iOS 8.3, 8.4 Jailbreak Update Pending: iOS 9.0 Jailbreak Release Date Possible

Jun 15, 2015 08:18 PM EDT

An iOS 9.0 jailbreak release date may be coming this autumn. Touted as unbreakable, the rootless security feature on the iOS 9 troubled many in the jailbreak community. However, China-based hacking group Keen Team is plotting to jailbreak iOS 9. While this is happening, the long-awaited iOS 8.4 jailbreak is in beta development. Sadly, the iOS 8.3 jailbreak will not be released until Apple pushes out iOS 8.4.

Keen Team Reaching Out to Team Pangu

News of the iOS 9 jailbreak first broke out on Forbes, which interviewed Keen Team member Liang Chen. The researcher said that Keen Team will be releasing its first jailbreak later this year.

Even though the hacking group has a history with cracking iPhones, it still has not launched a jailbreak. Forbes also reports that Keen Team may be reaching out to Team Pangu, which has experience with jailbreaks for iOS 7 and 8. It is uncertain whether both Chinese hacking groups will collaborate on a potential iOS 9 jailbreak.

Earlier, a number of Apple watchers predicted that iOS 9 may spell the end of jailbreak. This assessment was based on the widely touted Rootless security feature. The apparatus apparently blocks access to certain protected files, regardless whether the user enjoys administrative-level clearance. Even so, veteran observers generally feel that it may be possible to crack the new operating system despite the added security.

Pangu Working on iOS 8.4 and 8.3 Jailbreak

Currently, Pangu has confirmed that it is working on the iOS 8.4 beta 3 jailbreak. This announcement was apparently a response to i0n1c, who apparently jailbroke the beta version of iOS 8.4 OS.  The controversial German hacker has not expressed plans to release his jailbreak to the public.

For now, there is not much information for the iOS 8.3 jailbreak. Pangu allegedly showcased the iOS 8.3 Jailbreak at the Shanghai Mobile Security Conference in China. However, the hacking community said that it will not publically release an iOS 8.3 jailbreak until the official iOS 8.4 has been released.

At this time, Apple has not released the final version of iOS 8.4. It is not certain whether an iOS 8.4 jailbreak will see the light of day. Jailbreaks frequently exploit security flaws that are often quickly patched up in Apple updates. For those unfamiliar with jailbreak, these hacks allow iPhone users to download software of their choosing. At this time, only iOS 8.1.2 jailbreak has been publically released.