SHSH blobs from Cydia Doesn't Allow Downgrade on iOS 6

iOS downgrade

Just recently, Apple released iOS 6.1.3 and many people that loved their jailbroken devices blindly updated only to find out that it is impossible to jailbreak iOS 6.1.3.

Desperately, many of sort to downgrade back to 6.1.2 or lower for those with iPhone 3GS & 4 only to end up with a device in soft DFU loop; that is device refuses to boot up.

Across various forums and discussion sites, this problem have been reported by those that tried downgrading using SHSH blobs saved on Cydia servers. Those that downgraded using blobs saved with iFaith and TinyUmbrella hardly experience this problem. This problem received little answer as to why it happens.

Well, Saurik, the guy behind Cydia offered some insights as to why this problem occur. This you can find here for better understanding. 

In summary, what he is saying is that Apple have implemented a kind of mechanism that only allow the restoration to most recent firmwares, more like most recent and two others before it. Also, all of the APTickets Cydia itself requested from Apple for iOS 6 are useless coupled with incomplete shsh blobs. Thus it causes problems for those that try to restore to a earlier iOS using blobs from Cydia.

What is important is that for now, you should always save SHSH blobs locally as soon as you upgrade to a new firmware when it is still been signed.

Although, it has become visible that newer devices won't be downgrade-able but for those still using the iPhone 3GS and 4, it  is advised that you always save blobs locally by using tools like TinyUmbrella and iFaith.

We hope that, this cat and mouse thing going between Apple and users will end one day with the victory at the users side.

How To Downgrade iOS 6.1.3 To Earlier iOS Versions

So you accidentally updated your device to iOS 6.1.3 without thinking but you want to be able to jailbreak?
Well, you can downgrade your device to earlier versions of iOS like 6.1.2, 6.1.1, 6.1, 6.0 and even 5.1.1.
The good thing about earlier versions of the iOS is that they can be jailbroken untethered compared to iOS 6.1.3 that can not be jailbroken untethered.

Please follow the steps below carefully. Don't skip any step. Also, make sure that you have all the requirements below.

For this guide, I am downgrading to iOS 5.1.1 on an iPhone 4 GSM. Consequently, depending on the version you want to restore to (X), iOS 5.1.1 = X for you.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Redsn0w 0.9.15b3
2. 6.0 stock IPSW download here
3. 5.1.1 stock IPSW download here
4. 5.1.1 SHSH blobs saved with iFaith 1.5.6 latest version
5. iTunes 11
6. iReb r7 download here

Procedures

STEP 1. Download Redsn0w 0.9.15b3 here. Extract and place on Desktop

STEP 2. Launch Redsn0w 0.9.15b3 in Administrator mode

STEP 3. Click on Extras and then click on SHSH blobs as shown in the image below

STEP 4. Click on Stich and then on IPSW

STEP 5. Select your IPSW. iOS 5.1.1 in my case. You will notice that its a custom IPSW with NO_BB attached to its name. This is to enable me prevent baseband upgrade.

 STEP 6. Click on Open. Click Local and select the blob corresponding to your iOS version

STEP 7.  Redsn0w will build you a stitched IPSW as shown in the image below and would be stored in a folder. The new IPSW will begin with numbers

STEP 8. Go back on Redsn0w and click Extras then Pwned DFU. Follow the instructions to put your device in DFU mode.

STEP 9. Once in DFU mode, close Redsn0w and Launch iTunes

STEP10. iTunes will detect your device in Restore mode. Hold shift on your keyboard and click on Restore.

STEP 11. Select the IPSW that Redsn0w stitched for you

 

STEP 12. iTunes will begin restoring to that IPSW. if you encounter any Error, use iReb r7 to fix it. To do this, run iReb and click on your device as shown in the image below

STEP 13. iTunes will successfully restore to iOS 5.1.1. Now close iTunes and check your device. It will be running iOS 5.1.1

STEP 14. For those restoring to iOS 6.1.2 or 6.1, you will have to boot tethered with Redsn0w. So launch Redsn0w and click on Extras.

STEP 15. Click on Select IPSW and point it to iOS 6.0 IPSW

STEP 16. Click on Just boot and then put device in DFU mode. You can also use iReb to put device in DFU mode.

STEP 17. If you get stucked on the Pineapple or Evasion logo, Close Redsn0w and launch again. Click Extras and Select IPSW again and point it to iOS 6.0 and then Just boot tethered again

I hope this helps someone. 

