45

Tutorial: Hack your iPhone/iTouch

iPhone/iTouch HackingBefore you all start thinking I’m going crazy and say mean things like “He’s Nuts!” and “Hasn’t this been posted before?”, let me explain; please. I recently (and foolishly) upgraded to 1.1.2 on my iPod touch because I wanted to see the non-existent new features it brought.

Yes, it gave me the much desired calendar “Add” button and yes, it gave me the useless battery indicator in iTunes, but I already had the Calendar button and had no need for the battery indicator, so I set on my mission to downgrade back to 1.1.1.

I read on some sites that the process was hard to do, with having to download an extra application or input a secret button sequence into the iPod. However this was not the case. After getting my copy of 1.1.1 from Apple’s site, all that was left was to Option + Click on the update button in iTunes, and navigate to the downloaded zip file. This process leaves all personal data and music on the iPhone or iPod Touch, but allows you to downgrade easily and safely.

After the downgrade was complete (which is exactly the same process as an upgrade) I set about re-hacking my shiny little Touch. The hacking process on the older firmware is ridiculously easy. Simply point Safari to jailbreakme.com and click install. This will JailBreak your iPod or iPhone, install the Installer.app and also patch the TIFF exploit, so you get the same security as in 1.1.2.

Installer.appAfter the installation completed I set about looking for the iPhone apps. I installed the BSD Subsystem and Community Sources from Installer.app and then added http://repo.us.to to the sources manually. This then allowed me to install the iPhone apps from the list of packages.

There are also literally hundreds of community developed apps including games, chat apps, and the AnySim unlock app for the iPhone to allow it to be used on any network. That’s it, happy hacking! (Please Note: Hacking of devices is at your own risk. The above tutorial is simply for educational purposes only).

43 Comment(s)

Legend: Guest Article Author Contributor
  • 1

    Louis said on

    November 25th, 2007 at 7:43 am

    Can any uk readers confirm if the downgrade/unlock solutions are working on there O2 phones?
    Also there was an article here in September about getting a free backup phone when you activate your iphone, again has anyone managed this on O2?
    Thinking of taking the plunge this week but might be moving to Australia next year and dont fancy having to say off the remaining years worth of contract. (Of course a spare nokia might soften the blow a bit)

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 2

    Peter said on

    November 25th, 2007 at 9:16 am

    You can easily upgrade to 1.1.2 by installing “OktoPrep” from Installer on 1.1.1, then upgrading to 1.1.2 and running a script.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +5
  • 3

    Niels said on

    November 27th, 2007 at 5:22 am

    Hi, i bought the iphone in UK on the o2 network, and I was thinking about hacking it. But then i was wanting to know if it is possible to reset this and go back to original settings again?

     Add karma Subtract karma  +0
  • 4

    Frost said on

    November 27th, 2007 at 6:18 am

    Before upgrading, (when my ipod was hacked) I couldnt get the maps/notes app on, through the installer. Will the “http://repo.us.to” source give me them?

     Add karma Subtract karma  +3
  • 5

    Stephen Radford said on

    November 27th, 2007 at 12:13 pm

    Niels: After jailbreak it is possible to go back to factory settings by restoring iTunes. However if you Unlock the iPhone this may not be possible.

    Frost: The http://repo.us.to will add all of the iPhone apps to the list of available applications, including maps and notes. Also be sure to install the Gmap and Mail Prep if installing those apps.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +3
  • 6

    Frost said on

    November 29th, 2007 at 11:48 am

    Sorry for my late response Stephen! But thanks a bunch for your help :D I successfully downgraded my iPod Touch and installed all the iPhone apps! :D Again, thanks!

     Add karma Subtract karma  +3
  • 7

    Dirty Sanchez said on

    November 30th, 2007 at 6:09 am

    Hey Guys,
    Once hacked, can I use the iphone on Orange PAYG?

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +4
  • 8

    Stephen Radford said on

    November 30th, 2007 at 11:19 am

    @Dirty Sanchez: After installing the BSD Subsystem and Community Sources it is possible to unlock the iPhone using the AnySim software available from the installer.app. This again is performed at your own risk.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 9

    bluefin said on

    November 30th, 2007 at 1:33 pm

    Would the downgrade work on a 1.1.2 I touch?

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +3
  • 10

    Stephen Radford said on

    November 30th, 2007 at 2:32 pm

    @bluefin: Yes, that’s exactly the process I used on my touch.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 11

    Eugenio said on

    December 9th, 2007 at 4:21 am

    Could someone post the download link for iPod touch 1.1.1 download from Apple site? I tried to look for it into support section of Apple site but couldn’t find it.

