Unlike iPhone, jailbreaking an Apple TV is not that popular. In fact, many people might not know that they can even jailbreak their Apple TV. There are a few benefits to jailbreaking an Apple TV, especially if you have an older model that’s no longer supported.
What Are the Benefits of Jailbreaking Apple TV?
The benefits of jailbreaking an Apple TV are pretty limited compared to an iPhone. You can gain access to the full file system and the ability to install third-party apps. You can also install apps like Kodi and some third-party Apple TV extensions from the jailbreaking community. Another highlight of jailbreaking your Apple TV is that it gives you the ability to emulate classic SNES, PSX, and SEGA games. You can also apply different themes to your Apple TV’s home screen.
The jailbreaking scene for Apple TV is not really that active, so the benefits of jailbreaking Apple’s streaming box are pretty limited.
Which Apple TV Models Can You Jailbreak?
Whether you can jailbreak your Apple TV or not will depend on which model you have. It is not possible to jailbreak all Apple TV models. Plus, some are easier to jailbreak, while others are a bit more difficult.
For the Apple TV models that can be jailbroken, you might need to be on a specific OS version.
The first gen. Apple TV can be jailbroken using Rowmote, but the tool is outdated with most apps and services no longer supporting the streaming box.
There are jailbreaking tools available for Apple TV 2 and Apple TV 4K (1st generation). No jailbreak tool currently exists for the 2nd generation Apple TV 4K.
Do not fall into the trap of any paid jailbreaking service for the Apple TV, since they are all a scam.
If you want to jailbreak your Apple TV, it is strongly recommended that you do not update it to the very latest tvOS release that’s available. Apple tends to patch all exploits and bugs with every new tvOS release, so it’s best to hold off on updating your Apple TV until it is clear whether it can be jailbroken or not.
| Apple TV Model | Can be Jailbroken? |
| Apple TV 4K (2nd gen) | No |
| Apple TV 4K (1s gen) | Yes |
| Apple TV 3 | Yes |
| Apple TV 2 | Yes |
Does Jailbreaking Void Your Apple TV Warranty?
Apple does not have a separate support document for Apple TV jailbreak. However, in a support document about jailbreaking iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, the company notes that it “may deny service” for any unauthorized software. Therefore, anyone who is jailbroken, warranty or not, may or may not get support from Apple.
You can always restore your Apple TV back to stock and then take it to your nearest Apple service center. Restoring your Apple TV will automatically remove all traces of it being jailbroken.
Can Jailbreaking Brick Your Apple TV?
Yes and no. If you are using an Apple TV jailbreak that requires a hardware modification, it is possible you might end up bricking it with a wrong move. While it will be possible to restore the Apple TV to a working state, it might require access to some specific tools and apps. For other software-based jailbreaks, there’s no risk of bricking your Apple TV.
If you have the first-gen. Apple TV 4K, you should take all precautions while jailbreaking it. It does not have any USB ports, so if bricked, you won’t be able to restore it.
How Easy Is It to Jailbreak Apple TV?
Unlike iPhones, jailbreaking an Apple TV can be slightly more complex depending on which model you have. In some cases, you might need to open your Apple TV to install a breakout before you can jailbreak it. For other models, you simply need to connect it to a Mac and then jailbreak it using the tool.
Does It Cost Anything to Jailbreak Apple TV?
All jailbreak tools that have been released so far for Apple TV are free. You should not pay for a jailbreak.
You should also beware of fake jailbreaks. Fake news is not just affecting elections, the jailbreak community is also being targeted with fake jailbreaks. We have seen articles and YouTube videos that claim to jailbreak the latest iOS software update. If a jailbreak tool is released, it will be available for free, and we’ll be the first to report it and share the jailbreak link.
Blackb0x Apple TV Jailbreak
Blackb0x is the latest Apple TV jailbreak that’s meant for older Apple TV models. Depending on which Apple TV you own and the OS version it is running, Blackb0x can either be a tethered or an untethered jailbreak.
Below are the Apple TV models that Blackb0x can jailbreak:
- Apple TV 3,2 (A1469) (tvOS 8.4.x untethered, tvOS 7.x tethered)
- Apple TV 3,1 (A1427) (tvOS 8.4.x untethered, tvOS 7.x tethered)
- Apple TV 2,1 (A1378) (tvOS 7.1.2 tethered, tvOS 6.1.4 untethered)
The tool requires that you have access to a Mac that’s running macOS El Capitan or newer. You must make sure while using Blackb0x that your Apple TV is connected to the internet during the first boot.
Head over to Blackb0x jailbreak Github’s page for more details.
Unc0ver tvOS Jailbreak for Apple TV
There’s also Unc0ver tvOS jailbreak. You just use the regular version of the jailbreaking tool to jailbreak your Apple TV. Unc0ver jailbreak supports jailbreaking the first gen. Apple TV 4K running tvOS 13.
Do note that since it is pretty easy to brick the Apple TV 4K, make sure to restore the rootFS after jailbreaking it with Unc0ver.
Checkra1n TV Apple TV Jailbreak
If you have the Apple TV 4K (1st generation), you can use Checkra1n TV to jailbreak it. However, the process is not that simple and requires you to open your first-gen. Apple TV and install a breakout on it. After that, you’ll be able to use Checkra1n TV to jailbreak your Apple TV 4K.
The process is definitely not for the faint-hearted and could act as a major deterrent for many looking to jailbreak their Apple TV. You will also need access to a Mac since the checkra1n jailbreak tool is only available for macOS.
Check out the latest news and updates about the Apple TV jailbreak below.