Note, this can also be achieved with the help of Snowbreeze 2.9.13 also if you are not comfortable with Redsn0w. The procedure is the same and the steps are also the same.

Feel free to drop comments on your success story and issues that you might have encountered and i will try to help resolve it

Jailbreak And SHSH blobs

Jailbreak and SHSH blobs can be very confusing for some people especially those that are new to the Apple world.

Knowledge they say is power. If you have knowledge and understanding on a particular topic you won't have issues dealing with that topic.
 
At the time of this writing, it is not recommended to update your iDevice to iOS 6.1.3 if you intend on jailbreaking your device untethered. Furthermore, save your SHSH blobs with the software listed above.

However, if you do not plan to jailbreak your device, feel free to update to the latest iOS version.

Apple devices are one of the best kind of devices out there. Its so simple to use and relatively stable and reliable but there things you need to know when using an Apple device. Continue after the jump.

 This piece is especially recommended for those that are new to using Apple devices and are wondering what all these terms means.

Jailbreak 

Jailbreak is an activity that involves the running of certain programmed codes on an Apple device in other to lift restrictions or boundaries on the Apple Operating System (iOS) placed by Apple while giving the user of the device super user or full access to the device's system. Jailbreaking allow one to run unsigned applications that naturally would not run if it wasn't jailbroken.
There are 3 kinds of jailbreak: Tethered, Semi-tethered and Untethered
Tethered: device will not boot up until its jailbroken again whenever device goes off
Semi-tethered: Some apps will not function when device is turned off/on again until a jailbreak is performed on the device
Untethered: device will perform well, apps will run well if device is turned off/on - no need to re-jailbreak

Untethered jailbreak is the most preferable form of jailbreak.
Brand new Apple device are not in a jailbreak state. Apple frowns at it. As far as Apple is concerned it voids your warranty whenever you jailbreak your device. However, used devices bought may already have been jailbroken. 

One of the ways you can know if a device is jailbroken is by the Cydia  icon on the home screen
Benefits: it gives you total control over your device and you can install whatever you please on the device

Software that help to jailbreak Apple products are numerous but the most popular ones are

Evasi0n
 

Redsn0w
 

Snowbreeze
 

Absinthe


At the time of this writing. Evasi0n is the tool recommended to jailbreak untethered iOS 6.0 - 6.1.2 on all devices.
Redsn0w is able to perform a tethered jailbreak on iOS 6.0 - 6.1.3 on selected devices

Downgrade
Downgrading refer to a process of Installing an earlier version of Apple's iOS on a device instead of the most current iOS.
Usually, whenever, a new iOS is released, it becomes impossible to install a previous version of the iOS. However, ways have been designed to make this possible provided SHSH blobs have been saved for that iOS one intends to install.

Downgrade is only possible for pre A5 devices. This means that iPhone 4S and 5  are not possible to downgrade. For example, an iPhone 4 with iOS 6.1.3 installed can be downgraded to iPhone 4 6.1.2 if the SHSH blobs are saved. However, iPhone 4S can't achieve that even if SHSH blobs are saved.
Furthermore, apart from the firmware or iOS downgrade, there is also a downgrade of something called baseband. Just like the iOS downgrade, baseband downgrade is only possible for iPhone 3G and 3GS but not possible for later generation of iDevices.

SHSH Blobs
This is a kind of file saved on all devices whenever an iOS is installed on  the device. Its a kind of signature that  accompanies all iOS that are installed on a device.
This file is also store on Cydia server for those that have a jailbroken device but can also be saved on a computer with the help of softwares like iFaith and TinuUmbrella.
The benefit of having saved SHSH blobs is that it gives certain devices (pre A5 devices only) the ability to downgrade their iOS in the future if they so please even if Apple isn't signing it on their servers anymore.

The recommendation is that one should always save SHSH blobs locally with the help of iFaith and TinyUmbrella just in case there is a need to downgrade iOS.
That is, when you upgrade your iOS, do a saving of the device's SHSH blobs and keep on your computer.


At the time of this writing, it is not recommended to update your iDevice to iOS 6.1.3 if you intend on jailbreaking your device untethered. Furthermore, save your SHSH blobs with the software listed above.

However, if you do not plan to jailbreak your device, feel free to update to the latest iOS version.

