Important: There is no official native Windows version of checkra1n. While checkra1n 0.12.4 is the final stable beta release for this tool, it was built specifically for macOS and Linux
To use it on a Windows PC, you must use a "bootable USB" method like
, which runs a tiny version of Linux to launch the jailbreak. Prerequisites A Compatible Device: iPhone 5s through iPhone X. iOS Version: iOS 12.0 to 14.8.
A USB-A to Lightning cable (USB-C cables often fail to enter DFU mode). USB Drive: At least 256MB. The Apple Wiki Step 1: Prepare the Bootable USB Download the ISO: Get the latest
ISO (which includes checkra1n 0.12.4) from a reputable source like Flash the Drive: BalenaEtcher to "burn" the ISO onto your USB drive. Warning: This will erase all data on the USB stick. Step 2: Boot into checkra1n Restart your PC and enter the (usually by tapping F12, F11, or Esc during startup). Select your to boot from it.
Once the interface loads, you will see the checkra1n 0.12.4 welcome screen. Step 3: Run the Jailbreak Connect your iPhone to the PC via USB. Select Options:
If you are on a version higher than 14.5 or using an iPhone 8/X, go to "Options" and check: Allow untested iOS/iPadOS/tvOS versions Skip A11 BPR check
(Only for iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X; note that you must disable your passcode for this to work). Click "Start." The tool will guide you into Recovery Mode checkra1n 0.12.4 beta windows
Follow the on-screen instructions precisely to enter DFU mode (holding the Side and Volume Down/Home buttons). The tool will run the
exploit. Your device will show a "booting" screen with the checkra1n logo. Step 4: Finalise on iPhone Once the device reboots, wait a minute for the checkra1n loader app to appear on your home screen. Open the app and tap to install the package manager. Restarting: semi-tethered
checkra1n 0.12.4 beta is a popular jailbreak tool for iOS devices, it is important to note that there is no native Windows version
of the checkra1n application. The developers have primarily released it for macOS and Linux. If you see an "article" or website claiming to offer a
installer for checkra1n on Windows, it is likely a scam or malware. How to use checkra1n 0.12.4 on a Windows PC
Since a native Windows app doesn't exist, users on Windows typically use one of the following workarounds:
: This is a lightweight, bootable ISO image containing checkra1n. You flash it onto a USB drive using a tool like Important: There is no official native Windows version
, restart your computer, and boot from the USB to run the jailbreak environment. Odysseyn1x
: Similar to checkn1x, this is a bootable Linux-based environment that includes checkra1n but also provides options to install the OdysseyRA1N bootstrap (Sileo). Linux Dual Boot/Live USB
: You can run a Live version of Ubuntu or any Linux distro from a USB drive and run the official Linux binary for checkra1n 0.12.4. Key Features of checkra1n 0.12.4
This specific version was notable for several stability fixes and hardware support updates: A11 Support
: Official support for A11 devices (iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X) on iOS 14, though it requires skipping "BPR check" (which means no passcode/TouchID/FaceID on those specific devices while jailbroken). iOS 14.5 Support : This version added official support for iOS 14.5. M1 Mac Support
: Improved compatibility for the then-new Apple Silicon Macs. Important Warnings Passcodes on A11
: If you are using an iPhone 8 or X on iOS 14+, you must disable your passcode, TouchID, and FaceID to use checkra1n. Official Source The checkra1n loader app installs Cydia or Sileo
: Only download checkra1n files or binaries from the official website: checkra.in on how to create a USB drive to use checkra1n on your Windows hardware?
Here is content regarding checkra1n 0.12.4 beta specifically for Windows. Since checkra1n is natively a macOS tool, this content explains the workaround (checkn1x / bootable USB) required to run it on Windows.
checkra1n is not a typical jailbreak. It leverages the checkm8 bootrom exploit, a hardware-level vulnerability in devices using Apple A5 through A11 chips (iPhone 5s to iPhone X). Because it lives in read-only memory, Apple cannot patch it with iOS updates—making checkra1n a permanent jailbreak option for compatible devices.
Version 0.12.4 beta was a significant milestone because it brought official Windows support (previously, Windows users needed to boot a Linux live USB or use a macOS virtual machine). This review examines how well that Windows port functions.
Once jailbroken:
Stability: Excellent on iOS 13/14. On iOS 12, occasional kernel panics when using incompatible tweaks. No random reboots under normal use.
Tweak compatibility: 95% of jailbreak tweaks work because checkra1n uses standard substrate/libhooker.
The iPhone jailbreak community has been through a whirlwind of changes over the last decade. From the early days of "JailbreakMe" to the sophisticated hardware-based exploits of today, the landscape is constantly shifting. For Windows users, one specific query has remained a persistent source of confusion and excitement: checkra1n 0.12.4 beta on Windows.
If you are a Windows user looking to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad, you have likely encountered this version number. However, before you proceed, it is vital to understand the technical reality of checkra1n, its Linux roots, and how to safely utilize this tool on a Windows machine.