Disclaimer:
Jailbreaking, along with unlocking,
is hacking, and is in no way supported by Apple. Apple will refuse to offer any sort of service on an iPhone that has been modified in any way, should they be able to tell that it has been modified. Hacking the iPhone voids the warranty that comes with the phone. While most hacking-induced issues can be fixed by either you or somebody else on forums like this, there is a possibility that your iPhone will become 'bricked', or permanently inoperable.
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Definitions:
Jailbreak - jailbreaking is a process that allows your iPhone to run unofficial third-party applications. It grants the user access to the areas of the filesystem that are by default not accessible. The process itself is extremely easy and can be performed in a couple of different ways. Once the process is complete, and additional icon will appear on the iPhone's home screen: Installer. This is the application that installs all others, and gives you access to everything the jailbreaking community has to offer.
Unlocking - Unlocking is an entirely different process from jailbreaking, however it does require that your iPhone is jailbroken. The result of unlocking is allowing your iPhone to operate on a carrier other than the one it is locked to. In the U.S., the iPhone is locked to AT&T. If you unlocked the iPhone in the U.S, you would most likely choose to have it operate with T-Mobile.
SSH - SSH is a means of transferring data, or files, between to devices. In the case of the iPhone, SSH can be installed by installing OpenSSH in installer, and accessing your iPhone via a SSH client on your computer. This will gives you access to your iPhone's drive.
Should you be using a Mac, use either
Cyberduck or
Fugu as your client.
If you are using a PC, use
WinSCP.
Firmware - Firmware is generally an interface between hardware and software layers it has to interact with. With the iPhone, the term is almost interchangeable with 'operating system'. Firmware updates can add new features to a device, improve it's stability, and prevent hacking, which is why it is important to pay attention to firmware when it comes to jailbreaking.
The iPhone firmware versions:
1.0.0 - the original firmware shipped with the iPhone.
1.0.1 & 1.0.2 - bug fixes
1.1.1 - adds Wi-Fi iTunes store, results upon double-clicking home button, bug fixes, stability improvement, and the TIFF exploit, which provided the easiest way to jailbreak - via the internet.
1.1.2 - bug fixes, stability improvement, and TIFF exploit patch.
1.1.3 - adds ability to move icons on home screen, location feature in Google Maps, gift card redemption in iTunes, chapters in movies, and minor fixes. Also changed the default user from root to mobile.
1.1.4 - bug fixes
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How to jailbreak your iPhone:
The method that you jailbreak with may depend on what firmware your iPhone is running and what computer system you use.
For all firmware versions and Mac or PC:
Currently, Pwnage is the number one way to jailbreak. Not only does Pwnage jailbreak the iPhone, it also modifies it so that it can be restored with custom IPSW (firmware) files. Pwnage is safer largely because it allows restore of modified firmware via iTunes.
Pwnage - for Mac
WinPwn - for PC
Other methods:
ZiPhone - Mac & PC, all firmware versions
iLiberty+ - Mac & PC, all firmware versions
iDemocracy 3 - Mac & PC, all firmware versions - This is my program of choice.
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What you should install after jailbreaking:
BSD Subsystem - Unix tools for the iPhone. This will increase the overall stability of the iPhone/applications, and is required for some applciations to run.
Community Sources - Adds sources (websites where the applications in installer come from) to Installer that are trusted and offer several useful applications.
OpenSSH - Enables SSH on the iPhone. For the definition of SSH, see above, and for instructions on how to use it, see below.
SummerBoard - On 1.1.2 and below, allows you to theme your iPhone and use additional pages on the Springboard. On 1.1.3 +, allows you to theme your iPhone. (Pages on the Springboard are enabled by Apple in versions 1.13 and up.)
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How-To's
Connecting to your iPhone via SSH:
First make sure that your iPhone is connected to the same wireless network as the computer you wish to connect to the iPhone with.
1) Open up your SSH client of choice, and open a new connection. In 'Server' or 'IP Address' you will need to input your iPhone's IP. To determine this:
• Go into Settings > WiFi.
• Find your wireless network, and tap the blue arrow next to it.
• In the 'IP' field, look at the numbers displayed. This is your IP.
Now input the IP Address into the server field in your SSH client.
2) If prompted, select 'SSH' as your connection type, or set the port to 22.
3) In the 'Username' field, input the word
root.
4) In the 'Password' field, input the word
alpine.
Theming your iPhone:
SummerBoard, an extension to the Springboard, allows you to use themes on your iPhone. Themes can change application's icons, the dock icon, the menubar icon, and even allow you to have a wallpaper behind your icons.
Using themes in Installer:
There are several themes available for download in Installer. Once you have downloaded SummerBoard, you should have rebooted (turn off and on) your iPhone. An application named SMBPrefs will then appear on the Springboard. Any themes downloaded from Installer can be selected here.
Making your own theme:
A theme is simply a folder residing in this directory:
In 1.1.2 and below: /var/root/Library/SummerBoard/Themes
In 1.1.3 and above: /var/mobile/Library/SummerBoard/Themes
Inside this folder are images such as dock.png (the dock icon), wallpaper.png (the wallpaper behind the icons), menubar.png (the bar at the top of the screen), and so on. Inside the theme's folder is another folder, entitled icons. Here resides the icons, such as iPod.png, Installer.png, Sketches.png, etc.
These folders are also recognized as themes inside SMBPrefs.
Alternatively, if you don't want to mess with creating folders and such, then try using ThemeBuilder from Installer.
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Troubleshooting:
Problem: My iPhone has no sound after jailbreaking.
Answer: Try resetting all settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset all Settings), and then Restoring.
Problem: Mail refuses to work.
Answer: Download the Mailfix from Installer.
Problem: Downloaded themes do not show up.
Answer: Download the theme fix from Installer.
Problem: Installer gives me a 'Package download failed' error.
Answer: Reinstall Community Sources.
Problem: Installer gives me a 'Main script execution failed' error.
Answer: Use
this fix. (Works with 1.1.4 as well)
Problem: YouTube does not work.
Answer: Download the YouTube fix from Installer.
Question: Will jailbreaking 'unlock' my iPhone?
Answer: If you do not wish to unlock, do not check the checkbox for unlocking and activating in your jailbreaking application.
Problem: iTunes and/or my computer will not recognize my iPhone.
Answer:
Solutions for Mac Solutions for PC
Question: I jailbroke, and I don't like it. How do I get back?
Answer: Restoring in iTunes will wipe your iPhone of most everything done with the jailbreaking process. However, if you synced your iPhone since you jailbroke, your backup will have traces of the jailbreak in it. To delete it, go into iTunes Preferences, click the iPhone pane, find your backup, and press Delete.
Question: Does the process and anything it require extensive knowledge of computers?
Answer: No. The jailbreaking process is completely automated, and unless you want it to, the experience of a jailbroken iPhone does not have to involve fancy things such as the command line; however it can be helpful.
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My recommended applications:
All sources package: This will add several sources to Installer, giving you maximum application selection. Add the source
http://ride4.org/shai.xml to do so.
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- John
05-05-2008, 08:21 PM
Thanks, Lori
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