Month: September 2008

Upgrade a jailbroken iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 5, 2016

Later today I posted the QuickPwn 2.1 tutorial and I was reminded by a commenter that this type of tutorial is only good if you're already on an "up-to-date iPhone", meaning that in this case, this tutorial is only good if you already have 2.1 running.

Now what happens if you are still running on an older firmware, let's say 2.0? Well, if you hit this Restore button, you will lose all your Cydia apps and cool customizations. Do you really want that? Of course not.

As highlighted by BigBoss, you never want to upgrade on a jailbroken iPhone. If you upgrade, you will lose about 500MB of space. If you do that again on the other update, you will lose another 500MB, and so on. This space will only be recovered after a restore. The data loss is because Cydia moves your files around to free up space. The moved files become inaccessible but stay on your disk which means you essentially just lose the space.

To prevent this from happening, simply restore! Do not upgrade! Follow these few steps to upgrade from 2.X to 2.1 without losing any of your apps.

If you haven't yet, upgrade your iTunes to iTunes 8. You can find the direct link from our iPhone Downloads section. Install AptBackup from Cydia and run it. It will backup all your apps and put them in a location that will be backed up by iTunes in the next step. Sync/backup your iPhone with iTunes. Do the full on backup. Yes, I know, it's probably gonna take a while but you have to. Restore. Just click "Restore" in iTunes and let iTunes put the latest firmware on your iPhone. Again, this might take some time but be patient. If you are a legit iPhone user, meaning that you have a legit AT&T contract, activate your iPhone with iTunes. If you are an "unlocker" (this is for iPhone 2G users), you will see the "slide for emergency" message. Do not do anything else. Do not restore your backup yet. Simply unplug your iPhone. Now let's jailbreak the phone. Again, do not restore your backup yet! To jailbreak your iPhone, use QuickPwn by following this QuickPwn tutorial for Windows and this QuickPwn for Mac guide. Once your iPhone is jailbroken, go to Cydia and install AptBackup again. It is the most important step so don't fuck it up! Again, go to Cydia and install AptBackup. Also install Open SSH and BossPrefs. Ok, now we can restore the backup. So plug your iPhone in and iTunes will ask you to set up as a new phone or restore from backup. Restore from your latest backup. If everything goes fine, iTunes will restore all your stuff, such as notes, photos, email accounts, etc... Now we have to restore your Cydia apps. Open AptBackup and tap "Restore". It should reinstall all your apps from Cydia. AptBackup may not be visible. To see it, just open BossPrefs, and look it up in the "hidden icons" section. Tap it to unhide it. You may also unhide any other hidden icons. Done!

I would like to thank BigBoss for showing me the way, although he doesn't know... Bigups to the B O S S, aka BigBoss.

Apple recalls iPhone 3G power adapters over shock risk

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

This is an important safety notice from Apple:

Today Apple announced the Apple Ultracompact USB Power Adapter Exchange program.

Apple has determined that under certain conditions the new ultracompact Apple USB power adapter's metal prongs can break off and remain in a power outlet, creating a risk of electric shock. We have received reports of detached blades involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold, but no injuries have been reported.

The ultracompact USB power adapters were supplied with every iPhone 3G sold in the following countries, and may also have been purchased separately as an accessory:

US Japan Canada Mexico Several Latin American countries (click here for a detailed list of countries)

Note: Apple USB power adapters supplied with original iPhones or supplied with iPhone 3G units sold in other countries are not affected.

Customer safety is always Apple's top priority, and therefore we have voluntarily decided to exchange every ultracompact power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge.

Users with ultracompact power adapters should immediately stop using them until they exchange them for a new, redesigned ultracompact adapter.

In the meantime, they should charge their iPhone 3G by connecting it to their computer with the USB cable that came with their iPhone or by using a standard-sized Apple USB Power Adapter (with fold up prongs) or with a third party adapter designed to work with the iPhone, such as a car charger.

Identifying your adapter

If you purchased an iPhone 3G in any of the countries listed above, you received the ultracompact USB adapter.

Compare your USB power adapter to the pictures below. If it matches, we will provide a replacement adapter in exchange for your current one. If you have purchased this ultracompact adapter as a standalone accessory, you may also exchange it for a new one. Replacement adapters have a single green dot on the bottom, like this:

If you have an ultracompact adapter with a green dot on the bottom, you already have a new, redesigned adapter and do not need to participate in this exchange program.

The Exchange Process

Replacement adapters will be available starting Friday, October 10, 2008.

There are two ways to exchange your current ultracompact Apple USB power adapter for a new, redesigned adapter.

Order a replacement adapter via the web. These replacement adapters will ship within three weeks of your order, starting on Friday, October 10. Exchange your adapter at an Apple Retail Store starting on October 10.

We'll need to collect your iPhone 3G's serial number as part of the exchange process.

