How to Jailbreak your iPhone to OS 3.0

Written by Sarah Perez / June 23, 2009 8:50 AM / 81 Comments

Now that iPhone's new OS 3.0 is available with all its nifty features like spotlight search, copy and paste, push notifications and maybe one day MMS and tethering, many users have happily upgraded their devices. For most people, upgrading to the new OS is as technical as they want to get. For others, however, a true upgrade isn't complete until the jailbreak is done.

After waiting for a few days, the fabulous iPhone dev team at last provided us with a new set of jailbreaking tools. If you're ready to dive in, you can use this guide to get going. And unlike some of the other guides on the net, we'll share our personal experience and tips so you know just what you're getting into...and what to avoid.

PwnageTool versus Redsn0w versus Ultrasn0w: What?!?

If you're new to jailbreaking, you might be confused by the names being tossed around out there: PwnageTool? Redsn0w? ultrasn0w? What are these people talking about?! Simply put, they're all tools that either jailbreak (allow you to install 3rd-party applications) or unlock (make the phone work on other GSM-based cellular networks) your device.

For expert hackers wanting to create their own custom firmware, the Mac OS X-only PwnageTool is the right one for the job. But if all you care about is jailbreaking, then you'll probably want the new tool called "redsn0w." Although you can certainly jailbreak using the PwnageTool (LifeHacker shows you how), Windows users have no choice but to use redsn0w - it's the only option.

Also of note, redsn0w is the replacement for the jailbreaking tool "QuickPwn," which in the past delivered similar functionality. Although the Dev Team didn't specifically come out and say so (besides this tweet), it looks like QuickPwn is no more.

Finally, Ultrasn0w is the tool that unlocks the iPhone to allow it to work on other cellular networks. (In the U.S., that means T-Mobile.) Before you can unlock the phone, though, you have to jailbreak it. Then you can follow the simple instructions here to complete the unlock process.

Jailbreaking 101

METHOD 1: FOR NEW JAILBREAKERS

Backup

Now you're ready to jailbreak your phone. Before doing this, you should make sure you have a recent iPhone backup just in case something goes horribly wrong (not likely, but better safe than sorry). Your iPhone is automatically backed up when you sync with iTunes - unless you're the impatient type who always cancels that step of the syncing process. In any case, do one more sync before starting your jailbreak.

Get Redsn0w

The next step is to obtain the software known as redsn0w. If you're familiar with using bittorrent software, the fastest way to get the download is through the torrent file. The Mac torrent is here and the Windows torrent is here. If you're not comfortable torrenting files, then you can head over to one of the mirror sites hosting the zip file. The Dev Team blog lists them all here at the bottom of the post. Make sure you get the correct one for your PC - either the one for Mac or the one for Windows.

After downloading the file, unzip its contents to a folder.

Jailbreak!

1) With your iPhone connected to your computer, you can now launch the redsn0w.exe application.

For Windows 7 users, take note: for best results you'll want to run the app in "compatibility mode." Right-click on the file, go to Properties, then click the "Compatibility" tab. Check the "run this program in compatibility mode for:" checkbox and choose Windows XP (Service Pack 2) from the list provided. Click "OK" to close the window. You may also want to run redsn0w as an Administrator (right-click, then choose "run as Administrator"). I didn't do this, but some users have reported this as necessary to keep the app from crashing.

2) On the first screen of the redsn0w application, you're prompted to browse for your IPSW (iPhone firmware) file. A lot of online tutorials first provide you with this file and make you place it in some sort of easy-to-find folder. That seems like a lot of extra steps considering that the IPSW is already on your computer. Why not just browse to it?

For Windows users, the file will be located in:

Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<user name>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Windows Vista or Windows 7: C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates

Note: replace <user name> with your username on the computer.

For Mac users, the file will be here: ~/Library/iTunes/iPhone Software Updates/

If multiple IPSW files are listed, make sure you grab the one with the most recent timestamp.

3) On the following screen, you're prompted to select your options. "Install Cydia" is already checked for you (Cydia is an app you use to download jailbroken apps). The other box, "Icy" (another app like Cydia) is not.

Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way that it's best to NOT install Icy at this point. For me, doing so led to a lot of issues including problems installing jailbroken apps, tons of error messages, and even crazy flashing screens. I had to start my jailbreak all over again because of checking Icy, so don't risk it! You can always install Icy later (see bottom of post).

4) For the next step, you're told to power off your device. Hold down the button on the top of the phone until "Slide to Power off" appears. Once the device is completely off, click "Next."

5) OK, now for the fun part. The steps on this screen appear quickly, so you'll need to be prepared to follow the instructions.

The first step is to hold down the power button (the one at the top of the device) for the time specified. (The software will display a countdown next to each step.)
Next, while still holding the power button down, you'll press the "Home" button (the round button at the bottom) for the time specified.
While still holding the Home button down, release the power button for the time specified.

This will force your iPhone into a special mode which allows it to be jailbroken. Don't worry if you see the screen flash, it's all part of the process.

6) Assuming you did everything right, redsn0w will start the jailbreaking process. You'll see the status bar on the app moving and soon you'll be taken to a screen where you can finally click "Finish." However, your jailbreak isn't over yet.

Even though clicking "Finish" closes redsn0w, your jailbreak is likely still running at this point. You'll notice that on your iPhone's screen it says it's "downloading jailbreak data." You need to leave it alone until the phone reboots and returns you to the lock screen. Don't worry if this seems to be taking a while - it could take several minutes to finish - but it's not frozen, so let it do its thing.

FINISH!

After the phone reboots, you can use it as usual, except now you'll have a new app on your springboard for "Cydia" where you can find a treasure trove of jailbroken applications to install.

That's it! Congratulations, you're a jailbreaker!

Update Cydida, Install Icy from Cydia

For extra points, you'll want to now install the other app called "Icy," which, like Cydia, helps you locate apps for jailbroken phones. To do so, you'll first have to launch Cydia and update it. After telling Cydia what kind of user you are (I'm just a plain ol' end user - you probably are too), you'll be prompted to update the app. Choose "Upgrade Essential" and let Cydia download its updates.

When it's finished, return to the app and select "Manage" from the set of buttons at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Sources," "Edit," then "Add." Type in http://apt.ripdev.com and hit "Add Source" when done. Tap the "done" button and exit out of the "Manage" section.

Now, using the Search button, search for "Icy." A lot of results come up, but the one you want is simply called "Icy," nothing else. Install this application and you'll now have a second app on your screen for finding jailbroken programs. (Note: Icy replaces "Installer," the prior Cydia alternative).

METHOD 2: FOR KEEPING YOUR OLD JAILBREAK

Unfortunately, I didn't discover these steps until after I jailbroke my phone, so I was left re-installing all my apps. I can't verify these steps work, but if you've previously jailbroken your phone and want to keep it that way, it's certainly worth trying.

Basically, instead of "downloading and installing" the 3.0 firmware from iTunes, you just download it to your computer. Then you choose "Restore" in iTunes to set your device back to factory settings. (Remember to have a recent backup first!)

Next, close iTunes and run redsn0w as described above. Once the jailbreak is complete, re-open iTunes and choose "Restore from Backup." In theory, this should keep your jailbreak.

If those steps are accurate (or need tweaking), let me know and I'll update the post.

Either way you jailbreak, the end result is an iPhone that can do all sorts of new tricks like record video and upload it to YouTube, let you install custom themes, icon sets, and even different battery indicators, and, of course, tweak away at system preferences like nobody's business. Some people don't see the point of jailbreaking, but it's hard for true jailbreakers to imagine their phones without it. Maybe now, you'll feel that way too!

Comments

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Hi, will this effect the updating of future apple firmware releases?

Also, will redsn0w work on a iPhone 3GS?

