iPhone terminology (updated)

**dale1v** · 06-24-2008, 02:20 PM

iPhone jargon, simply put. Refer to this if you're not sure what stuff means.

Jailbreaking
The process of allowing read write access to the filesystem of iPhone, allowing for installation of Apple-unapproved third party native apps like Cydia and the community's favorite- WinterBoard. The tools currently used for jailbreaking (firmware 3.0) include:

Redsn0w by the iPhone Dev Team
Purplera1n by Geohotz

Unlocking
The process of allowing your phone to be used on networks other than the official iPhone carrier for your country (AT&T, O2, Rogers, T-mobile, etc).
The tools for Unlocking an iPhone are listed below:

iPhone 2G: Bootneuter (downloaded from Cydia)
iPhone 3G and 3GS: Ultrasn0w (downloaded from Cydia)

Bootloader
This is the software that runs on the S-Gold chip that is responsible for booting up iPhone OS. This is what boots your phone into restore mode or DFU mode (explained further down) in the event of an emergency. Think of this as the foundation that your phone is built on. If you damage the bootloader, your phone will not start. The bootloader version used to decide whether or not your phone was able to be software unlocked; early software exploited a bug in version 3.9 in order to unlock the phone, up until the release of the 4.6 bootloader in November, which blocked this exploit. Since this exploit was closed in 4.6, present day unlocking software downgrades the bootloader to 3.9 to make unlocking easier. iPhone dev team also released a 3.9 FakeBlank bootloader, a specially modified version of the original 3.9 that offers more potential for experimentation on the S-Gold CPU.

Baseband
This generic name for the chip and software that controls the radio functions of your iPhone (Phone, WiFi and Bluetooth and LocateMe). An iPhone baseband is what locks the phone to a single carrier. Manipulation of the baseband by Ultrasn0w or Bootneuter unlocks the phone and allows it to be used on other network carriers. With every iPhone firmware update, the baseband is usually overwritten by a newer version for "bug fixes". As a result, any updated phone that was previously unlocked will be restored to it's locked state and cannot be unlocked until another exploit has been found to unlock the phone.

Problems such as No signal or no WiFi can be localized to problems with the baseband.
Baseband patching is relatively safe, however if a problem is encountered, it can be resolved by a simple software flash of the chip (refhttp://www.modmyi.com/forums/general-iphone-chat/205571-iphone-terminology.html#post1324301erred to as virginizing) which resets all settings and usually reverses any trouble caused.
During firmware downgrade, baseband remains constant (it cannot be downgraded through a restore in iTunes).

Below is a list of Baseband versions with their corresponding iPhone OS (From f/w 2.0 onwards):
baseband versions in grey are for the iPhone 2G.
2.0 (5A347): 01.45.00, 04.05.04_G
2.0.1 (5B108): 01.48.02, 04.05.04_G
2.0.2 (5C1): 02.08.01, 04.05.04_G
2.1 (9M2517): 02.11.07, 04.05.04_G
2.2 (5G77a): 02.28.00, 04.05.04_G
2.2.1 (9M2621a): 02.30.03, 04.05.04_G
3.0 (7A341): 04.26.08, 04.05.04_G
To find your baseband version on your iPhone, navigate:
Settings > General > About

Recovery Mode
This is the mode that you use when your phone is in desperate need of a restore. This is what you use in an "emergency" on when your phone doesn't want to start normally. To get into Recovery Mode, hold the power and home buttons for 20-30 seconds. Another version of Recovery Mode is Device Firmware Upgrade (DFU) Mode

DFU Mode
Like Recovery Mode, but it allows you to downgrade your current firmware to a lower version. To get into DFU Mode, plug ino your iPhone, Turn off your phone, hold Power and Home, and as the grey apple logo comes up, release the power button, but continue to hold the home button and wait for iTunes to detect your phone in recovery mode.

iPhone applications(apps)- Native and Web
Applications are simply computer programs designed to perform a certain task. iPhone applications can either be Native or Web based.
Any application that is described as "native" is one that is designed to run in the iPhone software environment. Native applications can be retrieved from either the Apple AppStore or Cydia.

