Jailbreaking the iPad 2

So you’re ready to take the plunge and jailbreak iPad 2? Remember, after committing to an iPad 2 jailbreak your device will be an outlaw to the Apple community. You can no longer bring your device to the Apple Store for troubleshooting various problems, such as, a dead battery, broken screen, water damage, etc. because they will see that a jailbreak has been performed. So, first things first, if you’re ready to jailbreak your iPad without any hesitation, you’re sick of the numerous restrictions Apple places on their products, and all you want is a bit of freedom, then let’s get started. Otherwise, you’re free to stop here, and be on your way.

Jailbreak Options — iPad 2

Before modifying your iPad 2, you need to consider how you want to go about this process because if you’re unaware, you do have options to choose from (tethered, semi-tethered, and untethered) depending on amount of control you desire to have over your iPad 2 jailbreak.

Option 1: Untethered Modification
Untethered modifiction is by far the most popular and widely used mod of the three. After the initial installation, your device (i.e. jailbreak iPad 2) does not need to be connected to your computer, and let’s you use all of your applications without much difficultly. Furthermore, this mod will not be affected if your battery dies, which makes it preferred over the others.

Option 2: Semi-tethered Modification
Semi-tethered modification, unlike untethered modification, will not work to its full potential if the battery dies, unless performing a reboot while plugged into your computer. This is not to say it isn’t functional, but it will not allow you to use all your apps. Until you plug your device into a computer, you will not be able to restore all of the former functions of the mod, and you will be running in a semi-functional state.

Option 3: Tethered Modification
Tethered modification will not function correctly at all if you let your device’s battery die. Every time you reboot your device you will need a computer connection, otherwise your device will not reboot properly, and you will be stuck staring blankly at a frozen Cydia screen. This mod can be discouraging, frustrating, and a downright pain in the neck.

To save some precious time, energy, and a likely headache, do yourself a favor and stick with an untethered modification. Here’s how you do it.

How To Jailbreak iPad 2

When the program Absinthe was released, it made an untethered modification quick, easy, and secure. Being the first of its kind, this app works for basically any Apple device (i.e. idevices) and for the following operating systems: Windows, Mac, OS, and Linux. This program is designed for a novice, it’s very user-friendly, and will not require any background knowledge of these specific technologies.

Getting started with the modification requires you to back up the device before the install to avoid any sort of unnecessary data loss. Once this has been completed, you must download Absinthe to your computer.

1. Launch the app Absinthe onto your computer system, and when prompted, follow the steps to access Absinthe.
2. After the installation has finished, plug the desired device (in this case, we have a jailbreak iPad 2) into your computer.
3. In a few moments, Absinthe will recognize and identify your device (make sure it does recognize your device), and then it will ask you to “set free” the device. Click this button located in the center of your screen.
4. After you select and click the jailbreak button, the installation mod will inform you the jailbreak has begun and that it may take awhile, but truthfully, it should take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.
5. As the download persists, it will tell you ‘sending initial jailbreak data’ then ‘sending final jailbreak data.’ This will be followed by something along the lines of ‘restore in progress’ then ‘waiting for reboot.’
6. Upon completion, your device will restart and the Cydia icon will appear on your desktop.
7. Click on the icon, which will open Cydia, and prepare your file-system. This will take a few minutes, and finally, your finished!

Do NOT unplug your device during this entire process!

Part 2 – Jailbreak Apps every iPad User Needs

Welcome back to our 3 part series on jailbreak apps that every iPad user should have. This is aimed at those of you who are new to the jailbreak scene and today we cover jailbreak apps for speed and productivity along with a few really cool apps that you should not be without.

Speed and Productivity

Action Menu – Free

Do you use the cut/copy/paste feature on your iPad?  This app adds an awful lot of customization to the feature, taking it to a completely new level.  When you install it, you need to access the settings within the app and start configuring it how you want it.

If you really like the app, consider paying $2.99 to get the Plus pack that goes with it. This gives you a few more actions that are helpful and the choice of sending any text that you highlight in a tweet.

Xpandr – $1.99

There are not many apps that will save you a great deal of time but Xpandr does.  This app allows you to set up shortcuts for any word or phrase and it can be used anywhere in the iOS. It does not matter what shortcuts you set as long as it saves you time.

