With the release of the shiny new untether for 5.1.1, there are now a lot more jailbroken iOS devices just waiting to be modified and enhanced through the installation of various Cydia packages. With the Cydia store being so vast and containing thousands and thousands of offerings, it can often be difficult for inexperienced users to find what they are looking for.
If you are new to jailbreaking or have just got your brand new 3rd-generation iPad or iPhone 4S jailbroken for the first time, then check out our list of Cydia tweaks below that are confirmed (tested) to be working on iOS 5.1.1 jailbreak.
Quasar (tested on iPad)
The Quasar tweak is the first and only window manager specifically designed for use on jailbroken iPads. Quasar allows apps to be launched in their own dedicated window, just like as they would on a desktop computer, and said windows can be moved around with a swipe. One of the great things about the package is its native integration with the likes of Notification Center and the multitasking switcher. Quasar is available to download from the BigBoss repository for a price of $9.99, a little steep, but worth it.
Dashboard X (tested on iPhone/iPad)
Dashboard X is one of the relatively new kids on the block and has immediately cemented itself as a must-have installation for jailbroken iOS devices. The main purpose of the package is to afford users the ability to place widgets directly onto the device’s home screen, giving quick access to things which were previously either not available or only available by invoking Notification Center. The tweak is extremely versatile and lets users place widgets at any location on any home screen page by using techniques which iOS users are already familiar with.
Additionally, Dashboard X features an overlaid screen similar to the OS X Dashboard and can be invoked using an Activator gestures that gives quick access to all activated widgets on one screen. Dashboard X is available to download from the ModMyi repository for $1.99.
SwipeSelection (tested on iPhone/iPad)
The SwipeSelection tweak is one of the recent few that has gained attention due to the fact that it is a package that was born from a concept produced by the design community. The tweak is designed to make text editing, highlighting and selecting a lot easier by using various different gestures. After installation, the user can swipe their finger on the on-screen keyboard to move the cursor around the screen, and holding the shift key and dragging at the same time will allow the user to select a string of text on-screen. SwipeSelection is available as a free of charge download from the BigBoss repository.
Activator (tested on iPhone/iPad)
Activator has to be one the most widely used tweaks across all jailbroken devices and comes from the extremely busy and extremely popular developer Ryan Petrich. The package itself is used as a gateway to invoke user-defined actions by using specific gestures. In a default installation, Activator can be used to set certain actions to invoke things like the camera or even compose a new text message.
A large number of additional tweaks hook into the Activator library to allow users to set specific gestures to activate them. Activator is a free of charge download available from the BigBoss repository.
WinterBoard (tested on iPhone/iPad)
As you might expect from a package that is made by the creator of Cydia himself, WinterBoard is one of the most widely compatible tweaks available and exists to give users their device a total graphics overhaul. With the help of WinterBoard, artists can provide themes and additional artwork which allow users to change how the user-interface looks on their iPhone or iPad. WinterBoard is a free of charge download available from the Cydia/Telesphoreo repository.
Barrel (tested on iPhone)
The Barrel tweak has been around for quite some time but still sits on its own mantle as one of the best tweaks available in Cydia. Barrel is predominantly an aesthetic type tweak that amends the animation that occurs when a user swipes between their device’s home screens. After installation, Barrel contains its own preferences panel which comes equipped with a whole host of different transitions, and a nifty feature of setting a random animation every time it is used. Barrel is available to download from the BigBoss repository.
SBSettings (tested on iPhone/iPad)
In a lot of cases, the old tweaks are the best ones, and that is something that certainly applies when it comes to the usage and ongoing relevance of the SBSettings tweak. Everyone should really know about this package by now, but if not; it allows users to use an Activator gesture to invoke a drop-in settings sheet that gives quick and easy access to a number of system preferences such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as providing useful info such as the device’s IP address. SBSettings is available as a free of charge download from the BigBoss repository.
iFile for iOS (tested on iPhone/iPad)
The iFile app, compatible with jailbroken iPhones and iPads, is considered to be the best file manager available for iOS devices. With advanced features such as Dropbox integration and the ability to edit code on the go, iFile is a must have for any jailbroken user who likes to tinker with their device. iFile comes as a free of charge download with an unlimited trial version but also provides an option to purchase a license to unlock premium features.
International Locations for Siri (tested on iPhone)
This tweak had to be on this list for tons of reasons, but we’ll stick to only one for now; why should iPhone 4S users in the U.S. have all the Siri goodness with location services and all? Exactly, that said feature shouldn’t be limited to the US, it should be a free-for-all affair. Enter, International Locations for Siri, which allows you to search for nearby places and get directions to them using the power of the voice-powered assistant.
Though it’s limited to quite an extent, but asking Siri where the nearby McDonald’s is something which everyone should be blessed with around the world. Available for a price of just a dollar at the BigBoss repo, it’s a must-have tweak and sits high on our list of top tweaks.
Unfold (tested on iPhone)
Inspired by a beautiful concept and brought to life by the hard-working devs in the jailbreak community, Unfold for iPhone lets you fold away your lock screen to reveal your app-crowded home screen in a very classic fashion. It’s pure eye-candy, and we love it.
Available for a mind-blowing price of free from the BigBoss repo, it’s a novelty-based tweak, but, given how unique this tweak is, it should be on your iPhone, really.
Reveal (tested on iPhone)
iOS 5 lock screen notifications are great, they’re front and center, clean, and comes with every other nicety you can think of. But, there’s one problem; if you get a text message with a lot of text in it, the whole message isn’t shown, just a tad glimpse of it. This is where Reveal comes in, it allows the user to scroll through the contents of the message right from the lock screen, but, that’s just not it, you also have the option to view the whole message right on your lock screen, how cool is that? It lifts the characters-to-be-displayed-on-the-lock-screen limit completely.
Available from the BigBoss repo for a small price of $1.99, it’s a tweak for the lazy ones, aren’t we all?
Honorable Mentions
- IntelliScreenX (working on 5.1.1)
- Fusion
- AutoProtect (working on 5.1.1)
- Springtomize 2 (working on 5.1.1)
- Stride
- MyWi 5
- Zephyr (working on 5.1.1)
- Switchy (working on 5.1.1)
- BiteSMS 6.2 (working on 5.1.1)
Other tweaks confirmed to be working on the latest firmware:
- Safari Upload Enabler
- Safari UniBar
- Swipe for Mail
- MultiIconMover
- Zeppelin
- NCSettings
- FakeClockUp
- F.lux
- BlurriedNCBackground
- iCleaner
- CallBar
- Respring
- Gridlock
- AppSlide
- Five Icon Switcher
- Infiniboard
- Infinifolders
- Infinidock
(Thanks to @UzairGhani and @Waisybabu for testing)
Be sure to check out our iPhone Apps Gallery and iPad Apps Gallery to explore more apps for your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
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