Jailbreaking iPhone 3gs 4.2.1 05.15.04

[coes66]

Hello and sorry for the question (I HAVE googled it and searched these, and many other, forums to no avail).

What is the simplest and safest way to jailbreak a 3gs with iOS 4.2.1 and 05.15.04 base? I've read so many threads the past few days that I'm utterly lost.

Is there a way to do this without using the iPad base?

Quick caveat: Using AT&T and want to tether without having to pay the extra $20 because I cannot get cable/dsl where I live (in fact, cell coverage only even became available a month ago here thanks to a new tower being built) and am so sick of dial-up. I don't plan on using my connection to torrent or dll anything, as I can do that on campus so please don't flame me for wanting to use my measly 2 gig allotment as my primary connection.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[PsstGreek]

The newest version of Redsn0w will jailbreak your 3GS. It will be a tethered jailbreak depending on if you have an old bootrom or new bootrom 3GS.

The iPad baseband is need to unlock the iPhone.

To figure what which 3GS you have: http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-check-iphone-3gs-bootrom-iboot-version/

To jailbreak 4.2.1: http://www.gadgetsdna.com/jailbreak-ios-421-using-redsn0w-tool-guide/7339/

 

[coes66]

Thanks, Greek. I've hit that site before, but wasn't sure if it was legit.

I guess I'll suck it up and just give it a try.

 

[PsstGreek]

Thanks, Greek. I've hit that site before, but wasn't sure if it was legit.

I guess I'll suck it up and just give it a try.

Figure out what your bootrom is first. A tethered jailbreak is a pain in the kisser for most users.

 

[coes66]

Yup. It's the newer bootrom (359.3.2) but it would still be better than paying an extra 20 bucks a month just to use the internet.

Additionally, am I understanding this correctly: if I jailbreak this phone will I have to connect it to one of my comps every time I power up my phone?

 

[PsstGreek]

Yup. It's the newer bootrom (359.3.2) but it would still be better than paying an extra 20 bucks a month just to use the internet.

Additionally, am I understanding this correctly: if I jailbreak this phone will I have to connect it to one of my comps every time I power up my phone?

Yep. And for a tethering app in Cydia look for MyWi ($20) or PDANet ($15?).

It's a one time buy and both apps act as wi-fi hots spots as well. I have MyWi and it works great with my MacBook pro. Having the unlimited data plan still is also a plus.

 

[coes66]

Yep. And for a tethering app in Cydia look for MyWi ($20) or PDANet ($15?).

It's a one time buy and both apps act as wi-fi hots spots as well. I have MyWi and it works great with my MacBook pro. Having the unlimited data plan still is also a plus.

Uggh. I might hold off on breaking the phone then.

But yeah, I was going to try MyWi. I've read it drains the battery pretty fast, though, so I was thinking about trying TetherMe. I can't find either on the Cydia site...will those apps only appear after breaking and installing the cydia store?

Thanks again for all of the great information.

 

[PsstGreek]

But yeah, I was going to try MyWi. I've read it drains the battery pretty fast, though, so I was thinking about trying TetherMe. I can't find either on the Cydia site...will those apps only appear after breaking and installing the cydia store?

Thanks again for all of the great information.

Everything will be in Cydia.

 

[coes66]

Though I was a bit afraid to try this, it was actually extremely easy and painless. I thought I would lose my current data and apps when I jailbroke (shows how much I know), but everything remained in tact (I did backup before breaking, just in case).

I grabbed TetherMe and it works great. No more 20 dollar fee for me. I'll give MyFi a try later on.

I found this video (and the links listed in the desc) to be particularly helpful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=iv&v=P6RJcxqFdE4&annotation_id=annotation_274989

Thank you again for all the help!