Redsn0w Tool

What is RedSn0w?

RedSn0w is a jailbreak tool developed by the Dev-Team. Originally called QuickPWN, this jailbreak tool was quickly renamed, and has now become a household name for most jailbreakers. Unlike PwnageTool, RedSn0w works for both Mac and Windows, and is considered to be one of the most reliable jailbreaks by the whole community.

Technical features

redsn0w supports most iPhones , most iPod touches, and the original 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).Quickpwn.png

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.

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) 3.1.3 redsn0w 0.9.4 Pwnage+Pwnage 2.0 Yes
iPhone 3G 4.2.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 Pwnage+Pwnage 2.0 Yes
iPhone 3GS 5.0.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 limera1n/ 24kpwn untether Yes
iPhone 4 (GSM) 5.0.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 limera1n Yes
iPhone 4 (CDMA) 5.0.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 limera1n Yes
iPhone 4S N/A N/A N/A N/A
iPod Touch 1st Gen 3.1.3 redsn0w 0.9.4 Pwnage+ Pwnage 2.0 Yes
iPod Touch 2nd Gen 4.2.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 ARM7 GO from iOS 2.1.1+24kpwn untether Yes
iPod Touch 3rd Gen 5.0.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 limera1n Yes
iPod Touch 4th Gen 5.0.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 limera1n Yes
iPad 1 5.0.1 redsn0w 0.9.10b3 limera1n Yes
iPad 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A

Latest Versions

The latest version of RedSn0w is 0.9.10beta 3
The latest untethered jailbreak using RedSn0w is iOS 5.0.1
The latest tethered jailbreak using RedSn0w is iOS 5.0.1
The latest beta jailbreak using RedSn0w is iOS 5.0.1

Latest Versions

The latest version of RedSn0w is 0.9.10beta 3
The latest untethered jailbreak using RedSn0w is iOS 5.0.1
The latest tethered jailbreak using RedSn0w is iOS 5.0.1
The latest beta jailbreak using RedSn0w is iOS 5.0.1

Download RedSn0w

RedSn0w is a very light utility that can be downloaded in just a few seconds. As mentioned above, RedSn0w will work with both Mac and Windows.

You can download RedSn0w from the below. You will see that there are several versions available here, but we suggest you always use the latest version available. RedSn0w usually is compatible with older iPhone firmwares, so even if you want to jailbreak iOS 4.3.2 for example, you might still want to download the newer version of RedSn0w.

Below you can find links to download RedSn0w, a tool released by the iPhone Dev-Team to jailbreak the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

*We will be updating this list with new versions and mirrored download links as necessary.

Essentials

Basic RedSn0w Tutorials

Advanced RedSn0w Tutorials

Managing SHSH Blobs With RedSn0w

Advanced RedSn0w User Preferences

What Device and iOS Version Can RedSn0w Be Used With?

To date, RedSn0w can be used to jailbreak the following iOS devices:

  • iPhone 4: iOS 5.0.1, iOS 5, 4.3.5, 4.3.4, 4.3.3, 4.3.2, 4.3.1, 4.3, 4.2.6, 4.2.1, 4.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.1, 4.0, 3.1.3
  • iPhone 3GS: iOS 5.0.1, iOS 5, 4.3.5, 4.3.4, 4.3.3, 4.3.2, 4.3.1, 4.3, 4.2.6, 4.2.1, 4.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.1, 4.0, 3.1.3
  • iPhone 3G: 4.3.4, 4.2.1, 4.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.1, 4.0, 3.1.3
  • iPad 1: iOS 5.0.1, iOS 5, 4.3.5, 4.3.4, 4.3.3, 4.3.2, 4.3.1, 4.3, 4.2.1, 3.2.2
  • iPod Touch 4G: iOS 5.0.1, iOS 5, 4.3.5, 4.3.4, 4.3.3, 4.3.2, 4.3.1, 4.3, 4.2.1, 4.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.1, 4.0, 3.1.3
  • iPod Touch 3G: iOS 5.0.1, iOS 5, 4.3.5, 4.3.4, 4.3.3, 4.3.2, 4.3.1, 4.3, 4.2.1, 4.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.1, 4.0, 3.1.3
  • iPod Touch 2G: 4.3.4, 4.2.1, 4.1, 4.0.2, 4.0.1, 4.0, 3.1.3

This list will be updated as new versions of RedSn0w are released.

When Not to Use RedSn0w

Because RedSn0w used to require you to update your device to a newer version of iOS in order to jailbreak it, we used to strongly suggest that those of you who unlock the iPhone stay away from RedSn0w, as it might cause you to lose your ability to unlock.

That’s no longer the case. If you rely on an unlock for your iPhone and still want to run and jailbreak the latest iOS version available, you can use RedSn0w, PwnageTool or Sn0wBreeze. All three tools will allow you to update to a newer firmware and jailbreak it while preserving your baseband, which is the key to your unlock.

 

Tethered vs Untethered

RedSn0w has the ability to perform both tethered and untethered jailbreaks depending on the device and the firmware version the device is running. An untethered jailbreak is the most desirable because it allows you to reboot your device at will without needing to perform a tethered boot with the aid of a computer.

