What Jailbreaking Is And How To Do It

[Lincoln]

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 root access to your device. 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
2.0 - major update. Adds AppStore, screenshots, contacts app, contacts search, saving images from Safari and Email, new calculator buttons, scientific calculator.
2.0.1, 2.0.2 - Small updates, fixing minor bugs.
2.1 - Significant update. Fixed all major bugs and problems, improved 3G reception, fewer dropped calls, better battery life, better overall stability, inclusion of the iTunes 8 "Genius" feature.
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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.

If you wish to jailbreak, it is highly advised that you do so on the 2.0 + firmwares. These are the most current and the easiest to jailbreak.

If you still want to jailbreak a pre-2.0 firmware, click the link corresponding to each firmware below. I do not guarantee that that the processes linked to will work, as they are old versions of the OS.

Firmware 1.0 - 1.0.2: No longer supported. Please update.
Firmware 1.1.1: Go here and follow the directions.
Firmware 1.1.2: Follow this guide.
Firmware 1.1.3: Follow this guide.
Firmware 1.1.4: DO NOT USE ZiPHONE. Use iNdependence 1.4.

Firmware 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2: Use either WinPwn (PC), PwnageTool (Mac), or QuickPwn (Mac & PC). These applications offer the all around best way to jailbreak. Make sure you have the correct files.

Firmware 2.1: If you are a Mac user, see this article for download locations of Pwnagel. If you are a PC user, see this article. Note that these applications do not offer an unlock for the iPhone 3G and should not be used with the new iPod touch.
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What you should install after jailbreaking:

BSD Subsystem (if available) - 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.

WinterBoard - Allows theming of the device of other SpringBoard options.

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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:

WinterBoard, 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 and Cydia. Once you have downloaded WinterBoard, you should have rebooted (turn off and on) your iPhone. An application named WinterBoard 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:
If using SummerBoard (pre-2.0): /var/mobile/Library/SummerBoard/Themes
If using Winterbaord: /Library/Themes

Inside these folders 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 WinterBoard.

Alternatively, if you don't want to mess with creating folders and such, then try using ThemeBuilder from Cydia.

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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.

[patrickj]

This is very good stuff, and is what we need more of at EIC. I reckon there should be a Guides, or How-To's, or both, section that entries like this should live in.

Some suggested amendments for your consideration:

Probably worth explaining the difference between unlocked and jailbroken in this doc, as many new users confuse the two terms.

Where you mention the warranty being voided when hacked, it may be worth stating that that is *if* you are unable to restore cleanly and prevent Apple from realizing you hacked.

On basic jailbreak definition part, it should say that it allows access to areas of the file system which Apple has not granted, which in turn lets us install 3rd party apps.

Definition of SSH = a secure method of remote access to systems. (In our case it usually involves file transfers, but doesn't have to.)

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'.

Pwnage - is safer largely because it allows restore of JBed firmware via iTunes.

[Lincoln]

Originally Posted by patrickj

This is very good stuff, and is what we need more of at EIC. I reckon there should be a Guides, or How-To's, or both, section that entries like this should live in.

Some suggested amendments for your consideration:

Probably worth explaining the difference between unlocked and jailbroken in this doc, as many new users confuse the two terms.

Where you mention the warranty being voided when hacked, it may be worth stating that that is *if* you are unable to restore cleanly and prevent Apple from realizing you hacked.

On basic jailbreak definition part, it should say that it allows access to areas of the file system which Apple has not granted, which in turn lets us install 3rd party apps.

Definition of SSH = a secure method of remote access to systems. (In our case it usually involves file transfers, but doesn't have to.)

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'.

Pwnage - is safer largely because it allows restore of JBed firmware via iTunes.

Edited. Thanks.

By the way - this is almost exactly 10,000 characters. I had to remove several words to add in what you suggested.

[patrickj]

Cool. Sorry - meant to mention this in my first reply but forgot - have now mentioned in another thread that I think your post could do with being broken up into several, each covering a very specific topic.

This one should maybe end after defining jailbreak. Then do separate ones for: Essential Apps To Install After Jailbreak, Connecting via SSH, iPhone Themes How-To etc.

Two advantages to this - lazy readers have less to read through on each specific topic, and it lets you use more meaningful and descriptive post titles, so that at a glance people can find relevant things more easily just by their post title ...

[themanofthedark]

do I recognize some of my own words in this?

[aaronsiphone]

Bravo.....uve talked me into jailbreaking my phone now with ur swarve language!! Oh hold on I'm already jailbroken...good read tho!

[Lincoln]

Originally Posted by patrickj

Cool. Sorry - meant to mention this in my first reply but forgot - have now mentioned in another thread that I think your post could do with being broken up into several, each covering a very specific topic.

This one should maybe end after defining jailbreak. Then do separate ones for: Essential Apps To Install After Jailbreak, Connecting via SSH, iPhone Themes How-To etc.

Two advantages to this - lazy readers have less to read through on each specific topic, and it lets you use more meaningful and descriptive post titles, so that at a glance people can find relevant things more easily just by their post title ...

But then I would have to have all of the comments above the be deleted. Otherwise it would look rather ugly.

- John

[Gundam01]

Hi. I just re-unlocked my brand new phone and now I'm trying to install apps into it. The problem is that it can't seem to find a host. Does my phone have to be activated with a working sim card and all? I tried hooking up via wifi but everytime I do, it can't seem to recognize the password eventhough I changed my wireless modem's password twice just so I can hook up to it. Are there apps that I can install just by using the usb cable? Also, where do I get a copy of Spring Board (or is it summer board now) and NES apps? Much obliged...

[Lincoln]

Originally Posted by Gundam01

Hi. I just re-unlocked my brand new phone and now I'm trying to install apps into it. The problem is that it can't seem to find a host. Does my phone have to be activated with a working sim card and all? I tried hooking up via wifi but everytime I do, it can't seem to recognize the password eventhough I changed my wireless modem's password twice just so I can hook up to it. Are there apps that I can install just by using the usb cable? Also, where do I get a copy of Spring Board (or is it summer board now) and NES apps? Much obliged...

As far as your Wi-Fi issues goes, see if this article form Apple offers any assistance.

Applications from Installer do not require Wi-Fi to be installed. They can be installed over an EDGE connection. Also, if you have an iPhone application on your computer that you wish to put on your phone, you can place it on the phone via SSH, which is explained above.

SummerBaord is in Installer. After you have installed Community Sources, look in 'All Packages' and find the package named 'SummerBoard'. Install it and then reboot.

NES.app can be installed form installer. ROMs for the application can be found and are available for download all over the internet.

- John

[Ramesh]

Wait, so after pwning, can one restore using iTunes as in the past? Has anyone done it?