MultiIconMover -Free

MultiIconMover is a useful app that lets you move more than one app icon at a time.  All you do is long press on an app icon so they all start joggling and then tap on each icon you want to move. Now you can move several icons at once to a new page, tap on the Home button and it’s all done.

Fast Copy – Free

Fast Copy is a very simple app that removes the lag when you are using cut/copy/paste actions.  While it may seem like a small thing, it can save you quite a bit of time when you are copying and pasting text from one location to another.

FakeClockUp – Free

This is a jailbreak app that will give you some significant time savings. What it does is it accelerates the UIKit transition animation, speeding up performance in the iOS.  While the newer iPads are already super fast, this will suit the older models who do not benefit from blazing fast processors.

QuickGoogle

This jailbreak app allows you to use Google as a search option from anywhere within the iOS.  You will need to download Activator and set up a gesture but it will speed up your productivity no end.

ManualCorrect

Auto Correct is a real pain in the proverbial at times; it may as well not be there because you have to check everything that has been written to make sure it is right.  ManualCorrect changes the way it works by offering up suggestions for a misspelled or unusual word instead of auto correcting.

Cool Apps

Display Recorder – $4.99

DisplayRecorder is a really cool jailbreak app in that it lets you record whatever is on your iPad screen.  You can record direct to high quality AVI, there is a web interface that helps you to manage your recordings and you can up load your recording to YouTube direct from your iPad.

There are loads of options for customization and the option to control your iPad display from your desktop.

VLC Media Player – Free

VLC is one of the more popular video apps, just with more options than most.  What makes it popular is the fact that it will support a high number of file formats, especially those that cannot be played through iTunes.

That concludes part 2 of this series. Join us next week for the final part when we talk about a number of essential system apps available from Cydia.

Part 1 – Jailbreak Apps every iPad User Needs

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If you are new to the scene of jailbreaking, you might be wondering what to do with your iPad once you have jailbroken it. That is what we are here for, to help you out and point you in the right direction. Today we are going to start a series about the best jailbreak apps that every iPad user should have.

The Basics

First up are the basic jailbreak apps that you should download straight away:

OpenSSH

This app lets you SSH into your iPad, via your PC, and access your file system. You can move files, share them, change them or edit them.

Activator

One of the most popular apps on Cydia, Activator allows you to set up all manner of gestures on your iPad. This means that you can set up short cuts to access certain aspects of iOS, cutting down on the length of time taken to do something. For example, you can set up a gesture that will open your control center or notification center. You can either use swipes, taps or even set the physical buttons to do things.  Many of the apps on Cydia require Activator so make it one of your first downloads.

SBSettings

This is one of the longest serving apps in Cydia and one for the most downloaded. SBSettings gives you quick access to your system toggles so that you can enable or disable things like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in an instant.  It also includes a few themes so you can change the look of your iPad at the same time.

CyDelete

CyDelete lets you remove Cydia apps from your springboard in the same manner that you would ordinary apps.  A long press on the app will make all the icons jiggle and then you can delete them by pressing on the cross in the corner of each icon.

The Essentials

No jailbroken iPad would be complete without these essential apps:

iFile

iFile is an alternative to the file manager system on your iPad. It’s an app that makes syncing with your cloud storage easy and you can also edit your files, move and share them and so much more. It’s not free, it will cost you $4 in Cydia but that is a small price to pay for such an awesome tool.

PkgBackup

When we talk about backing up your files, we do not just mean your photos etc. Using this package you can also back up all of your Cydia packages to that, in the event you lose everything, you can get them back easily. You can also sync with Cloud storage as well for extra security.

iSHSHit

This one is for saving those SHSH blobs, something that you must do every time you update your firmware. These are to help you downgrade to an older firmware should you ever wish to in the future.  Your blobs can be emailed to you or can be stored on Cydia.

WinterBoard

If you want to change the look of your iPad, you need WinterBoard. This is the most popular theming app there is. It does contain a few themes of its own but you will need WinterBoard for virtually every theme app on Cydia.

RetinaPad

iPhone apps never look very good on the iPad. They go all pixelated and look, well, terrible. RetinaPad upscales the iPhone apps so that they will run on the iPad without any loss of quality, even on full screen mode.  Again, it is not free bit it will only cost $2.99.

