Jailbreak

16 reasons you need to Jailbreak your Iphone/IPad – back by popular demand

So, you’ve heard about jailbreaking, and it sounds intriguing. And dangerous. (But mostly just intriguing.) Here’s how to hack your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad—yes, iPad—into an unrestricted, freshly empowered mega-machine.

Jailbreaking: The What and the Why

In buying an iProduct, you’re accepting that its fate will be dictated by Apple. They control what kind of apps you install on your device, which of the hardware functions you can exploit to their full potential, and which carrier you can use your iPhone with. They’ve loosened up on at least one of those fronts in the last year or so, expanding the types of apps available in the App Store, but many—screw that, most—of the same restrictions still apply. Want to install an app that Apple hasn’t explicitly approved? Sorry. Want to use an app over 3G that’s been designated for Wi-Fi? Nope. Want to tether your phone? Run applications in the background? Change your device theme? Install system-wide gestures? No. Such. Luck.

Enter jailbreaking. In technical terms, to jailbreak is to enable a device to run code, meaning programs or system modifications, that hasn’t been sanctioned by Apple. Its roots reach back to a time when there were no apps for iPhone OS, and a clever group of hackers zeroed in on some exploits gave people their first way to install apps on their devices, by way of an underground App Store called Installer. It used to be that you could hack your device simply by visiting a webpage. That was two years ago. Since then, the iPhone and iPod Touch have been given a legit App Store, Apple has closed one security hole after another, and jailbreaking has become alternately more and less difficult, depending which device and software version you have.

But just last week, a Windows and Mac tool called Spirit was released to the world. It’s simple, relatively safe, and finally, works on all devices. Every iPod Touch can now be jailbroken to run custom apps. Every iPhone, too. Even the brand new iPad can be hacked. Theming, data tethering, multitasking, console emulation, secret settings, and yes, you filthy thief, even pirated apps: With jailbreak, your iThing is truly yours.

Here’s how to jailbreak (or in the case of phones, unlocked) any iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad, using the new Spirit tool. But first, a disclaimer:

When you jailbreak or unlock a device, you’re chaining some fundamental aspects of the system software—you know, real low-level stuff. The tools are generally good, and if you follow directions carefully, you should be fine. But if something goes wrong—and there is more than one way this can happen—you can suffer data loss, or even brick your phone. Even worse, Apple claims that jailbreaking voids your warranty. You can restore your device to remove evidence that it ever happened, but if the device goes down while jailbroken, you could well be stuck. In addition, jailbreaking does not jibe with the DMCA, and breaks relate license agreements.

To the point: Follow this guide at your own peril, know that there’s risk and be careful. Consult elsewhere if you’re nervous, or worry that I’ve missed something.

How To Jailbreak

The Spirit tool has made the jailbreak fairly simple, but there’s still room for error. Step by step:

What You Need:
• Spirit Jailbreak Tool (Windows and Mac)
• iTunes 9.x (Latest confirmed working version: 9.1.1)
• iPod cable
• An iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch that a.) Isn’t currently jailbroken (obvious, but just in case), b.) is working, i.e. not stuck in a startup loop, or displaying that “Connect to iTunes” screen and c.) is running a device software version 3.1.3 or lower (or in the case of the iPad, version 3.2)

1. Plug your device in, so that it’s recognized by iTunes
2. Back up your device to your iTunes library, and sync it. Having the backup handy will allow to you restore your settings in case you need to wipe your device later; syncing everything—including photos, which some users report losing during the jailbreak process—ensures that all the media on your device will remain untouched, or at least restorable.
3. Open the Spirit Jailbreak tool. It will open in a small window, and should display a message like “iPad (3.2) Connected.” If not, disconnect and reconnect your device, and open the tool again.
4. Click “Jailbreak”
5. During the jailbreak routine, don’t interfere with the device. It’s probably better to leave your computer alone as well, to avoid a crash at a critical moment. First, you should see a screen on the device that says “Restore Complete.” The device will restart, display a spinning pinwheel icon, and open up a colorful screen like this, with a progress bar:

Spirit should be done doing its thing in under 30 seconds. Your device should then boot up to your homescreen, as it was before—same background, same apps, same settings. Now you’re jailbroken. But there’s one more thing:

6. When you restart your device, you’ll see a new icon on your homescreen, called Cydia. Open it up. This is your new App Store. Don’t worry, the regular App Store still works. Now you’ve just got another one.

Cydia will look a bit different on the iPad and iPhone or iPod Touch, but will contain most of the same software.

The first thing you need to do, though, is click the button that says, “Make my life easier, thanks!”

