How To Update iPhone 4 from iOS 5.0.1 to iOS 5.1.1 and Preserve Baseband For Unlock with Sn0wbreeze
Today was a great day for those awaiting a jailbreak for iPhone. The new version of Greenpois0n Absinthe was updated to version 2.0, supporting a ton of devices running iOS 5.1.1. The jailbreak allows those who own devices running iOS 5.1.1 to free themselves from the restrictions which have been placed on their favorite mobile devices, and use it how they choose, including customizations, enhanced features, and lifted restrictions that previously prevented them from being as productive as they wanted to be.
If you’re already running iOS 5.1.1 Follow THIS GUIDE instead., If you’d like to update to it, the process is really easy. Just connect the phone to your computer, and click update in the iTunes window. Even easier, you can perform an over-the-air update without even using a computer, making the process occur all on it’s own while it’s in your pocket (WiFi required). HOWEVER, this is not a good idea if you need to unlock your phone to use on an unapproved carrier. For those people, Greenpois0n Absinthe isn’t a good solution, because updating to a stock Apple firmware will update the modem firmware (baseband) of the device, and prevent you from unlocking. Those people need to use a totally different method.
This guide will walk you through the steps of preserving your baseband during your quest to jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 on iPhone 4. Please follow these steps closely, as they are much more complicated than the previously mentioned guide for everyone who doesn’t need an unlock. If you are already updated to iOS 5.1 or 5.1.1, this guide will not help you unlock because the device is already updated.
IMPORTANT: If you do not need an unlock, and you are using the iPhone on an approved carrier, you do not need this guide. You should use THIS ONE instead, because it’ll give you excellent results, and it’s much easier.
What you’ll need:
- Copy of Sn0wbreeze 2.9.4 or later. Get the latest version from our DOWNLOADS PAGE
- An iPhone 4 running iOS 5.0.1.
- A copy of the iOS 5.1.1 firmware for iPhone 4. Grab if from the Downloads page as well.
BEGIN TUTORIAL:
Step 1: Download the iOS 5.1.1 IPSW from our Downloads Page.
Step 2: With that downloaded, Launch Sn0wbreeze, and then click the Blue Arrow
Step 3: Locate and select the iOS 5.1.1 firmware file you downloaded in step 1, and click that blue arrow again.
Step 4: Sn0wbreeze should now display your devices details. You can review them, and then click the arrow once again.
Step 5: Here we’re going to select Expert Mode. This will allow us to select options to preserve the baseband on the device. Hit the arrow again.
Step 6: On the next screen, select Build IPSW. Click the arrow again to proceed.
Sn0wbreeze will then pwn the iOS 5.1.1 IPSW file that you select. In summary, it will inject custom code into the firmware, and remove the parts which update the baseband of the iPhone upon installation. With that part removed, and the code injected successfully, the firmware is ready to be installed for the jailbreak.
Step 7: Connect your device and hit OK, then follow the steps provided on-screen to put your device into DFU mode. If successful, it will appear as though your phone is off, but the computer will read it as being in recovery.
Step 8: Open iTunes, select your device in the list to the left. On a Mac, hold OPTION and press RESTORE. On a Windows PC, you’ll hold SHIFT instead. This will allow you to navigate to the custom firmware file which you created in Sn0wbreeze, and select it for restore. iTunes will now do everything else for you, so sit back and relax.
When the process is complete, You’ll be successfully updated to iOS 5.1.1, with a preserved baseband! Congrats, and enjoy!
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