Apple makes some of the best products around, but it also places a large amount of restrictions on them so that you can’t fully experience all the goodness of the hardware’s features. In this sense, the open source Android platform enjoys an advantage over iOS because Google isn’t so uptight about sharing. So what do you do when you’ve got an iPhone and you’re just raring to install some apps on it that almighty Apple doesn’t approve of?
Let jailbreaking come to your rescue!
Jailbreaking Defined
Fortunately, this type of activity doesn’t involve any convoluted plots to empty out a cell block. Jailbreaking, in iOS terms, is simply the process of getting rid of the limitations that Apple has put in their products. Once your phone is free, you can download and install applications not found in the App Store and thumb your nose at all those Android lovers. Just remember, though, that following the next steps would make you lose your warranty. But if you’re all right with that, then read on.
Initial Preparations
Before starting the jailbreak process, be sure that you backup everything on your device. Plug the phone into your computer and initiate the backup procedure. If you’ve never done it before, it’s going to take a few minutes, so just wait it out.
Once the backup is finished, check if you’ve got iOS 5.0.1 on your phone. If you don’t, then install it. It’ll take some more time, but you need this software update for the jailbreak to work properly.
After you’ve backed up your phone and installed the update, you can proceed to the actual jailbreaking. The whole process lasts about 30 minutes and it’s very important to remember that you must not remove your iPhone from the computer at any time while the program is running.
How to Jailbreak Your iPhone 4S
Step 1: Download the Absinthe Jailbreak Tool. You’ll have different options depending on your computer’s operating system, so get the right one if you use Mac, Windows or Linux.
Step 2: Make sure your phone is plugged in securely to the computer before opening Absinthe.
Step 3: Click on the “Jailbreak” button to start the process
Step 4: The Absinthe tool will then connect to your phone.
Step 5: Wait for the device to perform a Restore.
Step 6: Your phone will reboot itself. Leave it to do this without any interference.
Step 7: Payload data will be sent to your device. Wait for it to finish the transmission.
Step 8: The tool will inform you that the jailbreak is done and ask you to tap on the Absinthe icon. You can find it on the home screen.
Step 9: Your phone should restart afterward. Tap on the Cydia icon to complete the jailbreak.
Downloading Apps from Cydia
Once your phone has been successfully jailbroken, you can start to access Cydia. It’s a third-party distribution platform that offers software for iPhones. Most of the products available through the application are free, though you can also purchase items from its Store that operates on a commission system similar to Apple’s. The apps you’ll find through Cydia can provide you with great options for customizing and modifying your jailbroken iPhone.
How to Update and Install an Application from Cydia
Tap the Cydia icon and give it a few minutes to upgrade to its latest version. Once it’s finished upgrading, restart the app to make sure it reloads properly.
- If you’ve already installed some applications, you may see a notification that there are available updates for them. Press “Changes”, then “Upgrade All”. When it asks you for a confirmation, confirm the action for the download and installation to start.
- To install a new app, browse through the categories for your preferred option.
- Select the application you like then tap “Install” on the top right corner of the screen.
- Press on “Confirm” to begin the download and installation.
- Once you see the “Complete” notification, press “Close Window”.
And that’s how easy it is to jailbreak your iPhone and install applications not in Apple’s App Store. Try it for yourself so you can enjoy all-new great stuff that your device can’t do now.
If you’ve got other methods for jailbreaking, let us know about them since we’d love to hear from you.
About Aurora Freegard
