Update: We’ll be updating this post very soon to reflect 5.0.1.

Apple’s position was always that “jailbreaking” – the process by which users can get core control over their iPhone and install unapproved apps and services – is an illegal act that shouldn’t be allowed. Then the chief officer of the Library of Congress chimed in and state that it was purely legal and that users can do whatever they want with an iPhone once they buy it. So Apple begrudgingly accepted that decision and merely said that jailbreaking your phone “could” void your warranty. And understand this. If you choose to embark on this fun little hacking of your iPhone, you need to realize that we do not warranty, endorse or indemnify you against any calamity that may befall you. Like Apple, if you jailbreak your phone, you are on your own with the consequences. Understood? So now that the legal issues are out of the way, the question comes how, and if, one should jailbreak their phone? Here’s a few tips:

“It is also important to note that unauthorized modification of the iOS is a violation of the iPhone end-user license agreement and because of this, Apple may deny service for an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that has installed any unauthorized software.”

 

1. Should you?

The first step in jailbreaking your phone is to ask yourself if you should? The only real reason to jailbreak is to install an app that isn’t available on the iTunes App Store. But recently, someone has accomplished porting SIRI to a jailbroken iPhone 4, and 3S. With Apple having no immediately plans to offer SIRI onto older generation phones, there may be a good reason other than Apps to jailbreak the phone. There used to be that tethering was a good reason, but now most carriers offer tethering at a price. So, unless you’re trying to avoid a monthly charge – which could end up on your bill if you jailbreak anyway, the real question is, it it worth it?

2. Consider the Risk

While most of the danger in jailbreaking your phone has largely been eliminated, there is still a chance that attempting a jailbreak will end up rendering your phone non-operational (bricking it). And Apple has stated that jailbreaking your phone does void the warranty. So you’re on your own should something go wrong. But even if the worst case scenario happens and your phone does get into a bricked state, there are ways to bring it back to operational function.

Mostly, though, many have reported that their worst case scenario was some apps don’t really work right after the jailbreak, and you will certainly not be able to update your phone with new software from Apple while it is in jailbroken condition. However, with a simple hard reset, your phone is back into it’s sand-boxed condition, and then you will be able to upgrade it with any software updates. Just don’t try and update it without resetting and wiping out the jailbreak.

3. Back up your phone

Before you do anything. BACKUP. Not only to iTunes, but also to the cloud. That way should anything back happen, your data, songs, and apps are safely backed up. Also, back up to iCloud. This is fairly simple by going to Settings>iCloud>Storage and Backup>Backup now.

4. Choose your poison

There are several ways to jailbreak an iPhone. Perhaps the easiest is to go to jailbreakme.com from your mobile Safari browser. Jailbreak Me is the simplest way to jailbreak an iPhone with just a simple step. Tap on the Free button under Cydia and then tap on the Install button, this should jailbreak your iOS device and install Cydia (as seen in the screenshot below) just like installing an iOS app from the App Store. It is as easy as that.

Another option is to go with an app called Redsn0w and follow these simple steps:

1.  This jailbreak will require you to connect your iPhone to your PC and then install RedSnow to your PC.
2.Then you run Redsn0w on your PC and click on “patch.” This will patch your iPhone to accept the Cydia Store app. You can also add multi gesture functionality and a few other features.
3. Then you will follow the direction to go into DFU reset mode (top button for 3 seconds, then home button) and reboot your phone.
4. RedSnow will then use a utility called LimeRain to jailbreak your phone and install Cydia. Do not touch it at this time.
5. Once done, you need to exit and turn off your device.
6. Then, in the RedSnow desktop utility, select “just boot” and turn on your device by entering into DFU mode again according to instructions. Once that’s done, the iPhone is jailbroken and will reboot.

There are others including BlackRain, GreenPoisOn, PwnageTool and SnowBreeze and each has it’s own directions on how to jailbreak. The best thing to do is to spend some time over at the iPhone Development Team Blog for more information on each.

