iPhone Newbie to jailbreaking

[RustyFox]

Hello. I've never jailbroken an iPhone before, but I've just got a bit bored of always having the same lock screen, theme etc, so am probably going to give it a go, having learned that it is very simple to restore it if I don't like it etc.

Basically all I want to do is be able to customise the look of the phone, that's all. I'm not a programmer or anything like that though, do I need much expert knowledge to be able to do that?

Does anyone have any links to 'idiot' type guides to jailbreaking? I've also read that there are different methods of doing it (Taig? Pangu?) - which is best?

Thanks

 

[navodwickra]

Hello. I've never jailbroken an iPhone before, but I've just got a bit bored of always having the same lock screen, theme etc, so am probably going to give it a go, having learned that it is very simple to restore it if I don't like it etc.



Basically all I want to do is be able to customise the look of the phone, that's all. I'm not a programmer or anything like that though, do I need much expert knowledge to be able to do that?



Does anyone have any links to 'idiot' type guides to jailbreaking? I've also read that there are different methods of doing it (Taig? Pangu?) - which is best?



Thanks

If you are on 8.1 or 7.1.2 then you can use Pangu jailbreak tool and if you are on 8.1.1 you can do it using TaiG jailbreak tool. I am pretty sure you will be able to find many video clips how to use those tools on youtube. If anything goes wring just to a full restore via iTunes

 

[eyoungren]

You don't need to be a programmer. It might help, but it's totally unnecessary.

You do need to be responsible. That is, for what you install. Unlike the app store, Cydia (the jailbreak "app" store) is a place that serves most devices and most versions of iOS. Just because it's in Cydia does not automatically mean you can install it – unlike the app store.

So, you need to be careful of what you install, making sure that it's appropriate for your device and version of iOS.

Failure to do your research can lead to boot loops, safe mode and possibly a forced restore. Right now, a forced restore is not a big issue (but it's is a hassle) but a forced restore when there is no jailbrek for the current version of iOS can mean you lose your jailbreak.

Cydia, by the way, is a legitimate business. Some tweaks, apps and themes are free. Others are not. Cydia acts as your go between when you decide you want to purchase something. If you do, you can choose Amazon or PayPal and Cydia handles the rest (although you need to set up an account).

Just do your due dilligence and you should be fine.

 

[RustyFox]

OK, good advice thank you.

I'm on 8.1.1. and from reading around there seems to be some debate as to whether the Taig jailbreak is safe? Anyone have any experience of it?

Is it relatively simple to do things like change themes etc?

 

[navodwickra]

OK, good advice thank you.



I'm on 8.1.1. and from reading around there seems to be some debate as to whether the Taig jailbreak is safe? Anyone have any experience of it?



Is it relatively simple to do things like change themes etc?

I am on 8.1.1 and used TaiG to jailbreak it. For themes an stuff use winterboard.

 

[RustyFox]

I am on 8.1.1 and used TaiG to jailbreak it. For themes an stuff use winterboard.

OK thanks. I've seen things where people have done things like customise the lock screen, add widgets to the homescreen etc. Are these things simple to do too, or do they require more knowledge?

 

[RustyFox]

Also, I meant to ask - I've seen a few things saying before you jailbreak, you need to disable things like Find My Friends, iCloud. Is this the case? Can anyone give me a complete list of anything that needs turning off? Thanks.

 

[navodwickra]

Also, I meant to ask - I've seen a few things saying before you jailbreak, you need to disable things like Find My Friends, iCloud. Is this the case? Can anyone give me a complete list of anything that needs turning off? Thanks.

You can easily find those instructions if you could spend good 5 mins on the internet but I am going to tell you anyway.

1. Take a full backup using iTunes.

2. If you have done an OTA update then you must do a full restore. Unfortunately only option you have now is 8.1.1. After installing 8.1.1 restore your back up.

3. Download TaiG and run it and it should recognoise your phone and firmware.

4. Turn Off find my iPhone and disable all passcodes. So basicall when you switch on your device you should be able to get in without having to enter a passcode or finger prints. Now before you ask you can turn all of this back ON after the jailbreak.

5. After TaiG detects your phone hit jailbreak button and sit back. The whole process should not take more than 5 mins.

6*** if anything goes wrong (hardly doubt it) put the phone in to DFU mode and do a restore via iTunes. You won't brick your device.

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OK thanks. I've seen things where people have done things like customise the lock screen, add widgets to the homescreen etc. Are these things simple to do too, or do they require more knowledge?

Well common sense is all you need my friend don't need be a developer or a software guru to do all that I suggest you do the jailbreak first and learn about Cydia first.

 

[RustyFox]

You can easily find those instructions if you could spend good 5 mins on the internet but I am going to tell you anyway.

1. Take a full backup using iTunes.

2. If you have done an OTA update then you must do a full restore. Unfortunately only option you have now is 8.1.1. After installing 8.1.1 restore your back up.

3. Download TaiG and run it and it should recognoise your phone and firmware.

4. Turn Off find my iPhone and disable all passcodes. So basicall when you switch on your device you should be able to get in without having to enter a passcode or finger prints. Now before you ask you can turn all of this back ON after the jailbreak.

