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Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPod touch couldn’t be easier thanks to geohot.  This jailbreak will work for iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPod Touch 1st 2nd & 3rd Gen.  If your SIM Card is not legit, (ie. unlocked) do not attempt this.

I’m using an iPhone 3G for this guide so the steps depicted herein will be iPhone 3G.

Why Jailbreak?

“Jailbreaking is a process that allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to run unofficial code on their devices bypassing Apple‘s official distribution mechanism, the App Store. Once jailbroken, iPhone users are able to download many applications previously unavailable through the App Store via unofficial installers such as Cydia, Rock App, Icy, and Installer. Cydia is popular with users whilst Rock App has a small catalog of mainly paid apps. Icy and Installer are officially unsupported by their developers and rarely used. Cydia founder Jay Freeman estimates that 8.5% of all iPods and iPhones are jailbroken.^[1] A jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch is still able touse and update apps downloaded and purchased from Apple’s official App Store.”

Wiki…

Basically put, Jailbreaking your device breaks the Apple shackles and opens a whole new world of apps, themes, sounds & much much more!

Step 1.

First up is to make sure that your device is on firmware 3.1.2.

To do this tap: Settings > General > About.

Under Version, make sure that it’s 3.1.2.  If not, update your device through iTunes.

Step 2.

Next is to head over to here to pick up the latest BlackRa1n download.  Click the Windows logo to download the executable (XP, Vista & 7 compatible).

Step 3.

Make sure to close iTunes and to leave the device connected to your PC via. USB.

Step 4.

Run the Blacra1n download, once it’s opened, click make it ra1n.  Go grab a coffee as this may take a few minutes to complete.

Once it has completed, on your device, find the new icon blackra1n and tap it.  On the next screen you’ll have a choice of 3 installations.  Cydia is the popular package installer by Saurik, Rock is cleaner and quicker than Cydia (though personally untested) & sn0w will unlock your phone  to be used with any carrier.  Choose your packages and install them.

Once it’s finished, find the Cydia/Rock icon and start using your device freely!

Returning to default:

You’ll need to restore your device to factory settings in iTunes to un-jailbreak your device.

To do this, connect your device to your PC via. USB and fire up iTunes.

In the left pane of iTunes; under DEVICES, click your device.  In the main pane under Version; click Restore.

I think it’s best to not save the settings and just start completely fresh by clicking Don’t Back Up.

Confirm your actions by clicking Restore and the device will now be restored to factory state.

Disclaimer:

Please note, whilst Jailbreaking your device is not illegal, Jailbreaking your device will invalidate the remaining warranty held with Apple, Inc. for said device.  Device restoration through iTunes rectifies this however.  Jailbreaking also carries a small risk of rendering the device unusable. Whilst we will do our utmost to help if something does go wrong, please note that we assume no responsibility for any damage caused to any device through Jailbreaking.  Please see this forum for any questions or help.

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