A Complete Guide to Jailbreak an iPad, iPad Pro, or Mini

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Four ways to safely jailbreak an iPad

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Fact Checked

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Using Dopamine (iPadOS 15-16.6.1)

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Using nathanlr (A12[X/Z] and later iPads, iPadOS 16.5.1-16.6.1/16.7 RC/17.0)

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Using palera1n (A10[X] and earlier iPads, iPadOS 15-18.7.4)

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Using Chimera (iOS 12.x)

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Q&A

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Warnings

Do you want to jailbreak your iPad? Jailbreaking lets you gain full access to the iPad operating system and features you can't get from the App Store. You'll just need a computer, a cable, and a supported iPad. Many jailbreaks mentioned in this article, with the exception of palera1n, are semi-untethered, meaning you just open the relevant jailbreak app to rejailbreak. Remember that you will lose any active warranties, and your iPad will be more susceptible to viruses and malware if you jailbreak it. This wikiHow will show you how to jailbreak your iPad, iPad Pro, or iPad mini. Make sure to back up your iPad in case something can go wrong.

Things You Should Know

Always back up your iPad before jailbreaking. Keep in mind jailbreaking will void any warranties on your device.
On iPadOS 14 to 17.0 (excluding 16.7), install TrollStore, and download and install the relevant jailbreak app via TrollStore, then jailbreak using the app.
On iPadOS 13 and earlier, sideload the relevant jailbreak app via PlumeImpactor, then jailbreak using the app.
On iPadOS 15 and later on older iPads, download and run the palera1n jailbreak on your computer, put your iPad into DFU mode, and install palera1n through the loader app.

iPads Sorted By CPU

Only iPads that are applicable throughout this article are in the table.

CPU	Model
A7	iPad Air (1st generation) iPad mini 2 iPad mini 3
A8	iPad mini 4
A8X	iPad Air 2
A9	iPad (5th generation)
A9X	iPad Pro 12.9 (1st generation) iPad Pro 9.7
A10	iPad (6th generation) iPad (7th generation)
A10X	iPad Pro 12.9 (2nd generation) iPad Pro 10.5
A12	iPad Air (3rd generation) iPad mini (5th generation) iPad (8th generation)
A12X	iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation) iPad Pro 11 (1st generation)
A12Z	iPad Pro 12.9 (4th generation) iPad Pro 11 (2nd generation)
A13	iPad (9th generation)
A14	iPad Air (4th generation) iPad (10th generation)
A15	iPad mini (6th generation)
M1	iPad Pro 12.9 (5th generation) iPad Pro 11 (3rd generation) iPad Air (5th generation)
M2	iPad Pro 12.9 (6th generation) iPad Pro 11 (4th generation)

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Dopamine (iPadOS 15-16.6.1)

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1
Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iPadOS version. Dopamine jailbreak is supported on A8(X) through A10(X) iPads running iPadOS 15.0 to 16.6.1, A12(X/Z) through A14 and M1 iPads running iPadOS 15.0 to 16.5.1, and iPad mini 6th generation and M2 iPad Pro running up to iPadOS 16.5.^{[1]
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- You can check the iPadOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.^{[2]
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2
Install TrollStore. The process of installing TrollStore varies depending on the iPadOS version, but for iPadOS 15.5 through 16.6.1 on A9(X) and A10(X) iPads, and iPadOS 15.7 through 16.5.1 on A12(X/Z) and later iPads, you need to perform the TrollInstallerX method, whereas for iPadOS 15.0 through 15.4.1 on A8(X) through A10(X) iPads, and iPadOS 15.0 through 15.6.1 on A12(X/Z) and later iPads, you need to perform the TrollHelperOTA method. For iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 running iPadOS 15.5 through 15.7.1, follow the TrollInstallerMDC method. For iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 running iPadOS 15.7.2 and later, follow the TrollRestore method.