Thanks

Posted by: NoobJailBreaker | June 23, 2009 9:28 AM

@Noob: I'm not sure what you mean about future firmware, but this will NOT work on iPhone 3GS

Posted by: Sarah Perez | June 23, 2009 9:33 AM

redsn0w is not for 3GS yet.
No jailbraking is confirmed for the 3GS yet. Just the OS 3.0

Posted by: Antony_256 | June 23, 2009 9:33 AM

Is it just me who cant find the IPSW file? For starters, and im not sure if this is 64 bit only. You cant access Application Data as its replaced with AppData. So i go to AppData > Roaming > Apple Computer > iTunes >

and I have 1 dir - iTunes Plug-ins
and 1 file iTunesPrefs.xml

Can't find my IPSW file anywhere..... Can anyone help?

Thanks

Posted by: NoobJailBreaker | June 23, 2009 9:50 AM

Sorry, yeah, it's "AppData"...I'll correct. Noob - if you can't find it, download it from here: http://appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net/content.info.apple.com/iPhone/061-6578.20090617.VfgtU/iPhone1,2_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw

Posted by: Sarah Perez | June 23, 2009 10:03 AM

thank you gooood

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Posted by: أستضافة | June 23, 2009 12:33 PM

Thanks for the post! I had been wanting to jailbreak my iphone for a while but was waiting for some simple instructions for OS 3.0. My jailbreaked iphone is now 100 times better than new.

Posted by: Diego | June 23, 2009 2:25 PM

Tried redsn0w 0.72 a few times with my iPhone 2G, and each time it simply hung on "waiting for reboot". The iPhone never reacted. Followed the home/power/home button procedure precisely.

Posted by: Dizzledorf | June 23, 2009 2:30 PM

Thanks for this, Very very helpful

Posted by: Griff | June 23, 2009 6:23 PM

For Step 2, don't you mean the "iPhone Software Updates" folder for the location of the IPSW file (not iPod)?

Posted by: erick | June 23, 2009 6:50 PM

while jailbreaking, it said redsn0w has stopped working and it closed off, but my iphone still says downloading jailbreak data. what happened, im on vista btw.

Posted by: what | June 23, 2009 8:27 PM

its just not working, while it says, uploading ramdisk, my it says redsn0w has stopped working and it closes.

Posted by: lol | June 23, 2009 8:32 PM

sry i found the problem, i hadn't extracted all of the files.

Posted by: what | June 23, 2009 8:43 PM

Thank you for the post article. It is very nice.

This always rotates. Sometimes the windows JB gets released first, then the next time it is for us Apple folks. Windows will probably be released within 3-5 days, i would think.

Posted by: Ricky | June 23, 2009 9:08 PM

even after installing the restore software, it says i cant find the IPSW
please help :)

Posted by: BrothaT | June 23, 2009 9:47 PM

valuable information. Thanks. I will try tonight at home.

Posted by: little los angeles | June 23, 2009 10:21 PM

I have first generation iphone with 2.2.1 jailbreaked and unlocked. i want 3.0, how do i do it. i dont have the iphone plan, i have the normal att service, so i cant update because its already jailbroken. i go to restore, and select 3.0, and it says firmware doesnt match. what do i do to get to 3.0? so confused

Posted by: Frank | June 24, 2009 12:37 AM

how long do I have to keep home button depressed?

Posted by: Hrvoje | June 24, 2009 5:27 AM

can anyone confirm whether the above jailbreak guide can work for an already jailbroken iphone 3G running 2.2.1.?

Also will i lose all my data (i understand I need to back it up) just curious.

Thank you to all of you who work hard to put these guides together can't thank you enough.

and an even bigger thank you to the dev-team, and all other individuals out there that provide us with the jailbreaking software.

Posted by: remo | June 24, 2009 5:58 AM

oops didn't read the whole blog first.

my question would be in order to restore back to factory settings wouldn't i lose everything? i remember when i jailbroke my iphone the first time it worked without selecting "restore to factory settings" but this was with quickpwn.

Posted by: remo | June 24, 2009 6:13 AM

i have a question when i downloaded a theme for my lock screen from cydia i go to winterboard and i touch the name of it it shows a tick i press the home button and it shows the little circlen spinning then the screen becomes back for a while and when the screen shows again i unlock my phone and there is no lock screen can someone tell me what to do i use the iphone 3g white 16 gb with the firmware 3.0 plkease answer me by mail my mail is szymonnowak452@gmail.com

plizzzzzzzzzzzzzz help me

Posted by: uihuih | June 24, 2009 9:21 AM

i jailbreak aldeady cant add app thankss

Posted by: vu | June 24, 2009 10:42 AM

@erick: Yes I do & fixed. Whew.