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 12

    Stephen Radford said on

    December 9th, 2007 at 5:54 am

  • 13

    Jay said on

    December 11th, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    Peter said: You can easily upgrade to 1.1.2 by installing “OktoPrep” from Installer on 1.1.1, then upgrading to 1.1.2 and running a script.**** Peter: I upgraded back up to 1.1.2 after running OktoPrep and the small little windows.bat script file, and lost all of my apps. I rebooted several times, and gone. Fortunately I could downgrade again and repeat the process. I have an iTouch… am I stuck with version 1.1.1 ?

    +3

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +3
  • 14

    Tyler Mckelvey said on

    December 19th, 2007 at 11:09 pm

    hey i was just wondering about where to find firmware 1.1.1 download. because i recently accididnetly updated my unlocked iphone and all it gives me now is the itunes sign and the little plug in. can anyone please helpp! thanks

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 15

    David said on

    December 24th, 2007 at 7:42 pm

    hey how exactly do you downgrade to 1.1.1, i have a 1.1.2 iTouch cause i got it like that and i have the 1.1.1 firmware zip file.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 16

    David said on

    December 24th, 2007 at 8:09 pm

    nvm i got it, youtube is the best. lol

     Add karma Subtract karma  +0
  • 17

    jon said on

    December 29th, 2007 at 6:28 pm

    Can you give me a run down on the benefits of hacking my touch. I’m relatively dumb when it comes to alot of this.
    Sounds “painless” if there is a mistake, with the factory reset option.
    What will I get out of this?

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 18

    Stephen Radford said on

    December 29th, 2007 at 6:35 pm

    @Jon: It will give you the ability to run 3rd Party applications. There are literally hundreds of free apps available, such as games, themes, iPhone apps and tonnes more. You can also just restore to factory settings if you feel you need to.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 19

    Stephen said on

    December 29th, 2007 at 7:57 pm

    I hacked my touch, but i restored it. Is it possible for me to hack it again?

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 20

    Stephen said on

    December 29th, 2007 at 7:58 pm

    i tried to hack it @ jailbreakme.com again but its not starting up

     Add karma Subtract karma  +0
  • 21

    Stephen said on

    December 29th, 2007 at 8:10 pm

    nevermind. I forgot it automatically upgraded to 1.1.2 when i restored it. But i’m having trouble downgrading. could you give me a tutorial on downgrading? Shinwarrior1@yahoo.com

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 22

    tmoney said on

    December 29th, 2007 at 10:42 pm

    can the iPhone be hacked for sprint ? Thanks a million

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 23

    Stephen Radford said on

    December 30th, 2007 at 7:39 am

    @Stephen: Read the article it tells you how to downgrade directly in iTunes

    @tmoney: I don’t believe so, Sprint isn’t a GSM carrier.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 24

    bo0 said on

    January 1st, 2008 at 1:26 am

    hi how is it going, well i just got my brand new itouch and i am thinking about jailbreaking it to be able to get games and stuff on it but i am a little reluctant because i want to know if i can undo the jailbreak thing if needed and how to undo it if it is possible. can anybody help me to clear my doubts??

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 25

    mart said on

    January 1st, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    just completed the install on my brand new itouch. worked OK. Installed one game so far - soliatire and it works OK. where it says object+click in article. It is shift+click in UK speak

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 26

    Tattoogimp said on

    January 9th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

    Hmm, My ITouch is now buggered… I tried to downgrade it to 1.1.1 from 1.1.2 and all it does now is scroll alot of coding and then reboots after about 10 seconds of this code.

    Any ideas on how to recover it>? My email is tattoogimp@gmail.com

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 27

    Abby said on

    January 10th, 2008 at 3:01 am

    I used jailbreak on my iPhone and I loved it!
    I had the coolest most amazing iPhone.
    Unfortuantly, I did not know that updating it would restore it(DUMBBBBBBBB)
    but I’m not sure how to download the 1.1.1 off of iTunes..
    can anyone help me out??

    Thanks

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 28

    Chris said on

    January 10th, 2008 at 11:24 pm

    Please can you help I have followed very clear instructions on how to jailbreak on version 1.1.1 also found out how to jailbreak on the version 1.1.2 on some website which told me to go to safari or summit and do this and then click on this link here which gives you the link for the version 1.1.2 because then you can then upgrade the ipod in itunes back to 1.1.2 which i had done followed the on screen instructions there after congrats jail broken. HOWEVER

    trying to put back in comp and it not being detected error message is as follows

    This ipod cannot be used becasue the required software is not installed. Run the itunes installer to remove itunes, then install itunes again. Have done this now a total of 4 times!!

