Is the End Near for iPhone Jailbreak?

In light of the news that Apple has hired top iPhone jailbreak hacker Nicholas Allegra (@Comex), some iPhone users are wondering whether the end is near for iPhone jailbreak.

iPhone Jailbreak End is Near Tweet

Allegra is not the first jailbreak developer to be hired by Apple. In June, Peter Hajas, the developer of the Cydia hack MobileNotifier, was hired by Apple. Shortly after that, GeoHot, the infamous iPhone unlocker, was hired by Facebook.

Do These Hires Mark the Beginning of the End for Jailbreak?

iPhone Jailbreak Given this pattern of top jailbreak developers being swallowed by the big Internet players, it is tempting to wonder whether the jailbreak movement is through. But I don’t believe that iPhone jailbreak is going anywhere anytime soon.

While Apple has already adopted a lot of the features that iPhone users want, thereby (theoretically) decreasing the need for jailbreak, the jailbreak culture remains alive and well, and growing, with an estimated 10 percent of iPhone users reportedly jailbreaking their iPhones. Plans are even underway for the world’s first jailbreak convention, which will take place in London this September.

Mark my words: innovation around the iPhone will never cease. There will always be new features that iPhone users want, and that Apple has yet to develop. iPhone jailbreak is the most immediate way for developers to bring imaginative new ideas and applications to iPhone.

As long as there is an iPhone, there will be iPhone jailbreak.

Jailbreak iPhone 4.0 for iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS with iOS Version 4.0 Using JailbreakMe.com.

Warning: Jailbreak at your own risk. Please exercise caution and read the comments, as these jailbreak instructions are not guaranteed to work.

To jailbreak another version of the iPhone, visit the ultimate iPhone Jailbreak guide.

This tutorial contains instructions on jailbreaking your iPhone without the need for a computer. This is the easiest jailbreak there is for iOS 4 users.

Jailbreak iOS 4 on iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS

Required:

  1. iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS
  2. Firmware: 4.0 (check your version in Settings » General » About)

Jailbreak Instructions

1. Open Safari on your iPhone and visit JailbreakMe.com.

2. Touch “Free” and then “Install.”

3. Wait patiently and, if all goes well, you will have a jailbroken iPhone.

Was your jailbreak successful? Please post questions and suggestions in the comments.

Jailbreak iPhone 4.0.1 for iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS (Windows & Mac)

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS with iOS Version 4.0.1 Using Redsn0w.

Warning: Jailbreak at your own risk. Please exercise caution and read the comments, as these jailbreak instructions are not guaranteed to work.

Got another iPhone version? Visit my in-depth iPhone Jailbreak guide for an organized database of the latest iPhone jailbreak instructions.

This tutorial contains jailbreak instructions for both Windows and Mac users, using Redsn0w.

Windows & Mac Users

Required:

  1. iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS
  2. Firmware: 4.0.1 (check your version in Settings » General » About)
  3. iTunes 9.2.1
  4. Download iOS 4.0.1 IPSW (iPhone 4 (GSM) or iPhone 3GS)
  5. Download Redsn0w 0.9.5b5-5 (Windows or Mac)

Jailbreak Instructions

1. Open Redsn0w, click Browse and select the iOS 4.0.1 file that you previously downloaded.

2. Check Install Cydia and hit Next.

3. With your iPhone off and the USB cable plugged in, click Next.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone in DFU mode. Your iPhone will restart and be fully jailbroken.

Was your jailbreak successful? Please post questions and suggestions in the comments.

Jailbreak iPhone 4.0.2 for iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS (Windows & Mac)

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS with iOS Version 4.0.2 Using Redsn0w.

Warning: Jailbreak at your own risk. Please exercise caution and read the comments, as these jailbreak instructions are not guaranteed to work.

If your iPhone is not version 4.0.2, then visit my iPhone Jailbreak instructions to find the right tutorial.

