re using a handset as old as the iPhone 5s or as new as the iPhone X, then you needn’t worry as much. These devices can be jailbroken with ease via the checkra1n jailbreak tool regardless of the firmware version they’re running, and this is all thanks to a hardware-based bootrom exploit called checkm8 that can’t be patched by Apple in a software update.
Regardless of whether you’re downgrading or upgrading to iOS or iPadOS 13.5, you will need the physical firmware file, which can be had from our Downloads page. Once downloaded, you should verify that the firmware you intend to use is still being signed via the handy IPSW.me utility. If everything looks good, then you can follow the steps below to prepare your device:
Downgrading to iOS/iPadOS 13.5
If you’re on iOS or iPadOS 13.5.1 already, then you’ll want to restore your device to iOS/iPadOS 13.5. This will erase your data, and it is recommended that you back up your data beforehand.
On Windows:
1) Connect your device to your computer via the OEM Lightning or USB-C cable.
2) Launch iTunes and click on your device, trust it if necessary.
3) Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click Restore.
4) Locate and select the firmware file you downloaded and click OK.
5) Wait for the device to finish restoring to iOS/iPadOS 13.5.
On Mac:
1) Connect your device to your computer via the OEM Lightning or USB-C cable.
2) Launch Finder and click on your device in the drive list, trust it if necessary.
3) Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click Restore.
4) Locate and select the firmware file you downloaded and click OK.
5) Wait for the device to finish restoring to iOS/iPadOS 13.5.
Upgrading to iOS/iPadOS 13.5
If you’re using a version of iOS or iPadOS earlier than iOS/iPadOS 13.5, then you can simply update without erasing your data.
On Windows:
1) Connect your device to your computer via the OEM Lightning or USB-C cable.
2) Launch iTunes and click on your device, trust it if necessary.
3) Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click Update.
4) Locate and select the firmware file you downloaded and click OK.
5) Wait for the device to finish updating to iOS/iPadOS 13.5.
On Mac:
1) Connect your device to your computer via the OEM Lightning or USB-C cable.
2) Launch Finder and click on your device in the drive list, trust it if necessary.
3) Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click Update.
4) Locate and select the firmware file you downloaded and click OK.
5) Wait for the device to finish updating to iOS/iPadOS 13.5.
We estimate that it will only be a few more days before Apple unsigns iOS and iPadOS 13.5. Now that version 13.5.1 has been available for two days, it could be less than a week before Apple does so, and this is why you’ll want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible if you have any intention of enjoying a jailbroken handset.
If you’re on the fence about jailbreaking, then you should read our list comprised of the top ten reasons to jailbreak your device in 2020 to learn more about whether it’s right for you. Additionally, you can read more about some of the best jailbreak tweaks to use on your liberated iOS 13 device in another roundup we made not long ago.
Assuming you’ve made up your mind and you’re ready to jailbreak with unc0ver, you can follow our tutorial showing you how to do so with AltStore.
Will you be moving to iOS/iPadOS 13.5 for jailbreaking before Apple stops signing it? Let us know in the comments section below!