This will back up your device activation profile (called an SHSH blob) to remote servers, which ensures that you won’t lose the ability to jailbreak if you accidentally upgrade your device device software in the future. More on that later.

Regarding Unlocking

Traditionally, unlocking (opening your phone to use with different carriers) and jailbreaking have fallen to the same tools. Since unlocking has become more difficult with later firmwares, the tools have grown apart. Spirit doesn’t unlock. If you want to unlock, though, there may be hope.

If you haven’t upgraded your iPhone to firmware 3.1.3, or can downgrade to an earlier build, you can use the Pwnage Tool, located here. The process is self-guided and quite similar to using Spirit. Unlocking is a comparatively narrow concern, and can get much more complicated, so I’ll leave it at that. More info here.

Anyway, that’s it! It’s time to explore Cydia.

What to Download

Now that you’re jailbroken, it’s time to start downloading apps. Here are a handful of must-tries to get you started:

• Backgrounder: Lets you run apps in the background, full stop. Perhaps my top reason to jailbreak, period. The latest version lets you set apps to run in the background with a huge variety of gestures.

• Activator: Speaking of gestures, this provides a framework for all kinds of gestures across jailbroken apps. (iPad and iPhone)

• Kirikae: A task switcher to be used with Backgrounder. (Think alt+tab) (iPhone)

• SBSettings: This opens up a whole slew of settings, accessible at any time via a pop-down system tray. Adjust brightness, toggle Wi-Fi, whatever. (iPad and iPhone)

• Cycorder: Lets you take full-motion video with your pre-3GS iPhone. (iPhone)

• MyWy: Lets you share your 3G connection with other devices over Wi-Fi. It’s paid software, but a trial is available. (iPhone and iPad 3G)

• Winterboard: Lets you change themes, and install a lot of interesting modifications to your device’s homescreen, including folders, different icon arrangements, widgets and more.

• iRealSMS: Lets you send text messages without opening the SMS app. (iPhone)

• VoIPOver3G: Tricks apps into thinking they’re connected over Wi-Fi, even if they’re connected to 3G. (iPhone, iPad 3G)

• Intelliscreen: Puts all kinds of useful information on your lock screen, from weather to email to calendar events. Another paid app, but one that will be worth it to a lot of people. (iPhone)

• Console emulators: Do your own searching on this one; there’s one for virtually ever console released pre-2000, and many have different approaches to controls, and acquiring games. Some, like those by ZOTDD, actually let you search for and download ROMs from within the app. (iPhone and iPad)

• Veency: A VNC server. No, not a client—a server. Control your iPhone from your computer. (iPhone)

• Illicit goods: They’re there, but I won’t tell you how to find them. Pay for your apps! Trying before you buy is only a conscionable excuse if it’s actually true.

Some general observations: Right now, a lot of apps haven’t been updated for the iPad, so it’s worth doing a little Googling to see how they handle the subtle changes in the new OS. That said, most apps do work, although if you experiment enough, you’ll eventually get burned and have to restore your OS and start over, losing whatever tweaks you’ve made in the jailbreak process.

Un-Jailbreaking

If you’ve decided the jailbreak lifestyle isn’t for you, or managed to screw up your device software enough that you want to switch back, it’s easy. (Also, if Apple will be handling your device for any reason, you should probably un-jailbreak it. Warranties!)

All you need is your device’s latest firmware file, helpfully linked here.

Oh, and make sure you’ve backed up—you’re going to lose everything.

(This guide only applies to software versions 3.1.3 for the iPhone and iPod Touch, and 3.2 for the iPad. These are the latest versions at the time of posting, and newer software could break compatibility.)

1. Plug your device in, and open iTunes
2. Shift-click (Windows) or Option-click the “Restore” button in your iTunes device summary page. Navigate to the firmware you’ve downloaded, and restore.
3. Once this is done, iTunes will ask you if you want to set up your device as a new device, or from a previously stored backup. If your goal is to return to a life before jailbreak, you’re probably going to want to restore.

And that’s it!

FAQ

What are the Downsides?
As mentioned before, there is a real risk of bricking your device, or losing data. But beyond that, there are stability issues with some jailbreak apps, and using apps like Backgrounder can seriously diminish your battery life. Also, flaunting your new found ability to tether your phone by running, say, torrents through your 3G connection is a good way to get in trouble with your carrier.

What about future software upgrades?
Apple’s software updates almost always break jailbreak. When they come out, hold off on upgrading until the jailbreak community develops a hack, or an upgrade path. Upgrading to new software versions after a jailbreak often means installing a patched version of the update, specifically for jailbreakers.

