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How to Jailbreak iOS 5.0.1 for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPad, and iPod touch

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If you have updated to your iDevice to Apple’s latest software update, iOS 5.0.1, and want to jailbreak your device, you have come to the right place. We’re here to help and we’re going to take you through the process, step by step.

The recent iOS 5 update fixes bugs associated with loss of battery life, brings Multitasking Gestures to the original iPad, fixes some bugs that have been plaguing Documents in the Cloud, and improves voice recognition for Aussies.

It’s a great update and even greater is that there is a jailbreak available right this moment in the form of Redsn0w.

JailbreakBefore we get started, a few things.

For those that aren’t familiar, jailbreaking frees your iPhone from limitations put on it by Apple and by the device’s carrier. And while it has been made legal, jailbreaking will void your warranty so keep that in mind before you take the plunge.

You can read our 5 Reasons to Jailbreak guide, and be sure check out the Top hidden Cydia gems and Top 5 Cydia apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Also, if you’re the proud owner of an iPad 2 or an iPhone 4S, this will not work. If you own an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, or iPod touch, you’re in business.

If your device is supported and you’re still interested, keep reading.

  1. Install iTunes 10.5.
  2. Connect Your iDevice to your computer and back up your files.
  3. Update your device to iOS 5.0.1.
  4. Download Redsn0w for Windows or for Mac.
  5. Open that file, select “Extras” then “Select IPSW” and point to the iOS 5 firmware file that you can download for your device right here.
  6. Select “Jailbreak” then “Install Cydia” and then go on through DFU mode and the jailbreak will install.
  7. Then, you’ll want to open Redsn0w with your tethered device, select “Extras” and then click on “Just Boot.”
  8. Enjoy.

Because this is a tethered jailbreak, you’ll have to open up Redsn0w and go to “Just Boot” every single time you turn you turn off your phone so keep that in mind.

A small price to pay for having a completely functional, jailbroken iPhone.

Via: Redmond Pie

80 Comments

80 Comments

  1. Yohseiisong

    11/11/2011 at 6:53 am

    the ipsw is not supported by this version of redsn0w

    • Jojo122200

      12/01/2011 at 2:12 am

      you need to download ipsw of ios 5 not ios 5.0.1

  2. Gaurav_2488

    11/11/2011 at 10:45 am

    it creates a big problem for me …….because after install the ios 5.0.1 .there is no network or no service on my iphone3gs.so please help me 

    help me 

    thank you

    • Smith

      11/11/2011 at 11:56 am

       Have you tried activating the phone ?

      • Shahjay444

        11/23/2011 at 8:01 am

        same here i m stil at activation screen…??

    • Asa

      11/11/2011 at 3:05 pm

      The same issue here. I have a 3GS old bootrom with 06.15 BB.
      I’ve used Sn0wbreeze 2.8b11 to install custom IPSW, and them used Redsn0w 0.9.9b8 to hacktivate, enter in Cydia and install SAM, deactivate with Redsn0w and then installing Ultrasn0w 1.2.4.
      I had even reinstalled the 06.15 BB (also using Redsn0w) to make sure that the BB is not corrupted due to the firmware reinstall.
      No luck althought. Only No Service appears in my 3GS.
      I hope that this is not any kind of new trap that 5.0.1 puts to unlocking :(
      Praying that a new version of Ultrasn0w solves this issue….

      • Raodildar

        11/15/2011 at 7:15 am

        Before installing ultrasnow install in cydia pushfix.info
        try it hope it will help you. 

      • Cfurman27

        11/19/2011 at 5:25 pm

        Wait did the jailbreak work because I have an iPhone 3GS on old boot room and that redsn0w does not support it? Please help me because your the one , I have a feeling you know?

    • Matty Treo

      11/14/2011 at 3:39 pm

      Please HELP.

      I have exact the same problem. I live in Canada and use Fido Sim Card on a Rogers iPhone 3GS which I just upgraded it to the newest IOS 5.0.1. Yes I could manage to Jailbreak it in no time, but I have tried every single method and yet unable to UNLOCK the damn thing. I tried using different versions of the redsn0w such as redsn0w_win_0.9.9b8, redsn0w_win_0.9.9b7 and redsn0w_win_0.9.9b6.I tried every single possible options, ways like everything; But the damn thing doesn’t get unlocked. I am screwed. Please HELP..