If you apply via the web, you will also need to provide your name and address so that we can send you a new adapter along with a shipment box so that you can return the affected adapter to Apple.

If you visit an Apple Retail Store, you need to bring your affected adapter(s) and your iPhone 3G(s) with you to complete the exchange process.

If you live in Latin America, we will announce the appropriate exchange program information before October 10.

Thank you for your cooperation with this exchange program, and we apologize for any inconvenience.

QuickPwn 2.1 Guide & Tutorial

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 11, 2018

UPDATE: This post in kind of outdated since firmware 2.2 became available. I wrote new tutorials on how to jailbreak iPhone 2.2 with QuickPwn and how to unlock iPhone 2.2 with QuickPwn.

UPDATE 2: I closed the comments for this post. If you have any question about QuickPwn, please ask in the forum.

This guide will show you how to use QuickPwn 2.1 to jailbreak your iPhone. This tutorial is for PC users. If you use a Mac, you may want to refer to QuickPwn tutorial for Mac OS X or PwnageTool 2.1 Tutorial for Mac OS X.

This QuickPwn 2.1 tutorial will be short as I have already posted a QuickPwn guide before.

Before starting, make sure you have downloaded the latest version of iTunes. Also make sure you are currently running firmware 2.1 (thanks Tim for pointing that out!). Plug your iPhone and make sure iTunes has detected it. If you're iPhone is already jailbroken, you may want to remove all the apps that you have downloaded from Cydia. Certain applications such as Winterboard, Categories and more cause trouble. You will be able to reinstall them later.

Supports 2.1 firmware with the unlocking and jailbreaking of iPhone 1st generation (2G) device. Supports the jailbreaking of iPod Touch 1st generation device and iPhone 3G. Does not support the unlocking of iPhone 3G or jailbreaking of second generation (n72ap based) iPod Touch.

Note that you are pwning your iPhone at your own risk... Success is not guaranteed!

Create a folder called "QuickPwn" on your desktop. Download your appropriate iPhone firmare from here. Also download the QuickPwn 2.1 from here and place it. Place these files in the newly created QuickPwn folder on your desktop. If you want to unlock your iPhone (only works with iPhone 2G), download the Bootloader 3.9 & 4.6 Files. Extract QuickPwn zipped file. Launch QuickPwn and select your iPhone version. You will be asked to select your iPhone firmware. Select the firmware your downloaded in Step 1. If the firmware you selected is valid, QuickPwn will show a green checkmark. Click Continue. You will then have the opportunity to select Cydia, Installer and to choose a custom boot logo. You have to select Cydia. You may also choose to install Installer. Click Next. You will now have a message saying that you are ready to launch the QuickPwn process in a new Window. Click Go. You will then be asked to power off your iPhone and press Enter once it has been turned off. QuickPwn 2.1 will now help you put your iPhone into DFU Mode (aka recovery mode). Read the instructions carefully then type in Y for YES and press Enter. You will be asked to hold down the Power button for 5 seconds. Then you will have to also hold down the Home button for 10 seconds without letting go of the Power button. At the end of 10 seconds you will need to release only the Power button. After a few seconds of holding down just the Home button QuickPwn will detect the your iPhone in DFU mode and start performing some "operations". After 8 operations are performed QuickPwn will tell you to "Please wait while your iPhone is Jailbroken". Press any key to continue. Your iPhone will display a turning wheel and in a few minutes will be jailbroken!

If you have a 2G iPhone and would like to unlock it simply install and run BootNeuter from Cydia.

If this post was helpful, please DIGG it! Thanks.

QuickPwn 2.1 for Windows

Sébastien Page ∙ September 19, 2008

It's here! QuickPwn 2.1 for Windows is not out and available. It's so new that it is still warm... The DevTeam just spread the news on its blog. You can download QuickPwn 2.1 for Windows from our iPhone Downloads section.

I wrote a new QuickPwn 2.1 Tutorial. So go check it out!

(sha1) QuickPwn21-1.zip = f8124d0e8f31f64ef3272de8fbc679e1dd1f93a7

Lightsaber Unleashed Is Now Available

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

It's official, it's here, it's available in the App Store as Lightsaber Unleashed [iTunes Link].

Remember how this app was pulled off the App Store for copyright infringement? Well, Lucas Arts approached the developpers and made this new official version.

The good news is that it's still completely useless, yet still as funny as ever. Also worth noting is that the app is still free. We love free!

This new version has

5 characters from The Force Unleashed with their own unique Lightsaber Dueling music for "extra fun"

May the iPhone be with you!

Photo Credit MacRumors

Private-I, the Lojak for iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 14, 2018

Private-I [iTunes link] is a $.99 application that may help you find the person who stole your iPhone, if that ever happened. This app will add a "PRIVATE" icon in red font on your springboard and it may provoke the thief to open it.