Why did I click that “Make My Life Easier” button?
If Apple does thwart jailbreak in its next software update (likely), and you accidentally upgrade, you could be locked out of jailbreaking forever. Seriously! Why? Because as of late, Apple has been cracking down on jailbreakers by forcing their devices to authenticate with official servers every time they’re upgraded or downgraded.

What this prevents, specifically, is restoring to older versions of the iPhone/iPad software, which contain the security holes necessary for jailbreaking. By keeping users from downgrading, Apple essentially locks them out of jailbreaking once they’ve upgraded to an un-jailbreakable OS.

The button you pressed in Cydia remotely saves what’s called an SHSH blob, which is the “Go!” signal passed from Apple’s servers to your specific device. In the event of a later downgrade, iTunes can be spoofed into thinking that Apple has approving the device’s software change, when in fact it’s just the Cydia store’s servers giving the green light. The downgrade process is something we won’t have to worry about until Apple issues another update, after which I’ll update this guide. Until then, you can get a rough idea of how this whole thing by reading Saurik’s (the guy behind Cydia) blog post on how it works.

Will It Work With OS 4.0?
Surprisingly, yes! OS 4.0 builds seem to respond well to jailbreaking with the Spirit tool. That said, this software is already fairly precarious, so I’m not sure I would risk it. Update: Turns out I was wrong. The Spirit jailbreak tool doesn’t yet work on 4.0. They’re working on it.

In the Event of Emergency, Who Can Help?
Google. But no, seriously, Google. Another great resource is the ModMyi forums, where just about any question you can have has probably already been asked, and answered.

Views 683 times by 196 visitors

Untethered Jailbreak for iPhone 3.1.3 / 3.2 and iPad (Video)

The infamous iPhone hacker named George Hotz (aka geohot) is back big-time! In a new blog post today, he has announced that he has a working solution to jailbreak & unlock Phone 3GS, 3G, iPod touch 2G, 3G (new bootrom), and most probably the iPad as well. This is what he said about the untethered jailbreak on his blog.

This is what he said about the untethered jailbreak on his blog.

The jailbreak is all software based, and is as simple to use as blackra1n. It is completely untethered, works on all current tethered models(ipt2, 3gs, ipt3), and will probably work on iPad too.

While he hasn’t given any specific release date, we can assume that it will only happen once the iPad, and the new firmware such as iPhone 3.2 or iPhone 4.0 is released.

Here is a video proof of untethered jailbreak by Hotz himself!

In the meantime, you can also check out our complete jailbreaking guides for iPhone 3.1.3 firmware for iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS and iPod touch 1G/2G using redsn0w 0.9.3, redsn0w 0.9.4, sn0wbreeze, PwnageTool 3.1.5. Unlocking can be done using ultrasn0w or blacksn0w.

For iPhone 3.1.2 firmware, you can use blackra1n, PwnageTool, redsn0w, sn0wbreeze, ultrasn0w and blacksn0w to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone and iPod touch.

You may also like to check out:

GreenPois0n to Jailbreak iPad OS 3.2?
GreenPois0n to Jailbreak iPhone 3.2 and iPad Untethered
How to Downgrade iPhone 3.1.3 Baseband 05.12.01
Fix 1604 Error During iPhone 3.1.3 IPSW Custom Restore
AppSync for iPhone 3.1.3 Jailbreak Firmware

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Jailbreak
• ipod touch jailbreak 3.1.2 windows | iPod Touch
• JAILBREAK & UNLOCK Iphone 3G/3GS ON 3.1 & 3.1.2 FW (SUPPORTS …
• Guide to Jailbreak iPhone 2g 3G 3GS OS 3.1.2 with Redsn0w 0.9 | iPhone
• Jailbreak Progenitor GeoHot Claims First Hacked PS3 | AnimeNews.biz
• Jailbreak Iphone Quickpwn | Online Communication Solutions

Views 1612 times by 69 visitors

GreenPois0n Jailbreak Still In The Works for iPhone and Soon iPad

The Chronic Dev Team is still working on finalizing the GreenPois0n jailbreak for Windows, Mac and Linux, according to iSpazio.

Below you can find a screenshot showing the application in action. The team says as soon as the iPad is available they will immediately begin work on a jailbreak solution for the new tablet.

Unfortunately they are not able to provide a specific completion date for the jailbreak. “We are still working very hard on greenpois0n, but we will not be giving an ETA at this stage for many reasons”

Read More

Views 2413 times by 64 visitors

ToolJail : Your Ultimate Jailbreak Assistant (Coming Soon)

Destructor95 our Italian friend is working on a new application for Windows that assist you to choose  appropriate guide and tools to jailbreak/unlock your iPhone and iPod Touch. We got the beta version to test and we are pretty impressed by the hard work of Destructor. ToolJail is mini Wikipedia for iPhone/iPod jailbreak. It contains all necessary how to guides regarding jailbreak, unlock, check iBoot,  check the MC model, the ECID etc.

