Workarounds enable existing jailbreak tools to hack Apple’s iOS 4 GM seed

Jun 9, 2010 09:43 GMT  ·  By
PwnageTool shows an "ihaz Success!" screen as it completes the hacking of an IPSW update / restore file
2 photos
   PwnageTool shows an "ihaz Success!" screen as it completes the hacking of an IPSW update / restore file

Hackers have confirmed that Apple’s iOS 4 GM seed is obtainable and can be jailbroken with both the PwnageTool and redsn0w, if the user only follows a few guidelines carefully. Reports say that the PwnageTool app must be slightly modified by the user, in order to jailbreak the iOS 4 GM seed for a 3GS handset, while redsn0w 0.9.5 reportedly works with 3G iPhones. Only the most experienced users should attempt to jailbreak, according to the hackers.

A report by 9to5mac says that msft.guy has posted “PwnageTool bundles” for iPhone 3GS, the iOS 4 GM release, which handset owners can employ to jailbreak, while preserving their baseband for future unlocks. According to various reports, users are supposed to modify PwnageTool 3.1.5 by adding the aforementioned custom software bundles, and then proceed with creating the custom iOS 4 firmware. Naturally, users must first find a way to obtain the actual iOS 4 GM seed IPSW update / restore file.

Also for developer-types, iPhone Dev Team member MuscleNerd has reportedly tweeted a confirmation that redsn0w 0.9.5 jailbreaks the iOS4 GM seed without a hiccup. The jailbreak tool was updated earlier this year to provide iPhone developers with a way to jailbreak their iPhone OS 4 betas. Apparently, Apple has done nothing to prevent these practices just weeks before the final version of iOS 4 is scheduled to ship. Unlike PwnageTool, the redsn0w jailbreak works only with iPhone 3G and Mac OS X.

“This is a beta release of redsn0w targeted at developers of jailbroken apps,” MuscleNerd says on the iphwn.org website. “It uses the same pwnage2 DFU-mode exploit that we've been using since the 2.x days,” the hacker explains. “Nothing new is revealed to Apple, and it's not applicable to the iPad. Don't go near it if you use yellowsn0w, ultrasn0w, or blacksn0w,” his warning reads.

His latest update (dated 6/8/2010) details how iPhone 3G owners can jailbreak the iOS 4 GM seed using redsn0w. “For those who can legitimately activate to the iPhone3G 4.0GM seed, the ‘point to previous IPSW’ redsn0w trick works and will jailbreak your 4.0GM,” MuscleNerd confirms. “The ‘trick’ is to point redsn0w at the 4.0beta4 IPSW instead of 4.0GM (do this after you've updated to 4.0GM and activated through the new iTunes 9.2 on your Mac),” he adds. MuscleNerd cannot stress enough that carrier unlocks aren't yet supported by redsn0w, as far as iOS 4 goes. He promotes the jailbreak tool as being “mostly useful only for developers of those JB apps.” Finally, he urges those without legit access to the iOS 4 GM seed to wait until the public release for jailbreak updates.

Softpedia doesn't encourage jailbreaking / unlocking the iPhone / iPod touch / iPad, or any other device. This article has a purely informational purpose and doesn't, in any way, suggest that you should hack your Apple device. 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 install jailbreak tools, you will do so at your own risk. Unlocking / jailbreaking your iPhone / iPod touch / iPad may violate your warranty or the EULA with Apple and / or your cellular-service provider.

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PwnageTool shows an "ihaz Success!" screen as it completes the hacking of an IPSW update / restore file
MuscleNerd's alleged tweeted confirmation that redsn0w 0.9.5 jailbreaks iOS 4 GM seed
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