UPDATE:  The iPhone Development Team has recently released a new version of Redsn0w, vs. 0.9.9b8, that can not only jailbreak iOS 5.0.1, but also has some of the Pwnage tool functionality built right into it.  For more information, check out this blog post for update 16, which contains updated versions of the software for each platform, Mac and Windows.  But one thing to keep in mind … this jailbreak is still tethered, with IDT working on an untethered option.  Those who choose to jailbreak now, will not be able to downgrade to iOS5.0 to try the untethered option once it’s out, meaning once tethered, it may be the end of the line for you.

5. Understand your limitations

As I mentioned previously, with a jailbroken iPhone, you cannot just update your phone anytime Apple release and update. To do that, you have to reformat and reset your iPhone back to it’s factory condition. But the iPhone is also more open to exploits and attacks when jailbroken. Granted, it’s largely theoretical, but it can happen. You can guard against this somewhat by changing the root iPhone password. Root Click on the Password How-To button in Cydia to learn how. But if you forget the new password, you’re stuck.

Also, you’re battery life could suffer from unapproved apps that aren’t well tested and can leach power from unclosed services. Additionally, those apps may be unstable which could cause your iPhone/iPad/iPod to reboot or crash.

And depending on what phone/OS you have, a jailbreak may not be possible, at least in the short term. But time is on your side and sooner or later, even the most recent update gets Jailbroken. And then you have to go through the process all over again.

6. Wrapping up

So, after all that you have to ask yourself the first question again … is it worth it? Frankly, I don’t think so. Unless you have a very limited need to jailbreak, there really isn’t anything that Apple has addressed with an update or a new app (and there are over a half million now). In the end, jailbreaking may be a fun exercise, but one that will largely give you a pyrrhic victory over Cupertino.

The PS3 Jailbreak saga continues. A federal court in Australia has granted a temporary injunction of sales of the modchip device, which allows the playing of backed-up games off a hard drive, in that country. The modchip is still for sale in other countries, including the US, though it’s currently backordered. Some commentators online are wondering if the company creating the PS3 Jailbreak expected that it wouldn’t be on sale for long, hence the $150 price tag. Not to mention Sony’s inevitable firmware updates. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

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Hey, remember that post last week about the useful-looking PS3 backup tool, the PS3 Jailbreak? Yeah, me too. It works with both the fat and slim model PS3s, on any firmware version, which is pretty remarkable. Well, the bad news is that playing backed up games online is a no-go, as Sony will perma-ban anyone using the tool thanks to a ID system they have in place that detects the game ID and reports it to Sony HQ. The good news is, you can still use your PS3  online using original game discs…just make sure the Backup Manager is not in your disc drive and the USB Drive is not plugged in. The device itself seems to be highly popular, as one US site selling the tool for $119 (discounted from $150) is already sold out. So, are you still interested?

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A new app called Multifl0w 2.0 has brought awesome, Expose-like application switching to Apple’s portable devices. Like most of the really cool apps, you’ll need to jailbreak your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad in order to use the application. To do so, you can’t have upgraded your iPhone/iPod to version 4.0.2 or iPad to version 3.2.2. If you haven’t, go to jailbreakme.com and follow the instructions there — they’re pretty easy to follow. After that, open the Cydia app on your iPhone/iPad and find the “Multifl0w” app and buy it (it costs $5). And that’s it! Enjoy some smooth app switching on the go. Check out the video below to see it in action.

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At $60 bucks a pop, many gamers wish there was an easy way of backing up their expensive PS3 games to prevent wear and tear, since it’s legal to do so (as long as you actually own the thing). Now, a group has come out with something called the PSJailbreak that allows for playing hard drive backups, no dangerous console modding required. Simply insert the USB dongle, use the included backup tool, and you’re set to play games off either the PS3′s internal drive or external storage. If you’re interested (and I’m sure quite a few PS3 users are), be warned that Sony usually stamps out these exploits with quickly-released firmware updates. The video showing the process is below.

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Back in July we showed you a basic version of Flash running on an iPad, and now we’ve got an even better version called Frash that runs on both the jailbroken iPad and iPhone 3GS/4. The original installation instructions were somewhat complicated, but a new installer reduces them to four steps. They are, (assuming your device is already jailbroken):

1. Open the Cydia App. Select the Manage Tab, then ‘Sources’.
2. Tap Edit, then tap ‘Add’.
3. Add the source http://repo.benm.at
4. Search for “Frash”, and install it.

