Jailbreak

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SmartScreen Will Be the Best iPhone Hack Ever

Guest Author ∙ Updated October 2, 2009

SmartScreen is a soon-to-be-released application that will add little widgets on your iPhone lock screen, letting you access information witout having to launch any application. You'll be able to rearrange these widgets in the same way you move icons around.

Looking at the video demo below, I am very eager to get my hands on SmartScreen as I think it will be one of the best iPhone hacks ever. Needless to day that SmartScreen won't be available in the App Store...

MediaPhone, the guys behind SmartScreen, will even have an SDK available:

A SmartScreen SDK will be available to everyone in November 2009 but widget developers are being selected to participate in a Beta programme, if you feel you could participate and would like to produce widgets, please email dev@media-phone.ch and we will consider you early access to the programme.

I really can't wait for this to be available. Exciting, isn't it?

Weekly Wrapup: iPhone OS 3.1, Jailbreak, Unlock and More…

Sébastien Page ∙ September 20, 2009

This is a recap of this week's articles.

iPhone voicemail delays

Apparently my iPhone is not delivering voicemails on time anymore. I looked around on Twitter and it seems that a few people are experiencing the problem too.

Downgrade iPhone 3GS from 3.1 to 3.0

Saurik, the creator of Cydia, has come up with a way to downgrade the iPhone 3GS from firmware 3.1 to firmware 3.0.

Dev Team releases jailbreak for iPhone OS 3.1

The Dev Team just released PwnageTool 3.1 for Mac OS X which will let iPhone 2G/3G and iPod Touch 1G users jailbreak their device.

PwnageTool guide to jailbreak iPhone 3G 3.1

This guide and tutorial will show you how to jailbreak your iPhone 3G running firmware 3.1, using PwnageTool for Mac OS X.

PwnageTool guide to jailbreak and unlock iPhone 2G 3.1

This guide and tutorial will show you step by step how to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone 2G using PwnageTool for Mac.

Jailbreak iPhone 3.1

With a new OS always comes a new jailbreak…

Unlock iPhone 3.1

You can only unlock the iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G. There is no unlock for the iPhone 3GS yet.

Saurik talks about Apple

Saurik shared his view of Apple has a company. We share the same opinions about Apple.

Jailbreak iPhone 3.1

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

With a new OS always comes a new jailbreak... As always, the Dev Team has been working day and night to bring us a reliable jailbreak for iPhone 3.1.

So far, only a Mac version of PwnageTool is available but the Team is working on updating RedSn0w for both Mac and PC. We just have to be patient.

It is also important to note that there is no jailbreak for the iPhone 3GS so far. There finally is a jailbreak for the iPhone 3GS 3.1. It's a little tricky though so please make sure you read the information below. I wrote a couple tutorials on how to jailbreak iPhone 3.1 using PwnageTool.

Tutorial: Jailbreak & Unlock iPhone 2G 3.1 Using PwnageTool

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 13, 2009

This guide and tutorial will show you step by step how to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone 2G using PwnageTool for Mac. At the time I am writing this, only PwnageTool for Mac is available to jailbreak or unlock iPhone 2G 3.1. Tools for PCs should be available soon. For the latest information about jailbreaking methods (including iPhone 3G and 3GS), I suggest you read our jailbreak page.

UPDATE: This tutorial also works for iPhone OS 3.1.2. Instead of using the 3.1 firmware, simply use a 3.1.2 firmware.

Please make sure you read and understand everything before starting the process. If you're new to jailbreaking, please take the time to follow the tutorial step by step. Problems often come when people want to go to fast or skip a step, so again, please take your time to read and understand every step.

1. First, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. If not, update to the latest iTunes available.

2. On your desktop, create a folder called "jailbreak". In this folder download and save the following files available from our downloads page:

PwnageTool 3.1 3.1 IPSW firmware for iPhone 2G (iPhone1,1_3.1_7C144_Restore.ipsw), or 3.1 firmware for iPhone 2G (iPhone1,1_3.1.2_7D11_Restore.ipsw) if you want to jailbreak 3.1.2 BL 3.9 BL 4.6

When downloading the 3.1 firmware, make sure you use FireFox and not Safari as Safari often brings up unwanted issues. To download PwnageTool, you will need a torrent downloader such as uTorrent.

3. Launch PwnageTool. Click OK to the warning message. Then choose "Expert Mode".

4. Choose your device. It should be the one on the very left. A green check mark should appear when you click on it. Click the blue arrow to continue.

5. You will now be able to "Browse for IPSW". Click on it and look for the 3.1 firmware you downloaded in step 2. Select the IPSW file and click the blue arrow to continue.