      • Matty Treo

        11/14/2011 at 3:44 pm

        By the way, mine is also on “6.15.00 BASEBAND” on the “NEW BOOTROM”. And yes I tried re-installing the baseband few times.  

    • Jullllloooooooooooooosl

      11/19/2011 at 11:27 am

      does this jailbreak work for iphone 4 ios 5.0.1 ?

  3. Saha

    11/11/2011 at 12:33 pm

    Not working. IPSW not supported.

    • iPhone

      12/16/2011 at 6:42 am

      Use iOS 5.0 ipsw not 5.0.1

  4. Remon

    11/12/2011 at 3:46 am

    no it works just after you install cydia go back and select ipsw again from extras and then use just boot and every thing will be set 

    • Matty Treo

      11/14/2011 at 3:49 pm

      I tried that over 10 times. I think your iphone either is not a 3GS or if it is, it’s on the OLD BOOTROM? Because mine is on the NEW BOOTROM and just doesn’t get service. No Service …..

  5. Dedrickstyle

    11/12/2011 at 6:15 am

    jailbreak and install cydia first or select ipsw first??cuz i try to both of it….none of them works~~~is juz said unrecognize build and Fingerprint:)!#(*$*!#&$(#@&$)(@*#)…..

    • Bamby5582

      11/13/2011 at 3:24 am

      i get the same  help

    • Fahadtariq101

      11/13/2011 at 10:04 am

      Same problem here too..
      Plz help

      • Rene SharkkAttack Hernandez

        11/14/2011 at 3:50 pm

        If your using the 5.0 ISPW You Need To rename it to :iPod4,1_5.0_9A334 Even If its iphone. It will still recognize it as the ur phone.

        • Jowick22

          11/16/2011 at 8:24 am

          Rene, so if we just rename this file it will work??  or do we have to download the the ipod 5.0 ipsw file?

    • Jowick22

      11/16/2011 at 8:22 am

      same thing here someone please help us!!!! I have iPhone 3gs version 5.0.1 and firmware 05.16.05. for some reason it started to work cause I have a white cydia icon on my iphone but when I try to boot tethered nothing happens.  I have several different versions of Redsnow on my puter and nothing is working plz help me!! 

    • Foxdiem4u

      11/17/2011 at 4:46 pm

      hey you are done …
      Just Point Redsn0w to iOS 5.0 & then run the Just Boot option.

    • Borntoplayhockey1996

      11/29/2011 at 2:26 pm

      I got the same it can’t build :s

  6. Mao Santos Capeding III

    11/13/2011 at 3:40 am

    the service is not available .. i upgraded my iphone yesterday and tried to restore.. but im stuck on the activating phone.. i dont have any sim from vienna austria to activate here in the philippines,, pls help

    • Angel R

      11/14/2011 at 11:06 pm

      You don’t need any sim just download redsn0w 0.9.9b8 if you’re on windows right click on the executable go to compatibility, select windows xp sp2 then check run as administrator apply, download ios firmware 5.0 not 5.0.1 run redsn0w click on extra select the ios 5.0 you just downloaded click on back select jailbreak, check deactivate put your phone on DFU click on next wait until the phone finish if you have a 3gs old bootroom it will boot straight up to the os after completion but if you have a new bootroom you will have to place the phone on DFU again right after it finish and select select the 5.0 ios and boot tethered then the phone will boot to the os, after that just finish the setup questions process and you will notice that it will bypass the activation and let you start using your phone.

