How to Perform an Untethered Jailbreak of Your iPhone 3GS (Mac) [5.0.1]

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Posted December 27, 2011 at 1:06pm by iClarified

Instructions on how to perform an untethered jailbreak of your iPhone 3GS on the iOS 5.0.1 firmware using RedSn0w for Mac. The Windows version of this tutorial is here.

This procedure will cause you to upgrade your baseband potentially ruining your chances for an unlock. Please follow a tutorial on how to update to iOS 5.0.1 using a custom ipsw if you need an unlock.

If you want to jailbreak a lower firmware version you can find the appropriate tutorial here.

Step One
Create a folder on your desktop called Pwnage

Download the latest RedSn0w from here and place it in the Pwnage folder. Likewise, download the 5.0.1 firmware from here and place it in the Pwnage folder.

Extract the RedSn0w zip file by double clicking it.

How to Perform an Untethered Jailbreak of Your iPhone 3GS (Mac) [5.0.1]

Step Two: (Skip this step if you're on iOS 5.0.1 already)
Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes.

Select your iPhone from the list of devices on the left. Now hold down Option and click the Restore button. Restore is preferred as it won't create any wasted space on your iPhone.

Navigate to the Pwnage folder on your desktop and select the 5.0.1 firmware ipsw. Click the Choose button to continue.

iTunes will now update your iPhone to the new firmware.

Step Three
Launch the redsn0w application from the redsn0w folder we extracted earlier.

Step Four
Once RedSn0w opens click the Extras button

Choose Select IPSW from the Extras menu.

Select the iOS 5.0.1 firmware ipsw from Pwnage folder on your desktop and click Open.

Click OK to dismiss the confirmation window.

When asked tell RedSn0w whether you have a new model or older model of the iPhone 3GS then click the the Back button.

Press the Jailbreak button to continue.

Step Five
Plug your iPhone into the computer and make sure its OFF then click the Next button

Step Six
RedSn0w will now guide you through the steps to get into DFU mode. You can find more help with DFU mode here

Hold down both the Home button and the Power button for 10 seconds.

Release the Power button and continue holding the Home button until RedSn0w detects the device.

Step Seven
Your iPhone will now reboot

Step Eight
RedSn0w will prepare the jailbreak data.

Step Nine
Select Cydia from the list of options and click Next.

Step Ten
Your iPhone will now be rebooted again and RedSn0w will begin uploading the new RAM Disk and Kernel.

Step Eleven
Once this is complete you will be notified that RedSn0w is done. When your iPhone finishes rebooting (5 minutes or so) it will be jailbroken with Cydia on the SpringBoard.

*As usual a big thanks to the iPhone Dev-Team, Chronic Dev-Team, pod2g, and Geohot for their hard work and contribution to the iPhone community.

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Jon - April 9, 2012 at 1:10am

Step Two yields me the following message: The iPhone "*****" could not be restored. This device isn't eligible for the requested build. I am using the 3GS 5.0.1 IPSW on a 3GS that still has the original 4.3 i got it with. This led me to believe I should start with the 4.3.1 IPSW and work my way up but I got the same message anyway. Seen this before?

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regef2009 - January 27, 2012 at 8:50pm

I get "the connected device doesn't support untethered options" when Hacktivating my 3gs with redsnow. Details: BB 6.15, 5.0.1 iPhone, old model. Does it mean that I cannot untether boot up my phone? P.S. I follow iclarified, and selected "install cydia"

Trent Lamb - December 29, 2011 at 9:59am

i have an old bootrom 3Gs, did the custom build, restore, all not problem, now on 5.0.1 with my preserved baseband so I can unlock. BUT, I can't jailbreak because redsn0w when it check the build check for the _09404 build (a beta build) instead of the _09405 stock build (which is what everyone is using). So, my jailbreak stops because it says the build isn't supported. I think it's just a simple error that the dev team could fix it they knew about it. But I don't know how to resolve it. I guess I could just use pwnagetool instead and cook up another custom ipsw and then restore again... Any thoughts, help?

R - December 29, 2011 at 1:56am

I am following every single step and I am activating the iphone but I keep geting the 'Sim not valid' message. What's happening?

Drak7e - December 27, 2011 at 9:23pm

3Gs, got stuck on the reboot part! I couldn't identify whatsoever and i can't move foward! Now what ??

Drak7e - December 27, 2011 at 9:37pm

Oh no... just NOW i figured out that this process if for UPGRADING the Baseband... i CAN'T upgrade it because i need the unlock! Unless Ultrasn0w will unlock a new baseband... which i think is not possible... oh my... i guess i'll just have to try and go back to my 4.3.3 version, huh??? Man, this is terrible... spend hours restoring my backup of 32gb of stuff... oh man...

Steve - December 28, 2011 at 5:56pm

Pity, only chance you have now is upgrading to the 6.15.00 iPad baseband. you need to check the box. on the blog the dev team however says the ipad baseband runs poorly. You might want to verify this befoe, but once you upgraded the baseband, 06.15 is the only unlock option. If 5.0.1 runs poorly, go back to 4.3.3

P - December 27, 2011 at 1:59pm

How can i unlock the carrier in the 3gs?

James - December 27, 2011 at 9:22pm

Unlock 3GS with Ultrasnow on Cydia

Steve - December 29, 2011 at 11:29am

You can with a gevey card, or going to 06.15 baseband.. But I hear 5.0.1. is not yet compatible with the 06.15 band, this you should be carefully googling.. I upgraded my iPad to 5.0.1. last night, and jaibroke. It is jerky, and it is complicated, while on 4.2.1 it was smooth, quick, and foolproof. I will consider to go back to a 4.3.3. band probably in few days. This ain't the real deal. I think you need an A5 chip machine..

Noel - January 28, 2012 at 3:19am

Ok so im on 5.0.1, following this very same guide. ive got a 8gb 3gs with the ipad baseband. i cant get it to validate my sim card, i cant even get past the setup screen you get on the phone after the update. I read somewhere on the net that you could bypass this screen temporarily by making and emergency call, holding the power button, then cancelling rather then turning off, and tapping return to call. This worked, and i have cydia installed, so i downloaded RedSn0w 1.2.5 over my wi fi network. After resetting the springboard i get the same setup screen, my carrier name shows up in the bar as if my phone were unlocked, but the phone still says the sim card isnt valid and im stuck on the setup screen. i tried downgrading to 4.3.3 but itunes says my phone isnt eligible for that firmware. im running out of ideas and would really appreciate some help.