6. You should now be taken to the general menu where you have 7 different options. Choose "General".

7. In the "General settings", make sure that "activate the phone" and "enable baseband update" are checked. This is important. Again, make sure these 2 options are checked. Change the root partition size to about 600 MB and click the blue arrow to continue.

8. In the "Bootneuter settings", check "Neuter bootloader", "Unlock baseband", and "Auto-delete bootneuter.app", then click the blue arrow to continue.

9. You should now be in the "Cydia settings". This allows you to install packages so you don't have to do it later via Cydia. I like to install my packages manually but feel free to select a few if you want to. I will skip this step. Click the blue arrow to continue.

10. In "Custom packages settings", I recommend only checking Cydia. Icy is quite unstable so I don't recommend installing it. Do as you want but make sure at least Cydia is checked. Click the blue arrow to continue.

11. You are now taken to the "Custom logos settings". You can choose pre-selected logos or upload your own. I don't recommend installing any. I suggest unchecking the 2 custom logos that are pre-selected, then click the blue arrow to continue.

12. You should now be back to the general menu. It is time to start building your custom firmware. Click "Build", then click the blue arrow to continue.

13. If you haven't pwned your iPhone before, you will have to upload the bootlader files you downloaded in step 2. Follow the instructions on the screen to upload BL 3.9 and BL 4.6.

14. PwnageTool will then ask you if "you have an iPhone contract that would activate normally with iTunes". If you're using an official phone carrier (ie AT&T in the US, 02 in UK, etc...), and don't want to unlock your iPhone, click YES. Your iPhone will just be jailbroken. Click NO if you want to unlock your iPhone to use with other carriers.

15. You will now have to save your custom IPSW. Save it to your "jailbreak" folder on your desktop. PwnageTool will now create your custom IPSW which may take up to 15 minutes.

16. If asked for it, enter you admin username and password.

17. PwnageTool will ask you if your iPhone has been pwned before. Just say No.

18. This is a very important step. PwnageTool will ask you to turn off your device, the put it into DFU mode. After turning off your iPhone, follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Hold the power and home buttons for 10 seconds. Let go of the power button but keep holding the home button until you enter DFU mode. If you fail, PwnageTool will give you an error message and you will have the opportunity to start over this process until completed successfully.

19. Once your in DFU mode, launch iTunes if it hasn't already launched automatically. It will tell you that iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. Click OK.

20. We will now restore your iPhone using the custom firmware you created. In iTunes, hold the Alt/Option key while clicking "Restore". This is extremely important that you hold the Alt/Option key while clicking. A window will pop up and will let you browse for the custom firmware you created (which should now be saved in your "jailbreak" folder). Select it.

21. The restore will start, which may take up to 15-20 minutes. Once done, your iPhone will reboot.

Congratulations! You just jailbroke and unlocked your iPhone. If you have any question or comment, please leave a comment below.

Tutorial: Jailbreak iPhone 3G on 3.1 Using PwnageTool

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 3, 2009

This guide and tutorial will show you how to jailbreak your iPhone 3G running firmware 3.1, using PwnageTool for Mac OS X. So far, only PwnageTool is available for jailbreaking the 3.1 iPhone 3G and it is only for Mac. I believe a RedSn0w method for both Mac and PC will be available soon.

1. Make sure you have installed the latest version of iTunes (iTunes 9).

2. On your desktop, create a folder called "jailbreak" or whatever name you want to give it. It doesn't really matter. Download PwnageTool 3.1 and the 3.1 IPSW (iPhone1,2_3.1_7C144_Restore.ipsw) from here and save them into the "jailbreak" folder. Note that you should download the firmware using FireFox as Safari often brings up issues. Also note that the PwnageTool download link is a torrent and you will need a torrent downloader (ie. uTorrent) to download it.

3. Launch PwnageTool. It will give you some sort of warning. Just click OK. On the next screen, choose the "Expert Mode".

4. Select your iPhone model and click the blue arrow to continue.

5. Browse for the IPSW you downloaded in step 2. You should then get a green check mark.

6. You will now be offered several options. Choose "General". Make sure the "Activate the phone" box is left UNCHECKED if you use an official carrier (such as AT&T in the US, Roger in Canada, etc...). This is very important. If you are not using an official carrier, then CHECK "Activate the iPhone".

7. Increase the root partition size to 700 MB. This is not necessary but it is safer. Then click the blue arrow to continue. Click the blue arrow one more time to skip the bootneuter settings, which aren't available for the iPhone 3G.

8. You will now have the possibility to pre-install a few packages from Cydia so you don't have to do it manually later. I will skip this part. Click the blue arrow to go to the next step.

9. You will now be in the "Custom packages settings". Make sure Cydia is selected and you may want to select Icy as well. For what it's worth, I do not use Icy. I only use Cydia but you're free to select both if you want. Whatever you do, make sure at least Cydia is selected. Click the blue arrow to continue.

