redsn0w

The iPhone Dev team releases a software utility called redsn0w for Mac and PC which you can use to jailbreak your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Once you download, and run redsn0w it will optionally install Cydia on your device along with the jailbreak so you can install 3rd party apps. If you want to unlock your iPhone and use a non-supported carrier using redsn0w you will have to use the Extras feature and build a custom ipsw file. There are also others apps including ultrasn0w for unlocking your device. As of now the latest supported jailbreak using redsn0w is iOS 5.0.1 for all devices running the A4 chip. Jailbreaks for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 with the A5 chip using redsn0w are coming soon.

What is tethered vs. untethered? Generally, an untethered jailbreak is the better option. A tethered jailbreak is less desirable, and should only be used if absolutely necessary. With a tethered jailbreak you will need to connect your device to your computer using the sync cable if you ever need to restart it or if the battery dies. Then while rebooting you will choose “just boot tethered” from the options.

Redsn0w Download Links

How to jailbreak iOS 5.1 with redsn0w (semi-tethered)

This jailbreak works on all iOS devices with an A4 chip running the iOS 5.1 firmware. Not supported yet are: iPhone 4S, iPad 2 and iPad 3. Also note that this jailbreak is semi-tethered.

1. Download Redsn0w 0.9.10b6 Windows or Mac
2. Run redsn0w while your device is connected to your computer
3. Click Jailbreak, turn off your device and put it into DFU mode using the instructions provided in Redsn0w.
4. Choose the “Install Cydia” and other optional items and continue
5. Wait while Redsn0w does its jailbreak which takes less than 10 minutes.
6. Now we need to redo a couple of steps to tether your device and get rid of the white Cydia icon. Re-open Redsn0w and go to the Extras section.
7. Choose “Just boot” and put your device into DFU mode once again and wait for a reboot. After this step your Cydia icon will be working.
8. To get a “semi-tethered” device do the following in Cydia
   1. Go to the Manage tab > Sources > Edit > Add > type in this URL: http://www.thebigboss.org/semitether > Hit Add
   2. Now go back to the source you just added, find the “semitether” application and hit Install.

Here’s a video demo showing you the above steps for installing Cydia on iOS 5.1 devices with an A4 chip.

How to jailbreak iOS 5.0.1 with redsn0w (untethered)

Fresh iOS 5.0.1 Use these steps if you have just upgraded to iOS 5.0.1 and have not tried to jailbreak before. If you need to unlock, read all the steps before you proceed.

1. Connect your device and open iTunes. Upgrade to the new 5.0.1 firmware. Keep your device connected to your computer.
2. Download redsn0w 0.9.10b3 for your Mac or PC below.
3. Run redsn0w while your device is connected to your computer.
4. Click the Jailbreak button and choose Install Cydia
5. Follow the steps on the screen to put your device into DFU mode.
6. Wait while the jailbreak completes.
7. Steps for Unlock user only
   • Don’t update to the latest iOS 5 version from iTunes.
   • Download iOS 5 for your iDevice
   • In redsn0w go to Extras > Custom IPSW
   • Select the file you downloaded above and let redsn0w build a custom firmware for you.
   • Now go to Extras > Pwned DFU
   • Restore your device using the custom firmware in iTunes.
   • Now you can unlock your iPhone using Gevey SIM, or the updated Ultrasn0w.

Previously Tethered iOS 5.0.1 Jailbreak If you have jailbroken to a tethered iOS 5.0.1 before (as described in the steps below) then follow these simple steps.

1. Open Cydia
2. Search for and install a new package called Corona 5.0.1 Untether
3. You will now convert your tethered jailbreak to an untethered jailbreak

Supported Devices with A4 chip

• iPhone 4 (GSM)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPod touch 3G
• iPod touch 4G
• iPad 1
• iPad 2 (not yet, coming soon)
• AppleTV 2G (PwnageTool only for now)

Unsupported Devices with A5 chip

• iPad 2
• iPhone 4S

How to jailbreak iOS 5 with redsn0w (tethered)

Note: This is a tethered jailbreak. This means you will need to connect your device to a computer and use redsn0w as shown below in the last step, each time you want to reboot your device.

