Linux on iPad

Linux on the iPad isn't a reality yet, at least not like on a desktop platform. With hardware becoming more and more powerful every year, obsolete iPads (according to Apple) should be allowed to continue to serve a purpose. Obsolete iPads could be affordable personal computers and useful for project builds. We believe Linux is the key to bring new life to these devices.

Current Options

Released

Current

iSH
The Linux shell on iPadOS


iOS 11+ iPadOS 13+ App

UTM
Run virtual machines on iOS & iPadOS


iOS 11+ iPadOS 13+ App

Outdated

QMole
Linux Compatibility Container for iPad


iPad 1 Compatibility Layer


Dev Tools

Released

Project Sandcastle
Linux and Android on iPhone 7


Bootable OS

checkra1n / PongoOS
Semi-tethered jailbreak to all, based on the β€˜checkm8’ bootrom exploit.


iPadOS 12.3+ Boot Exploit

Work in Progress

Linux Apple Resources
Guide to building and booting Linux on iDevices w/ custom Linux kernel by SoMainline


A7 – A11 Kernel & Guide Bootable OS


Additional Projects

Work in Progress

postmarketOS
Touch-optimized and pre-configured Alpine Linux


Bootable OS


Who to follow

People and Projects

iPad Linux
@iPadLinux on 𝕏
Watch

Konrad Dybcio
@konradybcio on 𝕏

 Nick Chan
@riscv64 on 𝕏

 Asahi Linux
@asahilinux on 𝕏

 Markuss Broks
@quaack723 on 𝕏


Hardware Compatibility
Software Compatibility
Type of Project

News

March 9, 2025

More Apple Silicon Updates For Linux 6.15

This is not only about the newer M-Series Apple SoCs but also the Apple SoCs powering devices like the iPad, iPod, and iPhone.

Read on Phoronix

November 11, 2024

Basic Support For Many Pre-M1 Apple Devices Coming To Linux

'...it's the very basic / initial form of support.'

Read on Phoronix

February 19, 2023

Does Linux run on the iPad in February 2023?

Since the release of the first iPad in 2010, the tablet...
Read on Medium

June 8, 2022

Linux on A7-A8X

How we got Linux on the iPhone, iPad and other iDevices
Read on Konrad Dybcio's Blog

January 12, 2021

A developer got Ubuntu Linux booting on the Apple iPhone 7

Video of Ubuntu running on an Apple A10 processor.
Read on XDA Developers

November 20, 2020

Hacker News Discussion

Posted by homarp.
Read on Hacker News

March 20, 2020

The state of Linux on the iPad in March 2020

A summary has of the latest options of Linux on iPad in March of 2020.
Read on Medium

March 4, 2020

Run Android on an iPhone With 'Project Sandcastle' Jailbreaking Tool

Corellium used the Checkra1n jailbreaking tool to port Google’s Android OS to the iPhone. The result is Project Sandcastle, which can load Android 10 on an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus. Apple is likely to be displeased.
Read on PCMag

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