The featured apps page in Apple Appstore

The featured apps page in Cydia

Web apps are programs stored on web servers and accessed and run via the iPhone's Safari browser.

SSH (Secure Shell)
SSH, or Secure Shell is a network protocol used to allow secure remote data transfer between computers. SSH is one way of transferring files or commands to your iPhone, via WiFi. SSH sessions typically include-

An SSH capable client installed on the computer; Cyberduck for Mac or WinSCP for Windows)
OpenSSH tools installed on your iPhone/iPod touch.

Users who do not have access to a wireless network can use Diskaid which allows one to browse the iPhone filesystem via USB cable.

SpringBoard (Home Screen)
iPhone's main screen; where you choose the apps you want to open, simply put. I think we all know how to use this.

**Neo-Tech** · 06-24-2008, 02:32 PM

Cool, I like this. Is it okay for me to add this to my website, I shall link back as well.

**dale1v** · 06-24-2008, 02:35 PM

That's fine.

**bbbblaah** · 06-29-2008, 02:31 PM

Hey, I am a complete noob when it comes to iPhone hacking/modding, and I was wondering exactly what Native iPhone means. Thanks.

**dale1v** · 06-29-2008, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by bbbblaah

Hey, I am a complete noob when it comes to iPhone hacking/modding, and I was wondering exactly what Native iPhone means. Thanks.

Thanks for the suggestion, done.

**Neo-Tech** · 07-01-2008, 01:10 PM

Just looked at the update and seems that there is much more info! Thanks for this, learnt alot already from this.

**GregTheWang** · 07-02-2008, 06:38 PM

Maybe adding a few more for everyday use? i.e. spinning wheel of death, respring, springboard, etc.

**yemenprince2004** · 07-04-2008, 08:03 PM

that would have been really helpful 2 months ago(for me)!! But I bet it would be really helpful for all the new members!!
P.S. how about a better title?

**dale1v** · 07-05-2008, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by yemenprince2004

that would have been really helpful 2 months ago(for me)!! But I bet it would be really helpful for all the new members!!
P.S. how about a better title?

This was made in a rush so I didn't really have time to think of a good title; any ideas?

**nickh** · 07-05-2008, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by dale1v

This was made in a rush so I didn't really have time to think of a good title; any ideas?

How about, iPhone Terminology.

**dale1v** · 07-05-2008, 10:23 AM

edited, thanks.

**my_mr_happy** · 07-15-2008, 12:32 AM

I just wanted to say thanks. VERRRY noob to iphone and it helps alot. =)

**dale1v** · 07-15-2008, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by GregTheWang

Maybe adding a few more for everyday use? i.e. spinning wheel of death, respring, springboard, etc.

Sorry for the late reply, but I will add those later today.

**wesexcellence** · 07-19-2008, 07:03 PM

I see that the 2.0 has been pwned.
I know what that means but can you explain as it pertains to the members?

**dale1v** · 07-19-2008, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by wesexcellence

I see that the 2.0 has been pwned.
I know what that means but can you explain as it pertains to the members?

Explain the method of pwning you mean?

**halochamp** · 08-23-2008, 12:01 AM

cool

**Justin89t** · 09-08-2008, 12:24 AM

Great guide. It would have been helpful to have something like that when I first bought mine

**johnsimmons** · 09-10-2008, 11:43 AM

Hi everybody....thankyou for nice information about iphone chatting..........
================================================== =====
simmons
edit broomhead spam

**Kaatje** · 10-29-2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks dale1v!

**guy wire** · 11-03-2008, 05:11 PM

very informative. I've not seen these important concepts as well explained anywhere else. Thank you.
Im a 2g phone with 2.0 FW against itunes 7.7. would like to go to 2.1, but this wifi thing I keep hearing about is keeping me from moving.

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