| Developer(s) | iPhone Dev Team |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux |
| Website | http://blog.iphone-dev.org/ |
redsn0w is a free iOS jailbreaking tool developed by the iPhone Dev Team, capable of executing jailbreaks on many iOS devices by using low-level boot ROM exploits. It is a desktop application that enables users to jailbreak an iOS device (connected to the desktop computer with a standard USB charging cable) by clicking a series of buttons.
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redsn0w supports most iPhones (excluding the iPhone 4S), most iPod touches, and the original iPad (but not the second iPad). Depending on the device and the iOS version, redsn0w provides either a tethered or untethered jailbreak ("tethered" means that if the device reboots, the user must plug the device into a computer and use redsn0w to boot the device).[1]
To execute a jailbreak on a device, redsn0w reads a copy of the stock firmware file from Apple and then runs a payload directly on the device in the form of a RAM disk. redsn0w uses exploits including limera1n,[2] 24kpwn, Pwnage, and Pwnage 2.0.
Boot ROM exploits such as limera1n mean that supported devices are permanently able to be jailbroken tethered,[3][4] since firmware updates from Apple cannot update the devices at the Boot ROM level (although redsn0w usually needs to have minor updates to support each new firmware version). redsn0w uses additional exploits (specific to each firmware) to produce untethered jailbreaks.[5]
Jailbreaking with redsn0w automatically installs Cydia, the popular third-party software installer.[6]
redsn0w also includes extra features that allow a user to enable multitasking, wallpaper, and other features on certain iOS devices that do not officially support those features.[7]
In early versions of redsn0w (prior to 0.9.9b1), the user selects the appropriate iOS IPSW (firmware file) for the connected device and firmware — which can be downloaded from iTunes or from various locations on the internet, since iTunes deletes old firmware files.
In recent versions (after 0.9.9b1), redsn0w automatically recognizes the device software and Boot ROM, and then downloads the required files directly from Apple.[6][2]
| Device | Latest iOS version compatible | redsn0w version compatible | Exploit compatible | Untethered? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (original) | 3.1.3 | redsn0w 0.9.4 | Pwnage+Pwnage 2.0 | Yes |
| iPhone 3G | 4.2.1 | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | Pwnage+Pwnage 2.0 | Yes |
| iPhone 3GS | 5.0.1[6] | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | limera1n/ 24kpwn untether | Yes |
| iPhone 4 (GSM) | 5.0.1[6] | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | limera1n | Yes |
| iPhone 4 (CDMA) | 5.0.1[6] | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | limera1n | Yes |
| iPhone 4S | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| iPod Touch 1st Gen | 3.1.3 | redsn0w 0.9.4 | Pwnage+ Pwnage 2.0 | Yes |
| iPod Touch 2nd Gen | 4.2.1 | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | ARM7 GO from iOS 2.1.1+24kpwn untether | Yes |
| iPod Touch 3rd Gen | 5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | limera1n | Yes |
| iPod Touch 4th Gen | 5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | limera1n | Yes |
| iPad 1 | 5.0.1 | redsn0w 0.9.10b3 | limera1n | Yes |
| iPad 2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |