Jailbreaking the iPod Touch 2G for dummies

UPDATE: For OS 3.0 jailbreak, click here.

I’m a newbie at jailbreaking but I just did it with my iPod Touch 2G (2.2.1 firmware) easily. It took me almost an hour mainly due to the number of apps and music it needs to sync back to my device.jailbreak

First here are some things you might want to know:

  • Your music won’t get lost. You can restore and sync them back when finished.
  • Your app data such as e-books for your Stanza will also be restored
  • There are many cool things you can do with your iPod once jailbroken ;)
  • Don’t install firmware updates until a jailbreak for that version is released.
  • You can still revert your iPod back to its original state

For this jailbreak, I used QuickFreedom 1.1.1 which made it easy for me. Go ahead and download it from their site. Then install the file (setup.exe) and launch the program. I’m using Windows XP Home here but this should also work in Vista.

It’s quite easy to follow but here’s a step-by-step process anyway:

1. Click Jailbreak iPod.

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2. Then click Install LIBUSB. This is required and cannot be skipped.

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When you’re done, just click Next.

You might still see the “LIBUSB – Not installed” message even after installing it but just ignore it. Just continue and click Next.

If you haven’t updated your iPod to 2.21 firmware, you need to download it. Click the download original 2.21 firmware button or if it doesn’t work, download it manually from this site.

3. Next is for you to Create Firmware. Go ahead and click the button.

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This will create a custom firmware on your desktop that you will need later.

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It took me less than 10 minutes to complete this one but some people experienced more than 20 minutes. It depends on the speed of your machine.

4 Here’s the tricky part. You have to put your iPod into DFU mode. Fortunately there’s a DFU Instructions button for you to refer to.

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What I did is I clicked the Power button off before connecting my iPod. Immediately after connecting, hold the Power and Home button for 7 seconds. Then let go of the Power button while continue pressing the Home button for another 7 seconds.

If you got it right, you should see this message on your system tray:

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5. Now you can go ahead and click Start Pre-Jailbreak.

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At some point, your iPod’s screen will turn white. This is a good sign.

When done, you should see a popup message saying that your iPod was successfully put into Pre-Jailbreak mode.

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Doing good!

6. Click Next and you will reach the last screen:

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The instructions are already there so open iTunes and just follow it. You’re done with QuickFreedom by the way.

7. In iTunes, you will notice that your iPod’s info is blank. You need to apply the custom firmware into it. Hold Shift and Click Restore.

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8. Browse for the Custom Firmware.ispw on your Dekstop and Click Open.

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Then prepare to wait some more. I think this one took me 20 minutes.

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If you’re getting 1604/160x errors when you’re trying to restore your iPod, there’s a step by step guide on how to fix it here.

Congratulations! If you see Cydia and Installer in your iPod, that means you are successful!

Sync your files again

When done, you can now restore your files from the backup it made every time you plug in your iPod.

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This process took me about 30 minutes and I have to re-sync some of the music and apps that were not included in the backup.

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That’s it. I hope you’re successful in jailbreaking your iPod Touch 2G. If you run into problems, check their thread at the iPodTouchFans forum.

Now I’m gonna go download themes and some games.



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47 Responses to “Jailbreaking the iPod Touch 2G for dummies”

  1. julie says:

    hi there calvin,

    hope you can help me with my problem..I also jailbreak my 2g 2.2.1 using a redsnow. the instruction was from youtube. I encounter same problem as Cathy. After I installed winterboard, Cydia stops working. Everytime I install something, the screen returns to home page.

    Please help..this really stresses me..

    thanks so much for your time.

    • Calvin says:

      Hi Julie, sorry but i haven’t encountered that problem yet. why not restore to 3.1.3 firmware then use spiritjb instead? It’s a simpler way to jailbreak.

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