The first jailbreak for Apple Watch released

August 6, 2018

Despite what it may sound like, and despite Apple's attempts to curb it, the great truth is that there is still, even today, a surprisingly dedicated jailbreak community out there. Now, developer Tihmstar, has revealed a jailbreak for the Apple Watch Series 3, which although it means nothing to ordinary users, it's the prospect that is of particular importance.

As reported by WCCFTech, this jailbreak is compatible with watchOS 4.1 and Apple Watch Series 3. Older Apple Watch models as well as earlier versions of watchOS are compatible with minor code changes.

This jailbreak is now known as the "near-complete jailbreak" for the Apple Watch and watchOS developers. It enables read and write root access as well as many other features that developers will love:

Exploits in the kernel using v0rtex
Resetting the file system to read/write mode
Root Access (patch tfp0)
Exporting the bootstrap.tar package
h3lix kernel patches

What is important to mention is that jailbreak users should understand that the release of this version is not for the general public. However, it is intended for developers to enable them to dive into the deepest depths of watchOS and see all its capabilities. Installing this particular jailbreak, doesn't mean that you will magically be able to access Cydia from within the device, or anything like that.

In the future, this source for access to watchOS could offer users the ability to install custom modifications, for example to the user interface. In addition, they could create some watch faces and more. The creator of this released jailbreak version mentioned that there will be updates to come. However, we are far from supporting modifications that will have to do with the user interface.

If you're interested in trying the jailbreak for yourself alone, you can do so on GitHub. Again though, it's important to remember that this version is intended for developers and not for the "normal" user.

Closing

Although the average user will not benefit in the slightest at this stage from this achievement, we must note that this is a significant event, since for the first time in the history of watchOS, a jailbreak version has been released.

Many people will ask why it matters so much since it is of almost no use. The answer is that it's about opening the "door" that gives access to the core of watchOS, which creates a perspective since developers can make important steps and create the right ground for the use of jailbreak on the Apple Watch by the general public.