      • Maocapeding

        11/19/2011 at 1:51 pm

        yeah i did it.. now my iphone turn to ipod touch … it really sucks because of no service.. my sim didnt recognized my phone.. please help

      • Jay Shah

        11/23/2011 at 8:09 am

        i tried it bt it still shows me d activation screen aftr booting baseband is 06.15.00…

    • Shahjay444

      11/23/2011 at 8:04 am

      same here if u get any solution plz help me…

  7. No

    11/13/2011 at 5:26 pm

    there was no IPSW file in the redsn0w archive

  8. Masu

    11/14/2011 at 12:53 pm

    After updating to 5.0.1 and succesfully unlocked it with Redsn0w, my 3gs iphone says “No service”… i installed ultrasn0w 1.2.4, i did the just boot tethered… nothing works… still no signal… can some1 help us with this problem?

  9. Reyes_valentina85

    11/14/2011 at 3:30 pm

    it worked cool

  10. Zaheer

    11/15/2011 at 1:58 am

    I have successfully jail broken my iPhone 4 iOS 5.0.1 Baseband 04.11.08, but I’m getting No Service & Carrier Not Available.

    PLEASE HELP ME UNLOCK

    • Saeedsky

      12/08/2011 at 6:00 am

      how did you do that because i need to do it too , will you tell me step to step how did you  do, please.

  11. Masu

    11/15/2011 at 8:41 am

    Same problem as Zaheer… bump! Is there any way to fix this problem at this time?

  12. Vinc3_sk8r

    11/15/2011 at 6:22 pm

    I also encountered this same damn problem, STUPID IOS 5.0.1 update, where’s the dev team? what are they doing? the last successful Untethered JB was 4.3.3 and its been a week and still no luck even tethered JB… pls dont release an Update JB if its not working … this is bullshit!!!!

    • AlishiaBombardee

      12/17/2011 at 4:27 pm

      if you want it so bad why dont you make your OWN jailbreaking software oh wait your too ignorant to understand all that so you should be grateful they are trying their best.
      you should support them instead of criticing them

  13. Patricksarmad2

    11/16/2011 at 11:41 pm

    I have treid every method also the Deactivation method descreibed above but there is no way to UNLOCK you phone after you have stock updated you phone. If you tick Deactivation on Redsn0w you end up with an deactivated phone which will require activation from Apple server and without an original sim it will not activate.

    PLEASE someone forward this problem to people working on the new version of Redsnow.

  14. Nathaniel Skipworth

    11/18/2011 at 9:04 pm

    After doing this, is there a way to restore all my apps and contacts? or will i have to start from scratch?

    • Michelle_e24

      11/20/2011 at 11:06 am

      nathaniel: to do this you would have had to backed up your device’s files in itunes. If you did, then you can restore everything from the selected back up. ( itunes usually autimatically backs up your device for you sometimes) so hopefully you dont have to start from scratch :O

  15. Lykz

    11/19/2011 at 4:01 am

    why my cidya is white

    • Michelle_e24

      11/20/2011 at 10:46 am

      Lykz: because you have to boot tethered, which is not working for anybody because the IPSW is not supported by redsn0w :(

  16. Fahadtariq01

    11/20/2011 at 10:14 am

    I have successfully jail broken my iPhone 4 iOS 5.0.1 Baseband 04.11.08, but I’m getting No Service & Carrier Not Available.

    PLEASE HELP ME UNLOCK

    • Michelle_e24

      11/20/2011 at 10:50 am

      fahadatariq01: what did u do to successfully jailbreak it?? because apparently the instructions arn’t working for me :/

      • Fahadtariq01

        11/20/2011 at 12:12 pm

        I used redsnow 0.9.9b8 and used ios 5.0 ( not 5.0.1) and then jailbreaked and installed cydia… When ever it stucks on apple logo just reboot it with redsnow….but i m not getting service:-(

  17. Tom

    11/20/2011 at 12:32 pm

    i have the newest iphone out, waited 2 weeks for it. i tried to jailbreak, not supported yet.

  18. Peter

    11/21/2011 at 1:36 pm

    How do I jailbreak for Iphone 4S???

  19. Anonymous

    11/25/2011 at 4:26 pm

    Same problem as everyone else, no way to activate after the redsn0w JB… Been trying to hunt a way to downgrade firmware 4.2.1 without SHSH blobs but it’s proving fruitless :(

    • Jacke

      11/26/2011 at 10:17 am

      I am in the same boat… If i only would have researched more.

