How to Remove Cydia

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 4, 2020 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to remove Cydia, an app that jailbreaks your device so you can install unauthorized apps, from your iPhone or iPad and restore it to an un-jailbroken state.

Steps

1
Locate the Cydia app. It should be on one of your home screens or in a folder.
2
Press and hold Cydia. Do so until all the apps on the screen start shaking.

Advertisement
3
Tap ⓧ. It's in the upper-left corner of the Cydia app.
4
Tap Delete. This deletes the Cydia app from your device.
5
Open Settings. It's a gray app with gears (⚙️) that's typically located on your home screen.
6
Tap your Apple ID. It's the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and image if you've added one.
- If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (your device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In.
- If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
7
Tap iCloud. It's in the second section of the menu.
8
Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. It's at the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
- Slide iCloud Backup to the "On" (green) position, if it's not already.
9
Tap Back Up Now. It's at the bottom of the screen. Wait until the backup is complete.
- You must be connected to a Wi-Fi network to back up your iPhone.
- Unauthorized apps (such as those downloaded with Cydia) and those not available in the App Store (such as Cydia) will not be backed up.^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
10
Tap iCloud. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
11
Tap Apple ID. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
12
Tap Settings. It's in the upper-left corner of the screen.
13
Scroll down and tap General. It's near the top of the menu, next to a gear (⚙️) icon.
14
Scroll down and tap Reset. It's at the bottom of the menu.
15
Tap Erase All Content and Settings. It's near the top of the menu.
16
Enter your passcode. Enter the passcode you use to unlock your phone.
- If prompted, enter your "Restrictions" passcode.
17
Tap Erase (your device). Doing so will reset all settings, as well as erase the media and data on your device.
18
Wait for the device to reset.
19
Follow the on-screen prompts. The set-up assistant will guide you through the process.
20
Tap Restore from iCloud Backup. Do so when the "Restore" options appear on the screen.
21
Log in with your Apple ID. Your iPhone will begin downloading the backup from iCloud. After it's restored, your settings and authorized apps will be reinstalled and the jailbreaking process will be undone.

Community Q&A

Question

Is jailbreaking an iPod or iPad illegal?

Community Answer

No, it is not. Since you purchased the device, you can do anything you want to it.
Question

How can I remove a Cydia notice that says "This is a demo version of Cydia from Cydia Membership"?

Community Answer

You should re-download it from the actual Cydia website. You may be using a fake version of Cydia and your device could potentially be hacked.