Today the iPhone Dev-Team updated their RedSn0w Jailbreaking tool to be able to Jailbreak the iOS 5.1 firmware. Although you can Jailbreak the iOS 5.1 firmware there are some things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, this Jailbreak is only for the iPod Touch 4G and iPod Touch 3G. Secondly, this is a tethered Jailbreak and not an untethered Jailbreak that we have been very lucky to have on the iOS 5.0.1 firmware. As this is a tethered Jailbreak it means you will need to plug your iPod Touch into your computer and re-run RedSn0w to boot your iPod Touch into a fully operational state every time it loses power. Lastly, iBooks will not work on the iOS 5.1 firmware until the iPhone Dev-Team have had a chance to implement a patch.

If you understand the three points I have just brought up about this Jailbreak and meet the requirements you will be able to easily Jailbreak your iPod Touch 4G or iPod Touch 3G on iOS 5.1 tethered. And in this how to guide from iJailbreak.com you will learn how to do just this using the Mac OS X version of RedSn0w 0.9.10b6.

Note #1: This is a tethered Jailbreak.

Note #2: iBooks will not function correctly until the iPhone Dev-Team have had a chance to implement a patch.

Note #3: If you are looking to Jailbreak your iPhone 4 or iPhone 3GS click here. If you would like to Jailbreak your first generation iPad click here.

iOS 5.1 Tethered Jailbreak (Mac OS X)

Step 1) The first thing you will need to do is download RedSn0w 0.9.10b6 for the Mac OS X operating system using the download mirror below or through the iJailbreak Downloads Section.

Download RedSn0w 0.9.10b6 for Mac OS X

Step 2) Once you have downloaded RedSn0w you will need to launch it by double clicking on the redsn0w app.

Step 3) With RedSn0w running you will need to click the Jailbreak button.

RedSn0w 0.9.10b6

Step 4) After clicking the Jailbreak button you will come to a screen where you will need to put your iPod Touch into DFU mode.

RedSn0w 0.9.10b6

Read through and follow the instructions presented to you which is to plug in and power off your iPod Touch and then click the next button when you are ready to begin the DFU mode process.

RedSn0w 0.9.10b6

Step 5) When you click the next button you will need to follow the instructions presented to you in real-time to put your iPod Touch 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.
RedSn0w 0.9.10b6
RedSn0w 0.9.10b6
RedSn0w 0.9.10b6

Step 6) After you successfully enter DFU mode RedSn0w 0.9.10b6 will begin preparing your iPod Touch for the iOS 5.1 Jailbreak.

RedSn0w 0.9.10b6

Step 7) Once RedSn0w has finished preparing your iPod Touch for the iOS 5.1 Jailbreak you will be asked you to specify options to go along with your Jailbreak. The only option that you actually need to make sure is checked is the Install Cydia option. Once you have ensured this option is checked, and any other options you may want, click the Next button.

Step 8 ) After you have specified your Jailbreak options you can click the next button and RedSn0w 0.9.10b6 will begin jailbreaking your iPod Touch. DO NOT interrupt or use the computer during this time. When your iPod Touch is finished being jailbroken it will boot up with the Apple logo and not go any further. This is because this is a tethered Jailbreak and you will need to boot tethered with RedSn0w in order to get your iPod Touch in a working state again.

Step 9) As explained previously when you Jailbreak your iPod Touch running iOS 5.1 you will have a tethered Jailbreak. Meaning in order for your iPod Touch to turn back on you will need to boot it using RedSn0w (this applies every time your iPod Touch 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 your iPod Touch into DFU mode again.

Congratulations! You should now have a tethered  Jailbreak on your iPod Touch 4G or iPod Touch 3G running the iOS 5.1 firmware. For more tutorials visit the How To Jailbreak Section. Leave any questions in the comments below.