That is part 1 of our essential iPad apps feature. Please join us next week for the next installment.

8 Common Jailbreak Utilities

Following from our article containing a number of common jailbreak terms, this time we are going to go over some of the more common jailbreak utilities that you should download and install.

WinterBoard

This is one app that you will need if you are going to theme your iPad after jailbreaking.  WinterBoard contains a number of themes in itself but is also a required app for virtually all theme apps on Cydia.

Whenever you install a theme app, all the bits that you can change will be visible within the WinterBoard app. All you need to do is open WinterBoard and choose what you are going to theme.  Some developers have made it so that their apps are split into components, while others have made just one single package that will theme a number of things in one hit.

That way, you can use several different theme apps to mix and match and make your iOS device look how you want it to.  If you have not downloaded WinterBoard when you try to install a theme, it will automatically download for you.

SBSettings

SBSettings in one of the main reasons why people jailbreak. It is a completely free app that allows you quick access to your system setting toggles. There are a number of different themes and plug-ins that you can download for SBSettings separately.

The app also lets you hide icons that you do not want to see or do not use, useful if you cannot actually uninstall the app.  You can keep a better eye on your memory usage and see what apps are running at any one time, giving you an idea of what is using your memory and battery.

iWipeCache

iOS never used to cache icons in ways that created problems, unlike now. Whenever you change your theme you might notice that some icons stay the way they were and do not change.

You used to have SSH into your device and get rid of the cache from certain folders but this app makes the process easy by doing it all for you.

OpenSSH

This utility allows you to SSH into your device and use a file client to access your file system.  This means you can edit the system, moving files where you want them and edit them in any way.

Notification Replacement Apps

There are a number of different jailbreak apps in Cydia that will allow you to replace your Notification app. IntelliscreenX, LockInfo and Notified Pro are 3 of the best ones. You will find most offer a free trial to allow you to see how they work first. Even with iOS 7 in place, these apps still offer more in the way of functionality.

SMS Apps and Add-Ons

As with the notification Center, there are also a number of apps that give you better SMS functions. BiteSMS is the most popular but there are other options and it is a case of playing around with them to see which one suits you.  Most apps give you QuickReply features and some work with Activator to create quick access gestures so you do not have to exit your current app to reply to a message.

MyWi

Some carriers have decided that you should pay to tether your iPad. MyWi lets you do the same thing for a one-off fee of $19.99.  In addition, you can tether as many devices as you want, whereas carriers charger per device.

MyWi lets you turn your iPad into a personal hotspot, thus allowing other devices to use it to connect to the internet.

My3G

My3G is another app that gets past Apple and some carriers restrictions. It lets your iPad trick certain apps into thinking they are on a Wi-Fi connection when they are currently running on a cellular data network.

It is a great app for those large downloads when you are not near a Wi-Fi connection and you can also use FaceTime as well.

As you can see, its certainly worthwhile jailbreaking your iPad. You can do so much more with it and actually make it worth the money its cost you to buy.

7 Common Jailbreak Terms

When it comes to Jailbreaking, whether it is an iPhone, and iPad or an iPod Touch, there are 3 schools of people – the experts, the in-betweens who know enough and the complete newbies.  This guide is designed mainly for the latter group.

Jailbreaking is not a complicated process; it simply requires you to have the right equipment and a few minutes of time as well as purchasing the correct software for the job.  Understanding some of the terms used in the jailbreak community can be a little more difficult so, to help you out, we are going to explain 7 of the most common terms:

Jailbreak

This is the most obvious one but one that still gets misinterpreted. Jailbreaking is simply the process of breaking through the layers of security that Apple places in the iOS firmware.  It allows you to modify your iPad using a choice of thousands of different apps that are available in Cydia, the jailbreak app store.

Unlocking

Although this isn’t much to do with the topic at hand, it is a term that still gets mixed up with Jailbreaking. Unlocking means freeing your iPad or iPhone from the lock that your carrier has placed on it. This lock means that you can only use SIM cards from that specific carrier in your device.

Cydia

Cydia is the jailbreakers’ version of the official Apple App store. Indeed, some of the apps that have found their home here have been rejected by Apple because they do not meet their strict requirements.