More terms would be added to the list. However, it is pertinent to note that proper information is needed before you upgrade to any firmware or attemp to jailbreak any iDevice .

feel free to ask questions on any term you do not understand and any task you are not sure of carrying out.
 

How To Make Gevey on iOS 6.1 iPhone 4 Work Flawlessly

Updated:

I decided to upgrade an iPhone 4 with baseband 04.10.01 running iOS 5.1.1. The device was hacktivated and unlocked using Gevey.

After 30 minutes I successfully landed on iOS 6.1 baseband 04.10.01 and still unlocked with Gevey sim. Ultrasn0w 1.2.8 couldnt download because it was not compatible with my iOS 6.1 which is strange.

Through out the whole process, both Gevey and SIM remained in the phone.

Here are my steps in a easy fashion and i Hope you find it useful.
This post was published in February before iOS 6.1.3 was launched. If you want to install iOS 6.1 now, you will need SHSH blobs

NEEDED ITEMS

1. Sn0wbreeze 2.9.9

2. iOS 6.1  - 6.1.2 IPSW

3. Internet connection

4. Redsn0w 0.9.15b3

5. Ultrasn0w 1.2.7 and Mobile Substrate

6. iTools or iFunbox or iExplorer

NOTE 1: This post does not apply to those that want to upgrade to iOS 6.1.3

NOTE 2: If you want to update to the IPSW in this post as of now (1/March /2013), you will need SHSH blobs

NOTE 3: To learn more about SHSH blobs, click here

Step 1

Back-up your device with iTunes. Also, make sure all your apps are transferred into your iTunes

Step 2

Download iOS 6.1 for your device here. Please make sure you select the right one as there are 3 kinds of IPSW for iPhone 4 iOS 6.1 with regards to the model (written at the lower back of the phone)

If your model is A1332 then you will download iPhone 4 (GSM iPhone3,1)

if your model is NOT A1332 and NOT A1349 (CDMA) then you will download iPhone 4 (GSM iPhone3,2) iOS 6.1 version.

Step 3

Download Sn0wbreeze 2.9.9 here.

Step 4

Create a custom firmware with Sn0wbreeze to avoid your baseband upgrade. To achieve this:

• launch and extract the previously downloaded Sn0wbreeze on your desktop.
• Click OK when it opens, click on the blue arrow and then select your newly downloaded iOS IPSW
• Sn0wbreeze will identify this and then you click on the blue arrow again.
• Select 'Simple mode'. You will be asked if you want to activate. Click yes.
• Sn0wbreeze will begin creating the modified IPSW and will be saved on desktop as Sn0wbreeze.xxxxx when done.

Step 5

Put your device in Pwnd DFU mode. by following the instructions given to you by Sn0wbreeze.

If you have a broken Home key, use Redsn0w to enter Pwn DFU mode. follow this tip

• launch Redsn0w (latest verion)
• Click Extras, and then click Even more, finally click on DFU IPSW
• Click OK and then select the first ORIGINAL IPSW you downloaded, NOT the Sn0wbreeze version.
• Once you have done, Redsn0w will create a new IPSW named as ENTER_DFU_iPhone3,1_6.1_10B144_Restore

• Now connect your phone to your computer and let iTunes detect it. Click on phone and you will be taken to the summary page. Hold down the Shift button on your computer and click on Restore.

• Select  'ENTER_DFU_iPhone3,1_6.1_10B144_Restore' that Redsn0w created for you.

• iTunes would try to restore to that modified IPSW, it will even show progress bar, show the iTunes logo at a point. Don't panic. After a while, it will enter DFU mode.

• You can confirm the DFU mode with Redsn0w

********

NB: To avoid error 1600 when doing the main restore, launch Sn0wbreeze and then click on iReb at the top-left and run it. You would be asked if you want to run for Apple TV 2. Click no and then click 'start' at the bottom. Your device will enter Pwnd DFU mode.

Step 6

iTunes will immediately detect your device in restore mode. Do the Shift + Restore again and then select the IPSW that Sn0wbreeze created for you.

Step7

iTunes will restore to it successfully and you will be in iOS 6.1 with preserved baseband. Phone will reboot and Evasi0n untethered jailbreak will kick in. Don't touch your device while its happening.

When its done, set up your device and Don't enable Location Services. Check your baseband

Step8

If you have a broken home key, use Assistive Touch for your Home key use.

Launch Cydia and let it download the necessary packages and then exit.

