Guide

How to easily use bookmarklets in Google Chrome for iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated August 30, 2023

A few minutes ago John Gruber tweeted about the lack of bookmarklet support in Chrome for iOS. I responded to him stating that support is indeed there, it just wasn't as straightforward as it is on Safari.

To tell the truth, I too thought that bookmarklets, or the lack thereof, was simply a medium sized oversight made by Google; after all, such things are instrumental when it comes to using tools like LastPass, Instapaper, etc.

After some tinkering around, however, I was able to confirm that bookmarklet support is indeed included in the version of Chrome that shipped a few days ago. In fact, using them is a fairly straightforward exercise. Check inside for the full how-to...

How to enable 3D maps on older devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

One of the biggest new features of iOS 6 is the new reinvigorated Maps app, which no longer relies on data from Google. The new Maps app also features turn-by-turn directions, and 3D capabilities.

Sadly, for owners of older devices like the iPhone 4 or the iPhone 3GS, you'll get the new Maps app sans 3D capabilities or turn-by-turn directions. As usual, the jailbreak community has come through with a solution to at least one of the omissions — 3D maps.

Check inside as we walk you through adding 3D maps to your officially unsupported older device...

How to install Cydia on iOS 6 beta

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 18, 2012

Last week a tethered jailbreak was released for iOS 6 running on the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch 4th generation. While it was great to have a jailbreak so soon, the jailbreak didn't include any GUI tools like Cydia, only SSH and afc2 support were added.

Fortunately, now that we have SSH access, we can transfer and install pretty much anything on our jailbroken iOS 6 devices, including Cydia.

Check inside for the full video tutorial that shows you how to install Cydia on iOS 6 beta...

How to jailbreak iOS 6 beta with RedSn0w 0.9.13dev1

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 14, 2012

Earlier today, the iPhone Dev Team released RedSn0w 0.9.13dev1 to jailbreak the iOS 6 beta on certain iOS devices. Because this jailbreak is obviously aimed at developers only, the process and the results are a tad bit different that normal.

If you're a developer, and you have an iPhone 4, 3GS, or iPod touch 4th generation running iOS 6 beta, then step inside as we showcase how to jailbreak with this development version of RedSn0w.

How to restore SAM unlock activation tickets with RedSn0w

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 4, 2012

The latest version of RedSn0w now includes a new option nestled under the extras menu for restoring SAM unlock activation tickets. The iPhone Dev Team relates in the release notes that "you can now include your SAM tickets as part of your initial ramdisk jailbreak of iPhone 4 or earlier, or alternatively you can upload your SAM tickets to any device after its been jailbroken."

Previously, we posted a manual method to go about restoring your activation tickets, but this newer method is preferable due to its simplicity.

Since the SAM ticket upload feature works universally with A5 and A4 devices, we suggest sticking with this method when it comes to restoring your unlock activation tickets. We've also posted a full video walkthrough; be sure to take a look inside...

How to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 using RedSn0w 0.9.12b1 with DFU mode, A4 Devices and below only

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 4, 2012

As promised, here is the follow up tutorial for performing an untethered jailbreak on iOS 5.1.1 using the traditional DFU method. This tutorial is for the latest version of RedSn0w 0.9.12b1, and only works with A4 devices and below (A5 devices are not compatible with this method). If you want to use your A5 device — iPad 2, the new iPad, or the iPhone 4S — then see our previous Non-DFU mode tutorial for RedSn0w.

In most cases you should use the Non-DFU method for jailbreaking your devices, even if it's an A4 device. The exception comes if you have a lot of media stored on your A4 device or below. If you have a lot of media on your device, the iPhone Dev Team advises that this traditional method for jailbreaking may be a best practice due to iCloud syncing issues.

Take a look inside for the full walkthrough...

How to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 using RedSn0w 0.9.12b1, no DFU method

Jeff Benjamin ∙ June 4, 2012

With the release of RedSn0w 0.9.12.b1, you now have the ability to perform an untethered jailbreak on almost every iOS 5.1.1 compatible device. RedSn0w 0.9.12b1 even works with A5 devices like the iPad 2, the new iPad, and the iPhone 4S.

The only requirement for A5 devices is that you use the non-DFU method when using RedSn0w. RedSn0w also includes support for the older DFU-based limera1n method as well, but that is for A4 devices and below only. In this particular tutorial, we will showcase how to jailbreak your device using the universal non-DFU method that works with all devices.

This is the simpler of the two methods included with RedSn0w, and is recommended unless your device happens to contain a lot of media, as noted by the iPhone Dev Team.

Check inside for the full how-to...

How to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 using Absinthe 2.0 on Windows

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 25, 2012

Fret not Windows users, you can now download Absinthe 2.0 in order to perform an untethered jailbreak on your iOS device running iOS 5.1.1. The procedure is pretty much exactly the same as it was for Mac users, beside a few minor details like running Absinthe as an administrator, and the self extracting zip file. Outside of that, if you can follow the steps from our Mac tutorial, you should be fine to use our Windows tutorial as well.

Check inside for the full dedicated tutorial for jailbreak your iOS 5.1.1 device on Windows, because hey, we love our Windows readers and viewers!

How to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 with Absinthe 2.0

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 25, 2012

The iOS 5.1.1 untethered jailbreak is now a reality with the release of Absinthe 2.0, and we've got the full tutorial that shows you how to jailbreak your device.

This jailbreak is compatible with most iOS devices capable of running iOS 5.1.1.

Check inside for our full step-by-step walkthrough that shows you how to use Absinthe 2.0 to perform an untethered jailbreak on your device...

Save your SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 25, 2012

The Absinthe 2.0 talk is going on right now at Amsterdam's Hack In The Box security conference, so that can only mean that the upcoming untethered jailbreak for iOS 5.1.1 is imminent. For this reason, now is a good time to save your SHSH blobs for iOS 5.1.1 while Apple is still signing the firmware.

Check inside for a full tutorial on how to ensure that your SHSH blobs are saved. You may never need them, but it's much better to be safe than sorry in the event that you do...

How to regain your iOS device’s stock Home screen layout

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 17, 2012

With so many tweaks available that allow you to rearrange your Home screen in various ways, it's almost inevitable that you end up with a Home screen that looks nothing like the original Home screen that you started with.

Fortunately there's a really easy way to reset your app icon layout on your Home screen.

A good lot of you are probably already aware that such an option exists, but it's a nice reminder since recent tweaks like Dashboard X can result in drastically altered Home screens that can be time consuming to rearrange by hand.

Take a look at our video walkthrough for more information...

How to downgrade an iPhone 4S or iPad 2 on Windows

Jeff Benjamin ∙ May 11, 2012

We love our Windows readers and viewers, and to prove it we've created a video tutorial that shows you how to downgrade an iPhone 4S or iPad 2 using RedSn0w 0.9.11b1 on Windows.

The process is basically the same as what we showed you with the Mac version of RedSn0w, but this time around we downgraded an iPhone 4S instead of an iPad 2. The iPad 2, iPhone 4S and the New iPad — all being A5 devices — can be downgraded using this method....