Creating a review for checkra1n 0.12.4 beta on Windows is a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation. While there is no official native Windows
application from the checkra1n team, the 0.12.4 beta is widely used by Windows users via bootable USB methods. Checkra1n 0.12.4 Beta (Windows/Bootable Method) Review
Checkra1n remains the gold standard for jailbreaking older iPhones (5s through X) because it is based on the hardware-level
exploit, which Apple cannot patch with software updates [16, 17]. Version 0.12.4 was a critical maintenance update that focused on stability for newer iOS versions at the time and fixing hardware-specific bugs [5.1]. The Experience: 4/5 Stars Performance & Stability
: Once the jailbreak is applied, it is incredibly stable. Version 0.12.4 specifically fixed boot issues for A9X devices (like the original iPad Pro) and added smoother support for iOS 14.5.1 Compatibility
: It works on devices with A7 to A11 chips. However, A11 devices (iPhone 8/X) have a major caveat: you cannot use a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID while jailbroken on iOS 14+ [5.1]. Accessibility for Windows Users : Since the official Checkra1n Releases
only support macOS and Linux, Windows users must use tools like
to create a bootable "Checkn1x" or custom ISO [5.1, 5.6]. It’s a bit of a hurdle, but it works flawlessly once you boot into the environment. Unpatchable Exploit
: Since it’s hardware-based, you can jailbreak even if you’ve updated to the latest supported firmware for your device (up to iOS 14.8.1) [17]. Lightweight : The ISO files (like
) are tiny—often under 50MB—and can run on almost any old PC or laptop [5.6, 5.12]. Reliability
: Version 0.12.4 resolved many "Error -31" and "Error -20" issues that plagued earlier 0.12.x builds [5.1, 5.5]. Semi-Tethered : If your phone dies or reboots, you
plug it back into your computer and run the tool again to re-activate the jailbreak [5.7]. Windows Setup Hassle
: You can't just "run" it on Windows; you have to reboot your entire computer into a specialized Linux-based USB environment [5.1, 5.6]. A11 Restrictions
: The loss of Secure Enclave features (Passcode/Apple Pay) on iPhone 8 and X is a dealbreaker for many [5.1]. How to Use it on Windows
If you want to try it yourself, avoid "Official Windows .exe" scams. Use this verified method: Download the ISO : Get a 0.12.4-based ISO like Flash to USB to flash the ISO to a USB drive [5.1, 5.6]. Boot from USB
: Restart your PC and enter your BIOS/Boot Menu to select the USB drive.
: Connect your iPhone, follow the on-screen prompts to enter , and let the script run [5.2, 5.7].
: If you have an iPhone X or older and a Windows PC, this is the most reliable way to jailbreak. It's not a native Windows app, but the bootable USB method is a rock-solid workaround. for your specific iPhone model? checkra1n 0.12.4 beta windows
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
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
The checkra1n 0.12.4 beta remains one of the most significant releases in the history of iOS jailbreaking. Built on the unpatchable checkm8 bootrom exploit, this version was specifically designed to bridge the gap for users on older Apple hardware during the iOS 14 era.
However, for Windows users, the landscape is a bit different. While checkra1n is officially a macOS and Linux tool, the community has developed reliable workarounds to bring its power to the Windows ecosystem. The Current State of Checkra1n 0.12.4 on Windows
As of May 2026, the official checkra1n development team has yet to release a native .exe installer for Windows. To use version 0.12.4 on a Windows PC, users must utilize bootable environments that run the tool via a lightweight Linux kernel. Key Features of Version 0.12.4
A9X Device Fix: Specifically addressed a "hotfix" for A9X devices (like the iPad Pro 9.7 and 12.9 1st Gen) that failed to boot on iOS 14.5 with previous versions.
iOS Support: Provides stable support for iOS versions ranging from iOS 12.0 to iOS 14.8.1.
Hardware Compatibility: Supports all devices from the iPhone 5s to the iPhone X (A5 through A11 chips).