• The operation of ToolJail is very simple, once we started the program click on the Jailbreak Tutorial button from right sidebar, and a new Window with various pull-down menu will appear on your screen

1. Select the device type i.e. iPhone 2G/3G/3GS etc.
2. Select the firmware version installed on your iPhone / iPod
3. Select your iBoot (only for iPhone 3GS) If you don’t know about your iBoot click on How can i know it button highlighted just under the option.
4. Confirm If you have saved ECID through Cydia (only for iPhone 3GS)
5. Select your computer operating system i.e. Mac/Windows
6. iPod Touch 2G should confirm your Model MB or MC

Once you have completed all fields, simply click on “Search” button and a small window will appear in green “You can do the Jailbreak” or red “You can’t do the Jailbreak.” If you are eligible for jailbreak you’ll be prompt to click on  “Start Guide” and a window will open immediately with step by step guide specific to your situation, allowing you to run the Jailbreak without error.

• Next Section is DFU mode and Recovery mode, here you can learn about how to put your iPhone in DFU mode and recovery mode with real time instructions.

• Third section is for downgrading related guides and information, here you can find how to downgrade your iPhone OS to a lower version.
• Last section is dedicated to important download links for Redsn0w, Pwnage tool, Blackra1n, iPhone Firmware etc. etc.

This tool is almost done and we’ll announce the release/availability very soon on your favorite jailbreak blog Plates55.com so stay tuned with us.

Views 1055 times by 39 visitors

Jailbreak iPhone 2G 3G 3GS 3.1.3 on Windows with Sn0wbreeze

Apple released the iPhone Software update OS 3.1.3, the latest firmware update contains a baseband firmware update 05.12.01 like firmware 3.1 and it’s is not compatible with Ultrasn0w. Means if you upgrade your iPhone 3G/3GS for OS 3.1.2 to 3.1.3 your baseband also upgrades from Modem FW 04.26.08 or 5.11.04 to 05.12.01, For more details about Baseband and Bootloader check here iPhone Baseband and Bootloader From Basic. Sn0wbreeze team released the updated version of Sn0wbreeze aka pwnage tool for windows. With Sn0wbreeze you can jailbreak and preserve your current baseband …

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Sn0wbreeze
• sn0wbreeze – PwnageTool Port for Windows | Gumball Tech
• Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.2 with Sn0wbreeze | Redmond Pie « Apple …

Views 2060 times by 63 visitors

Guide to Jailbreak iPhone 2g 3G 3GS OS 3.1.2 with Redsn0w 0.9

Redsn0w is an easy to use, multi-platform, multi-device jailbreaking and unlocking tool for the iPhone 2G 3G 3GS and also the iPod touch (first and second generation). Just like Blackra1n, Redsn0w jailbreak  the 3.1.2 firmware already installed on your device, so before you proceed, you must have installed the original 3.1.2. Note that late-model iPhone 3GS and iPod touch 2G whose serial number begins with “MC” are currently restricted to “tethered” rebooting. That means you need to connect your device to a computer to complete the boot after a reset. Also, these devices cannot have custom logos.

Download Redsn0w 0.9 Beta 3

• Windows Version
• Mac Version

Step 1. If you have not already, download the original firmware 3.1.2 on the desktop of your computer. In case of unlocking an iPhone EDGE, to be sure you also download the two files Bootloader: bl39.bin and bl46.bin

Step 2. Connect the iPhone / iPod to PC or Mac

Step 3. Launch the application and click on Browse. Select the original firmware 3.1.2 from the desktop of your computer and then click on Next

Step 4. It will start an automatic process (and very fast) which will be downloaded and patched the kernel.

Following a new screen will appear. Cydia is already selected.

• Install Cydia: Main reason why we jailbreak iPhone.
• Verbose Boot: Will allow you to replace the boot with the apple (boot chart) with the verbose mode, or the ability to see everything that is loaded at startup;
• Custom Boot Logo: Bore with classic apple startup, change with your face or whatever else. Size should be 320X480.
• Recovery Custom Logo: A logo that will replace the classic Recovery;
• Already Pwned: Select if you want to install the verbose boot or change the boot and recovery logos on an iPhone on which has already been to jailbreak;

Step 5. Now you will be asked to put the iPhone in Recovery Mode (iPhone 3GS) or DFU (the other iPhone / iPod).