A tethered jailbreak, on the other hand, means that if you’re out and about and your device reboots, it will be unusable until you can perform a tethered boot with the aid of a computer. The chances of this happening are slim, but it is a definite annoyance if it happens to occur while you’re away from your computer. Some strides have been made to lessen the impact of tethered jailbreaks by using a so-called semitethered boot. The semitether, is a package that allows you to reboot the device and maintain limited functionality for phone calls and such until you can get back to your computer to perform the tethered boot.

For more information on the different types of jailbreaks, see the following video explanation:

 

How to Put Your Device into DFU Mode

Learning how to reliably place your iDevice into DFU mode is a step that you must learn if you want to be an effective jailbreaker.

DFU mode stands for Device Firmware Upgrade mode and differs from the restore mode with the iTunes logo that you may be used to. DFU mode differs from recovery mode because it does not load the boot loader, hence you will see a solid black screen instead of the more friendly “connect to iTunes logo”. Getting into DFU mode is super easy, but it does require some practice. We generally recommend putting your device into DFU mode prior to even starting any jailbreaking actions, because it just makes the process more seamless.

To place your device into DFU mode, do the following:

Step 1: Connect your device to your computer

Step 2: Hold the Home + Power buttons on your device simultaneously for 10 seconds.

Step 3: Release the Power button without releasing the home button. Continue holding Home for another 10 seconds.

Step 4: Release Home, and your screen should stay completely black. If so, chances are you successfully entered into DFU mode.

Notes: If iTunes is configured to do so, iTunes will open and report that: “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes.” If your screen is black and iTunes reports this message, this is a surefire indicator that you are successfully in DFU mode.

To kick your device out of DFU mode, simply hold Home + Power for 10 seconds and release. The Apple logo should then appear.

For more help with DFU mode, see the following video explanation:

 

How to Jailbreak With RedSn0w

Jailbreaking your iDevice with RedSn0w is extremely simple as long as you follow the directions. Every time a new firmware is confirmed to be jailbreakable, we will post a new video that shows you how. The latest jailbreakable firmware is iOS 5.0.1. Please see the video below that shows how to jailbreak this firmware with RedSn0w. You can also reference our latest jailbreak guide (Windows tutorial here).

 

Tethered Booting With RedSn0w

Tether Booting is the action of booting an iDevice that has been jailbroken using a tethered jailbreak. Unlike untethered jailbreaks, tethered jailbreaks require a tethered boot anytime you wish to reboot the device. Please see the video below for a tutorial that shows how to perform a tethered boot with RedSn0w.

 

Preserving Baseband With RedSn0w

Preserving your baseband is useful if your current baseband is unlockable, and you want to keep that baseband but still upgrade your firmware to the latest version. Newer versions of RedSn0w are now capable of preserving your baseband, which was once a feature that was exclusive to the Dev Team’s PwnageTool jailbreak tool. Please see the video below that shows how to preserve your baseband with RedSn0w.

 

Using Pwned DFU Mode

Pwned DFU mode is almost the same as normal DFU mode with a slight twist. Unlike regular DFU mode, Pwned DFU mode allows you to use iTunes to restore your iDevice with custom firmware (IPSW) created by Preserving your Baseband with RedSn0w.

Please refer to our Preserving Baseband With RedSn0w video for additional insight into Pwned DFU mode. Pwned DFU is also needed when following our downgrade tutorial referenced in our How to Use the Recovery Fix section below. You only need to use this mode when you have created and are restoring your iDevice using custom firmware. In every other circumstance, normal DFU mode should suffice.

How to Use the Recovery Fix

The RedSn0w recovery fix option is instrumental for those moments when you receive recovery errors when performing restores in iTunes. It’s especially useful when attempting to downgrade firmware that is no longer being signed by Apple.

Here is an example of the error that you may receive in iTunes that the Recovery Fix can remedy:

The following video showcases how to use the Recovery Fix option when downgrading iOS 5 back to iOS 4.

 

Managing SHSH Blobs With RedSn0w

Fetch:

Submits your SHSH blobs to Cydia. Requires DFU mode.

Verify:

A method to verify what SHSH blobs are available. Requires DFU mode.

Submit:

Submits blobs residing on your Mac or PC directly to Cydia for caching. No DFU mode required

Query:

Queries the Cydia server about all blobs for a device. Uses the ECID to accomplish this, no DFU mode required.

Stitch:

Stitching is a feature that allows you to create an all encompassing IPSW firmware file that can always be used regardless of whether or not Apple is still signing that particular firmware. Stitching combines both the firmware file with the SHSH blob for that device to allow you to downgrade at anytime. This is a highly recommended procedure to do every time a new Firmware version is released. It will ensure that you can always easily go back to a previous firmware with minimum steps. Please see the following video tutorial to learn more about stitching. Note: Stitching is not yet compatible with iPhones.

 

Advanced RedSn0w User Preferences

ECIDs:

This will list all of the ECIDs for all devices used by RedSn0w.

Boot args:

Boot arguments give you the ability to execute advanced commands while running RedSn0w. These are generally reserved for the accompanying boot-ipt4g command line tool, but can be executed in GUI mode as well. Please refer to boot-ipt4g.command for valid boot args.

Boot logo:

Allows you to designate a specific boot logo to replace the standard “Pwnapple” boot logo. Should be PNG format.

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