Initial M1 Support: This version included early-stage support for running the loader on Apple Silicon (M1) Macs. Top Ways to Run Checkra1n 0.12.4 on Windows Creating a review for checkra1n 0
Since no native app exists, these are the most trusted community-driven methods:
While checkra1n 0.12.4 beta is not natively available as a .exe for Windows, you can run it on a Windows PC using a bootable Linux environment like checkn1x. Required Tools USB Drive: At least 256MB capacity.
checkn1x ISO: A lightweight Linux distribution that includes checkra1n 0.12.4.
Rufus: A utility used to create bootable USB drives on Windows. Step-by-Step Guide Prepare the USB Drive:
Download the latest Rufus and the checkn1x 1.1.7 ISO (which contains checkra1n 0.12.4).
Open Rufus, select your USB drive, and choose the checkn1x ISO.
Click Start to flash the ISO to the USB. This will erase all data on the drive. Boot from USB:
Restart your PC and enter the BIOS/UEFI menu (usually by pressing F2, F12, Del, or Esc during startup). Change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
Save and exit; the PC will boot into the checkn1x environment. Run checkra1n:
Connect your iPhone or iPad to the PC using a USB-A to Lightning cable. Navigate the menu using arrow keys to select Start.
If your device is an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or X running iOS 14, go to Options and select Skip A11 BPR check.
Follow the on-screen instructions to put your device into DFU Mode.
Once the process finishes ("All Done"), your device will reboot into a jailbroken state. Compatibility & Limitations Supported Devices: iPhone 5S through iPhone X. iOS Versions: Supports iOS 12.0 up to 14.8.1.
Semi-Tethered: If your device reboots, you must re-run this process using the USB drive to re-enable the jailbreak.
A11 Devices (iPhone 8/X): On iOS 14, you cannot use a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID while jailbroken.
While checkra1n 0.12.4 beta is officially released for macOS and Linux, it lacks a native Windows version, usually requiring users to boot into a temporary Linux environment like checkn1x or Odysseyn1x.
If a dedicated native Windows feature were to be introduced in this version, the most impactful addition would be: "Direct-to-DFU" Kernel Bridge Improved stability and reliability : The development team
This feature would eliminate the need for third-party USB drivers (like Zadig or LibUsb) which often cause "Error -20" or "Error -31" during the jailbreak process on Windows.
Native Driver Handover: Automatically swaps the standard Apple Mobile Device USB Driver for a specialized libusb-win32 backend the moment the device enters DFU mode.
Real-time Connection Monitoring: A visual graph showing USB communication stability to help users identify if their lightning cable or port is causing the common "Timed out waiting for bootstrap" error.
Integrated 'Boot-from-RAM' Logic: Allows the Windows app to load the checkm8 exploit directly into the device's RAM without requiring the user to disable Windows Defender or adjust BIOS/UEFI secure boot settings. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Checkra1n 0.12.4 Beta for Windows: A Comprehensive Overview
The checkra1n team has recently released the 0.12.4 beta version of their popular jailbreaking tool, and it's now available for Windows users. This latest iteration brings several improvements and bug fixes to the table.
What's New in Checkra1n 0.12.4 Beta?
Here are the key changes and updates in the latest version:
Features of Checkra1n 0.12.4 Beta
Some of the notable features of checkra1n 0.12.4 beta include:
System Requirements
Before using checkra1n 0.12.4 beta on your Windows machine, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:
How to Use Checkra1n 0.12.4 Beta on Windows
Here's a step-by-step guide to using checkra1n 0.12.4 beta on your Windows machine:
Important Notes
By following these guidelines and using checkra1n 0.12.4 beta responsibly, you can enjoy a more open and customizable iOS experience on your Windows machine.
Yes – the checkm8 exploit is hardware-based and does not alter the SEP or baseband. However, jailbreaking voids your warranty (though you can restore via iTunes).
Important note: Checkra1n does NOT support A12 or newer chips (iPhone XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15). For those, you’ll need Unc0ver, Taurine, or Dopamine (software-based exploits).
Cause: iOS 15+ incompatibility.
Fix: Use the Palera1n-c fork instead of original checkra1n 0.12.4.