iH8Sn0w has recently updated Sn0wBreeze to Jailbreak the iOS 5 GM firmware through his popular Jailbreaking tool – Sn0wBreeze (bringing Sn0wBreeze to version 2.8 beta 8). Thus, in this how to guide from iJailbreak.com we will be showing you how to Jailbreak your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad running the iOS 5 GM firmware tethered using Sn0wBreeze v2.8b8 on the Windows operating system.

Note: You do not need to have a developer account to update to the iOS 5 GM firmware. Meaning ANYONE can upgrade to iOS 5 GM like updating to a new official version of the iOS firmware generation. It is important to keep in mind, however, that this is not an official release so you could possibly encounter bugs.

Step 1) - The first thing you are going to do is download Sn0wBreeze v2.8b8 from the iJailbreak Downloads Section (mirror download link).

Step 2) - Once you download Sn0wBreeze v2.8b8 you will need to extract it to your desktop.

Step 3) - When Sn0wBreeze is extracted launch it by double clicking the sn0wbreeze-v2.8b8.exe file.

Note: You will need to grant Sn0wBreeze administrative privileges.

Step 4) - Upon launching Sn0wBreeze for the first time a few pop-up windows will appear. Read them over and click the OK button and you will be on the screen depicted below. Read through the notes in read and click the blue arrow to continue.

Step 5) - Through the next screen you will need to click the browse button and select the iOS 5 GM firmware you are trying to Jailbreak.

Upon selecting the iOS 5 GM firmware Sn0wBreeze will begin identifying the firmware file. When Sn0wBreeze has identified the firmware file you will get a success notification. Click the blue arrow to continue.

Step 6) - The next screen you will be presented with 3 options – Baseband Preservation Mode, Simple Mode and Expert Mode.

• Baseband Preservation Mode: This mode is only useful if you wish to upgrade to the latest iOS 5 GM firmware without updating your baseband and without Jailbreaking your iPhone.
• Simple Mode: This mode will begin creating your custom iOS 5 GM IPSW automatically without selecting any customization options.
• Expert Mode: This mode will present to you options for customizing your Jailbreak before creating your custom iOS 5 GM IPSW.
• In this How To Guide you will be selecting Expert mode. Click Expert Mode Now.

When Expert Mode is selected click the blue arrow.

Step 7) - The next screen is where you will begin the customization process.

Click the General button to start things off and then click the blue arrow.

Step 8 ) - In the General screen you can select a variety of options to customize your Jailbreak.

• Enable Battery-Percentage: This option will add a small percentage number next to your battery icon (in the status bar).
• Activate The iPhone [hacktivate]: This option will activate your iPhone, if you are unlocked.
• Install SSH: This option will install an SSH service allowing you to view your iDevice’s filesystem.
• Root Partition Size: This option will change the size allocated to Jailbroken apps. We recommend leaving it as the default size.

Select the options you wish to apply to your Jailbreak and then click the blue arrow.

Step 9) - The next screen allows you to pre-install 3rd party applications/tweaks. If you wish to do this find the applications/tweaks you are wanting to install and select them. Once you are happy with your selection click the blue arrow to continue.

Step 10) - You will now be on the customization homescreen again.

Select the Build IPSW option and click the blue arrow to continue to the IPSW creation process.

Step 11) - Sn0wBreeze will now begin creating the custom IPSW with the options you have selected. This process can take anywhere from 5 – 30 minutes depending on the speed of your computer so be patient. Once your firmware file has been created it will be located on your desktop.

Note: Sn0wBreeze has the ability to play PacMan while Sn0wBreeze is creating your custom IPSW.

Step 11) - After Sn0wBreeze has created your custom IPSW you need to put your iDevice into DFU mode. To start this process click the OK button.

When you click the OK button you will simply need to follow Sn0wBreeze’s real-time DFU mode instructions. Once you do this, your iDevice will be in DFU mode and you can restore your custom IPSW firmware file.

Step 12) - After following Sn0wBreeze’s real-time instructions EXACTLY as shown, iTunes should launch you will be prompt by Sn0wBreeze saying iReb is successfully running, you can go back to iTunes and SHIFT click the restore button. Once you have done this you can now select your custom IPSW firmware file (located on your desktop) to restore to your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

Step 13) - As this iOS 5 GM  jailbreak was tethered you will need to boot your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad after it finishes restoring using a tool developed by iH8Sn0w called iBooty. Additionally anytime you need to restart your iDevice you will need use this tool.

Note: iBooty will be extracted to your desktop once you have created a custom iOS 5 GM firmware file through Sn0wBreeze v2.8b8.

Once you see the iBooty folder on your desktop go inside that folder and double click on the iBooty.exe to launch iBooty.

A message will come up saying this software is not for commercial use and then you will be brought to a screen depicted below…

Step 14) - From here simply select your iDevice from the drop down list.

Upon selecting your iDevice click the Start button.

When you do this you will simply need to follow the on-board instructions for putting your iDevice into DFU mode and your iDevice will boot in a Jailbroken state.

Let us know if you were able to jailbreak your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with Sn0wBreeze v2.8b8 in the comments section below. Also if you experienced any difficulties please share them with us and we will try our best to help you out.

For more how to jailbreak guides check out our how to section by clicking here.