Tip If you’ve already upgraded to iOS 5 and have the latest iTunes software, you can jump to step 3.

Unlock notice: If you want to unlock your iPhone don’t upgrade to the latest iOS 5 via iTunes. Read the last step first for details.

1. Download and install iTunes 10.5 on your Mac or PC
2. Connect your device and open iTunes. Upgrade to the new 5.0 firmware. Keep your device connected to your computer.
3. Download redsn0w 0.9.9b5 for your Mac or PC below
4. Run redsn0w while your device is connected to your computer.
5. Click the Jailbreak button labelled: Jailbreak and Install Cydia. Good news! Starting with this release, redsnow just downloads the .ipsw file automatically from Apple for you. No more messing around with ipsw files.
6. Turn off your device and keep it connected to your computer, then click the Next button.
7. Follow the steps on the screen to put your device into DFU mode. Here’s how
   1. Hold the power button for 2 seconds
   2. Hold the home button without releasing the power button.
   3. Release the power button but keep holding the home button until installation starts
8. Wait while the jailbreak completes. You’ll see a series of commands and screens on your device. After a few minutes this process will be complete, your device will restart and you will see the Cydia app icon on your HomeScreen.
9. Go into DFU mode, from the redsn0w Extras section pick Just Boot and redsn0w will boot your device as tethered.
10. Steps for Unlock user only
    • Don’t update to the latest iOS 5 version from iTunes.
    • Download iOS 5 for your iDevice
    • In redsn0w go to Extras > Custom IPSW
    • Select the file you downloaded above and let redsn0w build a custom firmware for you.
    • Now go to Extras > Pwned DFU
    • Restore your device using the custom firmware in iTunes.
    • Now you can unlock your iPhone using Gevey SIM, or the updated Ultrasn0w.

Supported Devices

• iPhone 4 (GSM)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPod touch 3G
• iPod touch 4G
• iPad 1
• iPad 2 (not yet, coming soon)
• AppleTV 2G (PwnageTool only for now)

Unsupported Devices

• iPad 2
• iPhone 4S

How to jailbreak iOS 4.3.3 with redsn0w (untethered)

1. Download and install iTunes 10.2.2 on your Mac or PC
2. Connect your device and open iTunes. Upgrade to the new 4.3.3 firmware. Keep your device connected to your computer.
3. Download iOS 4.3.3 for your iDevice. You’ll need this ipsw file in step 6.
4. Download redsn0w 0.9.6rc15 for your Mac or PC below
5. Run redsn0w while your device is connected to your computer.
6. Click Browse and select the .ipsw file you downloaded from step 3. Wait while redsn0w processes & successfully identifies the IPSW file, then click the Next button.
7. Check the box for “Install Cydia” and click Next.
8. Turn off your device and keep it connected to your computer, then click the Next button.
9. Follow the steps on the screen to put your device into DFU mode. Here’s how
   1. Hold the power button for 2 seconds
   2. Hold the home button without releasing the power button.
   3. Release the power button but keep holding the home button until installation starts
10. Wait while the jailbreak completes. You’ll see a series of commands and screens on your device. After a few minutes this process will be complete, your device will restart and you will see the Cydia app icon on your HomeScreen.

Supported Devices

• iPhone 4 (GSM)
• iPhone 3GS
• iPod touch 3G
• iPod touch 4G
• iPad 1
• iPad 2 (not yet, coming soon)
• AppleTV 2G (PwnageTool only for now)

Unsupported Devices

• iPad 2
• iPhone 4S

Other files you need to install redsn0w

- Download iOS firmware file for your device
- iTunes
- Bootloader files V3.9 (BL-39.bin) and V4.6 (BL-46.bin)

Here is a video demo of using redsn0w on the iPhone with Windows

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.

More info on redsn0w here

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