  20. Scared out of his Mind

    11/25/2011 at 7:36 pm

    HELP PLEASE HELP ME  MY PHONE IS NOT TURNING ON AND THE JAILBREAKING SAID EXPLOTE FAILED AND MY PHONE ISNT TURNING ON SOME ON PLESE HELP ME 

  21. same as this person!!!^

    11/29/2011 at 5:41 pm

    ^ same problem please help!!!!!

  22. shill

    12/02/2011 at 1:13 am

    basicaly it seems to be that anyone with an iphone 3gs who updated to 5.0.1 is stuck with a locked phone. how stupid! Now I have a phone I cant activate, as I dont have the original orange sim from the uk.

  23. Andresloto

    12/02/2011 at 11:11 pm

    hi there I followed every step but at the end it says “unrecognized built” this is when it is applying the reboot this is in an Iphone 4 iOS 5.0.1 no sim for activation any help?

  24. Anonymous

    12/03/2011 at 4:22 pm

    https://www.myrepospace.com/profile/smolk/135798/Fix-Ultrasn0w-For-iOS-501-3GS  — This helped me solve the No service problem! Who has that problem can try it out! Read the comments carefully!

  25. Will_lambo_l_honda

    12/03/2011 at 7:00 pm

    Are they bringing out a jailbreak for the iphone 4s?

  26. DarkWestern

    12/04/2011 at 1:24 pm

    I’m getting this crap where Cydia is a white logo. Someone else commented on this before and I followed the steps to their solution, but no matter what Cydia will not load.

  27. Glaubzup

    12/05/2011 at 12:59 pm

    i did allt he steps, but now it just say : please wait while your build is being identified. And i think its stuck, cause its been like that for a good while now .. plix help ;o

    • Gimme Junkmail

      12/27/2011 at 12:22 pm

      did you manage to get it out of the “please wait while your build is being identified” state?

      if yes, how?

  28. reegzz

    12/05/2011 at 1:51 pm

    Done! worked fine. Make sure you try setting your 3GS as a new system, when it prompts. After jailbreaking, go to extras and select the iOS 5 file again, then JUST REBOOT and its like magic. :D

  29. Simmons Chassen

    12/07/2011 at 3:53 pm

    Well thanks you idiot for making most of us who thought this was 5.0.1 jailbreak. This is a 5.0 JAILBREAK. Make the change to the title!

  30. Shaibi2010

    12/07/2011 at 8:20 pm

    for those people who have error or unrecognized firmware:

    Download 5.0 firmware not 5.0.1 
    do the jailbreak and at the end because its tethered jailbreak make sure u select the ispw point it to 5.0 firmware one more time and just click on boot device. 

    I had the same problem but after I did that it works perfectly

  31. Maruf

    12/12/2011 at 9:05 pm

    it worker for me. i am using iphone 4. :D

    follow as its stated just follow the bellow part to overcome the reboot issue or those had jailbroke it but cydia is white:

    1. DL firmware 5 not 5.0.1

    2. do the jailbreak and select the ispw point it to
    5.0 firmware one more time and just click on boot device. (the last point state just click the reboot but without reselecting the firmware again it will not workout or have live cydia)

    enjoy it like i am doing :D

  32. johnny

    12/13/2011 at 7:41 pm

    okay it worked for me but then all my apps that came with my ipod disappeared and so did cydia why is that?

  33. Nabeelrafiq

    12/14/2011 at 4:32 am

    hello
    help me
    be4 my iPhone was 4,3,3 and jailbreak is working now i upgraded 5.0,1
    how i can jailbreak now and it will work on this
    is jailbreak release
    plz help me

  34. Jsnl1999

    12/14/2011 at 5:09 pm

    Hey guys!! Found the solution if you got a message saying that ips file not working or whatever…fingerprint… all that stuff.

    The file given is damaged or something. Go to a different website to get the ips file or search on google. If you get the message again, keep trying.. There is a whole chart of ips files on wiki. You might want to take a look at that.

    Remember to use the 5.0 file.

