An iPad running a Linux desktop

The iPad is too powerful to not get the Linux treatment.

Linux on iPad

iPad Linux tracks community efforts to run Linux on iPads, especially the models Apple no longer supports. Those iPads still work, and with Linux they could keep going as cheap computers or parts for projects.

Releases

Projects that run Linux directly on iPad hardware, not inside an app.

These projects rely on jailbreaks and boot exploits, which can leave an iPad unusable or erase its data. Back up first, and only use a device you can afford to lose.

Project Cascadia

by rzxvx · Updated September 2026

View on GitHub

Runs a current Linux kernel and Alpine Linux on the original iPad mini, with a touch desktop and Wi-Fi.

  • iPad mini (1st generation) iPad mini (1st gen) · Apple A5

What you need: a Wi-Fi iPad mini 1, a computer, and either jailbroken iOS on the iPad or a Raspberry Pi Pico.

iOS stays installed. Linux isn't written to the iPad's storage; its files live on a connected computer or in memory. Installing to the iPad is on the roadmap.

Working
  • Linux 6.12 and Alpine Linux 3.24
  • Both CPU cores
  • Multi-touch, and an XFCE desktop with an on-screen keyboard
  • Wi-Fi on 2.4 and 5 GHz
  • SSH, and installing packages with apk
  • Read-only access to iOS system files
Shortcomings
  • It can't boot by itself. Each boot is started from jailbroken iOS or a Raspberry Pi Pico.
  • No graphics acceleration, so the desktop is drawn by the CPU.
  • USB accessories such as flash drives and keyboards don't work.
  • Wi-Fi has only been tested on open networks, not password-protected ones.
  • Your iOS data, such as photos and apps, can't be read.
  • Only the Wi-Fi iPad mini 1 is supported. Newer chips are planned.
Built on

Built on iBSSloader by teutekeune, checkm8 by axi0mX, Legacy iOS Kit and EverPwnage by LukeZGD, checkm8_bootkit by NyanSatan, iBoot32Patcher by iH8sn0w, and the Z2 touch work from Project Sandcastle.

Resources and Tools

Apps that bring Linux to iPadOS today, the tools developers use to port it to the hardware, related projects, and people worth following.

Hardware Compatibility
Software Compatibility
Type of Project

Apps

iSH

A Linux shell that runs as an app, from the App Store

iOS 11+ App
UTM

Virtual machines on iPadOS. UTM SE is on the App Store; the full app is sideloaded.

iOS 11+ App
QMole

Linux compatibility container for iPad

iPad 1 Compatibility Layer

Dev tools

usbliter8

An A12/A13 SecureROM exploit

A12–A13 Exploit
Project Sandcastle

Linux and Android on iPhone 7

Bootable OS
checkra1n / PongoOS

A jailbreak for A7–A11 devices, built on checkm8. It must be rerun after every reboot.

iOS 12.3+ Boot Exploit
Legacy iOS Kit

Restore, downgrade, and jailbreak older devices. Cascadia uses it to put the iPad into a mode that can load Linux.

32-bit Tool
EverPwnage

Untethered jailbreak for 32-bit devices on iOS 7.0–9.3.6, including the A5.

A5 iOS 7–9.3.6 Jailbreak
ipwndfu / checkm8

axi0mX’s open-source jailbreak tool, and the checkm8 BootROM exploit it carries.

A5–A11 Exploit
iBoot32Patcher

iH8sn0w’s patcher for 32-bit iBoot, from iPhone OS 2 through iOS 10.

32-bit Patcher
checkm8_bootkit

NyanSatan’s kit for booting a custom bootloader on 32-bit devices.

32-bit Boot tool
Linux Apple Resources

SoMainline’s guide to building and booting a custom Linux kernel on iPhones and iPads

A7–A11 Kernel & Guide
iBSSloader

teutekeune’s original work booting Linux on the iPad mini 1. Project Cascadia is built on it.

iPad mini 1 Boot chain

Other projects

ios-linuxkit

An ARM64 Linux runtime for iOS projects

Runtime
postmarketOS

Touch-optimized and pre-configured Alpine Linux

Bootable OS
Wawona

Shows Linux desktops from other machines on iPadOS. Public beta, no jailbreak.

Compositor

Who to follow

iPad Linux@iPadLinux on 𝕏 Watch rzxvxProject Cascadia teutekeuneiBSSloader LukeZGDLegacy iOS Kit axi0mXcheckm8 NyanSatancheckm8_bootkit iH8sn0wiBoot32Patcher Konrad Dybcio@konradybcio on 𝕏 Nick Chan@riscv64 on 𝕏 Asahi Linux@asahilinux on 𝕏 Markuss Broks@quaack723 on 𝕏

News

September 2026

Project Cascadia boots native Linux on the iPad mini

rzxvx's port runs Linux 6.12 and Alpine Linux on the original iPad mini, with touch, Wi-Fi and an XFCE desktop.

Read on GitHub

June 18, 2026

Research and Proof of Concept for A12/A13 SecureROM Exploit

usbliter8 documents an "unpatchable" BootROM vulnerability in A12 and A13 devices, discovered by a research team at Paradigm Shift.

Read on Paradigm Shift

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?

A check-in on where Linux on the iPad stood in early 2023.

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 21, 2020

"Linux on iPad" on Hacker News

This site reached the Hacker News front page, with over 280 comments on the state of Linux on iPads.

Read on Hacker News

March 20, 2020

The state of Linux on the iPad in March 2020

A summary of the options for running Linux on an iPad in March 2020.

Read on Medium

March 4, 2020

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

Corellium used the checkra1n jailbreak to port Android to the iPhone. The result, Project Sandcastle, loads Android 10 on an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus.

Read on PCMag

Got a news tip for us?

Working on a port, or found an article we missed? Open a GitHub issue with a link, the device and chip it covers, and whether the project is still active.

Issue