How to Jailbreak Your iPhone 3GS on OS 3.1.2 Using RedSn0w (Mac)

These are instructions on how to jailbreak your iPhone 3GS on the 3.1.2 firmware using RedSn0w for Mac. If you are already on firmware 3.1.2, do NOT update to firmware 3.1.3. The Windows version of this can be found here. The iPhone 3G version of this tutorial is here. The iPhone 2G version of this tutorial is here

This tutorial can be used to jailbreak before applying the BlackSn0w unlock. You can find instructions on how to apply the unlock here.

Step One
Create a folder on your desktop called Pwnage


Download RedSn0w from here and place it in the Pwnage folder. Likewise, download the latest 3.1.2 firmware from below and place it in the same folder.

3.1.2 (3GS): iPhone2,1_3.1.2_7D11_Restore.ipsw

Double click the redsn0w zip file to extract the redsn0w folder to the Pwnage folder.


Step Two
***If you are running iPhone OS 3.1.2 you may skip this step***

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 firmware ipsw. Click the Open button to continue.


Step Three
Once iTunes has finished updating your iPhone to the desired firmware open the Pwnage folder on your desktop and launch the redsn0w application from the redsn0w folder we extracted earlier.


Step Four
Once RedSn0w opens click the Browse button


Step Five
Select the firmware ipsw we placed in the Pwnage folder on our desktop then click Open


Step Six
RedSn0w will ask you if this is a newer (fixed) model iPhone. Newer models of the iPhone 3GS have a fixed bootrom which requires you to connect your device to the computer each time you wish to reboot.

To find your serial number you can follow these instructions. The week number is usually the 4th and 5th digit of the serial number. For example, a serial number beginning with 88926 would be week 26 of 2009. 3GS units made week 45 or later will usually have a fixed bootroom. Before week 40 they usually have the older bootroom. Between weeks 40 and 45 the results vary.

If you believe your device has a fixed bootrom then press the Yes button. Otherwise press the No button.

If you accidentally select the wrong option you may have to do a full restore so please make this choice carefully.


Step Seven
Once the firmware has been verified click the Next button to continue.


Step Eight
RedSn0w will now prepare the jailbreak data


Step Nine
From this window you can select the jailbreak options you would like. If you have already pwned your device check the Already pwned option.


Verbose boot displays detailed information on boot of your device and is generally only needed by developers and advanced users.

Make sure Cydia is selected. For this tutorial we will also select Custom boot logo and Custom recovery logo.

When you click to select each custom logo option a dialog window will appear asking you to select the image. Locate the image you would like to use then press the Open button.




*Remember the rules for boot logos are: RGB or Grayscale format with Alpha channel and dimension below 320x480. If you would like to use the iClarified ones they can be found here: Boot Logo, Recovery Logo

Click the Next button to continue


Step Ten
RedSn0w will now instruct you on how to put your iPhone into recovery mode. Disconnect you iPhone 3GS from the computer then power it off. Then hold down the Home button while reconnecting the device to the computer. Don't let go of the button until RedSn0w detects the iPhone and begins installation.


Step Eleven
Your iPhone will now reboot


Step Twelve
RedSn0w will then begin uploading the new RAM Disk and kernel.


Step Thirteen
Once this is complete you will be notified that RedSn0w is done. Click the Finish button. 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 for their hard work and contribution to the iPhone community.