Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the iOS 10.1 during a product launch event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California on October 27, 2016. (Photo : Getty Images/ Josh Edelson)
Apple's iOS 10.2 is now on public beta 6, which for many jailbreak fans could mean that Pangu is inching closer into finalizing the hacking group's JB tool. However, independent developer Luca Todesco is not too optimistic and even warned that the upcoming firmware update for iPhones and iPads will close the door for any possibility of a jailbreak.
Recall that Todesco has demoed earlier that the iPhone 7 and iOS 10, specifically versions 10.1 and 10.1.1, are open for modification but in a new Twitter post the hacker warned that everything could change when iOS 10.2 becomes official. The OS update, according to Todesco, is designed to kill existing bug or exploits in version 10.1.1.
note that 10.2 kills many bugs, staying on 10.1.1 is a wise choice
— qwertyoruiop (@qwertyoruiopz) December 3, 2016
So for those still hoping that a jailbreak tool is touching down soon after the version 10.2 push by Apple, the best thing to do is stay away from the OS update. Per WCCFTech, "the latest iOS beta is watertight in terms of security and those who don't care about a jailbreak can go ahead with the update." It goes without saying that the best chance of not being locked out from a future jailbreak release is sticking to iOS 10.1.1.
It is likely that the next jailbreak will be based on version 10.1.1, which the same report said has a number of holes for the likes of Team Pangu and TaiG to work on a jailbreak. But whether any of the devs will take advantage of the supposed bugs and crack open iOS soon that will translate to a fully working an untethered jailbreak remains a big question mark.
As the same report noted, "it is absolutely unknown at this point whether or not we will ever see an iOS 10.1.1 jailbreak in the near future." More so, the thought that Pangu will freely provide the next JB tool seems to be gradually losing traction as the Chinese hacking team has elected to remain silent on the matter. The last heard from the group was back in July when Cydia was showcased running on the then unreleased iOS 10.
But there came no follow through after the demo, leading the jailbreak community to speculate that the door has been slammed on Pangu and other jailbreak makers and no thanks to the incredible speed that Apple has been issuing firmware updates lately.
Still, many jailbreak fans are holding on to the words shared by Saurik recently. The Cydia creator stated that Team Pangu is the entity to watch for when looking for an iOS 10 jailbreak release. But when exactly the rollout is happening, the dev failed to specifically mention.