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3
Install Dopamine. Download the Dopamine IPA on your iPad, and open the TrollStore app, tap the plus button at top-right, select the Dopamine IPA file from files, then tap Install to install the Dopamine app. It is recommended to reboot your iPad after installation.^{[1]
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4
Run the Dopamine jailbreak. Open the Dopamine app, and tap Jailbreak to jailbreak your iPad. After a moment, the iPad should reboot and after that the home screen should have Sileo installed.^{[1]
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- If your iPad crashes unexpectedly and doesn’t have Sileo installed, rerun the jailbreak again.
5
Install necessary tweaks. Go to Sileo app, search for ElleKit tweak and tap Get, Queued and Confirm to install the tweak. Repeat with PreferenceLoader. Tap Restart SpringBoard to restart SpringBoard.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using nathanlr (A12[X/Z] and later iPads, iPadOS 16.5.1-16.6.1/16.7 RC/17.0)

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1
Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iPadOS version. nathanlr jailbreak is supported on A12(X/Z) and later iPads running iPadOS 16.5.1 to 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.7 RC (20H18), and iPadOS 17.0.^{[3]
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- nathanlr is a semi-untethered semi-jailbreak, meaning some of the tweaks might not work.
- You can check the iPadOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.^{[2]
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2
Install TrollStore. The process of installing TrollStore varies depending on the iPadOS version, but for iOS 16.5.1 through 16.6.1, you need to perform the TrollInstallerX method, whereas for iPadOS 16.7 RC (20H18) and 17.0, you need to perform the TrollRestore method.^{[3]
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3
Install nathanlr. Download the nathanlr IPA on your iPad, and open the TrollStore app, tap the plus button at top-right, select the nathanlr IPA file from files, then tap Install to install the nathanlr app. It is recommended to reboot your iPad after installation.^{[3]
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4
Run the nathanlr jailbreak. Open the nathanlr app, and tap Bootstrap and Jailbreak to jailbreak your iPad. After a moment, the iPad should reboot and after that the home screen should have Sileo installed.^{[3]
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- If your iPad crashes unexpectedly and doesn’t have Sileo installed, rerun the jailbreak again.
5
Update packages. Open Sileo, tap the packages tab, tap Upgrade All and tap Confirm to upgrade all packages.^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using palera1n (A10[X] and earlier iPads, iPadOS 15-18.7.4)

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1
Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iPadOS version. palera1n jailbreak is supported on A8(X) through A10(X) iPads running iPadOS 15.0 and later up to the last supported iPadOS version for each iPad.^{[4]
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- You can check the iPadOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.^{[2]
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- palera1n only works with macOS and Linux.
- For Linux, Intel CPUs are preferred.
- palera1n jailbreak is semi-tethered, meaning you need a computer to rejailbreak your iPad. If you are running iPadOS 15-16.6.1, Dopamine jailbreak is a better choice (unless you want the jailbreak to be rootful) because Dopamine is semi-untethered.
- Rootful jailbreak only works on iPadOS 15 and 16.
2
Plug your iPad into your computer. Use USB-A to Lightning cable, Plug the Lightning end into your iPad, and USB-A end into your computer.^{[4]
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3
Install palera1n. On your computer, open a terminal window and run sudo /bin/sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://static.palera.in/scripts/install.sh)" to install palera1n.^{[4]
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- If using Linux, before installing palera1n, open another terminal window, and run sudo systemctl stop usbmuxd and sudo usbmuxd -f -p.
4
Run the palera1n jailbreak. Type sudo palera1n -l and press the Enter key to run. Follow the instructions to put your iPad into DFU mode.^{[4]
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- After you perform this step, your iPad should reboot, and palera1n loader app should appear.
- For A8(X) and A9(X) iPads, these may have an issue when this get stuck in this process. To fix, press Ctrl + C and rerun sudo palera1n -l again.
5
Install Sileo. Open the palera1n loader app on your iPad and tap Sileo, and set a password for command line things.^{[4]
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- After performing this step, Sileo app should be installed.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Chimera (iOS 12.x)

