How to Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 on iPhone 4S with Redsn0w for Mac

If you are one of the few patient iPhone 4S owners that haven’t upgraded to iOS 6, you can still jailbreak your device and enjoy the perks until developers release the iOS 6 jailbreak for iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. There are two jailbreaks available: one is RedSn0w offered by the iPhone Dev-Team and the other is Absinthe by Chronic Dev-Team.

These jailbreak procedures are different so make sure you aren’t scrambling the steps. It’s also important to follow the step-by-step guide for the particular PC OS you are using: Windows or Mac.

This step-by-step guide is provided by a certified jailbreak source and pertains to the jailbreak of iOS 5.1.1 on iPhone 4S, using Redsn0w and a Mac. Remember to always use the jailbreak software version compatible with your current iOS.

Step 1

Start the iPhone 4S, iOS5, jailbreak by creating a folder on your Mac’s desktop and name it Pwnage. Download the latest version of Redsn0w and the 5.1.1 iOS (no need to download it if you already have it) and move these to the Pwnage folder. Double click and extract the Redsn0w zip file.

Step 2

This step is not needed if you already have iOS 5 on your iPhone. If you haven’t, you need to connect your device to your Mac computer, start iTunes, select your smartphone, hold down Option, click Restore button, navigate to the Pwnage folder and select with your mouse the 5.1.1 iOS. Click Choose to continue and update your iPhone to iOS 5.1.1.

Step 3

Go to the redsn0w folder you have previously extracted and launch the application. Click on the Jailbreak button when redsn0w launches.

Step 4

Redsn0w does most of the job for you, preparing, processing and finishing up. When it’s done it will notify the jailbreak process is completed, while your iPhone 4S will need about 5 minutes to reboot. When iPhone is done rebooting, if the jailbreak was successful, you will see the Cydia icon on the SpringBoard.

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.

How to Jailbreak iPhone 4 Step by Step Guide

Whereas iPhone 5 and 4S buyers are still unable to jailbreak iOS6 on their devices, users owning previous models of the device can get that done without any hassle. The jailbreak solution for iOS6 on iPhone 4 has been available for some time now, but the long and anxious wait for the solution that jailbreaks iPhone 5 has confused users to the extent many have stopped jailbreaking their devices, even if the procedure and software is flawless and widely available.

So, if you want to jailbreak your iPhone 4 you don’t have to wait for the solution compatible with iOS 6 on iPhone 5 and 4S, which are A5 devices. Your iPhone 4 is an A4 generation device. This step-by-step guide explains how to jailbreak your iPhone 4 using the iPhone Dev Team software, called Redsn0w. This is one of the most reliable jailbreaking solutions in the market today, however always make sure you are downloading the software from the official website of Redmondpie.

First of all, using Redsn0w and Cydia implies a tethered jailbreak of iOS6 on A4 devices. This means you have to plug your iPhone 4 into a computer when turned on. The difference between a tethered and an untethered iPhone 4 jailbreak are discussed in a separate post. Please read that before you jailbreak your device.

The latest version of Redsn0w (at this point this is 0.9.15b1) brings several new perks to the table making jailbreaking your iPhone 4 insanely easy. Unlike older versions, you don’t have to actually download and point the app to the iOS6 IPSW because the most recent Redsn0w version will recognize the software you have previously installed on your iPhone. It will download and start the jailbreaking by itself.

Step 1: download Redsn0w from the official Redmondpie website and update your A4 device to iOS6.

Step 2: start Redsn0w and make sure you are running it in Administrator mode (Windows) or start it by Ctrl+Click on the icon and select Open from its menu (OS X Mountain Lion).

Step 3: Click Jailbreak, select Cydia and then go into DFU mode. At this moment, Redsn0w will start your jailbreak using a limera1n exploit. When the software is done you have to select “Autoboot this device when it connects in DFU mode”. Your device will reboot and you will notice the Cydia icon on your home screen.