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Complete Guide: How To Jailbreak iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G on iOS 4

By on August 3, 2010 in Posted In: iPhone, Jailbreak

jailbreakme logoAs you know, the iPhone Dev team has released a browser-based jailbreak tool known as jailbreakme that is capable to jailbreak all models of iPhone including iPhone 4, 3GS (both old and new bootrom) and 3G running on the latest version of iOS (i.e. 4.0 or 4.0.1).

If you have used Spirit before, you should enjoy the one-click jailbreak process. But I can say “Jailbreakme” is even simpler and more user-friendly than Spirit. It is so simple that I wonder if I still need to write a guide for it.

Anyway, to let those who do not familiar with the jailbreak process, here is the step-by-step guide to show you the process.

Before kicking off the jailbreak…

Before you jump to the jailbreak procedures, please read through the points carefully:

  • As usual, before kicking off the jailbreak, remember to backup all your iPhone data via iTunes. You can simply connect the iPhone to your computer and sync all the data. This step is crucial. In any case you are stuck in the jailbreak process, you can always restore your iPhone back to the original state.
  • Though JailbreakMe should work with iPhone OS v3.x, this guide is intended for those running iOS 4. So, I suppose you have upgraded to iOS 4.0 / 4.0.1. If not, please upgrade it via iTunes.
  • JailbreakMe should also work with iPhone that has been jailbroken with blackra1n or Spirit. But before using JailbreakMe, please restore the iPhone to iOS 4.0 / 4.01 via iTunes.
  • JailbreakMe will not hacktivate your iPhone. Your iPhone should be activated before using the browser-based jailbreak tool. You can either purchase an official SIM card or simply borrow it from your friend to activate the iPhone. Alternatively, you can also try out the phonebook SIM card to activate it.

Jailbreaking iPhone with JailbreakMe

1. As JailbreakMe is a browser-based jailbreak tool, no software download is required. All you need to do is to launch the mobile Safari on your iPhone and point it to http://www.jailbreakme.com.

Tip: If the above link doesn’t work, you can also try out http://jailbreakme.modmyi.com.

2. Next, you can simply slide the “slide to jailbreak” slider to kick off the jailbreak process.

JailbreakMeDownloading JailbreakMe

3. The whole jailbreak process will take several minutes to complete. Once done, the tool prompts you that cydia has been added to your iPhone.

JailbreakMe CompletedJailbreakMe Cydia Installed

That’s it. Is it the simplest jailbreak tool you have ever used?

After jailbreaking… and you need to unlock

For iPhone 3GS and 3G user, if you need to unlock the iPhone, you can launch cydia and install ultrasn0w.

For iPhone 4 user, the iPhone Dev team will release an updated version of ultrasn0w to unlock iPhone 4 in these two days.

Not Working? Try again!

For some reasons, you may be stuck after you kick off the jailbreak process. In that case, you can simply reboot your iPhone and go through the whole process again. Usually, the jailbreak should work normally for the next trial.

If you have successfully jailbroken your iPhone, I hope you can leave us comment and share the iPhone model & OS version. You are also welcome to leave us questions in case you find any difficulties during the jailbreak process.

Enjoy jailbreaking!

Update #1: If you are stuck at the purple cloud screen after sliding the “slide to jailbreak” slider, check out this solution.

About Simon Ng

Founder, developer and chief blogger of simonblog.com
View all posts by Simon Ng →

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  • Marvin

    Hi Simon.. i have a problem after jailbreaking my phone.
    i received an error when i download apps from apptrackr and sync it to my phone..
    Do i need to install other software before i can get those free apps from the apptrackr?

    :)

  • Magatron

    Hi Simon, Just wondering if its tethered or untethered jailbreak for the newer versions of iphone?

    • kayd

      untethered! Even 3.1.2 newbootroms

  • Bullet

    For my iphone 4 on ios 4.0, it works perfect, untethered. I did, however, have to try jailbreakme several times before it worked last night. It must be a VERY popular website right now.

  • Vishal

    Hi… After jailbreaking the iphone 3gs 4.0.1 (old bootrom) using JailbreakMe, whenever i reboot my iphone, when apple logo appears at startup, it has a horizontal colored line appeard on the top right side of the screen of apple logo.

    how to remove that?

