14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that, no matter how many times the iPhone Dev Team lays out all the details about a given firmware jailbreak, people will always get stuck in mud along the way. Although Softpedia does not condone these practices, we’re going to point out a few things, in the interest of fairness. After all, those who decide to jailbreak and / or unlock their devices may well be Apple’s most faithful customers.
First of all, it seems that many users still don’t know what the situation is with each particular device model. The iPhone Dev Team is even careful to phrase these details so that everyone can understand, but no cigar. So, here’s the deal with the latest PwnageTool version and the devices it supports right now.
The PwnageTool jailbreak
“[PwnageTool 3.1.5] creates a custom 3.1.3 IPSW for you to restore to on your iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS with early bootrom, iPod touch 1G, and iPod touch 2G with early bootrom. If you don’t know if you have an early bootrom or not, please avoid updating until you learn more,” the Team says. So, if you don’t know stuff, just stay put (this must sound really annoying for those who’ve already taken steps in the direction of firmware 3.1.3 with no success). Currently, the device that shouldn’t pose problems to the new PwnageTool application is the first generation iPhone. For the iPod touch 2G early bootrom, it’s faster and easier to use redsn0w 0.9.4, according to the Dev Team. Third-generation iPod touches aren’t supported at all. Moving on...
Unlocking 3.1.3
You can’t unlock using PwnageTool, and you can’t unlock using Geohot’s Blackra1n jailbreak solution. Both do jailbreaks only. Currently, there’s nothing that you can employ to unlock a device running 3.1.3. (which reminds us, stay away from scams). PwnageTool solely jailbreaks 3.1.3 IPSWs and transfers your existing unlock over to it, but not if you unlocked using Geohot’s blacksn0w. If you’re not unlocked already, but want to do this in the future, wait for more updates from the iPhone Dev Team or hacker Geohot.
Reverting to 3.1.2
Many device owners are now sobbing and weeping because they weren’t careful enough to read through the iPhone Dev Team’s documentation before updating to 3.1.3. Many of them have lost their unlocks, and some the ability to jailbreak altogether. Luckily, for a select few, there’s a solution to get back on the jailbreak train (not so much on the unlock wagon). The infamous iPhone Dev Team clearly points out: “Don’t use PwnageTool on the iPhone 3GS if you’re at 3.1.3, it just won’t work.” If you’re now stuck at 3.1.3, you can still downgrade to 3.1.2 using the methods described here, according to the Dev crew. However, as a 3GS user, if you don’t have your 3.1.2 hashes backed up, reverting is impossible right now, so “you’ll need to sit out the 3.1.3 jailbreak.”
Geohot’s solutions
Finally, those who are faithful to Geohot’s jailbreak and unlock tools have more waiting to do. Neither Blackra1n, nor Blacksn0w are capable of hacking a 3.1.3 IPSW, regardless of the device you own, or its version. Blacksn0w does unlock the latest iPhone 3G and 3GS models, but only under firmware 3.1.2 (or lower). If you haven’t updated to 3.1.3 and need these hacks, you’re in luck. The super-simple Blackra1n jailbreak also supports 3.1.2 and down, and it is used to install the Blacksn0w unlock. Google has you covered on guides and everything you need to download. With this in mind, all you have to do now is put your searching skills to good use. For those who are stuck at 3.1.3: just wait for the hackers to do their bit; so far, they've never let anyone down.
Softpedia doesn't condone jailbreaking / unlocking the iPhone / iPod touch or any other Apple device. This article has a purely informational purpose and doesn't, in any way, suggest that you should use hacks. Using hacks may render your device unusable, or may reduce the quality of your experience employing the respective device. If you choose to download and use jailbreak tools, you will do so at your own risk - Softpedia does not take responsibility for any damage caused to your device. Unlocking / jailbreaking your iPhone / iPod touch may violate your warranty or the EULA with Apple and / or your cellular-service provider.