And that’s it. Tell us how you’re definitely not Apple-approved Flash experience is!

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Everyone already knows that the iPod Touch is basically an iPhone without the phone part, but now even that might not be true. The Apple Peel 520 is a very interesting product that claims to turn your iPod into a full-fledged phone, while also acting as a protective case and extra 800mAh battery, giving the device 4.5 hours of talk time and 120 hours of standby. So how does it work? You apparently insert a SIM card into the Apple Peel and, thanks to some jailbroken apps (which are totally legal now!), you can use your iPod as a phone, making texts, calls, and more. Here’s a video of the device, though take it with a grain of salt.

The Apple Peel is available soon for $44 to $74.

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In what is pretty much a landmark decision for digital copyright, the DMCA has been modified so that things like jailbreaking your iPhone and copying DVDs for educational purposes are now legal. So go ahead, install your Cydia Apps, get tethering, install SNES emulators — it’s a free country, man. Here’s the exact line in the revised legalese:

(2) Computer programs that enable wireless telephone handsets to execute software applications, where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of such applications, when they have been lawfully obtained, with computer programs on the telephone handset.

(3) Computer programs, in the form of firmware or software, that enable used wireless telephone handsets to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when circumvention is initiated by the owner of the copy of the computer program solely in order to connect to a wireless telecommunications network and access to the network is authorized by the operator of the network.

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Are you regretting buying a WiFi only iPad, especially after seeing the iKit from Scosche?  Well, don’t.  If you’re willing to Jailbreak your iPhone you can tether your iPad wirelessly to that handset and take advantage of its 3G connection.  Best of all you won’t have to pay the extra $130 for the 3G hardware in addition to the $30 a month for an unlimited 3G connection on the Apple tablet.

The app, MyWi, which can be bought for $10, just needs to be installed and turned on.  Keep in mind you must Jailbreak your iPhone, otherwise this app is worthless – Jailbreaking voids your Apple warranty.  Next, just search for available WiFi signals on your iPad – your iPhone should show up – and presto, you’ll be able to tether to the handset sans wires.  This means web surfing in the car, at the coffee shop or just about any where you can get a connection on your iPhone.

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The iPad can do a lot of things, but it can do a hell of a lot more things if you Jailbreak it.  Case in point is this iPad running a SNES emulator and being controlled by a Wiimote.

You’ll first need to install version 7.0 of snes4iphone, which provides support for the WiiMote via BTStack. The jailbroken app can be purchased for US$5.99 at the Cydia store. As jailbreaking is required to install Cydia and non-App store apps, you’ll first need to jailbreak your iPad.

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So a strange development took place on Sunday–a Dutch hacker is currently holding what amounts to several jailbreaked Apple iPhones.

Just in case you’re wondering about the terminology here, a jailbroken phone is basically a hacked iPhone that allows you to install software from other sources besides Apple’s App Store.  The need for jailbreaking has fallen off somewhat in recent days, but there are still plenty of phones out there already that have been jailbroken.

But when you jailbreak an Apple iPhone, you force the resetting of a password that controls remote access to the general password coded in at the factory level.  Now, if you’re smart, you’ll quickly change that password to something you know well.  But a lot of people either got lazy or busy or just plain forgot, because they left their iPhones in the ORIGINAL PASSWORD SETTING.

And that’s where the Dutch hacker swung in.  He changed the passwords, effectively locking people out of their own phones until they pay him a ransom of five euros via PayPal.  Meanwhile, Apple considers jailbroken phones to have voided their warranties, so it’s pretty much either pay off the hacker or lose your phone until he’s arrested and forced to confess.

So if you’ve got a jailbroken Apple, you may want to switch that password around before the Dutch hacker gets you…if he hasn’t already.

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According to reports, the next batch of iPhone 3GS to hit stores will be far more difficult, if not impossible to Jailbreak.  Sad news, I know, but there is always hope.  And for those of you that are still considering updating the iPhone’s software but haven’t, and of course would like to Jailbreak your phone, I suggest holding off…indefinitely.