When launched, the app loads up a fake screen that says "Accessing Pictures" while actually locating you via GPS or triangulation and emailing you the location of your iPhone.

Brian at Wired says:

It seems like this app would be more useful for iPhone 3G owners who can get more precise coordinates using GPS. I just tested the app on my first-generation iPhone and received a Google Maps link that doesn't tell me anything.

I'm not sure how worthy this app is but anything that could get your iPhone back is probably good.

[via Wired]

Hackers distribute Trojan as iPhone game

Sébastien Page ∙ September 18, 2008

Beware of this Penguin.Panic.zip attachment!

A new spam email aimed at Windows users who have an iPhone has surfaced. The virus, which pretends to contain the most popular iPhone game in a attachment, actually contains a Trojan Horse Troj/Agent-HNY. Although it looks like a pretty cute and funny game, it could really arm your PC.

The attachment doesn't even execute on a Mac but it will infect your PC right away.Instead of opening the game as you would expect, a simple message pops up saying "Shoes". Once opened, deleting the game will not help at all as it will delete other files on the system, which will cause some of your Windows process to crash.

Do not open emails that show the following subject lines:

Virtual iPhone games! Take a break! Apple: The most popular game! Virtual iPhone toys! Beet my score! (7000 points)

Possibly more are coming so be careful. If you see an email from someone you don't know, delete it right away. I sounds like common sense but it seems people are still being tricked by these emailed viruses.

Source: Sophos

iPhone patent shows interface enhancements

Sébastien Page ∙ September 18, 2008

From Apple Insider:

A new series of iPhone-related patent filings touch on some interface enhancements that could potentially find their way into a future version of the handset's operating system, including more immediate access to application settings and interactive notification panel that presents a list of communications missed while the phone is in a locked state.

An iPhone App Development Story

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated February 14, 2018

If you're a developper and are curious to see what the process is to have your application in the App Store, you may want to have a look at Mike Ash's story. From signing up with the iPhone Dev Center to getting his NetAwake [iTunes link] app approved, Mike goes through the 22 steps of the process.

[via TUAW]

Block Ads in Safari On Your iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated May 26, 2017

What if I told you you can speed up the web browsing on your iPhone by 500%? Yes, that would be a lie! BUT what f I told you you can indeed speed up the your iPhone web browsing by blocking ads? Ahh see, now you/re interested.

Web browsing on your iPhone is usually pretty fast. But sometimes you have to rely on the sloooow Edge network and if you're visiting a site that has a few banner ads, it will terribly slow you down.

There is now an easy way to block ads in Safari and speed up your web browsing. How to do that?

Make sure you are on a jailbroken iPhone SSH into your iPhone to /etc/ Replace the hosts file with the new hosts file you downloaded in Step 2 Reboot your iPhone Done!

You should now be able to navigate the web without any ads!

Thanks to James for this trick.

Note: like any hack, it is not guaranteed that it will work and it may cause conflicts with other applications. I highly recommend you backup your iPhone before doing that.

iPhone News Roundup for 9/17/08

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated July 6, 2017

And this is your daily fix of iPhone news. There was much more going on on the various iPhone blogs but I don't want to report to you each and every post related to the iPhone. Most of them are useless and don't deserve to get much attention. I just want to report to you what I think is real news.

Internet petition protests iPhone auto-correction

An internet petition has been building to protest Apple's auto-correction feature on the iPhone, entitled Please Let Us Disable Auto Correction Steve. Many users would at least like the option to switch the feature off. The truncated words, commonly used while writing on mobile devices, are particularly problematic. Frühjahr Design has received nearly 3,000 "signatures" on its petition in the few days since its launch. [via Macnn]

UK's "Stuff" names iPhone 3G gadget of the year

Apple's iPhone 3G has won a public vote to find the year's best gadget, beating strong competition from three games consoles, a budget laptop and a balloon-shaped iPod speaker system. The latest version of the mobile that combines a phone with a music and video player was chosen by readers of Stuff magazine in its annual Gadget of the Year awards. [via Reuters UK]

SwirlyMMS for iPhone 2.x Released Those of you who are fans of SwirlyMMS will be happy to know that the SwirlySpace Team announced that SwirlyMMS 1.2 for firmware 2.x has been released. [via iPhone Alley]

First post-patch iPhone 3G lawsuit wants Apple to pay $5 million

Jumping on an increasingly overloaded bandwagon, a Little Rock, Arkansas man has started a class action lawsuit expecting at least $5 million in damages for Apple and AT&T overselling iPhone 3G relative to the network load, even though a fix has already been put into place. [via Apple Insider]

How Apple decides whether or not to put an app in the App Store

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

This is quite a funny, yet surprisingly true drawing we've got here. We all know that the Apple process to accept applications in the App Store is very very very shady (see the Netshare mess...) and more recently the Podcaster app debacle!

[via Geek Culture]