Today, I actually got bored and decided to really pull apart this new 3.1.3 firmware jailbreak. The new firmware boasts more accurate battery readings and remove crashes during app launches and when using the Japanese Kana keyboard. Now, does it jailbreak? Allllmost. There are a few exceptions (check under supported models), but most devices jailbreak just fine. I’ve tried using the redsn0w jailbreak for 3.1.3, and ended up with a tethered jailbreak that wouldn’t load Cydia correctly. I really recommend using Sn0wbreeze for this jailbreak. Sn0wbreeze was designed by “ih8sn0w,” an iPhone/iPod Touch dev.
Supported models
- iPod Touch 1G
- iPod Touch 2G
- iPhone 2G
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS (With old bootrom)
NOTE: The iPod Touch 3G (AKA the iPod Touch 2G MC) is not supported. Don’t try it. Additionally, it is recommended that iPhone 3G and 3GS users with new bootroms (iBoot v. 359.3.2, or any iPhone 3G/3GS released during or after October 2009) don’t attempt this. Wait until an “official” jailbreak for the new bootrom is out.
Things you need to download.
- Sn0wbreeze (Version 1.5.1 at the date of this post)
- iREB (Version 3.1.2 at the date of this post)
- Firmware v. 3.1.3 for your device.
- The latest version of iTunes.
Tutorial, plain and easy.
- Make sure iTunes is up to date (Version 9.0.3.15 at the date of this post)
- Update your iPod/iPhone to version 3.1.3 if you haven’t already.
- Back up your iPod/iPhone by syncing it with iTunes.
- Download the 3.1.3 firmware from Felixbruns.de under the “iPhone/iPod Touch” section. Make SURE to select the right model.
- Plug in your device. Close iTunes if it opens.
- Run Sn0wbreeze.exe
- Select “Expert Mode.” I’ll walk you through some of the advanced features. Hit “Next”
- Browse to your downloaded firmware and hit OK. Sn0wbreeze will analyze it and display an image of what kind of device the firmware is for. Make SURE you have the right firmware or you’ll have to start over.
- Select “General” and hit the next arrow.
- If you use iBoot, or like to change your boot images (for whatever reason), check “Make IPSW NOR-Only”. Otherwise, select whether or not you want the Sn0wbreeze app (I recommend it). Leave your root partition size at 750 MB’s. You shouldn’t need much more unless you have a specific reason for it. Then, click Next.
- If you want to activate your phone (i.e. use it with a different carrier than AT&T) you can do this on the next screen. When you’re done, select next.
- On the next screen, you can select what installers you want. Cydia will be installed by default, and you have the option to install “Rock”, a “full-service” iPhone App Store. Its worth giving a shot; I installed it. Hit next.
- On the next page, you can pre-install any apps you want. Click the “Manage Sources” tab to add sources. Click the “Download Packages” tab to browse through sources and download any packages you’d like, and then select any downloaded packages you want to install on the “Select Packages” tab. When you’re done, click Next.
- On the next screen, you can select custom boot images. If you have your own boot or recovery images, click “Browse” and select your boot images. They can be at most 100 kb’s, and should be 320×480 pixels (but they can be smaller if you’d like). When you’re done, select Next.
- When you’ve done all that, you’ll be taken back to the original screen. Select “Build IPSW” and click Next.
- Sn0wbreeze saves the custom .ipsw to your desktop and titles it “sn0wbreeze_[your device].ipsw.” You’ll now need to restore your device to this firmware. Again, make sure iTunes is closed. Turn off your iPod or iPhone.
- Sn0wbreeze will now walk you through the DFU mode. If it doesn’t, click “Help” at the top left hand corner of the screen and select “DFU Mode.”
- Follow the instructions on-screen to put your device in DFU mode. iTunes should open and say that a device in “recovery mode” is connected. Your device’s screen should be black. If it displays the “Connect to iTunes” image, you’ve done it wrong and need to start over from step 15.
- In iTunes, click your device on the left-hand side. Hold down shift and click “Restore.” It will prompt you to select your firmware. Browse to the sn0wbreeze .ipsw file on your desktop. Select OK, and your device will be “restored” to the jailbroken firmware.
Get an error when you restore?
A lot of people, including myself, got an error (1600, 1601, 1602, 1604) when you tried to restore. If you sure your device was in DFU mode, and you’re still receiving these errors, you’ll need to use iREB to “block” these errors and let iTunes think its restoring everything as planned.
This is what iREB looks like.
- Put your device in DFU mode. iTunes will open; make sure it thinks your device is in recovery mode. Your device’s screen should be black.
- Close iTunes and start iREB. You won’t need to open iTunes again until this process finishes.
- In iREB, select your device. iREB will crash, and your device’s screen will turn solid white or red. This is normal. Its fine. Let it go. Once your device’s screen is white or red, go to the next step.
- Open iTunes. Your device should still appear as in recovery mode in iTunes, and your device’s screen should be red/white. Select your device from the left-hand side, hold shift, and click restore. Browse to the sn0wbreeze custom .ipsw, select ok, and you should be good to go.
Further questions?
Post them below. I’ll do my best to answer them as soon as I can. If you can’t wait, check out my article on how to fix jailbroken devices. It’s helped a lot of people, and its the first thing I turn to when my iPod is messed up.