14 DAY TRIAL // Since the upcoming jailbreak for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 will be released not only for iOS 5.0.1 but also for iOS 5.0, the iPhone Dev Team advises unlocks to try and keep their iPhone’s baseband at the lowest possible version.
And that means iOS 5.0 is the best place to be right now, according to MuscleNerd, the leader of the iPhone Dev Team.
In a statement provided to iClarified, the hacker noted that those who wanted not only a jailbreak, but also a carrier unlock, would be smart to stay at iOS 5.0.
The hacker specifically told the blog that “its [sic] recommended that those already on iOS 5.0.1 should check their build number and downgrade from build 9A406 to 9A405 while Apple is still signing both builds.”
If you’re on iOS 5.0, stay put. If you’re on iOS 5.0.1 Build 9A406, here’s how to downgrade to iOS 5.0.1 9A405.
1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac / PC via USB;
2. Launch iTunes and wait for your device to appear in the left-hand pane;
3. Select your device and, in the right pane, click Restore with the Alt key (on Mac) / Shift key (on Windows) held down;
4. Choose the iPhone4,1_5.0.1_9A405_Restore.ipsw you just downloaded (use Google) and click Open.
Your device should take care of the rest. When it reboots to iOS 5.0.1 9A405, you can choose to restore your content (i.e. music, apps, photos) from backup.
Apple is also rumored to be preparing the release of iOS 5.1 soon. The update should take care of a number of frustrating bugs, as well as the jailbreak about to be released for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 owners.
It is unclear just when the hackers plan to roll out their new jailbreak, but the leader of the Chronic Dev Team (Pod2g) confirmed in a blog post this week that his A5 untether was just days away.
Update: Included clarification that the downgrade is to an older build of iOS 5.0.1, not iOS 5.0. Also changed the file name in step #4 to the correct iOS version and build number that users are supposed to download.