Jeff Benjamin

Jeff has been with iDownloadBlog since 2010, acting as resident video specialist, and tutorial expert. He earned his degree in Computer Network Systems back in 2001, but decided Cisco routers and the like just weren’t for him. Since then, he’s been heavily involved with online writing. He’s written for numerous tech and video game sites since the late 1990′s, and has a knack for explaining things in a simple, clear, and concise manner. Jeff works primarily from the east coast on his Retina Macbook Pro, and shoots video with a Canon DSLR. During downtime he likes to travel the world, visiting the various Apple Stores across the globe. You can email him at jeff [at] idownloadblog.com and follow him on Twitter @JeffBenjam or on Google+.

TweakHub helps you discover new Cydia packages and customize Cydia tabs

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

TweakHub is one of the most impressive Cydia-centric tweaks that I've seen since Cydia opened up to accept substrate modifications. It allows you to find new packages based on the apps that you have installed on your device. It also allows you to rearrange the available Cydia tabs via an Edit option similar to the older versions of the Music app.

If you're looking for a new tweak to show off the power that Cydia now possess, then look no further. TweakHub can be found on a special third-party repo, and the details are in this post.

Upcoming Switch2 tweak brings a reimagined App Switcher to iOS 8

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 11, 2015

There have been tons of App Switcher tweaks to land on Cydia over the years, but this is certainly one of the more unique looking ones to appear in quite some time. Entitled Switch 2, this upcoming jailbreak tweak brings an expanding-card interface to the iOS App Switcher.

Switch 2's interface makes it so that you can view up to three apps at the same time, and dismiss apps using simple swipe gestures. Convergence developer, Matt Clarke, has put together a video preview of Switch2 in action. Check it out and let us know what you think about it.

How to view and restore specific files using Time Machine

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated June 13, 2018

Time Machine is very useful, because not only does it allow you to back up all of your user data, but it also allows you to selectively view and restore portions of that data, even down to individual files.

In this tutorial, the forth in our series about Time Machine, I'm going to show you to how to view and restore an individual file using a Time Machine backup.

Poll: Does a Mac version of TaiG even matter at this point?

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

The TaiG jailbreak for either iOS 8.3 or iOS 8.4 has been out for over two and a half weeks. Many users have jailbroken their iPhone, iPads, and iPod touches as a result.

Even though the TaiG tool has been Windows-only this entire time, plenty of Mac-only jailbreakers have been able to use it by means of a Bootcamp partition, or a virtual machine—which is far and away the most popular way to jailbreak on a Mac.

So the question stands to be asked: do you even care about a Mac version of TaiG at this point? Rumors are swirling that a Mac tool is indeed in the works, but it's been so long, I imagine most who were starving for a jailbreak either used a friend's Windows computer, or took advantage of one of the above options.

Vote in our poll and let us know...

TaiG releases the 2.4.1 public version of its iOS 8.4 jailbreak tool

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 10, 2015

Earlier today, TaiG released version 2.4.1 beta of its iOS 8.4 jailbreak tool on Windows. This update was aimed at fixing the frustrating 60% hangup issues that occurred during the jailbreak process.

Well under 24 hours later, and TaiG has upgraded the beta jailbreak tool to a public version. As such, the TaiG team is recommending that all new jailbreakers use version 2.4.1 instead of previous versions.

WAQuickReply brings quick reply to WhatsApp Messenger

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

If you're looking to have true native quick reply for WhatsApp on iOS, you may want to consider jailbreaking your iPhone. A new tweak from WhatsApp-centric developer iMokhles allows for quick reply from both the Lock screen and traditional banner notifications.

The cool thing about this tweak is that WhatsApp doesn't even have to be launched for quick reply to function. I force-closed the WhatsApp app, sent myself a test message, and still received the message with quick reply in tact. If you're a heavy WhatsApp user, then WAQuickReply ($2.99) is a compelling new package that you may want to consider.

TaiG 2.4.1 beta released to address 60% issues while jailbreaking iOS 8.4

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 10, 2015

Good news for those of you who are still experiencing issues with the TaiG jailbreak. A new beta version has been released to address issues with users who are getting stuck at 60% during the jailbreak process.

Users who are already jailbroken will likely see a TaiG Untether update soon on Cydia once the 2.4.1 beta period ends. Check out the rest of our post for the release notes related to the release.

SwipeSelection and SwipeSelection Pro receive official bug fix updates

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

A few days ago, we reported about an unofficial version of SwipeSelection that fixed a longstanding issue with using the tweak inside of Safari. After the attention brought about by that unofficial version, the original developer of SwipeSelection has pushed an update to both the standard and Pro versions of his landmark tweak.

Yes, both SwipeSelection and SwipeSelection Pro now play nice while in Safari, and fix a bug where swiping on the keyboard caused issues with auto correct. If you're running either version of SwipeSelection, you'll definitely appreciate this long-awaited update.

How Apple could reinvigorate the iPod line

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

It's no secret that iPod sales continue to decline year after year. Many of the people who were once targets for the iPod now opt for iPhones or iPads.

This isn't exactly a terrible problem for Apple to have. The company has never had qualms about cannibalizing its own products for the sake of the greater good.

But with Apple's historic, and now renewed, love of music, it just wouldn't seem right to let the iPod—at least its conceptual existence, and not so much the name—fade out into the sunset.

For that reason, I think that Apple should go back to the drawing board. Even if this year's rumored across-the-board iPod update is nothing more than just a meager spec bump and minor changes—I think that ultimately, the line is due for a complete overhaul.

How could Apple reinvigorate its flagship music player? By doing the following five things...

Cydia Installer updated to version 1.1.22 to squash bugs

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 3, 2018

Cydia Installer has been updated again to fix bugs. Actually, it was just updated twice—once to fix bugs, and again to fix a bug brought about by the previous bug fix.

Version 1.1.21 of Cydia installer appeared first, followed shortly by version 1.1.22. Needless to say, you should update to the latest version of Cydia at your earliest convenience. In this post, you'll find the full change logs for both updates.

The perfect jailbroken iPhone: iOS 8 edition

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Now that the iOS 8.4 jailbreak is out, I thought I'd create a new "Perfect Jailbroken iPhone" post for you. If you can remember, I started this series a very long time ago, and it has remained popular until this day.

Lots of people want to know what makes a perfect jailbroken iPhone. Do you need the perfect jailbreak tweaks to make a perfect iPhone? Not necessarily.

And just because a tweak or app makes this list, doesn't means it's my absolute favorite, or that I even use it everyday. The perfect jailbroken iPhone does not equal my favorite jailbroken iPhone.

The name of the game here is practicality, usefulness, and improvement. With these tweaks + 1 theme for good measure, I put together an all star phone capable of doing very much.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree? Watch the video and judge for yourselves.

Apple launches two new “If it’s not an iPhone” ads

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Today, Apple launched two new iPhone advertisements touting the device's uniqueness and how much its customers love them. In the first ad, entitled Hardware & Software, Apple big-ups the way the iPhone's hardware and software are both created by the same company.

In the second advertisement, entitled Love, Apple touts how 99% of iPhone customers love their devices. It then ends both advertisements with a similar tag line: If it's not an iPhone, it's not an iPhone.