Apple iPhone SE (1st generation) (apple-n69)
A mainline fork for this device is available here with further instructions here. Still needs to be tested and ported properly to postmarketOS, at least get the rootfs flashed or booted effectively with a GUI desktop environment.
This device has been tested with postmarketOS, but its device package has not yet been added to the postmarketOS repositories. This means that it cannot be selected in pmbootstrap. Status: Booting mainline with postmarketOS initramfs properly, showing the pmOS splash screen and getting to the debug shell being able to telnet just fine. Trying to find a way to flash and boot from the rootfs, unsuccessful at the moment. |
![]() 1st gen 2016 iPhone SE on postmarketOS debug-shell | |
Manufacturer | Apple |
---|---|
Name | iPhone SE (1st generation) |
Codename | apple-n69 |
Model | A1662, A1723, A1724 |
Released | 2016 |
Type | handset |
Hardware | |
Chipset | Apple A9 (APL0898) |
CPU | 2x 1.8 GHz Twister |
GPU | PowerVR GT7600 |
Display | 4 inch 16:9, 640x1136 60 Hz IPS LCD, 24 Bit (16777216 colors) |
Storage | 16/32/6/128 GB NVMe + USB OTG |
Memory | 2 GB LPDDR4 |
Architecture | aarch64 |
Software | |
Original software The software and version the device was shipped with. |
iOS 9.3.2 |
Extended version The most recent supported version from the manufacturer. |
iOS 15.8.5 |
FOSS bootloader | yes |
postmarketOS | |
Pre-built images Whether pre-built images are available from the postmarketOS Installation page. |
no |
Mainline Instead of a Linux kernel fork, it is possible to run (Close to) Mainline. |
no |
pmOS kernel The kernel version that runs on the device's port. |
6.17.0-rc1 |
Flashing Whether it is possible to flash the device with pmbootstrap flasher . |
Broken
|
---|---|
USB Networking After connecting the device with USB to your PC, you can connect to it via telnet (initramfs) or SSH (booted system). |
Works
|
Internal storage eMMC, SD cards, UFS... |
Untested
|
Battery Whether charging and battery level reporting work. |
Untested
|
Screen Whether the display works; ideally with sleep mode and brightness control. |
Partial
|
Touchscreen |
Untested
|
Multimedia | |
3D Acceleration |
Untested
|
Audio Audio playback, microphone, headset and buttons. |
Untested
|
Camera |
Untested
|
Camera Flash |
Untested
|
Connectivity | |
WiFi |
Untested
|
Bluetooth |
Untested
|
GPS |
Untested
|
NFC Near Field Communication |
Untested
|
Modem | |
Calls |
Untested
|
SMS |
Untested
|
Mobile data |
Untested
|
Miscellaneous | |
FDE Full disk encryption and unlocking with unl0kr. |
Untested
|
USB OTG USB On-The-Go or USB-C Role switching. |
Untested
|
HDMI/DP Video and audio output with HDMI or DisplayPort. |
Untested
|
Sensors | |
Accelerometer Handles automatic screen rotation in many interfaces. |
Untested
|
Magnetometer Sensor to measure the Earth's magnetism |
Untested
|
Ambient Light Measures the light level; used for automatic screen dimming in many interfaces. |
Untested
|
Proximity |
Untested
|
Hall Effect Measures magnetic fields; usually used as a flip cover sensor |
Untested
|
Haptics |
Untested
|
Barometer Sensor to measure air pressure |
Untested
|
Power Sensor Sensor to monitor current, voltage and power. Not fuel gauge! |
Untested
|
This device is based on the Apple A9. See the SoC page for common tips, guides and troubleshooting steps |
Introduction
Realeased in March of 2016, this was the first of three iPhone SE generations. It includes a Apple A9 SoC that is also found in the iPhone 6s from 2014, inside a iPhone 5s housing. All 5s peripherals should be compatible with this one. The device codename appears to be "iPhone8,4".
WARNING: Checkra1n (using checkm8 exploit in BootROM) currently is the only way to boot a custom operating system on it. This method can be unreliable and cannot flash to NVMe! |
Contributors
Maintainer(s)
- GamerBoy1234294 (maintaining this page and attempting to port postmarketOS)
Users owning this device
Model variants
iPhone SE (1st generation) (2016) "iPhone8,4?"
- A1662 (US?) - Locked! Compatible?
- A1723 (Global/Sprint) - Locked! Compatible?
- A1724 (China, China Mobile) - Locked! Compatible?
Boot modes
WARNING: USB-C to Lightning cables never work properly throughout the whole process, only USB-A cables! |
Recovery (iTunes) - hold
during bootDFU mode - connect the device to a USB host, then power off the device, then hold Home+Power for 8 seconds, then release but keep holding for 10 seconds - execute $ lsusb
on a connected USB host, a new device including the text (DFU Mode)
should appear
![]() |
Your display should remain black. If the Apple logo appears you will have to redo the steps above. |
Hard reset - hold Home+Power
Installation
Flashing
/* Coming soon! */
Battery
This device uses 1624 mAh Li-Ion batteries. They include two pull tabs that are visible on the bottom edge, for removing the adhesive. It is recommened to remove the speaker first. Carefully pull them out horizontally, applying slight upwards pressure. If they break, you will need the usual methods for glued batteries.
Note: After reconnecting the BMS, this board requires a USB power source for the first boot. Something? may confuse it, does not happen every time. |
Battery variants
- 616-00107? (A1723, ?) - Compatible.
BMS
The BMS is designed for 3.82V Li-Ion cells. It has a built in battery health counter that is often missing or faked on aftermarket ones.
Note: It can be programmed using a special device, most batteries' data is therefore untrustworthy. |
Charger
Untested.
Fuelguage
Untested.
See also
This is the minimal list of dependencies required to boot postmarketOS with debug shell from the initramfs:
- Jailbreaking utility (palera1n, works on iOS 15 and higher with A8-A11 SoCs)
- Fork of original checkra1n PongoOS for palera1n (Pre-boot execution environment for Apple boards)
- Fork of Asahi Linux's m1n1 FOSS bootloader meant for various iDevices (main bootloader for Linux on n69)
- Fork of Asahi Linux "close-to" mainline kernel for various iDevices
- Official testing Linux kernel pmaport for Apple 16K pagesize devices
Notes
- The iPhone SE comprises the Apple A9 SoC, similar to the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPad (5th generation, 2017).
Useful software
Firmware tools
Packages
Links
Specifications
- GSMArena (Ads!)
- DeviceSpecifications (Ads!)
- Wikipedia