Apple is clearly cracking the productivity whip in their iOS team offices and have wasted no time at all in producing and pushing out an update to their mobile operating system, taking the latest version to 5.1.1. While the latest release might offer some additional features, standard bug fixes and security patches, it also serves to keep the jailbreak development teams on their toes by forcing them to push an update where appropriate for their tools.
We have tested and can confirm that current latest version of Redsn0w jailbreaking tool can be used to jailbreak Apple’s latest iOS offering tethered on A4 powered devices such as iPhone 4, iPod touch 4G and below, thus allowing you to have continued access to all of the benefits of a liberated iOS Device. This has also been confirmed by MuscleNerd of the iPhone Dev-Team. We are carrying on our tradition of being reliable when it comes to all things Apple and jailbreak, by bringing you a step by step method on jailbreaking your iPhone and iPod touch on iOS 5.1.1 using Redsn0w.
How to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 using Redsn0w
Step 1: Download the latest version of the iPhone Dev Team’s Redsn0w tool for your operating system (Windows / Mac).
Step 2: Not a requirement, but it is always good practice to connect the device to iTunes and perform a backup of the contents. Alternatively, users can opt to back up the device to iCloud if enabled.
Step 3: After the backup is complete, upgrade the device’s firmware to iOS 5.1.1. Users can choose to either do this via an OTA update on the device, or by plugging the device onto your PC or Mac, firing up iTunes and accepting and installing the update, or by downloading the iOS 5.1.1 device-specific firmware file and doing a manual install through iTunes.
Step 4: Download the iOS 5.1 (not iOS 5.1.1) IPSW file that corresponds to the specific device you are using.
Step 5: Locate the Redsn0w download folder from Step 1, unzip the contents and run the executable file to launch Redsn0w.
Step 6: Select ‘Extras’ on the Redsn0w GUI and the choose the ‘Select IPSW’ option.
Step 7: When prompted, point to IPSW file from Step 4 (which is iOS 5.1) and select it.
Step 8: On the main home screen of Redsn0w, select ‘Jailbreak’ and then make sure the ‘Install Cydia’ option is selected before proceeding.
Step 9: The on-screen prompts will now walk you through the process to put the device into DFU mode. This is a requirement for the jailbreak process to be successful. Make sure to follow all steps carefully.
Step 10: When DFU mode is detected, Redsn0w will automate the rest of the process on-screen before finishing off on the device. During the process, it is entirely normal to see white lines of text scrolling down the device’s screen. When the device reboots, the jailbreak process is complete which should be evident by the presence of the Cydia icon on the home screen.
Since this is a tethered jailbreak, you will have to boot your device into tethered boot mode on every restart. You can do this by launching Redsn0w, select "Extras", then"Just Boot" in order to boot your device tethered.
You are now free to feel extremely smug knowing that you are using a jailbroken device, even though Apple have tried their very best to prevent it. The setup process of Cydia is extremely easy, with on-screen prompts guiding users through the process. After the data is done reloading and the Cydia app restarts, it will be ready to use.
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