Posted by: Sarah Perez | June 24, 2009 11:14 AM

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published in 20 languages and 27 different countries. Jump into it
full force and correct course when necessary. You will have to because
Google keeps changing the rules of the

Posted by: Antalya Evden Eve Nakliyat | June 24, 2009 11:22 AM

Originally I had a jailbroken 2.2
Upgraded to v3.0 via iTunes
Just downloaded the windows version of redsn0w, ran it on Vista and followed this guide... Simple... Works Perfectly!!!
Thanks

Posted by: Bazza | June 24, 2009 1:19 PM

Thanks for the tutorial. Today is the 3rd time in as many days that I've jailbroken my 3G all due to installing Icy at the same time as Cydia. Hopefully that great tip will save me headaches and make this the last time...

Cheers!
WP

Posted by: Wired Pig | June 24, 2009 2:28 PM

I just finished doing the iPhone OS 3.0 for Windows Jailbreak (redsnOw). The following link is the one I used to gain the confidence to follow through. There are 2 sets of instructions, text & video. Everything is working fine for the moment, calls, vm, text, etc. Check it out. This is my first time jailbreaking the iPhone 3G, which is NOT unlocked. I live in SoCal & have been with AT&T for many years and have no issues with there service.

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=4301

Posted by: Kaylyb | June 24, 2009 3:21 PM

This didn't work at all. It SAYS that it worked, but Cydia didn't install, so therefore I can't get ANY of my Cydia apps back. Not only that, I DIDN'T EVEN GET MY APP STORE APPS BACK! I'm seriously disappointed in all of this. I tried multiple times, and each time it *appears* that the process worked. I"M no rookie at this, so this isn't a PIBCAK error.

OK, frustration out... does someone know how to install Cydia from a PC with 3.0 firmware?

Posted by: KW | June 24, 2009 5:23 PM

I really hope that your sad instructions didn't cause anyone else the drama that it caused me. My phone is essentially dead. Basic Iphone settings are gone (there is no icon to change settings!) There are only 5 apps on the main screen. Stop giving advice!

For the rest of you out there, seek advice from the iphone dev team, or ripdev. They won't brick your phone.

Posted by: KW | June 24, 2009 7:59 PM

I have been trying to do research before jailbreaking my iphone 3G 3.0. Will the version of itunes 8.2 remove the jailbreak? Also after the process is complete will all Apple app's still be present?

Posted by: Smitty | June 24, 2009 8:47 PM

Restoring from Backup does not keep your jailbreak.

What you have to do, is download the iPhone update, without installing it.

Then, run PwnageTool, and create your custom .ipsw.

Put that in a place where you can find it easily.

Now, you will need to upgrade using this new .ipsw.

On a Mac you need to Option-click on the "Restore" button in iTunes.

On a Windows PC, you need to Alt-click on the same button.

This tells iTunes that you want to restore using your own .ipsw.

Browse to the file that you just chose, and from there, it should update without having to do it in two separate steps.

You still need to re-install your jailbroken apps though. The only way around that is to use QuickPwn.

Apparently, RedSnow is the new QuickPwn, although I don't run Windows, so I can't validate that.