********
Most people are not experiencing issue with Ultrasn0w 1.2.8. However, if you have issues with it and prefer the 1.2.7 version, use the steps below

Step 9

Download iTools and Ultrasn0w 1.2.7 from here and extract to your desktop. Connect your device to your computer and launch iTools.

iTools will detect your device. Click on FileSystem and then type in the address at the top /var/root/Media/Cydia/AutoInstall/as seen in the image.

Step 10

Click on Upload>file and then select the two files you downloaded (ultrasn0w 1.2.7 and mobile substrate)

Step 11

Reboot  your device twice and then you will see your network bars showing up.

After all done, you should be in iOS 6.1 with the same baseband as before and unlocked with Gevey sim.

Beware of These 5 Fake Jailbreak Tools

One of the most anticipated tool is that tool that is supposed to jailbreak the iOS 6.1 untethered on all Apple devices.
Contrary to the popular ones we have always had from Chronic Dev-team, this one is coming from the Evad3rs team and the name of the tool is Evasi0n which will be released on Sunday.

However, people could be easily fooled with fake jailbreak tools that promises to jailbreak all iDevices on iOS 6.1 untethered. these fake tools are listed below and you are advised NOT to use them or PAY for any of them as they can render your device unusable or install spyware into your device.
Most importantly, wait patiently for the legitimate jailbreak tool. It is usually free and very stable and legit.

Fake Jailbreak Tools
1. Gull1hack & Blacksn0w V2
These tools by the Gull1hack team have been declared fake by the iPhone Dev-team. The tools was supposedly to jailbreak iPhone and iPod touch devices on the new bootrom untethered.

2. FastRa1n0.5
This particular one says it can jailbreak iOS 5 and later untethered and even charge a whooping $24.99 for it. As far confirmation goes, @comex have said that it is fake and does not work. Consequently, it is fake. Stay away from it.

3. Ghost App
This is yet another jailbreaking tool that promises to jailbreak untethered iOS 5 on all iPhone 3G/3GS/4/4S for $24.99 also. It doesn't even have a demo to try out its functions.
Just like FastRa1n0.5 above, it's not legit, its a fake. Stay away from it

4. Jailbreak
This is got me laughing. It is sold for $9.99 and does nothing. It even featured in the Apple app store at a time ( still wondering how Apple allowed a jailbreak tool in the store anyway). Anyways, it was removed from the store when Apple and Dev-Team found out it was a fake tool.

Unlock iPhone 4S
This tool claim to unlock iPhone 4S on any baseband and also jailbreak untethered. On their website, declaration was made that refund will be made if jailbreak and unlock was unsuccessful. However, no real testimony that it has worked.
The best way to confirm a tool is working is to go to various fora. Here you will hear people are saying about a particular app

THESE ARE LEGITIMATE JAILBREAKING TOOLS
These tools below don't need introduction as they are the most popular legitimate free jailbreaking tool available.

1. Redsn0w
2. Absinthe
3. Sn0wbreeze
4. Evasi0n (particularly for iOS 6.1)

Evasi0n is the most recent of them all which will be released on Sunday 3rd of Feb. 2013 for public download. Created by the evad3rs team (pimskes, pod2j, musclenerd etc).

If you want more news for evasi0n click here
mind you, http://evasi0ndownload.blogspot.com/# seem to be a copy of the original webpage. Don't download from it. The font used and a declaration of a download looks fishy.

Release Date For iOS 6.1 Untetherd Jailbreak Tool For All iDevices

Apple has released four betas for the iOS 6.1 and we are awaiting the release of the final and Gold Master version of iOS 6.1

According to the popular hackers (Planetbeing, pod2g, Musclenerd, Pimskeks) working to get untethered jailbreak for iOS 6, substantial progress have been made to get all required exploits needed to jailbreak iOS 6 untethered for both A4 devices and newer devices.
This conclusion is made in the light of recent tweets (images below) of these brilliant hackers.

However, the only reason it's still not released to the public is because Apple haven't released iOS 6.1 yet.
iOS 6.1 should be released anytime from 28th January. Once released, an untethered jailbreak for all devices running iOS 6.x would be released.

In conclusion, the estimated time of arrival (ETA) for the release of untethered jailbreak of iOS 6.x for all devices would be after The Official public release of iOS 6.1 by Apple.
Till then, stay focused and follow me @akinloluife for updates as events unfolds.