Hey folks! Just abit over two weeks after our last roundup for jailbreaking the iPhone firmware 2.0.2, we now have another updated roundup for the latest and just recently released iPhone firmware version 2.1. In this latest roundup, as before, we will try to summarise the most popular methods that the iPhone community and also the iPhone Dev Team have come up with for jailbreaking and unlocking the iPhone 2.1.

The iPhone software or firmware 2.1 which was announced by Steve Jobs earlier this week has indeed addressed a number of issues, these include…

1. Decrease in call set-up failures and dropped calls
2. Significantly better battery life for most users
3. Dramatically reduced time to backup to iTunes
4. Improved email reliability, notably fetching email from POP and Exchange accounts
5. Faster installation of 3rd party applications
6. Fixed bugs causing hangs and crashes for users with lots of third party applications
7. Improved performance in text messaging
8. Faster loading and searching of contacts
9. Improved accuracy of the 3G signal strength display
10. Repeat alert up to two additional times for incoming text messages
11. Option to wipe data after ten failed passcode attempts
12. Genius playlist creation

However, as you would expect if you’ve previously experienced some jailbreaking or unlock yourself, updating to the latest iPhone firmware always means paying a bigger price, getting your iPhone locked or ‘bricked’ again…

As mentioned, there are two main methods we have noticed so far, one of which comes via the folks at Sleepers.net and the other via the world reknown iPhone Dev Team. What we have summarised for you below will give you a good idea of which one of the two you should choose in order to satisfy your jailbreaking or/and unlocking needs.

However, because we’re so kind :), we’d rather be honest (and biased) and tell you that the first method (from Sleepers.net) have raised a number of unstable issues, so it is recommended only if you really know what you’re doing and don’t mind the risk of running into problems in the near future. Nevertheless, we thought it deserved a quick mention.

• Sleepers.net method (non iPhone Dev Team)

This method has been designed to jailbreak first generation iPhone (2G) and iPhone 3G running iPhone firmware 2.1 for Windows users only and as mentioned above, this method is abit risky if you’re not an expert, there are still a number of issues that needs to be addressed. Here are the steps…

1. Download iPhone firmware 2.1 for iPhone 3G or download iPhone firmware 2.1 for 1st generation iPhone using this link.
2. Install iTunes 8 either by updating your existing iTunes or downloading it from Apple.
3. Update iPhone with iTunes and make sure it is activated!
4. Then uninstall iTunes 8.
5. Then uninstall Apple Mobile Device Support (From Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel)
6. Now install iTunes v7.7.*.
7. Download Quickpwn with the correct 2.1 bundle from this link.
8. Run Quickpwn, select your iPhone1,2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw or iPhone1,1_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw.
9. You can select Cydia and Installer and logos if you wish.
10. When it is finished the iPhone will reboot. Cydia and Installer will NOT be visible.
11. Next, download TotalCommander.
12. And also download t-pot addon.
13. Install TotalCommander and in the left pane navigate to T-PoT.1.1.zip and click on it. It will install t-pot automatically.
14. Now download the mobile installation patch.
15. Next, use Totalcommander to install patched mobileinstallation to /System/Library/PrivateFrameWorks/MobileInstallation.framework … clickon the dropdown box [-\-] top left and select network neighbourhood then t-pot. Remeber to back up your original mobileinstallation first! Drag the file from the right pane to the left, not from windows explorer to TotalCOmmander.
16. Still in TotalCommander delete /private/var/mobile/Library/Caches/com.apple.mobile.installation.plist
17. Reboot the phone. This should jailbreak your iPhone.
18. Install “CacheDel” from cydia. Run this after each Cydia update or app install. Soon, Cydia, itself will be updated and this step will no longer be necessary.

If you’ve just read the steps above, you will see that it’s pretty complicated and time consuming, plus quite a risky process for beginners who actually don’t know what’s going on, therefore being as biased as we are, we recommend you choose the method below by the iPhone Dev Team…
Please NOTE, the method below does not yet support iPod Touch first gen and second gen nor does it support iPhone users running Windows (not yet at least, we’ll keep you informed!).

• PwnageTool 2.1 and QuickPwn 1.1

The latest version of the Pwnage Tool version 2.1 can jailbreak and unlock the first generation iPhone running either firmware 1.1.4 or 1.1.5 or 2.x.x which includes iPhone firmwares 2.0.1, 2.0.2 and the latest just released 2.1. It also can jailbreak but NOT unlock the latest iPhone 3G running iPhone firmware 2.x.x, which includes 2.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.2 and the latest 2.1.

The latest version of QuickPwn, version 1.1 has also now been updated to support firmware 2.1.

It’s important to note that, unlike, the previous version of QuickPwn, which was made into one version for Mac and one version for Windows users, this latest QuickPwn 1.1 does not yet support Windows users. Therefore, there is not yet a method from the iPhone Dev Team that will work for Windows users hoping to jailbreak or unlock their iPhones on firmware 2.1.

