Step by Step Guide to Jailbreak iPhone 4S/4 iOS 5.1.1 on iPhone Using Absinthe 2.0 with Windows

Many iPhone users don’t want to jailbreak their devices, fearing the hands-on procedure might be too complicated or risky. The matter of the fact is that today’s jailbreak tools are as easy to install and use as any other app, and will not require extensive hacking knowledge or being an IT expert. It’s really as easy as Absinthe’s makers say it is: your grandmother could do it.

The following step-by-step guide explains how to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 on an iPhone using Chronic Dev-Team’s untethered jailbreak Absinthe 2.0 and a Windows-based laptop or computer. Remember this jailbreak tool will not work with iOS 6. Check out the News and Announcement pages to see when our team experts will be ready to release the iJailbreakiPhone5s software that pertains to A5 devices running the latest firmware from Apple.

Step 1

Before anything else, backup your device. There is a slightly risk you might lose Camera Roll during the jailbreak process. Camera roll is where your photos will be stored after you take a picture with your iPhone, iPad and iPad touch. We have a tutorial on how to backup your iPhone data before a jailbreak available in the guides and tutorials section.

Step 2

Download Absinthe from a certified source like this one. Choose the most recent version that is compatible with your device, iOS version and Windows or Mac. Extract the downloaded files  and open the .exe file (absinthe-win-2.0.exe) which will in turn create a new folder “absinthe-win-2.0”. In this newly created folder, select the .exe file and launch it.

Step 3

The launched application will display a window requiring you to plug in your iPhone so the jailbreak process can start. Don’t forget to remove any passcodes and other VPN settings before clicking the “Jailbreak” button.

Step 4

Clicking on the “Jailbreak” button, prompts Absinthe 2.0 to take over for you and beginning the actual untethered jailbreak. It may take a while, since the app is performing several processes and will wait for your iPhone to finish the reboot.

Step 5

The Absinthe 2.0 jailbreak tool will announce when the procedure is done. It a few moments, a Cydia icon will appear on your Springboard.

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4S, 5.1.1 iOS Using Redsn0w and a Windows PC

This step-by-step guide will work only for the iPhone 4S running 5.1.1 iOS, via Redsn0w and a Windows PC. If you run into problems, check that you are running 5.1.1 and not iOS 6 and remember unlocking and jailbreaking are different processes with different outcomes so make sure you know what you want. The jailbreak for iOS 6 on iPhone 5 and 4S is currently under development. Stay tuned for updates on jailbreaking iOS 6.

Before starting the actual untethered jailbreak process for 5.1.1 iOS on iPhone 4S, with Reds0w (Cydia) via a Windows PC, it is advised you back up your iPhone SHSH Blobs (there is a tutorial for that on our website). SHSH Blobs are needed if you want to unlock your devices later on, and since upgrading to iOS 5.1.1 means updating baseband, SHSH Blobs could be impacted.

Step 1

Go your Windows PC’s desktop and create a folder you will name Pwnage. Download the most recent version of Redsn0w, download 5.1.1 and place all these files in the Pwnage folder on your desktop. Double click on the Redsn0w zipe file and extract it.

Step 2
This step is a must only if you haven’t already upgraded to iOS 5.1.1 and teaches you how to download and install the firmware. Connect your iPhone to the computer, launch iTunes, find and select your device in the list on the left, press Shift on your keyboard and then click Restore  button. In the Pwnage folder on your desktop, select the 5.1.1 firmware ipsw file, click Choose and iTunes will update your device to this iOS version.

Step 3

Again in the Pwnage folder, you have to launch the Redsn0w app file (right click on .exe, select Run as Administrator in the menu that opens). Click the Jailbreak button when Redsn0w launches, which will then install Cydia for you.

Step 4

Lay back and let Redsn0w and the Rocky Racoon work their magic. It will go through three stages, which don’t require any action from you. The Windows jailbreak wizard will run by itself through preparing, processing and finishing up. Once it has completed the process, Redsn0w will let you know if it was a success, while Windows will display the following message: “Jailbreak was successfully installed. Please leave device alone until it reboots on its own. After Cydia appears, please wait for one final respring to happen”.

Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 on iPhone 4S with Absinthe 2.0 for Mac

Jailbreaking iOS on iPhone devices is possibly via two procedures. A previous post talked about and showed you the steps of jailbreaking iPhone 4S using Redsn0w on Mac. Today we are providing you with the Absinthe 2.0 for Mac, iPhone 4S iOS 5.1.1 jailbreak guide.

Absinthe is a jailbreak software basically just as popular as iPhone Dev-Team’s Redsn0w. The tool compatible with iOS 5.0.1/5.0 firmware for iPhone 4S and iPad 2 was released in January 2012 and it is an untethered jailbreak. Absinthe 2.0 (and newer versions) is a hassle-free jailbreak tool that supports the following devices on 5.1.1 firmware: iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch 3rd generation and iPod touch 4th generation.

Step 1

Backup your device in iTunes, to make sure you are not losing Camera Roll during the jailbreak process.

Step 2

Download the latest Absinthe version from a certified source, mount the downloaded dmg and move the Absinthe app to your Mac’s desktop. Launch the Absinthe jailbreak tool from your desktop.

Step 3

Remove any passcodes, VPN settings before connecting your iPhone to the Mac. The window that pops up reiterates the backup recommendation. Once you’ve checked these, you are ready to plug in your iDevice and begin the jailbreak process.

Step 4

Once your iPhone 4S is connected to your Mac (via USB) the Jailbreak button becomes available. Click it and the software will begin the process, performing several tasks without requiring you to something. Absinthe initiates the jailbreak, sends initial jailbreak data and final jailbreak data, waits for the iPhone’s reboot and then informs you the process is done.

Step 5

When the jailbreak procedure is done, you will find a Cydia icon on your Springboard.

This jailbreak tutorial pertains to iOS 5, not iOS 6! Remember that before trying to jailbreak iPhone 5 and iPhone 4S using this guide. This jailbreak tool will not work on your iPhone 4S if you have already upgraded to iOS 6 from iOS 5.