Jailbreaking has long taken advantage of a hole in the phone’s software, and since it has been widely publicized Apple has had many a months to work to plug it.  Now a new ‘bootrom’ will supposedly ship with the new iPhone 3GS to combat the exploit to a degree never seen before.

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If you’re anything like me you’re not willing to Jailbreak your iPhone for the opportunity to tether the device to your computer for go any where Internet surfing.  Additionally, the folks at iPhone-Dev have yet to figure out how to Jailbreak the iPhone 3GS, although word on the street is that it’s coming any day now.

Well, fortunately there is a work around that requires no Jailbreaking or messy hacking to Tether it up.  Just follow the below instructions and you’ll be tethering with your iPhone 3GS or 3G running iPhone 3.0 software in no time flat.

1. Point your iPhone’s browser to help.benm.at
2. Scroll down to the blue button that says “Mobileconfigs’ and click it
3. Next select your country
4. Then choose your carrier
5. You’ll then be prompted with a profile install which you should do
6. Once that is complete click the iPhone’s Home button>Settings>General>Network>Internet Tethering>On
7. Select USB or Bluetooth (I choose USB)
8. Then plug your iPhone into your computer
9. Those on Macs, your Network settings screen should automatically pop up under system preferences
10. Select the iPhone (called Ethernet Adapter (en2) ) and the system will configure the DHCP info accordingly (this will probably happen after you click apply) and click Apply
11. Surf the net!

Note, we still don’t know what kind of action AT&T will take against those who perform heavy Internet surfing on a tethered iPhone, or any tethered iPhone as it’s completely unsanctioned and may either break the contractual terms or cost you some serious dough.

Update: Many people seem to be having trouble getting this to work.  If you’d like some help please email info [at] gadgetreview.com.

Update 2: A German iPhone user on T-Mobile just wrote in and said this is what he/she had to do to get it working: “you have to install the mobile config, restart, delete the config, install the config, restart and then you can use it!”.  Interesting that you should have to install it twice, but who knows and if it works so be it!

Update 3: This hack no longer works if you’ve updated your iPhone’s OS in the last 6-8 months.

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The iPhone Dev Team has released the necessary tools to unlock your iPhone running OS 3.0.  But, and this is a big but, if you’re looking to jailbreak and use a carrier other than AT&T stop.  Contrary to them saying they’d release Ultrasnow today, the tool necessary to unlock your phone running 3.0, they haven’t and they haven’t stated a release date, but it should be very soon.  A few other things to consider when Jailbreaking your iPhone:

• It won’t work with the latest iPhone, 3GS.
• If you bought an unlocked iPhone 3G than  you can use the latest PWNage tool since it doesn’t depend on baseband updates
• If you have a gen 1 iPhone (like me) then this will work, although they allude to this and don’t outright state that Yellowsnow will continue to work with the Gen 1 iPhone running OS 3.0
• A Windows version is coming soon

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Apple’s latest software update for the iPhone just hit the street, but if you’ve unlocked your iPhone you’re probably holding steady on 2.0 for fear of losing service.  But…drum roll please…the iPhone Dev Team has already cracked 3.0 and will release the software, now called Ultrasnow (the last version was Yellowsnow), to unlock the iPhone 3G running the latest iPhone software, 3.0.  They plan on releasing Ultrasnow this Friday.  For the proof in the pudding, check MuscleNerd‘s demo video below.

Note: You’ll need to Jailbreak your iPhone for this to work.  We assume Quickpwn will be released in accordance.

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MacRumors is reporting that the next iteration of the iPhone software, 3.0, will allow apps to operate in the background.  Before you get too excited, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to run more than 2 apps at a time due to the battery implications, but this could be the God send many of us AIM users have been waiting for since you could possibly receive IMs without the app running front and center.  Anyway, as with all rumors I suggest managing your expectations accordingly.  After all, there’s really no indication as to when Apple will release the 3.0 iPhone software update.  Of course, you could just Jailbreak your phone right now and enjoy background processes.

[Macrumors]