How to jailbreak your iPod Touch running the 2.0 firmware in OS X

This tutorial will walk you through every step required to jailbreak your iPod Touch running the latest (2.0) firmware.

Please note: This guide was published back in 2008 and is now considered out of date. We’re leaving this guide online for archival sake, but have asked Google to remove it from their search index.

Note: this tutorial uses the Pwnage Tool v2.0 – which is currently Mac only. The Windows version of this tutorial (Jailbreaking the 2.0, 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 firmware) can be found here. Update: if you’ve upgraded to the 2.1 firmware and you want to jailbreak your iPod Touch (using OS X) – see this tutorial.

First a few FAQs –

Q: Can I still use the apps I’ve purchased from the App Store if I jailbreak my iPod Touch?
A: Yes. After you jailbreak your device, they will re-sync when you run iTunes.

Q: Can I still purchase/download apps from the App Store if I jailbreak my iPod Touch?
A: Yes.

Q: Will all of my music, contacts, videos, photos etc be deleted if I jailbreak my iPod Touch?
A: Yes. You’ll need to re-sync your device to get all of that data back on your iPod Touch.

Q: Is it worth it?
A: Depends on the individual. Many of the apps you had to jailbreak your iPod Touch to run previously, are now available in the App Store. If you like having full control of your device, then yes it is worth it. Though there are few apps available to install now (jailbroken apps) due to incompatibility with the 2.0 firmware, many will be updated. Also, there are certain features that Apple doesn’t want to release to developers (theme managers is an example), which will require a jailbroken iPod Touch to run.

So with all of that said, here are the steps to jailbreak your iPod Touch running the 2.0 firmware.

  1. To get started, download PwnageTool 2.0. Or, grab version 2.0.1. This tutorial was created using version 2.0, but the steps will be nearly identical if you’re using 2.0.1. Actually, using 2.0.1 will help you avoid some of the errors that this tutorial highlights (and shows you to resolve).

    Whichever version you download, unzip it and drag the app to your Applications folder. Launch it from there. You’ll be greeted with a warning message. Read it, then click OK.


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  3. Select the iPod Touch entry (make sure there’s a check mark) and then click the Next button (the right-arrow in the bottom right corner of the PwnageTool screen).

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  5. Select the firmware bundle displayed in the main window, and click Next.

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  7. When asked if you want to create a .ipsw file on your Desktop, click Yes.

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  9. PwnageTool will now build a IPSW file.

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  11. During the creation process, you’ll be prompted to enter your password. Do so, then click OK.

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  13. Click No when asked if you’ve Pwned your iPod Touch before. Even if you’ve used this tool in the past, once you updated to the 2.0 firmware that means it was wiped any traces of PwnageTool.

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  15. If you get a Failed to enter DFU mode, have no fear.

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  17. Open a Terminal and enter the following two commands:

    cd ~/Library/iTunes/
    mkdir “Device Support”

    If that folder already exists, delete all of the files inside of it.


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  19. Start the Pwnage process from the beginning. This time you should pass the Failed to enter DFU mode screen. Turn off your device when prompted.

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  21. If you don’t turn off your device and re-start it the way prompted (holding down the bottom button) you may get a different Failed to enter DFU mode error. This time you won’t need to start from the beginning again, just follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
  22. After you’ve successfully entered DFU mode, you’ll get a message indicating as much. Quit PwnageTool and launch iTunes.

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  24. iTunes will detect an iPod in recovery mode. Click OK.

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  26. Hold down the alt-key on your keyboard and then click Restore.

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  28. An Open window will appear. Navigate to the .ipsw file on your Desktop, select it and then click Open.

    If iTunes prompts you to download a file, you did not hold down the alt key when clicking Restore. You do not want to download and install the file from Apple (or you’ll just be re-installing the 2.0 firmware).


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  30. First it will extract…
  31. then it will restore the software…
  32. verify the software…
  33. and finally restore the firmware.
  34. You’ll get a message telling you that your iPod has been restored to the factory default settings. That couldn’t really be farther from the truth, but click OK.

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  36. Select Set up as a new iPod and click Continue.

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  38. Give your iPod a name, and determine the sync settings you want to use, then click Done.

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  40. Now your iPod Touch will sync. The first thing it will do is re-install any apps you downloaded from the App Store.

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  42. And now your iPod Touch will have your downloaded/purchased apps, in addition to Cydia (which is like Installer.app, with improvements).

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  44. Launch Cydia.

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  46. If you get a message about installing upgrades, click Upgrade Essential

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  48. Click Confirm from the upper-right corner.

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  50. The essential updates will download.

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  52. Then install.

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  54. If you get a message saying Reorganizing One Minue! Please wait… DO NOT STOP, follow that advice and let it do its thing.

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  56. Now you can take a look at your installed packages…

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  58. Or review the info on using OpenSSH (yay!)

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  60. Finally, remember to set all of your syncing preferences in iTunes. Contacts, Calendar, Bookmarks etc. Once you’ve done that, re-sync and they’ll be restored to your device.

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