Jailbreak your iDevice!

-What is a jailbreak?
A jailbreak allows the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, to run apps not available through the app store. The main feature of a jailbreak is to gain access to the filesystem allowing customization and the ability to hack or make it do things that a normal iDevice can't. It is similar to "rooting" an android device.

-Is a jailbreak complicated?
Depends. For the most part, no. The jailbreak process is relatively simple and is easy to install some very cool stuff.

-What does apple think about jailbreaking?
Apple hates it. Period. But it is 100% legal. If you take your iDevice to an apple store or send it in for repair while it is in a jailbroken state, apple will claim the jailbreak has voided the warranty and refuse service.

-So, what do I do after I jailbreak?
After you jailbreak, you get Cydia. Cydia is the "AppStore" for jailbreakers. You still have the AppStore but Cydia has the themes and tweaks. You can download themes and such only from Cydia.

-Is a jailbreak permanent?
No. If you need to send your iDevice in for repair, just restore with iTunes and the iDevice will be returned to stock state and the jailbreak will be removed.

-It it illegal?
No. A recent congressional bill deemed jailbreaking legal for mobile devices.

-How easy is it to brick my device?
Impossible. You will always be able to get into DFU mode and restore with iTunes.

-I have always been told jailbreaking gets you free apps.
No! There is a way to get free apps but there is also a way to do it without a jailbreak. The jailbreak does not automatically give you free apps. That is something totally different that you have to install and configure. But, downloading apps for free is ILLEGAL AND YOU CAN FACE PRISON or major fines. So, don't do it! And discussion of anything illegal is forbidden on this forum.

-If I jailbreak, can I still use iTunes and the AppStore?
Yes! Your iDevice's normal functions stay the same. So, iTunes and the app store will still work just as they did before. Although, any apps you download from Cydia will not be backed up to iTunes.

-People tell me their device is slow and the battery drains faster.
No! The jailbreak does nothing to affect battery life or slow it down. But, a tweak or hack you download from Cydia may affect battery life or speed. Just be careful and download stuff that is compatible for your device and software version.

-What is this DFU mode thing?
DFU mode (Device Firmware Update) is a state that you can put your iDevice in to make it accept any software version. Jailbreakers rely on this to downgrade and to restore if something goes wrong.
To enter DFU mode, plug into your computer and open iTunes. Press and hold the power and home button for 10 seconds. The screen will turn off. Release the power button and KEEP holding the home button until iTunes recognizes the device in restore mode. In windows, it may install drivers before it is recognized. You can release the home button when windows starts to install drivers or iTunes recognizes the device. Don't think that with DFU mode you can restore to any software version. You need the shsh blobs for that.

-What are SHSH blobs?
Shsh blobs (Signature HaSH) is used by apple to make sure your device is allowed to install a certain software version. Blobs are unique to each device and each software version. Every blob is different, so your friend may have the same exact device, but they won't work. You need your own blobs to install a new software. When you click that update or restore button in iTunes, iTunes sends a request to apple with your UDID (Unique Device IDentifier) and your ECID (Exclusive Chip IDentifier) and an indication of the software version you are trying to go to. And if the software version for your device at that time is allowed, apple sends back a SHSH blob! iTunes then can update or restore your software. So, no SHSH blob, no update or restore. Got it? If the apple servers get a request for a software version that has expired, say a new version is out, the request will be denied and you are forced to upgrade, or have a non-functional device. But, there is hope! With 3rd party tools, (most common one TinyUmbrella -google it), you can save these shsh blobs while apple still has the window open for that software. So, at the time of a restore, TinyUmbrella re-routes iTunes instead to Cydia if you have you blobs saved so you can downgrade, (or stay at your current) software version. Pretty neat right? And a ton to take in. If you don't quite get it, don't worry about it. As long as you save your blobs, you can always downgrade. But with iOS 5 comes over the air updates, so blobs go through the device instead of iTunes. So will we be able to save blobs? We will just see.

-So, how to I go about this?
There are many ways to jailbreak. The easiest is called Greenpoison. A bit more difficult is Redsn0w. And, for you deep hackers, Snowbreeze, which allows custom packages and other fancy stuff. Remember, Google is your friend!

Any questions, make a thread or PM me.

Great post Grayson.

Same one from Apple Forums.

I am just trying to make it a sticky. All I see is the quick moderation tools.

(you can tell I am new to this moderator stuff )

Got it!

[graywolf] wrote:I am just trying to make it a sticky. All I see is the quick moderation tools.

(you can tell I am new to this moderator stuff )

Looks like you got it!

If I jailbreak my iPod can I get free music? And can I jailbreak it myself or is it complicated?

Yes you can, BUT it is piracy. Here at Everything Apple, we do not permit discussion of piracy. To answer you second question, now it is easier than ever! And you could do it by yourself with no problem.

great post thanks. really helps