10. You can now set your own "Custom logos settings". I don't use any but again, you can choose the one pre-selected or you can even upload your own. If you choose to upload your own, remember the logo mustn't be bigger than 320 x 480. Click the blue arrow when done to continue.

11. It is now time to start the pwnage process. You should be on the main options screen offering you 6 different options. Choose "Build" and click the blue arrow to continue.

12. You will now have to save your custom IPSW file. Save it in the "jailbreak" folder we created in step 2.

13. Your custom IPSW firmware will now be built, which may take up to 15 minutes, so be patient.

14. You will most likely be asked for your administrator password. Fill in the blanks and click OK.

15. You will then be asked if your iPhone has been pwned before. Just answer "No".

16. Now is the most important step. You will first be asked to turn off your iPhone. Follow the instructions on your computer screen to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Basically, you have to hold the home and power buttons together for 10 seconds, then release the power button but still hold the home button. If done correctly, PwnageTool will tell you you successfully entered the DFU mode.

17. If iTunes hasn't launched automatically, open it. iTunes should tell you it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. Click OK.

18. In iTunes, hold the "Alt/Option" key and click Restore at the same time. DO NOT click "restore" without holding the "Alt/Option" key! A window will pop up and you'll be able to choose the custom IPSW file you created in step12 that you saved in your "jailbreak" folder.

19. iTunes will now work on restoring your iPhone using the custom firmware.

20. Done! You will now be offered the option to set up your iPhone as a new phone or restore from a previous backup. I personally like to start fresh and I always choose to set it up as a new phone, but it's your choice.

21. You should now see the Cydia icon on the second page of applications on your iPhone. Congratulations, you just jailbreaked your iPhone 3G 3.1 with PwnageTool.

If you have any question or concern, please leave a comment.

Jailbreak Now Available For 3.1 iPhone 2G and iPhone 3G

Sébastien Page ∙ September 15, 2009

The Dev Team just released PwnageTool 3.1 for Mac OS X which will let iPhone 2G/3G and iPod Touch 1G users jailbreak their device. So far, only PwnageTool is available and is for Mac only, but the Dev Team is working on updating RedSn0w for both Mac and PC.

There is still now way to jailbreak the iPhone 3GS and the iPod Touch 2G and 3G but I assume these will come in the near future.

GOLDEN RULE: If you are using a 3G iPhone with ultrasn0w and rely on ultrasn0w to obtain cellular service, then you should only upgrade to 3.1 with a PwnageTool created .ipsw. - Stay away from Apple’s direct updates as described here and here please get up to speed on the whole subject by reading the information contained in these posts. If you have an original iPhone (1st generation) then 3.1 unlock works with this PwnageTool release. iPhone 3G users upgrading to 3.1 will need to continue using ultrasn0w with a PwnageTool created 3.1 .ipsw Please read all parts of this post before downloading and using these tools. Read items 1, 2 and 3 again and again. At the bottom of this post are the bittorrent files for the 3.1 capable version of PwnageTool. This app is suitable for the recent 3.1 release. This version of PwnageTool will NOT work for the iPhone 3GS. PwnageTool WILL work for Original iPhone (1st Generation), Original iPod touch (1st Generation) and the iPhone 3G.

I will post a tutorial soon on how to jailbreak the iPhone 2G and 3G using PwnageTool. Stay tuned! If you can't wait, you may want to have a look at an older tutorial for PwnageTool (files are differents but the tutorial remains the same).

UPDATE: I Just finished writing the iPhone 3G 3.1 tutorial using PwnageTool for Mac OS X.

No, There Is No iPhone 3.1 Jailbreak Yet

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 24, 2016

Since the delivery of the new OS 3.1, many people have been emailing me or asking me on Twitter if it is possible to jailbreak iPhone 3.1. The disappointing answer is that, no, there is no jailbreak yet for firmware 3.1 but I am confident the Dev Team is working overtime to deliver to us a jailbreak (and maybe an unlock) for 3.1.

As I mentioned earlier this week, if you are running 3.0.1 or 3.0 and that you want to keep your jailbreak and/or unlock, do not update to 3.1. It will wipe out everything and may make it impossible for you to jailbreak or unlock again in the future.

I will update the blog as soon as I have more information. For the latest news on jailbreaking and unlocking, please refer to the jailbreak page and the unlock page on the site. These pages are up to date with the latest jailbreak and unlock guides and tutorials.

For real-time info, you may want to follow me on Twitter.

Everything You Need to Know About iPhone OS 3.1

Sébastien Page ∙ September 9, 2009

As I predicted, Apple unveiled today iPhone OS 3.1, and you know what? There is not much to it! It seems to me all this event was actually kinda disappointing but that's what happens when you expect too much...