In actual fact, Cydia has been around a lot longer than the App store. It is home to thousands of different apps or packages, each one stored in a repository.  Each repository can have any number of different apps in it, some by a specific developer and others containing a wide range of apps.

A certain number of repositories are included with Cydia as standard but there are others that you can add.

Recovery Mode/DFU Mode

These are another 2 terms that are muddled up yet each one is distinct and they are both very different.  To determine which mode you are in, just look at your iPad screen – if the connect to iTunes logo is present, along with a Slide for Emergency slider, your iPad is in recovery mode. If, on the other hand, only the iTunes logo is present, without a slider, or your screen is completely blank, you are in DFU mode.

Recovery mode talks to something called iBoot – this is the part that runs a check to ensure everything is genuine on your device. You cannot downgrade the iOS in this mode.

DFU mode, on the other hand, bypasses iBoot, thus fooling iTunes into believing your iPad is running genuine software, allowing you to downgrade if you can.

Baseband

The baseband is your modem – the part that controls the signal and service antennae on your iPad. You need to know what your modem version or baseband number is before you unlock or jailbreak.  Not all software suits all baseband models, although in recent years, this has become less and less of a problem, especially for Jailbreaking. This is only relevant if you use an iPad that uses a SIM card, as Wi-Fi does not rely on basebands to work.

Springboard

The springboard on your iPad is exactly the same as the desktop on your computer.  It is the interface that you work from. Sometimes you will hear people talk about respringing – this means to restart your springboard, or interface. This normally happens when you install jailbreak apps from Cydia.

From now on, when you hear these terms you will know exactly what they mean. Next week, we will continue by giving you some of the more common jailbreak utilities, telling you what they are for and how to use them.

In the meantime, if you have not jailbroken your iPad yet, go ahead, do it, and enjoy the results.

 

A Safe & Legal Jailbreak iPad 2

The Internet is filled with scams looking to make you pay for an inadequate download, including an iPad 2 jailbreak, but after first charging you for the app, the download is a bust. For this reason, if you want to know how to perform an iPad 2 jailbreak, or any idevice jailbreak, make sure you research what you’re downloading before doing so. Also, do not discount free downloads just because you do not have to pay for them. Every now and then, a free download can be less risky than one you pay for because the providers are not looking to profit from your purchase. Yes, there are those who would like nothing more than to crash your operating system for fun, but not every computer hacker and/or jailbreak provider is so cynical!

iPad 2 Jailbreak Benefits (iPhone, iPod included)

Now, someone might ask why bother with such risks in crashing a device so dear to you, but they cannot wrap their heads around the magnitude and usability of a successful jailbreak. Setting your computer/operating system free from it’s restrictions is like releasing a prisoner from his bonds, it’s liberation from the limitations placed upon your computer by it’s manufacturer, and the possibilities of third-party applications are endlessly available! All this can be carried out safely and securely if done properly as long as you do not stray from the path, and do not attempt to modify the files yourself at the root level. The benefits of a jailbreak iPad 2 greatly outweigh any negative aspect of doing so. The possibility of using applications you’d never be able to download without being set free, downloading themes that change the entire set-up and look of your device, and being able to tweak many things however you’d like, are enough to convince an avid user of these products to open their eyes.

If you are not satisfied and are hoping to see your device at its full potential, consider downloading a jailbreaking tool for free from one of the following trusted providers:

• Snowbreeze
• Redsnow
• Absinthe
• Greenpoison
• Limerain
• Blackrain
• Jailbreakme

Legal Terms & Conditions Of A Jailbreak

Many wonder at the legality of a jailbreak, but like many issues concerning the Internet, this is a hard area to nail down in legislation. Of course, the question of how to jailbreak iPad 2 has come under-fire and discussion because the companies who provide the hardware (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) are not completely ignorant to the fact that this is being carried out by countless third-party users around the world. Let’s face it; the programmers who are designing this software within the industry are likely just as informed as the rest of the tech-world about hacks and shortcuts available to users on the Internet.

The United States Government actually ruled that under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act doing this is completely legal and permitted within the United States, and so far, nothing of this nature has gained any attention in Europe. To sum it up, to this point, there are still no legal ramifications for customizing your purchased device from the manufacturer and/or from the store in which it is being sold.

