Apple released iOS 8.4.1 earlier today, which patches several exploits used to jailbreak iOS 8.4 – iOS 8.1.3 so you won’t be able to jailbreak it using the TaiG jailbreak tool.
Here are 8 things jailbreakers must know after the release of iOS 8.4.1.
1. Do Not Update or Restore
iOS 8.4.1 kills TaiG jailbreak and PP jailbreak as Apple has patched several exploits used by the TaiG jailbreak. So TaiG jailbreak won’t work with iOS 8.4.1, so if you’re either on iOS 8.4 or lower, you should avoid upgrading to iOS 8.4.1 if you don’t want to miss your favorite jailbreak tweaks. If you upgrade to iOS 8.4.1 then the jailbreak will be erased along with the jailbreak apps and tweaks.
Apple has also stopped signing iOS 8.4 firmware files so you won’t be able to downgrade from iOS 8.4.1.
2. Save SHSH Blobs
Tools like TinyUmbrella allowed you to save the SHSH blobs while the firmware is still being signed, so you could use it to create (stitch) a pre-signed IPSW file using tools like Redns0w, which could then be used to restore your device with an iOS version that Apple was no longer signing. However, Apple has closed the loophole that allowed users to use the SHSH blobs to downgrade to an older version in newer devices (iPhone 4S and later) and also in iOS 7 or later. So you cannot restore to 6.x or higher using SHSH blobs except on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, and iPod touch 4G (and iPad 2 to iOS 5.x if you have iOS 4.x and iOS 5.x SHS blobs).
Even though it is not possible to downgrade to an older iOS version that Apple has stopped signing, it is a good practise to save SHSH blobs using TinyUmbrella. Semaphore, the developer of the tool has said that SHSH blobs will be relevant again thanks to a new exploit discovered by iH8sn0w, developer of Sn0wbreeze and Posixspwn jailbreak tools, indicating that it will be possible to downgrade to an older iOS version using SHSH blobs.
You can follow our guide if you need help on how to save SHSH blobs.
➤ How to save SHSH blobs for your iPhone or iPad using the new TinyUmbrella
3. Install Cydia Impactor
Cydia Impactor allows you to remove the jailbreak from your jailbroken device and return it to stock Apple iOS software without the need of restoring (updating) it.
This can come in very handy when you want to sell your device, as it allows you to remove the data and all your personal data without having to restore your device. Since restoring your device would mean installing the latest iOS software update, Cydia Impactor gives you the option to remain at the iOS software update that can be jailbroken, which can be very valuable.
You can install Cydia Impactor for free from Cydia.
4. Install OpenSSH for SemiRestore
SemiRestore which is compatible with all jailbroken devices running iOS 5 – iOS 8.4, allows you to restore your jailbroken iOS device to near stock condition without losing the jailbreak.It is useful in situations where Cydia Impactor cannot be used. SemiRestore can come in handy when you get into a reboot loop issue because of a problematic/buggy tweak, and the volume up trick to fix the problem does not work. Since it removes the jailbreak tweaks during the restore process, it can help in such cases.
SemiRestore needs OpenSSH to be installed on the jailbroken device for it to work, so install it from Cydia as soon as possible to you use SemiRestore in case you have a problem with your jailbroken device. Please note that you should change the root password of your jailbroken iOS device after installing OpenSSH to prevent someone from remotely accessing your iOS device. You can check our guide if you need help.
5. How to Get Out of Reboot Loop problem
In case you’re not aware, it is possible to recover from a reboot loop problem on your jailbroken device thanks to the safe mode feature of mobile substrate. There are a number of people who still don’t know this, and end up restoring their device, and thus end up losing their jailbreak. So if you get into an endless reboot loop after installing a jailbreak tweak, check our article on how to recover from it. Every jailbreaker should know this trick.
6. Stop the Jailbreak Tweaks Binge
If you’re someone who installs anything and everything from Cydia, then you may want to take it easy, and reassess the situation. You should be very careful while installing jailbreak tweaks as a bad tweak could easily force you to restore your device, which would mean that you will lose the jailbreak and all the tweaks installed on your device.
It may also be prudent to check iPhoneHacks.com for the reviews or feel free to ask us a question about the tweak you want to install in our Forums.
7. Uninstall Jailbreak Tweaks that you don’t use
Since you are more likely to run into an issue with a tweak due to compatibility issues with other tweaks, it is a good idea to uninstall jailbreak tweaks that you do not use. This will reduce the probability of running into an issue.
8. Do not tinker with the File system
We have come across readers who have got into trouble for trying to tinker with the filesystem such as deleting a file using iFile etc, which ends up being a system file and results in forcing the user to restore their device. You should only be tinkering with the filesystem if you know what you’re doing, and now with the lack of a jailbreak for iOS 8.4.1, you’re better off avoiding it as much as possible.
If you’ve any questions, please drop us a line in the comments section below.
We’ll have to wait and see if the TaiG team will release a jailbreak for iOS 8.4.1, especially with iOS 9 just round the corner.
Update:
Apple stopped signing iOS 8.4.1 firmware files on August 22nd, so the post has been updated accordingly.
We’ll let you know as soon as we’ve any further updates about the iOS 8.4.1 jailbreak. Don’t forget to join our Facebook Fan page, follow us on Twitter, add us to your circles on Google+, subscribe to our RSS feed, our Daily Newsletter or subscribe to our all-new push notifications on your Mac in Safari for the latest updates.