If you're a jailbreaker, do not update your iPhone to 3.1 as it will wipe out everything and worst of all, you may not be able to jailbreak or unlock in the future.

Apple also announced the release of iTunes 9 and it is nice to notice that it is safe to update iTunes to 9.0. It won't affect jailbreakers or unlockers in any way.

Now if you used the tethering hack to tether your iPhone for free, you may not want to update your iPhone to 3.1 as we've seen mixed results. Some people report that the tethering hack is working fine after updating to 3.1. Some other report that it breaks the hack. Let's wait and see.

Here is the list of features that come with iPhone OS 3.1:

Improved syncing for music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and photos iTunes U content organization Redeem iTunes Gift Cards, codes, and certificates in the App Store Display available iTunes account credits in the App Store and iTunes Store Save video from Mail and MMS into Camera Roll Option to Save as new clip when trimming a video on iPhone 3GS Better iPhone 3G Wi-Fi performance when Bluetooth is turned on Remotely lock iPhone with passcode via MobileMe Use Voice COntrol on iPhone 3GS with Bluetooth headsets Paste phone numbers into the keypad Option to use Home button to turn on accessibility features on iPhone 3GS Warn when visiting fraudulent websites in Safari (anti-phishing) Improved Exchange calendar syncing and invitation handling Fixes issue that cause some app icons to display incorrectly

As you can see, there is no word about battery improvement. I guess Apple didn't deem consider this as an issue.

All the 3.1 firmwares as well as iTunes 9 are available from our downloads page.

Needless to say that there is no jailbreak yet for iPhone 3.1. I will keep you updated and write tutorials on how to jailbreak iPhone 3.1 as it becomes available.

If you have noticed anything new in 3.1, please feel free to report it by leaving a comment below.

iPhone OS 3.1 Available Today. Jailbreakers Should Not Update

Sébastien Page ∙ September 9, 2009

Looks like I was right when I said that Apple would unveil the new 3.1 software today. It was unfair as I knew it from a pretty reliable source, if you know what I mean. So 3.1 will be available for download later today from iTunes.

As usual in such events, jailbreakers and unlockers should not update right away. Let me repeat to be clear to everyone. If your iPhone is jailbroken, you should not update to OS 3.1. Doing so will just wipe out your jailbreak and may make it impossible to jailbreak or unlock in the future.

I suggest you wait a bit. The Dev Team is going to get a hold of 3.1 and figure out if it's safe to update or not. Either way, I will let you know as soon as we know more about it.

Photo Engadget

Fixed: iPhone Stuck On Apple Logo

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 9, 2020

Sometimes when jailbreaking an iPhone or after installing a jailbreak app, your iPhone will get stuck on reboot, or will hang on the Apple logo. This problem happened to me before and it was kind of a nightmare. In order to get your iPhone back on track, you will have to put it in DFU mode (Device Firmware Update mode). This will help you restore your iPhone without loading the OS first.

Are You One of the 8.43%?

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated October 9, 2018

I just read an interesting post on JAIB about a Pinch Media report on the percentage of jailbroken iPhones. According to the report, 8.43% of iPhones are jailbroken. This number seems to have gone up since the previous week when it was only 8%.

I don't think these numbers are really surprising. Even though Apple really doesn't want us to, it is giving us more and more reasons to jailbreak and finally get access to applications or features that are not allowed in the App Store.

I am really proud to say that within the last few weeks, I have directly or indirectly helped hundreds of people jailbreak their iPhones.

Check out this page for more information on how to jailbreak.

Dev Team Explains the 3.0.1 Jailbreak & Unlock

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 23, 2016

The Dev Team posted an official update on their blog about the 3.0.1 jailbreak and unlock. I guess the aim of this post is to clarify a little bit on what to do and how it works.

The 3.0.1 release is a “branch” from 3.0 that occurs (code-wise) before all the 3.1 betas. The programs redsn0w needs to change for the jailbreak are identical when you compare the 3.0 and 3.0.1 versions. It seems pretty much the only changes Apple made were for the SMS bug, which affects programs that redsn0w doesn’t touch. That’s why you can re-use redsn0w 0.8 on 3.0.1 even though it was written for 3.0.

As I explained yesterday, you can still jailbreak your iPhone running 3.0.1 running RedSn0w and pointing it to firmware 3.0. Then, should you want to unlock, simply install UltraSn0w from Cydia if your are on an iphone 3G or 3GS. If you're on a 2G, just use RedSn0w to jailbreak and unlock.

The Dev Team says that they will update RedSn0w at some point so it recognizes firmware 3.0.1 but it will just be "aesthetic" changes, so there is no reason to wait for it.

For more detailed information about jailbreaking and unlocking, I recommend you check out the jailbreak page and the unlock page of this site. It is updated with the latest info.