    • Chandler

      Vishal, I have the same issue happen to be on the reboot screen. I’m also using 3GS with old bootrom. Was on 3.0.1, upgraded to 4.0.1.

      But after the jailbreak, I foun that all the Cydia repo to be “bad URL”. Simon any updates to the repo lists that works? The five column springboard also doesn’t work on iOS4

    • The Trivial One

      I have the same issue with the iPhone 3GS and iOS 4.0.

    • Ben

      Yeah I have the same issue.
      I have a 3GS on 4.0.1, and I used jailbreakme with cydia.
      Everytime I reboot (as it turns on) there is a multicoloured bar across the screen above the apple logo and also a loading symbol above the apple logo which never used to be there.

      Any ideas on how to remove the coloured bar?

  • chikanoz

    hi simon, i have a question here.
    i am using 3gs jailbreak with spirit before with 3.12os. if i wish to use jailbreakme now, do i have to upgrade my os to 4.0 first then run jailbreakme? wht is the sequence flow i should follow? u did mention that for 3gs “JailbreakMe should also work with iPhone that has been jailbroken with blackra1n or Spirit. But before using JailbreakMe, please restore the iPhone to iOS 4.0 / 4.01 via iTunes” –> wht is means? i have to upgrade my os to 4.0 then run jailbreakme?

    thanks.

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @chikanoz,

      I suggest you to upgrade to iOS 4.0.1 via iTunes first.

      “JailbreakMe should also work with iPhone that has been jailbroken with blackra1n or Spirit. But before using JailbreakMe, please restore the iPhone to iOS 4.0 / 4.01 via iTunes”

      That means, you need to use “Restore” option in iTunes and completely restore your iPhone. Make sure you perform backup before doing the restore.

      • chikanoz

        simon, i have done the following: -

        upgrade ios to 4.01 –> it was a success. then i just did restore options to ios4.0 in itunes as u told me, and after restore i am stuck at the emergency call status. wht did i do wrong? even itunes not able to detect my phone now..
        pls advice.. :(

        • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

          @chikanoz, you need to use an official sim card or phonebook sim to activate your iPhone.

          • chikanoz

            thanks simon, i got it to function 2 days ago. all success includes JB.

            just one more Q, how do i get a quick loading of all jailbreak apps i had without having to re-download and installing one by one. any article i can refer to with steps to do it?

          • Abishek

            Hi Simon, even i m stuck with emrcency screen after upgrade to 4.0.1…
            when u say official sim card… does it can be any AT&t sim card (prepaid/postpaid)

            pls help me out as it has been 2 days i m stuck with it

  • ben

    it finally worked for me after a couple tries, getting my phone to the point of it forcing me to sync to iTunes and restore, restoring to default, and then restoring from backup.
    so to all those who are getting frustrated because it isn’t working, sit tight(for those of you who it has worked for, you might be amused by that) do a hard reboot(hold power and sleep buttons until screen goes black and comes up with Apple logo) or two, and possibly do a complete restore if need be just like the guide says to.
    it’ll work eventually.

  • teriblo

    easiest Jailbreak ever don’t even backup my phone before i use it anyway im gonna restore it back it up and Jailbreak Again Thanks SImon

  • Visky

    I have the same issue as Vishal and Chandler… there is a small horizontal line across the top right hand corner. Looks like a damaged display..thankfully its not.
    It only shows up while booting up.
    I have a 3GS with the new bootrom.
    There are multiple issues with Cydia.
    Saurik is probably working hard to correct these issues.
    And not all Cydia apps/extensions are compatible with iOS4.

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  • Daryl 10-8

    I didn’t have a problem with the jailbreak at all. I’m using iphone 3gs ios 4.0.1 but I tried installing five column springboard and it doesn’t work for some reasons so that’s a bug that needs to get fixed. But I want to Thank You for the jailbreak because I was patiently waiting for it!!!!

  • allen

    i would say this is the best jailbreak tools ever after spirit!
    i have donated!!!
    peace!

