Cydia is a replacement packaging and repository manager for the original Installer.app for the iPhone or iPod touch. It was created by Jay Freeman to replace BSD Subsystem and Installer.app. Cydia is a UI frontend to his Open Source APT for Debian called Telesphoreo. Cydia pomonella is the scientific name for the codling moth, which is what we often think of as the stereotypical apple worm. Cydia itself looks similar to Installer.app but adds many improvements to organization, functionality and performance of Installer. With Cydia you:
- See the number of apps in each category
- See details of what installing each app includes such as file size and functionality added
- Search for apps by name
- See changes to your currently installed apps and available upgrades
- See details of currently installed apps and easily manage them
- A full user system for app purchases and reviews
- A theme system
- An iPad version
Cydia App Icon To install Cydia you need to jailbreak your iPhone/iPod touch or iPad. There are many ways you jailbreak depending on which device you own and what version of iOS you have installed. Most notably you can use blackra1n, redsn0w, PwnageTool, Spirit jailbreak, jailbreakme 2.0, and QuickPwn. Also, if you already have Installer.app installed just add http://apptapp.saurik.com/ as a source to Installer and install the package “Cydia Installer” from the “System” category.
Generally if you upgrade your iOS to the latest version from Apple, it will unjailbreak your device and/or prohibit you from being able to install Cydia. Jailbreak developers generally support things one release behind the active iOS version. Use this table to easily find out how to install Cydia depending on your iOS version.
| If you have this iOS version and Device | Install Cydia Using |
|---|---|
| iOS 5.0.1 (A5 iPhone 4S & iPad 2 ) | GreenPois0n Absinthe |
| iOS 5.0.1 (A4 not 4S or iPad 2) | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 (untethered) or Corona |
| iOS 5 (A4 not 4S or iPad 2) | redsn0w 0.9.9b5 (tethered) |
| iOS 5 beta 1 | redsn0w 0.9.8b1 (tethered) |
| 4.3.5 (not iPad 2) | redsn0w 0.9.9b1 (tethered) |
| 4.3.4 | redsn0w 0.9.8b3 (tethered) |
| 4.3.3 | redsn0w 0.9.6rc15 (untethered) |
| 4.3.2 | redsn0w 0.9.6rc14 (untethered) |
| 4.3.1 | redsn0w 0.9.6rc9 (untethered) |
| 4.2.1 | GreenPois0n 1.0 RC5 (untethered) |
| 4.0.2 | Not supported |
| 4.0.1/4.0/3.1.3, 3.2.1/3.2 (iPad) | JailbreakMe.com |
| 3.1.3, 3.1.2 (2G unlock), 3.2 (iPad) | Spirit (Windows + Mac OS) |
| 3.1.3, 3.1.2 (2G unlock) (no new 3GS) | redsn0w (Windows + Mac OS) |
| 3.1.2 (newer 3GS models tethered) | blackra1n (Windows + Mac OS) |
| 3.1.2 (but iPhone 3GS Issues) | PwnageTool (Mac OS) |
| 3.0 (3GS Only) | blackra1n (Windows + Mac OS) |
| 2.2.1 (Obsolete) | QuickPwn (Mac OS & Windows) |
Updates: Good News! GreenPois0n Absinthe has been released by the Chronic Dev Team giving you the ability to perform an untethered jailbreak on the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 with the A5 chip. For detailed instructions check out the GreenPois0n Absinthe page.
The preliminary hacking has finally gotten some results. The iPhone Dev-Team has just announced the initial successful jailbreak of iPhone 4S and iPad 2 running iOS 5 with Cydia. The jailbreak is not yet ready for public use. They are working on a few more hurdles still so hang tight.
Check out the screenshots and video of the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 below running Cydia.
This is a video of the first iPad 2 jailbroken running Cydia released by the iPhone Dev Team on Oct 28th 2011. Details to follow.
White Cydia Icon Fix
Sometimes after installing Cydia, you might notice an all white icon. To fix this white icon issue just follow these steps: Open Cydia > Manage > Sources >Edit > Add > Paste the following URL http://apt.saurik.com/cydia-3.7 > Add Source and wait while Cydia updates itself. This should now give you the official Cydia icon.
Cydia has a ton of apps for you to try but some of them can be complicated or not very exciting. This is why we review the best Cydia apps you can download here at AppSafari. To browse our reviews check out the Cydia apps category. We often add new reviews of popular Cydia apps so be sure to come back often.
