iOS

Add an extra layer of security to your jailbroken iOS 12-16 device with BioProtect XS

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated March 10, 2023
BioProtect XS

Some people worry about their privacy more than others, and if you’re one to implement defenses on your smartphone that would be equivalent to that of a virtual Fort Knox, then you’ll probably take a liking to a jailbreak tweak called BioProtect XS by iOS developer Elias Limneos.

BioProtect was perhaps one of the most popular security tweaks ever devised for the jailbroken platform. BioProtect XS is fundamentally an iOS 12-16-compatible version of the ever-so-popular security tweak that most know and love, and it has been fully-optimized to work with both Touch ID and Face ID.

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PsychoTea’s iOS 11-12.1.2 kernel exploit for A7-A9 devices now released, detailed writeup imminent

Anthony Bouchard ∙ March 1, 2019
Matrix code hacked iPhone.

There’ve been so many kernel exploit releases for the iOS platform as of late that our heads are still spinning, but that’s pleasant news if you’re a jailbreak aficionado, because it gives our respected jailbreak tool developers more resources to work with.

The latest kernel exploit reportedly comes by way of hacker PsychoTea, and it has been named machswap. The exploit appears to be viable on all A7-A9 devices running iOS 11.0-12.1.2, which could make it a worthwhile candidate for modern jailbreak tools such as Electra or unc0ver.

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Prevent specific apps from accessing the internet over Wi-Fi with ConditionalWiFi4

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 28, 2019

Your iPhone lets you prevent apps from accessing the internet over a cellular connection right out of the box, but the same can’t be said about Wi-Fi. On the other hand, those with jailbroken iOS 12 handsets can finally do something about that with the help of a jailbreak tweak called ConditionalWiFi4 by Andrew Wiik.

As you might’ve discerned already from the tweak’s name, ConditionalWiFi4 lets you choose which apps can access the internet over your iOS device’s Wi-Fi connection. Some examples where this might come in handy include:

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IntelligentPass 2 lets you use your iPhone without a passcode in ‘low-risk’ areas

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 27, 2019

Most people use passcodes to protect their handsets from unwanted users for privacy reasons. Although modern handsets incorporate some form of biometric authentication in place of the passcode, whether that’s Face ID or Touch ID, your device still uses a passcode as a backup for when either of those stops working.

But while your passcode can keep your handset’s data safe in high-risk areas, it’s also true that some places (such as your home) pose little or no risk. That’s why iOS developers Luke Muris and Geometric Software released a new jailbreak tweak dubbed IntelligentPass 2.

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Tihmstar releases v3ntex, a tfp0 exploit for iOS 12 devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 11, 2019
Matrix code hacked iPhone.

Just under two weeks ago, hacking guru tihmstar released v1ntex, a voucher_swap-like exploit for 4K devices that contributed to iOS 11.4.x support in both the Electra and unc0ver jailbreaks. But just this morning, tihmstar released another exploit dubbed v3ntex, which allegedly supports iOS 12 devices.

Tihmstar shared his exciting announcement via Twitter Monday morning with proof of the exploit, adding that he only tested his v3ntex exploit on an iPhone 6 running iOS 12.1.2 and that it could likely still do with some improvements:

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LockDroid gives jailbroken iPhones a classic Android-style matrix passcode screen

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated February 21, 2022

I’ve used a lot of jailbreak tweaks in my day, but some of my all-time favorites were those that brought the classic Android-style matrix/pattern Lock screen interface to the iOS platform.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen one of these classic tweaks optimized for each of Apple’s latest handsets and mobile operating systems, but one that does is a release called LockDroid by iOS developer Julio Verne.

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Customize your iPhone’s locking animation with LockAnim

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 5, 2019

Upon unlocking your iPhone or iPad, an aesthetically-pleasing animation brings all your Home screen's icons into view. On the other hand, pressing the side button to lock your device results in an instantly-black display, as if Apple never intended to incorporate a locking animation into iOS.

If you wish your handset’s locking animation had a bit more spunk than it does out of the box, then you’ll come to appreciate a free jailbreak tweak dubbed LockAnim by iOS developer Julio Verne. Just as the name implies, this tweak brings a bevy of new locking animations to the table, giving you a lot more choice in what you see when you press that side button on your handset.

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In change of heart, tihmstar releases tfp0 exploit for certain iOS 11.4-11.4.1 devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Just over two weeks ago, it became known that hacking guru tihmstar was tinkering with a tfp0 exploit for iOS 11.4-11.4.1 devices of the A10 and earlier variety. But not long after finishing it, he opted not to release it, citing that ‘something cool’ would be coming instead.

Curiously, tihmstar appears to have undergone a change of heart on Tuesday after releasing his exploit to the public, a move that could reinforce existing iOS 11-centric jailbreak tools such as Electra and unc0ver:

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Hive: A hexagonal take on the iPhone’s passcode interface

Anthony Bouchard ∙ January 25, 2019

I use Face ID and/or Touch ID so often these days that I’ve all but forgotten what it’s like to need to enter a passcode manually. Still, iOS occasionally asks for it, such as after rebooting your handset and following a multi-day timeout period. That said, you'll still stumble upon the passcode entry screen at one point or another.

And that brings me to my next point; if you’re jailbroken, then you might want to customize the look and feel of your passcode entry screen. Fortunately, there’s a new jailbreak tweak in town that will let you do that.

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S0rryMyBad shares PoC of the bug he used to jailbreak iOS 12 on pre-A12 devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ January 22, 2019

Just over two weeks ago, security researcher @S0rryMyBad announced the discovery of an exploit for iOS 12.1.2 and below for pre-A12 devices, adding that he would release information about it after Apple patched it in a software update. Fortunately, that time has finally come.

Several hours after Apple released iOS 12.1.3 to the public on Tuesday, @S0rryMyBad made good on his promise by Tweeting a proof of concept screenshot of the bug that he had teased earlier in the month:

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