keep up the good work.. we’ll be there!
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.
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.
2. Then click Install LIBUSB. This is required and cannot be skipped.
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.
This will create a custom firmware on your desktop that you will need later.
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.
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:
5. Now you can go ahead and click Start Pre-Jailbreak.
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.
Doing good!
6. Click Next and you will reach the last screen:
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.
8. Browse for the Custom Firmware.ispw on your Dekstop and Click Open.
Then prepare to wait some more. I think this one took me 20 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
You might also be interested in:
- Life after jailbreaking the iPod Touch
- 3rd Gen iPod Touch gets untethered jailbreak with Spirit
- Jailbreak for the iPod Touch running on iOS4
- Quick way to jailbreak your iPod Touch with 3.1 firmware
Filed under: iPod Touch and iPad
Well I kept getting that message so I put all the files that had to do with breaking into one folder , just to make sure the program would find the firmware. It went into the folder too. I also put the LibUSB into that. Folder.
i made it to the restoring in iTunes but it says iPod cannot be restored
yeah it says “an unknown error occurred [13]“
i think mine is jailbroken, it has the logo and stuff, but it stays at that screen
If your iPod cannot be restored, make sure that you are running the latest iTunes.
also delete the downloaded software updates found in:
Windows XP: “\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates”
Windows Vista: “\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates”
then do a hard reset (press top button for 10-15 seconds) before restoring.
I put it into recovery mode(DFU) but when I click start Pre-Jailbreak it says that I need to connect my iPod in DFU mode. Please help!!!
Ahh I figured it out, you just need to do exact timing.
When trying to create my own firmware i get a message saying “cannot create firmware!” what do i do please help me!
That’s odd. you’re using 2G right? did you update the firmware first to 2.21 before jailbreaking? if all else fails maybe it’s the OS. tried doing it in a different machine?
i was using the quick freedom new beta file and when i downloaded the older 1.1.1 version it worked beautifully
calvin: cool!! enjoy your jailbroken ipod. got other posts on what you can do with a jailbroken ipod.
Yeah I know I have this thing running nes, gameboy, and gba games at the moments with a resident evil theme all thanks to your website thanks so much
is there a 3.0 jailbreak out yea for the iPod 2G?
nope. not that i know of. i dont think they’re that quick to release a jailbreak for 3.0
Ok… But then will there be a jailbreak for 3.0