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1
Make sure you have a compatible device running the compatible iOS version. Chimera jailbreak is supported on A7 through A10(X) iPads running iOS 12.0 to 12.5.8, and A12X iPads running iOS 12.1 to 12.1.2. ^{[5]
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- You can check the iOS version by going to Settings -> General -> About.^{[2]
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2
Download and install the necessary files. Download the appropriate version of Chimera, listed below, and PlumeImpactor on your computer, and install PlumeImpactor.^{[5]
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- If your computer is running Windows, you also need to download and install iTunes (not the Microsoft Store version).
- Chimera IPAs:
  - For iPad Air 1/2 and mini 2/3/4 running iOS 12.3.x / 12.4.1 to 12.5.8
  - For iPad Air 1/2 and mini 2/3/4 running iOS 12.0-12.2.x / 12.4, as well as later iPads running any version of iOS 12
3
Plug your iPad into your computer. Use USB-A to Lightning or USB-A to USB-C cable, Plug the Lightning or USB-C end into your iPad and USB-A end into your computer. Trust the connection on your computer and on your iPad. ^{[5]
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4
Install Chimera. Open PlumeImpactor and click Settings and Sign In. Enter your Apple Account details. Drag and drop the Chimera IPA into the main PlumeImpactor window. Install the IPA by clicking Install.^{[5]
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5
Trust the developer. Go to Settings -> General -> Device Management -> [your Apple Account] on your iPad and tap Trust [your Apple Account] to trust the developer.^{[5]
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- It is recommended to reboot your iPad after doing this step.
6
Run the Chimera jailbreak. Open the Chimera app on your iPad and tap Jailbreak. Wait for a prompt to appear, then reboot your iPad, then open Chimera and tap Jailbreak again. After you perform this step, your iPad should have Sileo installed.^{[5]
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- If your iPad crashes unexpectedly and doesn’t have Sileo installed, place your iPad in ziploc bag in the freezer for 1 to 2 minutes and rerun the jailbreak again.
7
Install necessary tweaks. Open the Sileo app, search for libiosexec1 tweak and tap Modify, Upgrade, Queued and Confirm to upgrade the tweak. Search for libhooker (common), PreferenceLoader and RocketBootstrap tweak and tap Install on all. Tap Queued and Confirm to install these tweaks. Once installed, tap Restart SpringBoard to restart SpringBoard.^{[5]
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8
Rejailbreak without using app (all iPads except 2018 iPad Pro). Chimera is a semi-untethered jailbreak, meaning, after rebooting, you normally have to use Chimera app to rejailbreak, but for all supported iPads except iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 11 (1st generation), there is another method that utilises the WebKit exploit called TotallyNotSpyware-v2. Open Safari on your iPad, go to http://jbme.h4ck.kr/ and tap re-jailbreak to run the rejailbreak. Tap Close on any prompts that may appear within the Safari app and tap userspace reboot to reboot into a jailbroken state.
- If the webpage crashes, close Safari in App Switcher, reopen Safari and repeat the process.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Is it now legal to jailbreak your iPad? Sources say that as a tablet haven't been well defined to governments, Jailbreaking your iPad isn't protected under the law like jailbreaking an Iphone.

Darlene Antonelli

Community Answer

Your sources are right: iPads/tablets are too loose of a term and only iPhones are legal to jailbreak. But, you most likely will not get sued by Apple if you jailbreak your iPad because it'll bring them bad press, and they will most likely lose the case.

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Question

I have just purchased a used iPad, it will not turn on only flashes on briefly. is jailbreakin my iPad the best solution to restarting?

Darlene Antonelli

Community Answer

Jailbreaking will void any warranty. If you purchased it from the Apple Store, you can still return it or get it repaired under the warranty. Jailbreaking not only voids that warranty, but it can also make your issue worse and brick it.

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Question

Will this jailbreak work on an iPad 5th generation running iPadOS 16.2? Also, must the passcode be disabled?

Xeverything11

Community Answer

Yes, you can jailbreak an iPad (5th generation) running iPadOS 16.2 using Dopamine and TrollInstallerX. You do not need to disable your passcode.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Warnings

Jailbreak your iPad at your own risk, and understand that Apple does not support the act of jailbreaking. Apple is not responsible for damages to your iPad or computer that occur because of jailbreaking.

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