Redsn0w
Encyclopedia
redsn0w is a free iOS jailbreaking tool developed by the iPhone Dev Team
, capable of executing jailbreaks on many iOS devices by using low-level boot
ROM exploits. It is a desktop application that enables users to jailbreak an iOS device (connected to the desktop computer with a standard USB charging cable) by clicking a series of buttons.
), most iPod touches, and the original iPad (but not the second iPad
). Depending on the device and the iOS version, redsn0w provides either a tethered or untethered jailbreak ("tethered" means that if the device reboots, the user must plug the device into a computer and use redsn0w to boot the device).
To execute a jailbreak on a device, redsn0w reads a copy of the stock firmware file from Apple and then runs a payload directly on the device in the form of a RAM disk
. redsn0w uses exploits including limera1n, 24kpwn, Pwnage, and Pwnage 2.0.
Boot ROM exploits such as limera1n mean that supported devices are permanently able to be jailbroken tethered, since firmware updates from Apple cannot update the devices at the Boot ROM level (although redsn0w usually needs to have minor updates to support each new firmware version). redsn0w uses additional exploits (specific to each firmware) to produce untethered jailbreaks.
Jailbreaking with redsn0w automatically installs Cydia
, the popular third-party software installer.
redsn0w also includes extra features that allow a user to enable multitasking, wallpaper, and other features on certain iOS devices that do not officially support those features.
In recent versions (after 0.9.9b1), redsn0w automatically recognizes the device software and Boot ROM, and then downloads the required files directly from Apple.
IPhone Dev Team
The iPhone Dev Team is a group of engineers in the 'iOS' community which has developed a number of tools to enable use of applications not authorized by Apple Inc on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad and to enable use of the iPhone on GSM carriers not contracted by Apple...
, capable of executing jailbreaks on many iOS devices by using low-level boot
Booting
In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...
ROM exploits. It is a desktop application that enables users to jailbreak an iOS device (connected to the desktop computer with a standard USB charging cable) by clicking a series of buttons.
Technical features
redsn0w supports most iPhones (excluding the iPhone 4SIPhone 4S
The iPhone 4S is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fifth generation of the iPhone, a device that combines a widescreen iPod with a touchscreen, mobile phone, and internet communicator. It retains the exterior design of its predecessor, iPhone 4, but is host to a range...
), most iPod touches, and the original iPad (but not the second iPad
IPad 2
The iPad 2 is the second and current generation of the iPad, a tablet computer designed, developed and marketed by Apple. It serves primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, presentations and web content, and is available in black or white...
). Depending on the device and the iOS version, redsn0w provides either a tethered or untethered jailbreak ("tethered" means that if the device reboots, the user must plug the device into a computer and use redsn0w to boot the device).
To execute a jailbreak on a device, redsn0w reads a copy of the stock firmware file from Apple and then runs a payload directly on the device in the form of a RAM disk
RAM disk
A RAM disk or RAM drive is a block of RAM that a computer's software is treating as if the memory were a disk drive...
. redsn0w uses exploits including limera1n, 24kpwn, Pwnage, and Pwnage 2.0.
Boot ROM exploits such as limera1n mean that supported devices are permanently able to be jailbroken tethered, since firmware updates from Apple cannot update the devices at the Boot ROM level (although redsn0w usually needs to have minor updates to support each new firmware version). redsn0w uses additional exploits (specific to each firmware) to produce untethered jailbreaks.
Jailbreaking with redsn0w automatically installs Cydia
Cydia
Cydia is a large genus of tortrix moths, belonging to the tribe Grapholitini of subfamily Olethreutinae. Its distinctness from and delimitation versus the tribe's type genus Grapholita requires further study....
, the popular third-party software installer.
redsn0w also includes extra features that allow a user to enable multitasking, wallpaper, and other features on certain iOS devices that do not officially support those features.
User interface
In early versions of redsn0w (prior to 0.9.9b1), the user selects the appropriate iOS IPSW (firmware file) for the connected device and firmware — which can be downloaded from iTunes or from various locations on the internet, since iTunes deletes old firmware files.In recent versions (after 0.9.9b1), redsn0w automatically recognizes the device software and Boot ROM, and then downloads the required files directly from Apple.
Compatibility
| Device | Latest iOS version compatible | redsn0w version compatible | Exploit compatible | Untethered? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (original) IPhone (original) The iPhone—retroactively labeled the original iPhone, iPhone 2G, or iPhone EDGE—was the first generation of iPhone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. and was succeeded by the iPhone 3G. It was announced on January 9, 2007 after months of rumors and speculation. It was introduced in the United... |
3.1.3 | redsn0w 0.9.4 | Pwnage+Pwnage 2.0 | |
| iPhone 3G IPhone 3G The iPhone 3G is the second generation of iPhone designed and marketed by Apple Inc.. It was the successor to the original iPhone, and is succeeded by the iPhone 3GS. Introduced on June 9, 2008 at the WWDC 2008 at the Moscone Center, San Francisco... |
4.2.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b7 | Pwnage+Pwnage 2.0 | |
| iPhone 3GS IPhone 3GS -Camera:The iPhone 3GS features an improved 3 megapixel camera manufactured by OmniVision. In addition to the higher megapixel count, it also features auto-focus, auto white balance and auto macro and is capable of capturing VGA video... |
5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b8 | limera1n/ 24kpwn untether | |
| iPhone 4 (GSM) IPhone 4 The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail... |
5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b8 | limera1n | |
| iPhone 4 (CDMA) IPhone 4 The iPhone 4 is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fourth generation iPhone, and successor to the iPhone 3GS. It is particularly marketed for video calling , consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games, and for general web and e-mail... |
5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b8 | limera1n | |
| iPhone 4S IPhone 4S The iPhone 4S is a touchscreen slate smartphone developed by Apple Inc. It is the fifth generation of the iPhone, a device that combines a widescreen iPod with a touchscreen, mobile phone, and internet communicator. It retains the exterior design of its predecessor, iPhone 4, but is host to a range... |
||||
| iPod Touch 1st Gen IPod Touch The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line... |
3.1.3 | redsn0w 0.9.4 | Pwnage+ Pwnage 2.0 | |
| iPod Touch 2nd Gen IPod Touch The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line... |
4.2.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b8 | ARM7 GO from iOS 2.1.1+24kpwn untether | |
| iPod Touch 3rd Gen IPod Touch The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line... |
5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.8b8 | limera1n | |
| iPod Touch 4th Gen IPod Touch The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line... |
5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b8 | limera1n | |
| iPad 1 IPad The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and... |
5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.9b8 | limera1n | |
| iPad 2 IPad 2 The iPad 2 is the second and current generation of the iPad, a tablet computer designed, developed and marketed by Apple. It serves primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, presentations and web content, and is available in black or white... |