iOS 4.3.1

iPhone Dev-Team is celebrating the third anniversary of their PwnageTool with the release of an untethered jailbreak solution for the latest Apple firmware, iOS 4.3.1. The new version of redsn0w will jailbreak all devices that support iOS 4.3.1 except for the iPad 2. Apple got smart with the iPad 2, and the device can't be compromised by the limera1n or SHAtter exploits used on other devices.

The current jailbreak was made possible by developer Stefan Esser (@i0n1c) who has a long history of researching security on Apple products. Redsn0w is available directly from the iPhone Dev-Team for both Mac OS X and Windows platforms. PwnageTool is also available for Mac OS X and required to jailbreak the second-generation Apple TV.

Good news is here for those anxiously awaiting an iOS 4.3.x untethered jailbreak solution. Ever since Apple stepped up the cat and mouse game by patching recent exploits, the development community has been working hard to find a new way forward. As it turns out, developer Stefan Esser (i0n1c) found a new exploit and has already put it into the hands of the iPhone Dev-Team for testing.

He recently posted a video of the untethered jailbreak in action on an iPod touch running iOS 4.3.1. All eyes are now on the Dev-Team, awaiting confirmation that the method will be incorporated into existing tools and released to the public.

The latest firmware from Apple is already here. Just over two weeks after the release of iOS 4.3 for GSM iPhones, Apple has added bug fixes and other minor updates to iOS 4.3.1. The update was made available on iTunes earlier than expected. Verizon iPhones (CDMA) will remain at iOS 4.2.6 for the time being.

This update is also designed for the iPad, iPad 2 and fourth generation iPod touch. Although the update is relatively minor, if you are one of the users affected by issues addressed in the update you'll want to install the new firmware right away.