If you have iOS 4.3.1 you can install Cydia using either redsn0w 0.9.6rc9 (Mac and PC) or PwnageTool 4.3 (Mac only) for an untethered jailbreak.
If you have iOS 4.2.1, you can either use GreenPois0n to do an untethered jailbreak, and you can also try a tethered jailbreak using redsn0w.
With the release of the iPhone 3G which comes with OS 2.0 and the related iPhone pwnage tools many of the apps written for the older Installer.app have to be ported over so developers are working on that. In the next few weeks you will start to see more and more apps in Cydia with lots of cool new features, so check back often.
For Windows users with the iPhone 2.1 software update, you can get both Cydia and Installer on your iPhone really quickly and easily by installing the QuickPwn software on your Windows PC. The entire process is streamlined and takes only a few minutes.
Ultrasn0w for iPhone 3G or 3GS can unlock your iPhone 3G or 3GS with OS 3.0 firmware.
1. Ensure you have upgraded to iPhone OS 3.0
2. Jailbreak your iPhone 3G using redsn0w or PwnageTool & if you have the 3GS use the purplera1n installer app to jailbreak it instead. (after this step you will have Cydia)
3. Run Cydia
4. Add the repo repo666.ultrasn0w.com to Cydia. (that last o is actually the number zero)
5. Search for “ultrasn0w” in cydia and install ultrasn0w
6. Reboot your iPhone 3G
7. T-Mobile USA users should disable 3G before using ultrasn0w
Purplesn0w can also unlock your iPhone 3GS, so use it instead of Ultrasn0w if you wish. The steps are exactly the same as the above. Only use this repo source in Cydia apt.geohot.com and install Purplesn0w from there.
If you have OS 3.1.2 you can use blackra1n or PwnageTool 3.1.4 to jailbreak and get Cydia installed on your iPhone or iPod touch.
If you are running OS 3.1.2, 3.1.3 or 3.2 and want to install Cydia on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch, use Spirit. It is simple, takes 30 seconds and best of all it is untethered.
Important: If you install SSH on your device, be sure to change the default root password on your jailbroken device:
1) Install Mobile Terminal From Cydia and run it
2) Type in “su root” and tap return
3) When promted for a password, enter “alpine” hit return
4) Type “passwd” and hit return
5) Type a new password and hit return
6) Re-Enter your new password to confirm and hit return
7) You’re done. You’ve successfully changed your default root password and should feel safer now.
The website jailbreakme 2.0 let’s you install Cydia on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch by just visiting a website, if you have not updated past 4.0.1 yet. No installs or cables needed. Get Cydia in 3 minutes flat.
Most people new to jailbreaking ask the question; is it legal to jailbreak my device?
The answer is, technically yes. Jailbreaking your iPhone will void your contract, but it is not illegal. Having said that, you can restore your device to its factory settings if all else fails as a last resort. Now, it is possible that your device will have issues and you might lose your data stored on the device. This is why it is highly recommended that your always backup your device via iTunes before jailbreaking. This assures that you can restore to a working backup as a worst case scenario.
Cydia keeps getting better on every release and update, and saurik’s support is exceptional. Below are a list of additional features that have been added to Cydia so far.
- Rock was a new mod app store which has been acquired by Cydia.
- Theme Center has been added to Cydia. It gives you the ability to buy and manage jailbreak themes on your iPhone from a single location, as an alternative to a competing app called Theme It. Right now you have a selection of the top selling themes from Cydia in the Theme Center and staff picks. You will soon be able to rate the themes as a user, thanks to the new user account system in Cydia.
- A new user account management system has been added to Cydia that lets users check previously installed packages.
- Cydia is coming to the Mac! Apple is soon to release the Mac App Store. The new Mac App Store won’t allow Mac developers sell in-app purchases for “Lite” apps, create Game Center integration or even to generate promo codes. Since some developers don’t want to deal with going through Apple, Mac Cydia will let you do just that. Contact Cydia via patrick@saurikit.com if you are a developer and want more details on getting your Mac app into the Cydia Mac App Store, set to launch in a few weeks.
- Cydia developers Jay Freeman & chpwn have a new version of Cydia, with full iPad support. It will be out soon with iOS 4.2 jailbreak. Here’s a quick look at how the iPad version of Cydia looks like.
Apple should and sometimes does (folders for example) take a few elements from the Cydia Store and port them to the App Store.
