A hacker who uses the handle “comex,” a member of the iPhone Dev Team, released the new jailbreak system through a website, jailbreakme.com. Users can visit the site from their iPhone browser to execute the jailbreaking process: no connection to a Mac or a PC is required, everything happens in a few minutes and he process runs completely on the device.
Continue reading to learn more about jailbreakme.om and to get step-by-step instructions on how to jailbreak and unlock your own iPhone!
The latest iOS jailbreak allows iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G users running iPhone OS 4 and 4.0.1 to run unauthorized software on their handset. It is the first release for Apple’s latest smartphone and iOS version, and is complete entirely in the handset’s Mobile Safari Web browser, without a need to tether or connect to a PC.
The initial release did not work with iOS 3.2.1, and also managed to break FaceTime and MMS functionality on the iPhone 4 for some users. Hackers with the iPhone Dev Team released an update Sunday evening that addressed the issues.
The latest browser-based “jailbreak” for iOS devices, including the iPhone 4, utilizes a PDF exploit that Sean Sullivan — security advisor with F-Secure Corporation — called both “scary” and “very beautiful work.”
An Apple spokeswoman acknowledged that the company is looking into a report on software vulnerabilities that allow remote control and ‘jailbreaking’ of its iOS devices.
Jailbreakers have already developed a workaround solution that can help users avoid being hacked through the PDF exploit. Developer Will Strafach on Tuesday released an application available on the jailbroken Cydia store that will warn users when a Mobile Safari page is loading a PDF file. The solution does not patch the hole, but helps to prevent users from visiting sites with all PDF files to avoid the exploit.
Why should I jailbreak?
There is one main reason that makes it worth to jailbreak the device: unlocking the iPhone to be used with any carrier. Since Apple and AT&T do not provide any means to do a “factory reset” in the US, although the unlocking process is perfectly legal, going through the jailbreak process and installing an unlocking app named “UltraSn0w” is the only way to achieve the result.
Enough chatting, now show me how to do it!
It’s dead simple, really, I was impressed. Check out this video of the whole process. We made it with another iPhone 3GS. A step by step guide that goes with the video follows.
- Connect your iPhone to iTunes
- Make a full backup (transfer purchases, etc.). You’ll need to restore the iPhone to this backup if for any reason you need Apple to fix your iPhone: Apple will refuse to service any jailbroken device.
- Once done, disconnect your iPhone and plug it into the Apple charger. This is not required, but you really don’t want to run out of battery during the jailbreak process do you?
- Close all running apps, open Safari and enter jailbreakme.com in the address bar.
- Follow on-screen instructions (slide)…
- Close safari when the process is completed and locate Cydia in your home screen
- Open Cydia, tell it you’re a “user” and allow it to “make your life easier” in the main screen (under the “please agree” notice). This process will get a device unique identifier uploaded and stored on a server that you will be able to use to restore your iPhone to older iOS versions even after Apple disallows installing the older iOS version. Apple has a habit to disallow installing any iOS version prior to the latest and greatest available for your device.
- Personally, I got an error here. Cydia could not fetch the data and it was hanging, so I had to restart my device (shut down, power on).
- Open Cydia again and go to the Changes tab: perform the core updates (at least) or the full updates.
- Go to the search tab, and type “ultrasn0w”
- Install ultrasn0w.
- Once done, let ultrasn0w reboot your device.
- Shut down your iPhone, put in your alternative carrier sim card (if you haven’t done so yet).
- Switch on the device…
- Enjoy your iPhone!