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  • Az

    One of your previous posts suggested not to get OS for 3G. After this article, is it safe to assume that 3G users ‘should’ now upgrade to 4.0?

    thanks

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @Az,

      I still do not recommend to upgrade to iOS 4 for iPhone 3G. Some users have reported iPhone 3G runs much slower on iOS 4.

  • VIREN

    Have had a huge problem! Was running 4.0 thru snowbreeze on my 3GS and connected to itunes to upgrade before doing the “jailbreakme” but as soon as i upgraded trhu itunes i got a message that there is a problem with my iphone!!! Now since yesterday I have been stuck on the emergency screen and so I downgraded to (or atleast tried to) 3.1.3 and AM IN A TOTAL MESS!!!!! Nothing seems to work am really frustrated (have been Jailbreaking n unlocking since the first 2g days n have NEVER been in such a mess…..PLEASE HELP !!!!
    Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
    Cheers….

  • Rag

    I’ve upgraded my iPhone 3GS from 3.1.2 to 4.0.1 succesfully and manage to jailbreak using jailbreakme. However after upgrading I notice that there’s a colored line above the apple symbol.
    2. I keep on getting ‘no service’ after rebooting and sometimes the ‘no service’ appears out of the blue. Anybody else facing the same problem? And how to resolve this. Help!!

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @Rag,

      Are you using official sim card? If not, you need to use ultrasn0w to unlock your iPhone.

      • Rag

        Yes I am.

  • http://www.kingayub.webs.com/ KING Ayub

    Simon i have one question i have iphone 4 and need to jailbreak and unlock it.
    i see how to jailbreak and unlock using ultrasn0w but i am confused.
    when i restore my iphone firmware with itunes than how i activate my phone to jailbreak it.and than unlock it

    I dont know about Phonebook sim card and this sim card is not available in Saudia

    I Live in Saudi Arabia

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @KING,

      You can purchase phonebook sim card online. Usually, it ships worldwide.

      • http://www.kingayub.webs.com/ KING Ayub

        ok thnx i try to buy online

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  • mart1n

    Hi Simon,
    Thanks for your very informative blog.
    I have a question, i got a as a gift an iPhone 3gs jail-broken on 3.1.2 model mc141 dn.
    when i open cydia it says this device has shsh on file for ios 4.0/ 4.0.1.
    does this mean its been previously downgraded from ios 4.0/ 4.0.1? and is it safe for me to update to 4.0.1 then jailbreak and unlock.

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  • The iPhone 4 helper

    This could solve every iPhone 4 user who has the dreaded “No Service issue”.

    YOU HAVE MADE ONE MISTAKE, PROBABLY UNINTENTIONAL, YOU HAVE JAILBROKEN YOUR iPhone 4 BEFORE ACTIVATION!

    So that is why you have “No Service”

    Activation can take time,many hours for some but “HANG IN THERE, KEEP YOUR IPHONE CONNECTED AND DO NOT DISMISS THE WAITING FOR ACTIVATION MESSAGE”

    Ps : Make sure your phone is appearing on iPhone during your wait at the “Waiting for activation screen”

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  • Abishek

    Hi Simon, even i m stuck with emergency screen after upgrade to 4.0.1…
    when u say official sim card… does it can be any AT&t SIM card (prepaid/postpaid)
    pleases help me out as it has been 2 days i m stuck with it

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @Abishek,

      As mentioned you need an official sim card (e.g. from AT&T) or a phonebook sim to activate an iPhone. By using any of these sim cards, you can bypass the emergency screen.

  • Kapil

    Hi Simon,
    I’m trying to Jailbreak my iphone 3GS which is on 4.0.1 but receiving error while downloading the file in JailbreakMe. It says – File received was invalid. Could you please let me know how can i solve this issue.
    Thanks.

    • Kapil

      Scratch that!!! I was able to jailbreak this iPhone. I guess there was lot of traffic on the site at the time when i was trying to jailbreak it. I tried again at 7:00 in the morning and it worked.
      Pretty easy and fast jailbreak and unlock!!! Cool.