Therefore both the latest Pwnage Tool 2.1 and QuickPwn 1.1 will only benefit Mac users at this moment. Also just a quick note, the iPhone Dev Team have addressed the issue that Apple is trying to fight back against all the jailbreaking that’s been going in the latest iTunes 8, however, the iPhone Dev Team have already come up with a method to counteract this…

By the way we figured out a way to combat iTunes 8 without patches…and we’re waiting to see what Apple tries next. But we think they might want to rethink their priorities. They probably won’t though, and so we get back to the “cat and mouse” game between Apple and the Dev Team and other third-party communities.

Here are the links to downloading the two tools mentioned above…

• PwnageTool 2.1 for Mac OS X via Bittorent
• QuickPwn 1.1 for Mac OS X via Bittorrent

PLEASE NOTE: COPY THE APPLICATION TO YOUR APPLICATIONS FOLDER OR DESKTOP BEFORE RUNNING. RUNNING DIRECTLY FROM THE DISK IMAGE WILL CAUSE ERRONEOUS BEHAVIOR (such as missing bootloader files and other oddities).

If you don’t prefer to use Bittorrents, visit the source link below for a number of mirror download links to download both tools. As we always do, we strongly suggest that you backup your phone before using any of the methods above!

[via iPhone Dev Blog]

Update (20/09/2008): QuickPwn for Windows released! Version 2.1 of QuickPwn now supports users running Windows, it will jailbreak and unlock first generation iPhones (2G) and will only jailbreak and NOT unlock iPhone 3G. It will now also jailbreak the first generation of iPod Touch (but NOT second generation of iPod Touch which were recently released) running firmware 2.1.

We have also noticed that the softwares will not work properly if you do not specifically have iTunes 8.0.0.35, any new versions of iTunes lead to an increased likelihood of QuickPwn malfunctioning! Please use the download link to downgrade to the specified version if you know you have a new version.

So here are the download links!

Users who prefer downloading via bittorrent, download the latest Windows QuickPwn 2.1 here

Update (02/10/2008): After receiving a few comments, we decided to put up some further details of how the Windows QuickPwn 2.1 works, initially we thought this was clearly instructed over at iPhone-Dev, but we were wrong, so here it goes, the instructions below will jailbreak and unlock iPhone 2G and also jailbreak iPhone 3G, approximate time needed is about 15 minutes:

Create a folder and call it Pwnage on your desktop. Get the files you need! Windows QuickPwn 2.1 from mirro sites here or here or here, iPhone 2.1 ISPW, 3.9 Bootloader, 4.6 Bootloader.

Unzip the QuickPwn21-1.zip file inside the Pwnage folder.

Now click on the pineapple from the Pwnage folder you created on your desktop to launch QuickPwn 2.1.

Connect your iPhone via USB to your computer and click the blue arrow to continue.

Now we have to click the browse button to locate your iPhone firmware to upgrade to the latest 2.1. Select the 2.1 firmware IPSW file from the Pwnage folder you created on your desktop then select it and click the open button.

QuickPwn will now verify you have selected the correct firmware. After it is verified click the blue arrow to continue.

The next step allows you select what you’d like installed on your iPhone. You have the ability to select Cydia, Installer, replace boot logos, and unlock your device. Once you have made your selections click the blue arrow to continue on (if you want a full jailbreaking experience, installing Cydia and Installer is highly recommended).

You will now be prompted to select your bootloader files that I instructed you to download a few minutes ago. Click on the Browse button and select the 3.9 bootloader from the Pwnage folder you created on your desktop. Repeat this for the 4.6 bootloader file. Then click the blue arrow button to proceed.

After selecting the bootloaders, QuickPwn will now verify that your iPhone is still connected to your PC. Again click the blue arrow to carry on forward.

Attention: QuickPwn will now put your iPhone into recovery mode. When its in recovery mode you will be given directions to: Hold the Home button for 5 seconds, Hold the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button and continuing holding the Home button until your iPhone is in DFU mode.

QuickPwn will detect your phone is in DFU mode and proceed with the jailbreaking process, no turning back now!

Once jailbreaking is complete, QuickPwn will then reboot it and run BootNeuter.

Let BootNeuter take over, do not interupt it. This process will take about 5 minutes. Your iPhone will reboot when it has completed and you will have a fully unlocked iPhone!

Good luck everyone and drop us a message if you run into any problems! You can also check out our previous roundups for jailbreaking the iPhone here:

• Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.0.2 2G and 3G so far…
• Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.0.1 2G and 3G so far… UPDATED
• Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.0 2G and 3G so far…

• Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.2 2G and 3G…
• Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.0.1 2G and 3G so far… UPDATED
• Roundup of jailbreak and unlock options for iPhone 2.2.1 2G and 3G
• Roundup of jailbreaking, unlocking the iPhone 2.0.2 2G and 3G so far…
• How to downgrade your 2G iPhone 2.0 back to 1.1.4 and re-unlock…