Posted by: TheConfuzed1 | June 24, 2009 10:51 PM

I have an original iPhone and 3.0. Will this process work to jailbreak/unlock? Thanks

Posted by: Drock | June 25, 2009 7:32 AM

hi. I chose the restore option in itune and I let itune download and install. After that I used redsnow to jailbreak. Everything went all right. Now the phone is jailbroken but I lost all of my application. I have another phone to jailbreak. Can someone please explain to me exactly what to do so I can save my apps instead of having to reinstall everything again

Posted by: ian | June 25, 2009 7:08 PM

hello, my iphone is running on 2.2.1 (thats already jailbreak) if im going to update that 2 the 3.0 using itunes what should be happened?

is this may cause of some errors with apps?

after updating, i'll be re-jailbreak it??

pls reply ^_^_^_^

Posted by: R-Jay | June 25, 2009 7:35 PM

omg my first iphone ever and now its jailbroken... only thing when u go to dl the 3.0 firmware u have to use firefox as the web browser that was easy since i can do either internet explorer or firefox...
now all i gotta do is figure out how to use all the new features omg this rock's...
if i have any problems with the jailbreak i will post
THANKS DEV TEAM
PRIMALSCREAM
ps. i didnt loose any of my orignal apps neither

Posted by: primalscream | June 26, 2009 6:31 AM

im stuck on the first step.. after i download red snow and then i go to browse for my firmware, its not there.. i use Windows XP and the : C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates is not on my computer ... when i select my name the application date is not there , therefore i can go to apple then itunes then iphone software?... please help

Posted by: devin | June 27, 2009 3:24 PM

I jailbroke my iphone 3.0 with redsnow and it worked pretty good until i opened cydia and installed the icomplete theme... Now my phone won't do ANYTHING!! It is froze on the apple screen and won't finish booting up. I've tried re-jailbreaking it and it still does the same thing. I can't even restore it in itunes...What do I do???

Posted by: Very Pissed!! | June 28, 2009 1:25 PM

I did the jailbreak using redsn0w but after jailbreaking i can't install any application at all. there is only reload command but no install command in cydia. will you tell me if there are some more installation after jailbreaking?

Posted by: Gurung | June 28, 2009 11:29 PM

I have an iphone 2g updated to 3.0. I did the upgrade through itunes. When i run redsnow and i select the ipsw 3.0 it tells me "unable to recognize specified IPSW". Any suggestions? Please help

Posted by: Mauricio Espinosa | June 29, 2009 1:03 PM

Well I tried to jailbreak and it apparently worked but when I rebooted the phone there was no Cydia! Tried again and got a pineapple graphic this time which did not appear the last time. No idea what the problem was but it's working now. Cool

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Posted by: amandafan | June 30, 2009 1:08 AM

I restored my iphone 3G to 3.o firmware and looking to Jailbreak so i folllowed steps as here or as on iclarefied.
I have downloaded redsn0w and iPhone1,2_3.0_7A341_Restore but when i extract the files firmware IPSW was not there so i manually renamed the file and added extensions ipsw. Finally repeated this instructions steps several times but still not there so please any body have solution ?
Im using Windows Vista
Thanks for help

Posted by: Mongy | July 1, 2009 5:25 PM

I love you Sarah... I've been facing signal issues and compatibility problems with my iphone, but now, it's working like a charm!!

Cheers.
Tarbooosh

Posted by: Fouad | July 2, 2009 2:24 AM

Wow I never knew iphone 3.0 jailbreak hack has been available over a month. Thanks.

Posted by: peter | July 3, 2009 11:19 PM

after reading the instructions and the (+) and (-) feedbacks, i dunno if i shd jailbreak my iphone (the `edge` one)
any suggestions or anything?

Posted by: uz | July 5, 2009 10:05 PM

if i download this to my iphone in august will i be able to send pictures through at&t?

Posted by: robert | July 6, 2009 7:50 AM

This is a very helpful straight forward explaination of how to jailbreak my iPhone 3G OS 3.0. Could not have managed without it, read others that totally confused me.
Thanks again Simon.

Posted by: Simon | July 6, 2009 10:06 AM

Thanks for this, this is very helpful for us..

Posted by: send flowers online | July 10, 2009 1:40 AM

I have a 16GB 3G that I just jailbroke on Windows XP with 3.0 installed on it...

The Jailbreak worked fine.. no problems, but now I have a "NO SERVICE" on it.. I am using Rogers Sim Card with a Rogers Phone.. it's not UNLOCKED. Only Jailbroken..

Does anyone know how I can restore my Rogers service?

Posted by: BlackSheep | July 10, 2009 1:53 PM