iPhone Jailbreaking

Dev-Team are in the final days of developing the next jailbreak solution upgrade for iPhone 4 users running iOS 4.2.1. Release could even happen this week if recent Twitter activity from team members is to be believed. Most recently MuscleNerd announced that "it’ll be here by Xmas (not because we’re sitting waiting for Xmas, but because it’s achievable deadline)" when asked about an untethered jailbreak via Twitter.

Although he has since removed the post, an earlier message from comex pointed to a release before the Christmas holiday. When asked "I want a 4.2.1 untethered jailbreak for christmas :P" by another Twitter user, comex replied, "you’ll get it."

Now that redsn0w has been updated to jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 you may be wondering what's involved in actually jailbreaking your iPhone. Here are some tips and instructions to help. First of all, if you have an unlocked iPhone don't update your device to the official iOS 4.2.1 or use the redsn0w 0.9.6b4 jailbreak. You will lose your unlock.

UPDATE: Comex has released an easier method for newer 4.x firmwares. Click here for instructions on how to use JailbreakMe 3.0 to jailbreak your device.

Always back up your SHSH files before jailbreaking. This will preserve your ability to downgrade in the future. You must also find out if a tethered jailbreak is necessary on your device.

Just one day after Apple's release of the iOS 4.2 firmware update, iPhone Dev-Team has made public the first updated jailbreaking tool for Mac OS X and Windows. Redsn0w version 0.9.6b4 can be used immediately for those who are not concerned about using the ultrasn0w unlock. iPhone 3G and older iPhone 3GS users will be happy to know that the jailbreak is untethered.

For newer iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 users, this version currently requires a computer to boot into the jailbroken state. The iPhone Dev-Team is working with @comex on a fix that would untether the iPhone 4 jailbreak once and for all. Unlockers can expect a new version of ultrasn0w for the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS as early as next week.

The jailbreak community has been active lately. Thanks to a surprise release of the limera1n jailbreak tool from Geohot, the release of Greenpois0n was delayed. Now both hacks use the same unpatchable bootrom exploit and are available to the iOS device-owning public.

In the meantime, the SHAtter exploit initially planned for Greenpois0n has been shelved for future use. Apple will surely fix the bootrom exploit in the next round of iOS hardware, however this time the jailbreak developers have a countermeasure ready for action.

iPhone Dev-Team member MuscleNerd has posted a screenshot of his jailbroken iPod touch 4G. A bootrom vulnerability has been discovered by @p0sixninja that will make it possible to jailbreak all iOS devices running the latest firmware including the iPhone 4. Chronic Dev Team members are currently developing new jailbreak tools based on the vulnerability, otherwise known as SHAtter.