    PLEASE HELP ME I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO i just want music syncing again the apps working great!!!

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  -1
  • 29

    Dirty Sanchez said on

    January 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am

    Hey Guys,

    Just picked up a O2 PAYG iphone.
    1 - How do I activate my O2 PAYG sim card?
    2 - How do I transfer my old orange number to my hacked iphone with an O2 PAYG card?
    3 - How do I tell itunes to not upgrade my iphone?
    4 - Can I still get itunes updates (itunes software only)?

    Thanks
    DS

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 30

    Stephen Radford said on

    January 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am

    @Dirty Sanchez:

    1-http://www.anderson-technologies.com/archives/5
    2-Contact Orange for a PAC code
    3-Just ignore iPhone updates
    4-Yes.

    @Chris: @Tattoogimp:

    Try restoring to 1.1.1 rather than downgrading.

    @Abby:
    http://www.touchdev.net/wiki/Decrypt_Firmware#Firmware_Versions

    @bo0:

    Yes, it’s possible to remove all signs of jailbreak.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 31

    Dirty Sanchez said on

    January 14th, 2008 at 10:45 am

    @ Stephen Radford

    Thanks man!

    Is there a check box in itunes prefs to turn off iphone updates?

    Cheers
    DS

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 32

    Stephen Radford said on

    January 14th, 2008 at 10:56 am

    @Dirty Sanchez: No, fraid not, you’ll just have to ignore them, when they pop-up you can click don’t display again however.

     Add karma Subtract karma  +0
  • 33

    Ali said on

    January 16th, 2008 at 7:38 pm

    Okay, I want to hack my iTouch, and if I had half a brain, I would have already. But for the love of me, I can’t figure out WHERE on the Apple site to get the downgrade.

    Help please? I am so lost, it’s insaneee…

    Haha thanks :)

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 34

    Matt DeRosa said on

    January 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pm

    Hey, i cant find a website to download 1.1.1 from. I tried http://www.touchdev.net/wiki/Decrypt_Firmware#Firmware_Versions but the site couldn’t open and i tried multiple times. Any suggestions on where else i could get the 1.1.1 from?

     Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 35

    Mooky said on

    January 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm

    omg, please please help me!!!!!!!
    please show me the link to get 1.1.1!!!!
    i need heeeellllppppp.
    i have 1.1.2 currently(unfortunately).
    damn this 1.1.2
    plz gimme the link to get 1.1.1, and/or tell me how to downgrade.
    my email is: heyitsmooky@yahoo.com

    plz reply quick!!!!

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 36

    Mooky said on

    January 24th, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    touchdev doesnt work.
    F***
    i wanna jailbreak my itouch!!!!

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 37

    Citygirl said on

    February 5th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    uhhh ok I’m a bit confused here
    which is the better version and what is so cool about it
    I have a 16GB iPod touch so what would the difference be?

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +3
  • 38

    mooky said on

    February 7th, 2008 at 1:06 am

    1.1.1 is easily hackable whileb1.1.2 isn’t. Its no matter now cause I did hack it and it worked out for the best. I even hacked 1.1.3. To learn how just go to youtube. Easy stuff, email me if u hav more questions

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 39

    Dawn-Marie Eoff said on

    March 6th, 2008 at 11:47 am

    I have an iTouch I am thinking about hacking. I have a Griffen TuneCenter and because Apple now requires all video out devices to have an authorization chip in order to pass a video signal this will not work with the iTouch. If I hack will it fix this problem.

    dfeoff1@yahoo.com

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +2
  • 40

    Dawn-Marie Eoff said on

    March 6th, 2008 at 11:55 am

    I found this site for hacking the iPod touch and phone. It has links to everything you need and simple instructiond to follow. http://www.itouchhack.net/

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +5
  • 41

    Lil MJ said on

    March 27th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

    I have an 1.1.3 that a friend gave me as a gift. Can I Downgrade that?

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 42

    ipodhead14 said on

    March 29th, 2008 at 4:24 pm

    hi
    i have a problem i have the verion 1.1.2 and i have already jailbreak my itouch. Ever since i have never upgraded my version to 1.1.4 and my installer is not working anymore like i cant download anything?
    HELP what should i do so it should work?

     Add karma Subtract karma  +1
  • 43

    rico said on

    July 21st, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    if i get the 2.0 update will i have to jailbreak my ipod again?

    (subscribed to comments)  Add karma Subtract karma  +0
  • 2 Link(s) Referencing this Post

    More at MacApper

    • Discuss 'Tutorial: Hack your iPhone/iTouch' in our new Mac Forums

    Post a Comment


    Post your comment below (spam filtered)