The bottom line on the matter is that you, the consumer, have purchased the product from the manufacturer, and as the owner, after having paid for the product, should be able to manipulate this device in the way, which you so choose. Because the product is yours (i.e. iPad 2), you should be able to make the decision to either download a soft mod (jailbreak) or to not download it. You are expected to understand the consequence of performing these modifications to your computer, and that this manipulation is considered a break from the terms and conditions of your warranty. This means that you will not be able to receive technical help, troubleshooting, and/or be reimbursed with replacement parts (or the device) without any cost to you.

Apple Inc. also has the legal right to deny any paid services if they see fit, which is usually in the case of an unauthorized change, such as, a jailbreak iPad 2. And finally, if your product has been jail-broken do not expect them to be able to restore it back to what it once was, so tread lightly.

Jailbreak iPad 2 Apps

Jailbreak iPad 2 applications give you the available options to manipulate your device however you want! With a jailbreak iPad 2 you are no longer restricted to solely the App Store, but now, new options are readily available at the click of a button. Cydia, one of a number of trusted jailbreak apps, offer fresh options and applications that you cannot get anywhere else. If anything, jailbreak technology is making strides toward more user-friendly applications, and leaving conventional companies in their wake.

Selection Of Jailbreak iPad 2 Apps

MyWi — Although, this may appear a bit pricey at $20.00 to download, it’s only a one-time fee. Take a minute to look over your bill, and you’ll see just how much your carrier charges you per month. This has long-lasting battery life, acts as a mobile WiFi router, and all-around is well worth the bang for your buck.

SBSettings — Basically, this acts as a mini-dock for your most frequently used settings. You can turn on and off 3G, Bluetooth, WiFi and more with a quick swipe and a tap, rather than having to actually go into your settings to switch them. This only continues to develop new options with every new release of Apple Inc. technologies.

DreamBoard — This platform provides a variety of thematic changes for the entire device. The clarity, depth, and definition of the themes provided enhance every aspect of the product itself, and it’s no wonder that DreamBoard is one of the most frequently downloaded apps on jailbreak iPads.

Barrel — Adds different effects every time you slide your finger over the display screen to turn to a new page. This includes, but is not limited to, 3D-cube transition, dissolve, fade, cross-fade, wipe, ripple, vortex, etc. This app has a very limited selection of settings, but won’t let you down!

True Print — By downloading this app on your jailbreak iPad 2, you will now be able to print from nearly any make or model of printers, unlike what Apple Inc. had originally intended, which was limited to a measly eight different printers. This caused many users to be disappointed in the exclusivity of the product, thus True Print came into being by disgruntled customers.

iGotYa — A security application designed to snap a photo of the perpetrator who attempts to unlock your iPad 2 jailbreak (or iPhone) but incorrectly enters the password. Once configured in your settings, this app will send a picture to the desired email address, if something of this nature happens to your device. So, if you have some pesky friends who attempt to unlock your iPad or iPhone, now you can catch them red-handed.

iBlacklist — This one-of-a-kind app enables users to block calls or SMS messages from specific people, simply by adding in their number. So, if you’ve got a telemarketer calling you everyday at every waking hour, block them, or have an ex who won’t leave you alone, block them! This will ensure some peace and quiet in your life if you so need it!

AdBlocker — This will single-handedly remove all ads that instantly materialize on applications, when playing a game, or when watching a movie. Too bad this isn’t free, but for those of you with a low tolerance for random pop-ups, make the move and purchase this.

Icon Renamer — The name speaks for itself. Every default app that you cannot not delete or rename can now be altered on your iPad 2 jailbreak. All you need to know after downloading this app is double-tap on the icon you wanted to rename, and add type in whatever pleases you.

Multicon Mover — More of a convenience and practical app than anything, this enables the user to move multiple icons simultaneously on the springboard. For users with overloads of applications, this can be a very useful tool when doing some cleaning up. Press and hold any icon of your choosing until it starts bouncing around, then tap the icons you want to move and simply drag any one of them to the destination you desire.

Grid Lock — Instead of having to drop each icon into a vertical and horizontal grid structure on your jailbreak iPad 2, this enables you to place any of your icons at random anywhere on the screen. To put it simply, this allows you to make and create your own ordered chaos.