    If you have more questions feel free to email me at [email protected] (no, i’m not born in 1999.)

  35. Cosguy69

    12/16/2011 at 1:29 pm

    Thank you very much.  Worked great.  iPhone 5.0.1 CDMA

  36. Robkreed

    12/17/2011 at 7:16 pm

    Everytime I choose IOS 5.0 as the IPSW file the software crashes and Windows forces it closed. Doesn’t matter if I choose the IPSW file before I do the jailbreak or while I’m doing the tethered boot. Also… When I do the Jailbreak and do not choose the IPSW first it always says unrecognised build at the end… any help would be greatly appreciated. iPhone 4 GSM with update already done for 5.0.1

    Thanks

    • Poo

      12/17/2011 at 7:47 pm

      @Rokbreed your a retard.

      I’m assuming you never read the part about putting the program into comparability mode?

      *facepalm

      • Robkreed

        12/17/2011 at 7:51 pm

        Wow Dude.. Don’t be so quick to judge. I am using a Windows XP computer to do this procedure therefore compatibility is already there… Are you perhaps suggesting that I should use Vista or windows 7 in compatibility mode and it may work better?

  37. Robkreed

    12/19/2011 at 4:27 am

    Ok so I got through this Jailbreak. Turns out that using a Vista machine in compatibility mode to Windows XP SP2 actually works, even though a Windows XP SP2 actual machine doesn’t. Very odd. Anyhow, great info on this forum thanks for your help… 

    One more question though… Anyone have the unlock method down yet for an iphone 4 with 5.0.1 and BB 04.11.08? Thx

  38. Janescully

    01/14/2012 at 12:06 pm

    I downloaded the iOS 5 firmware file, when I select IPSWICH/firmware, jailbreak is not an option.

  39. doubledog

    02/07/2012 at 3:17 am

    I have got a problem with my 3gs 5.0.1. as i try to jailbreake the phone (after choosing the ios 5 and after choosing yes or no for the “weeks” option (04 weeks)). When it starts the actual instalation after few seconds it stops and says ‘The connected device doesn’t support untethered options’. Is there anything i need to check or is there anything i didn’t do but was obvious??

    Thank You very much  

  40. doubledog

    02/07/2012 at 3:25 am

    Is it that my iphone is too old for this jailbreak software? IF yes are there any older softwares that may be compatible with this?
    Thank You very much 

  41. AvaC350

    02/07/2012 at 10:04 am

    So lame :/my power button is broken (only way it ever goes off is to let it die), so I cant jailbreak my phone?is there any other way?

  42. Dexter Botelho

    02/26/2012 at 11:38 pm

    i have iphone 4 with iso 5.0.1 can i use any sim card after jailbroken?

  43. TONYZ666

    03/14/2012 at 5:46 am

    I DUNNO IF IT WORKS BCZ I FOLLOWED ALL STEPS BELOW AND AFTER A HALF A DAY WORKING AND DOWNLOADING JAILEBREAK WAS INSTALLED AND I COULDN’T EXIT DFU MODE THAN MY PHONE STOP WORKING AND IT MANTIONED THAT IT NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPDATE

  44. TONYZ666

    03/14/2012 at 11:17 pm

    CAN ANYONE HELP ME? AFTER I  I HAVE MADE  A NEW SOFTWARE FOR MY IPHONE VRES. OS 5.1 , I TRIED FOR A SECOND TIME TO JAILBREAK MY I PHONE BT IT DOESN’T WRK AFETR A ENTER DFU MODE IT SAYS THE (IDENTIFIED DATA FOUND) SO WHAT SHOULD I DO ??

  45. Oscar Nangolo

    03/22/2012 at 1:05 pm

    Please someone help. I have an iphone 3gs version 5.0.1 When i try to jailbreak it using redsnow it tells me that the device does not support untethered. Although the ipsw that i downloaded was tethered. please help, what should i do? or where can i go to download the right tools? 

    thank u in advance!!!!

  46. Iphone 3 Repair Ipswich

    05/16/2013 at 4:22 am

    good post…
    yet to try the procedure…
    still keep up the good work

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