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  • mart1n

    Hi Simon,
    Thanks for your very informative blog.
    I have a question, i got a as a gift an iPhone 3gs jail-broken on 3.1.2 model mc141 dn.
    when i open cydia it says this device has shsh on file for ios 4.0/ 4.0.1.
    does this mean its been previously downgraded from ios 4.0/ 4.0.1? and is it safe for me to update to 4.0.1 then jailbreak and unlock.

    UPDATE: I went ahead to update to 4.0.1, itunes says i am trying to activate iphone with unsupported sim…., but strangely my iphone was ‘activated’ i.e (i could use all features except make calls like an ipod), i don’t have official sim and i got sim failure / invalid sim message when i tried my local sim card (dont have access to phonebook card). I just went ahead to jailbreak (jailbreakme.com) and unlock with ultrasn0w and all is fantastic.
    Am i just lucky or is this normal. ;)

  • Kapil

    Hi Abishek,
    May be this helps – i upgraded my iphone 3GS to 4.0.1. I was stuck at duplicate sim card error. But i got my friend’s AT&T sim card, put it in and connected to iTunes. It activated my phone instantly.
    Later i removed the sim, and did jailbreak and unlock.

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  • pratik

    Hi Simon,sorry to suck ur time by asking the same question again…..
    but even i m stuck with emergency screen after upgrade to 4.0.2…
    than i tried to downgrade to 4.0.1….
    so it ok if my itunes doesnt shows the phone’s software version…??

    isnt it possible without an official sim card ?? ….you see its hard to find one in my country….!!

    thanxx a tonn in advance….lookong forward to ur reply…!!

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  • dhb med

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  • mick

    hi guys,

    well i have just unlocked my iphone(4.0.1)….. woho
    it was locked to Telstra, but now i can put my company optus sim in it and continue using my iphone.
    i had to download ultrasn0w from cydia, once i did this and rebooted it actually worked, and it was freeeeeeee.

    thank you guys.

    cheers mick.

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  • bingley

    i have a iphone 3gs 4.0.1 (just bought it brand new) and the sim card is in it….just wondering before i does the jailbreakme, do i have to remove the sim card?

  • http://www.medanis.hebergratuit.com dhb med
  • Vince

    I have a iphone4 running 4.0.2 I noticed a majority of the problems are occuring with 3GS or 3G. I really only want to jailbreak to get fontswap back but am hesitant to hinder the speed of iphone4. Has anyone noticed a lag after jailbreaking? Also I dont need to unlock as I am a ATT customer. Is this jailbreak tool only for jailbreaking (thats what I prefer) dont need to mess with unloaking at all. Any info would be helpful. Thanks

  • Tommy

    Hi Simon I am trying to jailbreak i phone 2g using black rain when i ran black rain it said the jailbreak is done waiting for the phone to reboot but it never reboot please help.
    Tommy.

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @Tommy,

      What version of iPhone OS are you jailbreaking? Blackra1n only works with iPhone OS 3.1.2.

      • tommy

        it 3.1.2

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  • Rushskeith

    Hi Simon,

    I have old iPhone 2g … Can I use this method to update to OS4 and jailbreak using jailbreakme. If cannot, is there any other way to do it? Plan to give to my bro to use it.

    tQ

  • muatac

    for iphone 2g go to whited00r project

  • AMIT

    When will be jailbreak for iphone 4G with 4.0.2 will be available?

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @AMIT,

      There will not be any jailbreak solution for 4.0.2. You can check out this post for details.

  • Usman Kazaure

    Hi Simon,
    I have iphone 3gs that was jailbroken using jailbrakeme. my problem is that itune is telling me that it cannot read the contents of my iphone but required me to use the summary tab to restore the iphone to factory settings.
    My iphone is 3gs with 4.0 is this safe to restore without problem?
    Thanks

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      @Usman,

      What version of iTunes are you using? Try to re-install the iTunes and upgrade to the latest version. In case you need to restore your iPhone 3GS, make sure you restore to iOS 4.0.1. There is currently no jailbreak tool for the latest version of iOS (i.e. 4.0.2 or 4.1).

      And after restore, you’ll need to use JailbreakMe to jailbreak your iPhone again.

  • Usman Kazaure

    Hello Simon,
    How do i restore or upgrade my 3gs 4.0 to 4.0.1? Kindly give me the steps and procedures.
    Thanks

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  • Raghu

    Hi Simon,

    I have a Iphone 3GS with 3.1.2. Wants to upgrade to 4.0.1, but affraid as I do not have a official sim. However, I have a phone book sim and want to try with this.
    My question is, if this does not work, can I go back to 3.1.2 and make my phone work? After upgrading with itune to 4.0.1, is downgrade possible to 3.1.2?

  • sms2ind

    Dear Simon, I have windows Vista OS on my Laptop and trying to upgrade iPhone 3GS from 3.2.1 to 4.0.1, Even though I updated my hosts file with 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com details, I still get 3194 error.I tried to reboot iTunes and computer many times, I am using AT&T original SIM only. I even tried with 4.0 iOS, still getting the same error. your help is highly appreciated. Please advise.
    Thanks

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      I think you do not need to update the hosts file as you’re using AT&T original SIM. Try to remove it from hosts file and try again. If it still doesn’t work, try to re-install iTunes.

      • sms2ind

        Thanks Simon, I tried with another Laptop which has windows XP with a fresh iTunes install (not V10, but with 9.2), Still facing the same issue (with hosts file update and without hosts file update), Please advise.

  • iphoneusernumber1

    jailbreakme ROCKS!!!!
    iPhone 2G, iOS 3.1.3, Cydia 1.0.3221-72 .

    How can anything be so simple ? Unbelievable …. but true.

    Now to disengage my volume buttons … and I’ll free!!!

  • http://shantiandshantihomoeopaths.com dr.purushotham

    dear simon,
    iam dr. purushotham from india i have 3gs 3.1.3 version no issues after going though ur posts i want to upgrade it 4.0.1 version i have downloaded 4.0.1 fimware will it work. i have found that even in 4.0.1 version there is signals problems is it true ? kindly enlighten me or advise me. which frimware is good.
    an early reply in the above matter is highly solicited.

    Dr. Purushotham

  • iz

    Dear,

    I brought a iphone 4 from Dubai, i live in saudi Arabia, i had my regular (STC) sim cut to fit into micro sim tray of iphone4. The problem is the phone shows as “no sim installed”

    Can any one please guide me as what is to be done for my iphone 4 to work, this is my first apple product.

    Thanks

    • http://www.simonblog.com Simon Ng

      Looks like it’s a factory-locked iPhone 4. You’ll need to unlock it using software in order to pair with your carrier in Saudi Arabia. What version of iOS are you using?

  • Kavish

    Hi Simon Ng,

    Please let me know the procedure to hacktivate using an At&T Sim card (different from the one which Iphone came with)

    Situation:
    1)I have an Iphone (unlocked & jailbroken ) 3G 8 GB which was working fine on 4.0
    2) I did “erase all data and settings” on the iphone.
    3) After having done that I got stuck on apple logo.
    4) Tried DFU mode but now I am stuck on EMERGENCY SCREEN
    5) So next I tried using youtube videos to hacktivate using RedsnOw & Iphone 4.0 firmware. The first step involved here was restoring it (as I read online).

    => What I did was restored it using whatever Itunes was available on my PC (which was version 10) though it was instructed to use itunes 9.2 ( I did not pay attention to that, was completely new to Iphone)

    {Another most crucial thing. Everywhere I see restore to 4.0 . But nowhere it gives option to restore to a specific firmware !!!!!!!! . Please advise}

    => Realizing that it itunes 10 was not the one to be used, I downloaded Itunes 9.2 and restored again before hacktivating through Redsnow and Iphone 4 firmware.

    NO LUCK ! NO LUCK !

    Now I am thinking of borrowing At&T sim card from friend to activate

    I implore & request any1 to give me steps to ACTIVATE USING ANY At&t SIM.
    & then Jailbreak and Unlock

    Please HELP me out. I am here in US for about a month and I need to get it done OR else will be in trouble.

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  • http://www.realitypod.com Realitypod

    It was great to read the guide about how to jailbreak iphone4,3GS,3G on ios 4. Awesome blog.

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