How to put your iPhone in recovery mode :

1. Turn the device completely off and disconnect it from cable/dock.
2. Hold down the home button.
3. While holding down the home button connect to a computer with a cable (easiest) or dock.
4. Keep holding down the home button until you see a connect-to-iTunes screen You are now in recovery mode.

To escape Recovery Mode and power the phone off simply hold down power and home buttons for ten seconds.

How to put your iPhone in DFU mode :

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Turn iPhone off.
3. Hold power and home together for 10 seconds (exactly).
4. Release power but keep holding home until the computers beeps (observed on a PC) as a USB device is recognized.
5. A few seconds later iTunes should detect your iPhone.
6. If the Restore Logo is present on the screen, you are in Recovery Mode, not DFU.

Step 6. Once you are in recovery mode/dfu mode redsn0w will start another automated process to complete the Jailbreak.

Stay tuned with us for your daily dose of iPhone news, you can follow us on twitter via @ihackinjosh You can also subscribe to our daily free e-mail news letter and keep your self updated with the latest of iPhone community.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Jailbreak
• If Ii Jailbreak My Iphone3g And It Bricks Can I Just Restore My …
• Found footage: Jailbreak BTstack support extended to 1st gen iPod …
• ipod touch jailbreak 3.1.2 windows | iPod Touch
• JAILBREAK & UNLOCK Iphone 3G/3GS ON 3.1 & 3.1.2 FW (SUPPORTS …
• Guide to Jailbreak iPhone 2g 3G 3GS OS 3.1.2 with Redsn0w 0.9 | iPhone

Views 4048 times by 102 visitors

Guide to Jailbreak iPhone 2G 3G 3GS 3.1.2 on Windows with Sn0wbreeze

iH8sn0w has kept his promise, and released the first beta version of Sn0wbreeze. Sn0wbreeze is a tool for Windows that allows you to create custom a custom firmware for your iPhone and iPod Touch. In short Sn0wbreeze is Windows version Dev team Pwnage tool. Sn0wbreeze is compatible with iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS (excluding models with the new iBoot), iPod Touch 1G, iPod Touch 2G (excluding models with MC). To download the tool, simply go to the official website.

Requirements are as follows

• Windows XP, Vista, 7 (32 or 64bit)
• Sn0wbreeze Beta Download Here
• iPhone Firmware OS 3.1.2  Download Here
• . NET Framework 3.5 Download Here

Guide to Jailbreak With Sn0wbreeze

Step 1. Download the required files and make a folder on Desktop called “iHackintosh” or whatever you want and put the Firmware 3.1.2 and Sn0wbreeze tool in iHackintosh folder.  Launch Sn0wbreeze ( Windows Vista/7 user start the application in administrator mode) and connect  your iPhone via USB to your PC.

Step 2. Click on the arrow to go to the next step, we now have to choose between Easy or Expert mode.

• Simple Mode - Which provides step by step instructions as below and automatically detects your correct firmware and adds the unlock and activation and jailbreak with Cydia automatically to your
  custom firmware.
• Expert Mode – Where you can adjust the settings on the various different additions to the custom firmware – if you click through and do not change anything in expert mode it will make the same.

Being off it in the BETA version we proceed with the Simple mode and then select “Simple Mode” and go forward.

Step 3. At this point we have to choose the firmware to select, then click on“Browse” and find the firmware we downloaded earlier and click Open.After selecting the firmware application automatically detect the device on which will go to jailbreak, then go ahead.

Step 4. At this point, if you make a Jailbreak iPhone, the application asks us if we activate our iPhone. This is the most crucial step of your process so be careful and read it 3-4 times before getting in to the business.

1. If you are using an Official service provider (i.e. AT&T) you do not need to Unlock Baseband, select NO.
2. If You are using an Unofficial service provider (i.e. T-Mobile) then Select YES

Step 5. Now you do not have to do is click on Start to proceed with the creation of custom firmware:

Step 6. Now we have to wait a few minutes to create the firmware and complete procedure can close the application.

Step 7. Follow the on-screen instructions to put your phone in DFU mode.

Step 8. Open up iTunes and you will see a warning message which is communicated to you that you have connected an iPhone in recovery mode, click OK and move on.

Step 9. Then click on the Shift key on your keyboard, and simultaneously with the mouse on the Restore button in iTunes. Browse the firmware you just created.

Step 10. Wait for iTunes to complete all procedures for extracting, testing and repair of your iPhone / iPod Touch. We’re done!

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on Sn0wbreeze
• sn0wbreeze – PwnageTool Port for Windows | Gumball Tech
• Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.2 with Sn0wbreeze | Redmond Pie « Apple …

Views 2058 times by 73 visitors