A step by step guide to installing 3rd party software on your iPod Touch

by Ross McKillop on November 21, 2007

iPod

This guide will take you every single step of the way through making sure you have the right iPod software installed, “jailbreaking” your iPod Touch, and then installing 3rd party software on it.

  1. Check your iPod Touch Software Version
  2. Restore to Software Version 1.1.1 (if needed)
  3. Jailbreak your iPod Touch
  4. Installing Software on your iPod Touch

Note: The steps in this guide will be nearly identical if you want to jailbreak your iPhone, with the exception of the “Check your iPod Touch Software Version” and “Restore to Software Version 1.1.1″. The screenshots are specific to OS X, but Windows users should be able to follow along with no problem.

Update: You may want to just use http://www.ziphone.org/ to Jailbreak your iPod (it takes about 45 seconds and is very ‘automated’. Then you can skip most of these steps and jump down to Installing Software on your iPod Touch


Check your iPod Touch Software Version

  1. Plug in your iPod and open iTunes (if it doesn’t automatically). Select your iPod Touch from the DEVICES list.
  2. jailbreak the ipod touch

  3. On the Summary tab make note of the Software Version:
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  5. If it says 1.1.1, skip down to the Jailbreak your iPod Touch section. If it says 1.1.2 (or higher), you’ll need to restore your iPod to 1.1.1


Restore to Software Version 1.1.1

  1. Download this file from Apple, and save it to your Desktop.
  2. With your iPod connected to your computer and iTunes open, select your iPod from the DEVICES list. In the Version section of the Summary tab, hold down the shift key (OS X users hold down the option key) and click the Restore button.
  3. jailbreak the ipod touch

  4. In the window that pops up, select the iPod1,1_1.1.1_3A110a_Restore.ipsw file that you downloaded in step one. Then click Open.
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  6. And now your iPod will restore to version 1.1.1
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  8. Once the restoration has completed, you’ll be prompted with a dialog box. Click OK.
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  10. When prompted select Set up as a new iPod and click Continue.
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  12. Give your iPod a name and decide how you want to sync files. Click Done.
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  14. Check the Software Version: to make sure that it’s now 1.1.1.
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  16. Now you’re ready to jailbreak your iPod Touch - continue on with the Jailbreak your iPod Touch section.


Jailbreak your iPod Touch

  1. Using Safari on your iPod Touch, open the web site http://jailbreakme.com and click the Install AppSnapp link. Note: if you view the site using anything other than an iPhone or iPod Touch, it won’t display the Install AppSnapp link.
  2. jailbreak the ipod touch
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  3. Make sure to give AppSnapp at least a minute to install. Eventually (not very long) your iPod Touch will reboot. Once it starts again, you’ll have a new icon (Installer) on your iPod Touch ‘home’ screen.
  4. jailbreak the ipod touch
    click to enlarge

  5. That’s it. Your iPod Touch is now ready to install 3rd party software.


Installing Software on your iPod Touch

  1. Tap (touch?) the Installer icon on your home screen.
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  3. Tap the Install button at the bottom of the window.
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  5. Scroll through the categories and explore all of the software you can now install.
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  7. There’s a lot to choose from, and more all the time. Installing software is as easy as tapping Install a couple of times. Everything is done automatically.
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Related Posts:
  • How to accurately relocate the cursor in Notes for your iPhone or iPod Touch
  • How to reorder the icons on your iPhone or iPod Touch springboard
  • How to customize the music icons (buttons) on your iPhone or iPod Touch
  • How to take screenshots of your iPhone or iPod Touch screen
  • How to control iTunes with your iPhone or iPod Touch
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    { 1 trackback }

    iPod/iTunes « GLStory’s Weblog
    04.09.08 at 10:42 am

    { 8 comments… read them below or add one }

    1 Sly from Slyvisions.com 11.30.07 at 2:50 pm

    This is one of the best tutorials I have ever seen on this topic. I’ve been looking at videos on YouTube on how to do this! Nice work!

    2 moe 12.23.07 at 10:15 pm

    yeah nice and easy totorial u got i like it an everythings seemed 2 going good till i couldnt install the appsnapp i seen it on my screen but coulnt install it just skips 2 the main screen of the ipod touch screen can u help me 2 sort this out send me a email

    3 Brian 12.24.07 at 4:16 pm

    the only thing i dont understand is how exactly do you choose and configure the applications in the instalers library like 4 example the app. for themes …how can i open up the options on the home screen

    the hole process os downloading is so hard

    4 dvp 12.30.07 at 4:35 am

    Hmm, the update link has either failed or is very very slow as the ipod hasnt rebooted yet. Should the page have a very small ? in the left top corner? I’ve tried it a few times and still nothing.

    5 mario 03.24.08 at 7:57 pm

    I cant get the 1.1.1 software.
    When im downloading to the itunes
    at the end gaves a message like this:
    The ipod cant be restaured,unknown mistake.

    what can i do?
    :(

    6 Adam 04.13.08 at 5:54 pm

    I can’t get my ipod to the 1.1.1 software it says there is an unknown error and then my ipod screen tells me to connect to itunes
    and i am using vista please reply

    7 Ross McKillop 04.13.08 at 6:11 pm

    @Adam:

    Use http://www.ziphone.org/ to jailbreak your ipod touch - it’s the ‘latest’ and is painfully easy to use.

    8 Francisco 05.12.08 at 11:00 am

    I cant restore my ipod. it says unknown error. please explain me how can i do it.

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