5. After TaiG detects your phone hit jailbreak button and sit back. The whole process should not take more than 5 mins.

6*** if anything goes wrong (hardly doubt it) put the phone in to DFU mode and do a restore via iTunes. You won't brick your device.

----------



Well common sense is all you need my friend don't need be a developer or a software guru to do all that I suggest you do the jailbreak first and learn about Cydia first.

Thank you, I really really appreciate the help. As the title suggests, I'm a complete newbie to doing this, and don't mind admitting I'm a little nervous in case something goes badly wrong!

Can I just ask about point no 2. When I updated to 8.1.1. it was indeed OTA, but if I restore my phone plugged into iTunes, will this automatically re-install 8.1.1. then, or will I still be left with an OTA 8.1.1.? Thanks.

 

[navodwickra]

Thank you, I really really appreciate the help. As the title suggests, I'm a complete newbie to doing this, and don't mind admitting I'm a little nervous in case something goes badly wrong!

Can I just ask about point no 2. When I updated to 8.1.1. it was indeed OTA, but if I restore my phone plugged into iTunes, will this automatically re-install 8.1.1. then, or will I still be left with an OTA 8.1.1.? Thanks.

OTA means Over The Air and it's a Delta update which means it actually download the necessary system files and such, so the update it very small. When you connect your phone to iTunes and perform an update it actually download the whole OS (even it's an incremental update) and rewrite them (keeping settings as they were).

When you do a restore via iTunes it actually wipes everything and flash the OS. So it will be like when you turned on your phone for the first time after you bought it. So in your case when you do a restore (you can't do an update because you are already on latest firmware) it wipes everything including the OTA update you did. So take a back up if you want to save your app data and personal data.

I hope that answered your question about OTAs and iTunes restores. So normally when you perform a jailbreak it is always better to do an iTunes update or a restore beforehand. I always update via iTunes.

 

[RustyFox]

OTA means Over The Air and it's a Delta update which means it actually download the necessary system files and such, so the update it very small. When you connect your phone to iTunes and perform an update it actually download the whole OS (even it's an incremental update) and rewrite them (keeping settings as they were).

When you do a restore via iTunes it actually wipes everything and flash the OS. So it will be like when you turned on your phone for the first time after you bought it. So in your case when you do a restore (you can't do an update because you are already on latest firmware) it wipes everything including the OTA update you did. So take a back up if you want to save your app data and personal data.

I hope that answered your question about OTAs and iTunes restores. So normally when you perform a jailbreak it is always better to do an iTunes update or a restore beforehand. I always update via iTunes.

Ah OK, that's great thank you. I have actually had a complete stupid moment though and realised I was getting confused - I only actually got my iPhone 6 recently and it was 8.1.1. straight out of the box. Does that presumably mean therefore I don't need a restore?

 

[eyoungren]

If the phone has never been updated (it came that way) then you don't need to worry about it.

As already stated, you don't need to be a dev, a programmer, etc. Just use common sense.

It's helpful to know little things, but not neccessary. Ex., iWidgets are little piece of HTML code that do things on your springboard. LockHTML can place iWidgets on your lockscreen.

But if you want to tweak any of the iWidgets you'll need to know a little HTML code. You don't need to know it to use it, just a little to modify it to your liking if you want.

Little things like that.

Oh. And because you jailbreak, you get access to the file system. So, you then actually have the ability to modify things a little bit (such as an iWidget's HTML code).

 

[RustyFox]

If the phone has never been updated (it came that way) then you don't need to worry about it.

As already stated, you don't need to be a dev, a programmer, etc. Just use common sense.

It's helpful to know little things, but not neccessary. Ex., iWidgets are little piece of HTML code that do things on your springboard. LockHTML can place iWidgets on your lockscreen.

But if you want to tweak any of the iWidgets you'll need to know a little HTML code. You don't need to know it to use it, just a little to modify it to your liking if you want.

Little things like that.

Oh. And because you jailbreak, you get access to the file system. So, you then actually have the ability to modify things a little bit (such as an iWidget's HTML code).

Thanks for the advice.

Can I also ask, what happens when an update to iOS is released? I realise that if you have a jailbroken phone you have to wait for a new jailbreak to be released, but do you have to update to the new iOS, lose all your jailbreak tweaks, then jailbreak it again and go through the process of re-adding all your tweaks?

 

[eyoungren]

Thanks for the advice.

Can I also ask, what happens when an update to iOS is released? I realise that if you have a jailbroken phone you have to wait for a new jailbreak to be released, but do you have to update to the new iOS, lose all your jailbreak tweaks, then jailbreak it again and go through the process of re-adding all your tweaks?

The process is thus:

Wait for confirmation that an update is jailbreakable.

Backup

Restore in iTunes

Re jailbreak

Restore your backup

Restore your JB tweaks/apps

You will NEVER see a notice for an update. The current jailbreaks all kill the update notification process so you are never bothered (tempted) to update by pressing the button on the device.

 

[StuMcBill]

I am going to be in a similar situation to the OP in a few days when I get an iPad Air 2 and I have a question.

Can I run the TaiG jailbreak software on my mac, via parallels desktop, running Windows xp?

If so, are there any special concerns in doing it this way?

Thanks Stewart