This week we are, inevitably, transfixed on the jailbreak method for Apple iPhone latest firmware update v1.1.3. The iPhone hacker ‘Natetrue’ as promised has released the software-based Jailbreak method (Windows only) as I had reported yesterday.
However, there have been some raised concerns about the legality of the jailbreak method used by Natetrue by some members of the iPhone hacking community.
If you are a Mac user check out this link Software-based Method to JailBreak iPhone Firmware v1.1.3 (Mac only).
More details available after the jump on the jailbreak method as well as things you might want to consider before proceeding to jailbreak your iPhone.
Natetrue, was the one who had leaked the details of iPhone firmware v1.1.3 even before it was officially released by Apple (check iPhone Hacks, Breaking News: iPhone Firmware v1.1.3 Leaked). He has published a jailbreak method for both Windows and Mac users. This post is for Windows users, if you are a Mac user, use this link Software-based Method to JailBreak iPhone Firmware v1.1.3 (Mac only).
Before I go into the details it is important to mention that before you jailbreak your iPhone, be sure to backup in iTunes so you can restore your iPhone if somethings goes terribly wrong and since I have not tried this method I am not in a position to cannot confirm either way so do remember that hacking your iPhone is completely at your own risk.
If you are a Windows user, then you can jailbreak your iPhone running on firmware v1.1.3 using a tool called iBrickr.
The jailbreak method however comes as an upgrade which means that you need to start with jailbroken iPhone running firmware v1.1.1 or v1.1.2 with Installer.app installed on it.
So it means that this method will not work if you have upgraded to firmware v1.1.3 or if you have recently bought an iPhone that shipped with 1.1.3 out-of-the-box. In case you have upgraded your iPhone to v1.1.3 then all is not lost as you can follow this link for the instructions on how to downgrade to v1.1.2 or v1.1.2 from v1.1.3.
You may require to use a version of iTunes older than 7.6 in order to downgrade the firmware. So here are some instructions to downgrade to iTunes 7.5 follow these steps courtesy iPhone Altas:
Delete the following files:
- The iTunes 7.6 application (located in /Applications)
- com.apple.iTunes.plist (from ~/Library/Preferences)
- iTunes.pkg (from /Library/Receipts)
- iTunesX.pkg (from /Library/Receipts)
Download and install iTunes 7.5
So assuming that you have a jailbroken iPhone running firmware v1.1.2 or lower below are the instructions one needs to follow courtesy Natetrue:
– Start with a 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 jailbroken phone with Installer.app installed.
– Plug in your phone via USB to your computer.
– Download, extract, and run iBrickr Special 1.1.3 jailbreak edition (ibrickr.exe in the archive).
– iBrickr will determine what firmware you are running on your phone and make sure you can run the update.
– iBrickr will then guide you through the process of obtaining and
modifying the 1.1.3 firmware (make sure to read everything thoroughly).
– iBrickr will upload the new firmware image to your phone. Note
that this only puts the file on your phone and does not modify it at
all, yet.
– When iBrickr finishes (should take about 10 minutes), it will
tell you to go to Installer and install the "1.1.3 soft upgrade"
package. Do that.
– When the installer finishes (this should take another 10-15
minutes), your phone should reboot with a fresh activated 1.1.3
firmware.
Natetrue has also been kind enough to give us details on how the jailbreak works, here is breakdown:
- iBrickr grabs the 1.1.3 iPhone firmware image and extracts, decrypts, and decompresses the disk image.
- Then it applies a patch, jailbreaking the disk image and activating it, and also installing Installer.app.
- It uploads this new modified image to the phone, as 113_upgrade_image.bin.
- The “1.1.3 soft upgrade” app flashes the phone with the image and reboots.
- You have a perfect, jailbroken, upgraded 1.1.3 phone, with all your settings and music intact!”
Natetrue has also published an FAQ so it would be a good idea to check it out in case you need any clarifications, here is the link to the FAQ. Natetrue plans to publish a video tutorial soon.
However, as I had mentioned, this method by Natetrue has raised quite a few concerns/issues and Jonathan Zdziarski one of the members of iPhone hacking community had this to say about Natetrue and his jailbreak method in his blog:
January 24, 2008: Dev Team Member Gone Rogue, Unauthorized Release
NateTrue has recently leaked a v1.1.3 Jailbreak without the Dev-Team’s permission, getting himself kicked off the team. Against our wishes, he’s included both files belonging to Apple and patches which contain copyrighted information by Apple, making his personal release illegal and unethical. This is directly contrary to the spirit of true hacking, honorable competition, and sharing of knowledge. He’s a disgrace to developers everywhere. I’d like to strongly advise against using his system for upgrading, and make it known that the rest of the dev team does not support software piracy or copyright infringement. The method the Dev Team was/is planning on releasing allows you to perform the jailbreak without violating federal law.
However, Erica Sudan seems to have the inside story as this is what she had to say over @ Tuaw.
iPhone hacker NerveGas raised concerns as to whether this release would
illegally distribute Apple software. Nate assures me that he merely
uses a diff (differences) file between the 1.1.3 firmware as provided
and the jailbroken 1.1.3 firmware. NerveGas asked me to mention that
this release is not canon and distributed against his wishes and
against the wishes of some of the dev/elite team. From what I
understand, the dev team was behind this release until shortly before
Nate took it live. NerveGas’s copyright concerns divided the team,
splitting opinions on whether it should go live just at the wire.
I will keep you posted in case I get any further updates on this story.
Readers of iPhone Hacks, Zafar & Wes have confirmed that the jailbreak method works and Zafar has even confirmed that it works with iPod Touch.
Breaking News:
iPhone Dev Team Release Instructions to JailBreak iPhone Firmware v1.1.3
Update:
Shane Blyth, one of the readers here @ iPhone Hacks has quite
rightly pointed out that there are quite a few people who are reporting
problems with this method on Natetrue’s blog.
So as I had mentioned earlier it would be a good idea to check out the FAQ
published by Natetrue which answers questions you might have about the
methods limitations, the problems you may have encountered after trying
to jailbreak your iPhone and even on how to recover your iPhone if
things go horribly wrong.
The good folks at iPhone Atlas has also published some known issues so far with this method:
- The Google Maps “Locate Me” function will not work as well after
applying this jailbreak. That’s because this method doesn’t upgrade the
iPhone’s cell phone radio, meaning only Wi-Fi data will be used to
estimate your current position. - iTunes Store previews don’t work with this method.
- A variety of issues can cause you to have to restore your iPhone —
over and over in some cases — in order to get this jailbreak to take. - Your iPhone may take a while (up to 4 minutes) to boot after applying the jailbreak.
- The jailbreak currently doesn’t work on PowerPC-based Macs.
I would recommend that it would be better to wait for this method to mature before trying it out.
Thanks Hans & Zafar for the tip!
As always don’t forget to let me know if you plan to use this jailbreak method and in case you are do provide your feedback in the comments below.
Breaking News: iPhone Dev Team Release Instructions to JailBreak iPhone Firmware v1.1.3
[iPhone Atlas via NateTrue’s Blog]Share the breaking news of Jailbreak method for iPhone firmware v1.1.3 with your your friends 
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