This tutorial contains jailbreak instructions for both Windows and Mac users, using Redsn0w.

Windows & Mac Users

Required:

  1. iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS
  2. Firmware: 4.0.2 (check your version in Settings » General » About)
  3. iTunes 9.2.1
  4. Download iOS 4.0.2 IPSW (iPhone 4 (GSM) or iPhone 3GS)
  5. Download Redsn0w 0.9.5b5-5 (Windows or Mac)

Jailbreak Instructions

1. Open Redsn0w, click Browse and select the iOS 4.0.2 file that you previously downloaded.

2. Check Install Cydia and hit Next.

3. With your iPhone off and the USB cable plugged in, click Next.

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone in DFU mode. Your iPhone will restart and be fully jailbroken.

Was your jailbreak successful? Please post questions and suggestions in the comments.

Jailbreak iPhone 4.2 for iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS (Windows & Mac)

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4 & iPhone 3GS with iOS Version 4.2 Using Greenpois0n

Warning: Jailbreak at your own risk. Please exercise caution and read the comments, as these jailbreak instructions are not guaranteed to work.

For tutorials on jailbreaking another iPhone version, visit my comprehensive iPhone Jailbreak tutorial.

This tutorial contains jailbreak instructions for both Windows and Mac users, using Greenpois0n.

Windows & Mac Users

Required:

  1. iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS
  2. Firmware: 4.2 (check your version in Settings » General » About)
  3. Download 4.2.1 IPSW (iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS)
  4. Download Greenpois0n RC5 b2 (Windows or Mac)

Jailbreak Instructions

1. First, you must update your iPhone to version 4.2.1. To do this, open iTunes and click your iPhone device in the left sidebar. Then hold the Option key on your keyboard and click the Restore button in iTunes. Browse for the 4.2.1 IPSW that you previously downloaded and let iTunes update your iPhone software version.

2. With your iPhone plugged in via USB and iTunes off, open Greenpois0n.

3. Click Jailbreak and follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone in DFU mode.

4. Once the Jailbreak is finished, your iPhone will reboot. Open the new “Loader” app on your screen.

5. Then touch Cydia to install it.

6. If you would like to remove the Loader app, open Loader, go to Options and touch Remove Loader app.

Was your jailbreak successful? Please post questions and suggestions in the comments.

Jailbreak iPhone 4.2.5 for Verizon iPhone 4 (Windows & Mac)

How to Jailbreak Verizon iPhone 4 with iOS Version 4.2.5 Using Greenpois0n

Warning: Jailbreak at your own risk. Please exercise caution and read the comments, as these jailbreak instructions are not guaranteed to work.

If you have another iPhone version, then see my ultimate guide on how to jailbreak your iPhone to find the proper instructions.

This tutorial contains jailbreak instructions for both Windows and Mac users, using Greenpois0n.

Windows & Mac Users

Required:

  1. Verizon iPhone 4
  2. Firmware: 4.2.5 (check your version in Settings » General » About)
  3. iTunes 10.4
  4. Download 4.2.6 IPSW.
  5. Download Greenpois0n RC5 b4 (Windows or Mac)

Jailbreak Instructions

1. First, you must update your iPhone to version 4.2.6. To do this, open iTunes and click your iPhone device in the left sidebar. Then hold the Option key and click the Restore button in iTunes. Browse for the 4.2.6 IPSW that you previously downloaded and let iTunes update your iPhone software.

2. After your iPhone is updated, turn it off and plug it in via USB. Close iTunes and open Greenpois0n.

3. Click Jailbreak and follow the on-screen instructions to put your iPhone in DFU mode.

4. Once the Jailbreak is finished, your iPhone will reboot. Open the new “Loader” app on your screen.

5. Then touch Cydia to install it.

6. If you would like to remove the Loader app, open Loader, go to Options and touch Remove Loader app.

Was your jailbreak successful? Please post questions and suggestions in the comments.