Use iPhone mods and hacks at your own risk! Installing 3rd Party iPhone apps requires you to jailbreak the iPhone before installing the native software and apps. Browse the full list of all iPhone and iPod touch native 3rd party apps filed under the software category.
Cydia Developer’s website is here
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HELP!!
Just wondering and I hope someone will help me asap.. I got Cydia from one of my friends’ computer.. if I sync new apps from my computer, will that delete cydia off my iphone??
hey….i know a program in cydia…installous…you can download all games there are in app store..full games…you must add this in cydia source: http://cydia.hackulo.us/ and than add this source and than go to search and tap : installous and doiwnload this and from this installous you can download all the game there are the same in teh app store but FULL GAME not LITE….if i help anybody with this i want to know..:)
yeah….you must add some sources in cydia..go to manage than sources and tap edit and than add in left and add this: http://apt.bigboss.us.com/repofiles/cydia/….for more sourcer go to youtube and tap cydia sources…:) or google
hey guys. I jailbroke my iphone2.2.1 and was trying to make cydia work.. but anytime I try to install something, the box pops up and says POSIX:socket is not connected, or POSIX:Operation timed out and cant install anything:( is there anybody can help me solve this issue?! plleeaasseee~!!!
I just got a iphone 2g version 2.0.2, it was a jailbroken phone. There was a lot of apps from the vendor. After i got the phone i just pressed cydia icon and most of the applications icons are gone like installer, calculator, contacts etc. only few icons like phone, photos, sms and safari is there. I did not back up my iphone prior before the icons dissappeared. can anyone help me to get the icons back. thanks
Hey what’s upp my name is alex and pleas pleas help me I’m not someone that bows how to do any of this but I want to download cydia but I dnt now how 2 pleas help me my email is. Alexban2008@yahho.com or myspace lilhomie@yahho.com yes yahho. LOL thanx zoo let me now
This…is…AMAZING! You can install so much cool stuff with it. You really need to jailbreak your iPod/iPhone if you already didn’t. Download QuickPwn for iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, or iPod touch 1G. Download Redsn0w beta for iPod touch 2G. All are untethered (the jailbreak stays after a reboot)!
Nice site ! people should read this .
You have to jailbreak your iTouch or iPhone and it will automatically put Cydia as well as Installer (an older version) onto it.
Thank you so much. I have already downloaded tons of free apps from that website. Btw, you have to download a certain program from Cydia in order to actually get them onto your iTouch or iPhone.
i have ipod touch 16 g so i wont to downloads everythings abouth ipod touch programmes or movies or …..?
so i need answer?
how can i downloads cidya?
Its free, if ou have to pay its not the right one/
U gotta download winterboard off cydia then u hust check the themes etc u want
Hey I found a new website where you can download apps and sync them right to your ipod or iphone, you will have to do a little sshing before you can sync but it is pretty easy. it has every app in the app store only free. check it out: appulo.us I have already downloaded like 25 apps… If you need any help getting set up email me kmclen1565@yahoo.com
all on the big shift
i don;t have video when i try to luch a cartoon,what program do i need
i download sendsong before from cydia. where i could download music form itunes and i use it as a ringtone also. but since i locked my iphone. they reset everything i lost all the program that i used to have. now my question is…what is the new program from cydia that i can download again so i can use all the music that i have on my itunes to become my ringtone. thanks
I have ATT & have always had it. I jailbroke my phone a month or so ago and I’m glad I did. I have a lot more choices now and have been able to really customize my phone. If you use ATT you don’t have to unlock you phone (which allows you to use other carriers) but you can jailbreak it (which is easier & allows you to use Cydia. Take your time and follow the instructions and you’ll be fine. Email Kyle (see above posts) if you have problems or questions – he really helped me a lot. (Thanks Kyle!)
I’m looking into getting the Iphone but I’m not sure if i want to get the contract through ATT or buy it off line and go through T mobile. If i goto ATT to get the phone and contract can I still use Cydia and the apps? can I Jailbreak the phone. all on ATT network. Iv heard mixed story’s about if cydia will work on ATT network or not. Im just looking for the best deal when it comes to this. can anyone give me a straight answer?
yes it is worth it, I don’t leave home without mine. you can go to the app store and download an app named iCall and use your ipod touch like an iphone as long as you have an internet connection. I live and work with wifi everywhere even in my car. (sprint WIFI router)so I got rid of my cell phone adn save about 100 bucks a month. email me with any questions. kmclen1565@yahoo.com