It was only a couple days ago when Apple released the official iOS 5.0.1 firmware to address numerous bugs present in the initial release of iOS 5.0.

We issued a warning to stay away from the iOS 5.0.1 firmware, but if have accidentally updated to the iOS 5.0.1 firmware or had no choice. You will be glad to know that you can indeed still jailbreak the official iOS 5.0.1 firmware tethered or semi-tethered using RedSn0w 0.9.9b8. The only real downfall to updating to the iOS 5.0.1 is that you may not be able to jailbreak your iPhone untethered when the Dev-Team release an untethered jailbreak for the iOS 5.0 firmware generation.

Note #1: This iOS 5.0.1 jailbreak is still tethered for all models of the iPhone unless you are jailbreaking the iPhone 3GS (old-bootrom).

Note #2: This does not jailbreak the iPhone 4S.

Step 1: Download RedSn0w 0.9.9b8 for Windows using the download mirror below or through the iJailbreak Downloads Section.

Download RedSn0w 0.9.9b8 (Windows)

Step 2: Once you have downloaded RedSn0w 0.9.9b8 to the desktop you will simply need to launch it. Do this now by clicking the executable file.

Step 3: With RedSn0w 0.9.9b8 up and running you will click the Extras button. You will now see a few buttons presented to you. The button you are interested in is the Select IPSW button. Click this now and select your devices corresponding iOS 5.0 firmware (not iOS 5.0.1).

Step 4: Upon selecting the firmware click the back button, followed by the Jailbreak button.

Step 5: After clicking the Jailbreak button ensure that the “Install Cydia” option is checked, click the Next button and you will come to a screen where you will need to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Read through and follow the instructions presented to you which is to plug in and power off your iPhone and click the next button.

Step 6: When you click the next button you will need to follow the instructions presented to you to put your iPhone into DFU mode.

• Hold down Power (corner) button for 5 seconds.
• Without releasing the Power button, also hold down the Home (bottom center) button along with the Power button for 10 seconds.
• Without releasing the home button, stop holding down the power button for up to 15 seconds.

Step 7: After you successfully enter DFU mode RedSn0w will begin jailbreaking the iPhone. DO NOT interrupt or use the computer during this time. When the iPhone is finished being jailbroken it will reboot into a jailbroken state.

Optional: Booting Tethered - When you Jailbreak the iPhone running the iOS 5.0.1 firmware you will have a tethered Jailbreak. Meaning in order for the iPhone to turn back on you will need to boot it using RedSn0w (this applies every time the iPhone loses power). To do this launch RedSn0w again and click the Extras Button > then click the Just boot button and you will simply need to put the iPhone into DFU mode again.

Note: Yes, you need to do this every time the iPhone loses power.

Optional: SemiTethered Jailbreak – Though you have now Jailbroken your iPhone tethered on the iOS 5.0.1 firmware, you can actually SemiTether your iPhone. SemiTethering your iPhone basically means that you will be able to still use it if it ever loses power (with limited functionality). In order to SemiTether your iPhone you will need to add the following repository through Cydia:

http://thebigboss.org/semitether

Then search for the SemiTether Cydia package, install it and reboot your iPhone (yes, you will need to boot tethered again). If you are looking for a more detailed guide please click here.

Congrats! You should now have a jailbroken iPhone 4 or 3GS running the iOS 5.0.1 firmware. For more tutorials visit the How To Jailbreak Section. Leave any questions in the comments section below…