Firmware Version Support by Electra
The Electra jailbreak was primarily developed by the CoolStar-led Electra Team and is designed to support devices running iOS 11.0 through iOS 11.4.1 firmware versions. This coverage means that Electra caters to a wide range of iOS 11 versions but does not extend beyond iOS 11.4.1. Electra also supports jailbreaking the Apple TV running the equivalent tvOS firmware versions related to iOS 11. The development focus provided stable and reliable performance for iOS 11 but did not expand to iOS 12 or later.
Firmware Version Support by Unc0ver
The unc0ver jailbreak, developed by Pwn20wnd with contributions from Sam Bingner, supports most devices running firmware versions from iOS 11.0 all the way up to iOS 12.1.2. Initially, unc0ver introduced support for iOS 11.0 to iOS 11.4 beta 3 right at launch, which already covered more ground in terms of firmware versions compared to Electra. Unc0ver improved support across more recent firmware, significantly exceeding Electra's range, especially with stable support for iOS 12 versions up to 12.1.2. Unlike Electra, Unc0ver does not support Apple TV jailbreaking.
Partial Support for A12(X) Devices in Unc0ver
A notable limitation of unc0ver is its partial support for A12(X) devices. These newer devices require some features to be accessed via SSH rather than through a complete package manager environment with tweak injection. This partial support reflects the ongoing development challenges adapting jailbreak tools to Apple's newer hardware architectures. Electra, by contrast, did not specifically support these newer devices under iOS 11.x or iOS 12, as its focus was more narrowly on iOS 11 firmware versions.
Stability and Compatibility Differences Related to Firmware
Users and reviewers have noted that Electra provided a very stable jailbreak experience on supported firmware (iOS 11.0 to 11.4.1) with few issues reported for that range. Electra was often praised for its stability and reliability on iOS 11 devices, sometimes compared favorably with earlier jailbreak tools. Unc0ver, while supporting a broader range of firmware including iOS 12, had a reputation for occasional instability or issues during its early releases but improved significantly with updates. Many users noted better battery life and smoother performance switching from Electra to Unc0ver, especially on firmware versions above 11.4.
Firmware Coverage Summary and Usage Recommendations
- Electra is ideal for users still running iOS 11.0 to iOS 11.4.1 who need a stable and proven jailbreak experience with well-tested compatibility. The tool also supports jailbreaking Apple TV on similar firmware but does not extend to iOS 12 versions.
- Unc0ver stands out for users wanting support for more recent iOS firmware up to 12.1.2, including beta versions, but with some compromises on stability especially for newer devices like those with A12(X) chipsets.
- Users with devices running firmware beyond iOS 11.4.1 or iOS 12 who want the latest jailbreak support generally prefer unc0ver.
- For devices running firmware within Electra's range, many users reported smooth performance and fewer crashes, while unc0ver is preferred for firmware after 11.4.1.
Specific Firmware Version Support Notes
Electra:
- Supports all iOS 11.0 through iOS 11.4.1 devices.
- Supports Apple TV versions equivalent to the above iOS firmware.
- Does not support any iOS 12.x versions.
- No support for A12(X) devices.
Unc0ver:
- Supports iOS 11.0 through iOS 12.1.2, including beta versions up to iOS 11.4 beta 3 early on.
- Does not support Apple TV devices.
- Partial support for A12(X) devices, requiring SSH instead of full package manager functionality.
- Continual updates improving support and stability for latest firmware versions.