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iOS 8.1 Jailbreak hits the web via Chinese Pangu team, but it’s Cydia-less and only to developers for now (Updated)

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It wasn’t too long ago when the Pangu jailbreak team took the scene by storm with it’s iOS 7.1.x jailbreak tool release. It was quite unexpected because no on had really heard of Pangu prior to the surprise. Turns out the team was very talented and they’re all set to reach another milestone…

The iOS 8 – iOS 8.1 jailbreak is set to be released by the Pangu team. Initially the team announced the release of a developer version, but later removed the download link. Either way this is great news for jailbreakers, but the developer version does not install Cydia or other common services. Instead, this is a pure jailbreak that will enable developers to update their tweaks prior to Cydia being available for iOS 8.

The Pangu jailbreak will be launched to the public when Cydia and related services are ready for prime-time, but until then we’re left with a developer-only version. It’s only a matter of time until Pangue releases it to the public, but this also relies on Cydia being 100 percent compatible. This jailbreak is said to be compatible with all devices capable of running iOS 8 including the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad mini 3, and iPad Air 2. Great news, right?

According to a recent Reddit thread, Cydia’s creator Saurik is working on making it compatible:

So, windknown has contacted me, about a half hour ago, via e-mail. He has told me one of the issues that is keeping Substrate from working on the device, which will probably require me to build a little binary patch for dyld as part of the Substrate installation sequence. This was the worst possible day for me, as I’m traveling back to Santa Barbara today (I’m currently in Texas, having come here to give a talk at The Big Android BBQ), which means this will take me a little longer than I’d like, but clearly getting Cydia and Substrate working on iOS 8 is my highest priority. I thankfully think that I actually can start working a little on one of the Substrate issues using an iOS 7 “model” based on the information provided by windknown, which means I’ll lose less time to not having all of my devices with me. (I currently have no clue why Cydia itself is not functioning, but will find out later today when I can see it myself.)

Unfortunately, like the last release it seems that this jailbreak tool will only be compatible with Windows computers at launch according the team’s official website. It’s unclear when an OS X compatible version will be released, but hopefully it won’t be too long after the public gets a hold of the Windows version.

If you’re into jailbreaking, stay tuned for our walk-through of the process when the jailbreak is released. With all of Apple’s latest iOS devices at our fingertips now, it should make for an exciting jailbreak launch. Plenty of fresh devices to modify. We’ll update this article with a link to the developer download if/when it becomes available.

Update #1: The Pangu team recently tweeted the reason for removing the tool’s download link, but did provide information on preparing for the release.

Update #2: The Pangu team has released the iOS 8 jailbreak tool, but it’s only for Windows and there’s currently no English translation. Download it here.

Keep in mind, just because the jailbreak tool is now available for download, we’d recommend waiting until Cydia and its associated services are ready. At this point, the general public will not benefit from this jailbreak. Developers (including Saurik) need time to update everything so that you have the ability to enjoy the jailbreak and install various tweaks. We’ll keep you posted on a public-ready version of the jailbreak as soon as it’s released.

Update #3: Saurik has updated Cydia for iOS 8 (version 1.1.13). It’s currently available to download as a .deb file for manual installation:

I’ve given a new version of Cydia Installer in the form of a standard jailbreak bootstrap for inclusion in a new version of their jailbreak. I’ve also pushed the .deb of the iOS 8 version of Cydia to apt.saurik.com for manual download, but not yet to my repository. A lot of thanks goes out to limneos, who tested the new build for me, as I was at an airport (and now am frantically typing this message while they figure out how to retract the jetbridge from the plane I’m on that is about to take off).

While this isn’t good news for everyone, Pangu should be updated in the near future and include the Cydia package through a one-click jailbreak process. Stay tuned for the full release, but if you’d like to give it a shot you can download Cydia’s .deb file here.

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Comments

  1. Waleed Bin Khalid - 9 years ago

    hey Peeps, don’t try this jailbreak , i mean it is Legit, but only fine for developers. just wait few more hours so cydia is Updated By Saurik, and Pangu team will then release next version of Pangu with Cydia integration and you will be able to ENjoy the jailbreak on your iDevices (Inlcuding iPhone 6) ;)

    • Sebastian Rasch - 9 years ago

      We read the article. thanks anyway.

    • standardpull - 9 years ago

      With this Jailbreak, all of those annoying pop-ups about invalid certificates go away. Right there that is a huge reason to just install it and enjoy your freedoms.

    • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

      It’s nice to ward off potential noobs from installing this, but let’s be honest about the timeline. It’s not going to be ‘hours’. It’s more likely weeks before we’ll see something.

      • ♛ (@TRlLLCOSBY) - 9 years ago

        cydia is already out guess you were wrong

      • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

        Try installing it. Best of luck.

        I’m waiting the couple weeks it will take to include everything in one install – that doesn’t require you to load Win 10 preview, by the way.

        So yeah, I was still right.

      • Surprise it wasn’t that hard. However even with Substrate update the tweaks and apps will take time. Currently there are around 250 updated tweaks. So @emailjimmyw the likely hood of being yourself a noob is very high. And why would you need to install a Windows 10 preview? You may want to check that one again!!

      • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

        You know, I was looking for that Windows 10 preview text a couple days ago. I swear I saw it in one of RP’s writeups. But now I can’t find it, so I’ll fall on the sword for that one. :) And as far as the noob comment goes, I’ll just chock that one up to you trying to be cocky on the web.

        I did end up JB’ing my iPad to see how difficult it was. It wasn’t as hard as the initial iPhone JB’s, that’s for sure, so I did my 6 as well. But for someone who’s not used to Unix commands and SSH this would be a JB I would ward against. There are enough steps to confuse and I’ve had my share days spent unbricking a phone, restoring, JB, something goes wrong, etc. It’s part of the adventure of the early JB community.

      • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

        By the way, your Twitter pic is nice. And I’m being serious. Very cute.

  2. Timothy Zimmerman - 9 years ago

    Let he Chinese hack my iPhone and install software… I don’t think so.

  3. shm1ck83 - 9 years ago

    I find your articles are getting worse, I don’t get how you report both on 9-5Mac and 9-5Google, I know some services can be intertwined but as you say you love all things Apple, you don’t list to own an iMac?

    Google services went down you you say “iCloud goes down every other day lmao”

    For an avid Apple user, you seem to be confused!

    9-5 Mac has gone downhill, when they find some decent reporters I might stay around

    • Why can’t he both be a fan of Apple and Android? You seem to be confused between being a mindless fanboy and an actual fan.

      … and nobody cares if you stick around or not

    • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

      With that kind of attitude, you can leave now. I’ll replace your coldness with a willingness to learn new things. #ByeFelicia

  4. I can’t see a reason why I should jailbreak my iPhone. What can I do with it, other than make iOS worse and disable the amazing security of the operating system?

  5. Windows – 1. Mac – 0. Suck it, Mac cultists!
    P.S.: I realized Mac version will also be available, but let me just soak this in.

    • bwrian - 9 years ago

      Lol says the guys with an iOS device

      • klepp0906 - 9 years ago

        That’s what I was just thinking. People with too much money usually aren’t super bright. I know my kid has another thing coming if he thinks hes getting a 1000 dollar phone.

  6. Toro Volt (@torovolt) - 9 years ago

    Great, this is what I was waiting to make the move from iOS 7.1 to 8.1
    I ll be able to lock/unlock my iphone automatically using my Pebble watch.
    Android can do these things with the official OS no need to Jailbreak there.

  7. 1234 (@CurranOats) - 9 years ago

    I highly recommend that anyone wanting to use Apple Pay NOT jailbreak their phone.

    • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

      What would be your reasoning for not wanting to JB your device with Apple Pay in service? Your card is encrypted. Do you think apps will be trying to mine that data? It’s not like most people download random Cydia apps just for fun. We dl apps to enhance our devices and typically stick with the apps that work.

      I have screenshots of every Cydia app I install and use. That way when 8.1 is JB, I can install everything quickly and be back up and running.

      I for one don’t fear Apple Pay being compromised at all by the apps I use.

      • klepp0906 - 9 years ago

        Shit I can’t even use apple pay. It won’t take either of my cards even though it “supports” MasterCard. Would be nice but I’m not changing banks just because Apple won’t work with the non national chains.

      • emailjimmyw - 9 years ago

        I totally agree! I was so excited to add all my cards, and none of the ones I wanted to add even worked (yet). Just a couple Chase cards.

        But there are a TON of MC cards getting added in November, including USAA which was one of my favorites.

    • ♛ (@TRlLLCOSBY) - 9 years ago

      that data isnt even stored on the phone theres no way for them to get it

      • klepp0906 - 9 years ago

        Ignorance is bliss bud. Usa is the butt of many jokes internationally due to how naive most of us are and how much fear we are spoon fed and buy into via the media. My poor father in law had his smartphone loaded up with anti virus software and all I could do was smh.

        Ironically I’ve never had a virus on any device mobile or otherwise in over 20 years of computing, but I digress.

      • Same here and I have ran/do run both Android and iOS. Rooted/Jailbroken and I have never had any type of issues. I will say just because you see it in the play stores doesn’t mean you need it.

  8. CP (@cp7) - 9 years ago

    I was just all over jailbreak news last night trying to figure out who is working on a jailbreak for 8 and I woke up to this today morning. Can’t wait to get MyWi on my iPhone 6.

  9. jb510 - 9 years ago

    Thank you for this news. The one thing I was waiting to hear is if the 8.x JB would be direct or require an older jailbroken device. Those that have been around from the beginning will know that was pretty typical up to version 4. I guess the new signing regime put a stop to that. Regards updating to 8.1 today! Yay! Jailbreaking in a few days even if I have to manually install cydia

  10. klepp0906 - 9 years ago

    Way to go pangu team! If it were evaders we wouldn’t have seen anything for months yet. You made my entire week!!
    I’m beginning to wonder if the Chinese aren’t truly more adept at hacking. I was beginning to worry about this generation!

    Thank you guys!