How to Jailbreak Using Absinthe 0.2 (OS X)

[Kyle Matthews]

{last updated February 1st, 2012}

This OS X only guide (Windows guide here) will teach you how to jailbreak various devices using Absinthe. The current version of Absinthe is 0.4. Note this is an UNTETHERED JAILBREAK, meaning you can reboot your phone just like you normally would.

This guide should be used with the following device/firmware combinations (if you're not sure, here's how to find your iOS firmware version and how to find your iOS device type):

• iPhone 4S | 5.0 (9A334)
• iPhone 4S | 5.0.1 (9A405)
• iPhone 4S | “other” 5.0.1 (9A406)
• iPad2 | 5.0.1 (9A405)

If you prefer the simpler version of this guide with no pictures, click here.

NOTE: The team that put together this jailbreak (saurik & MuscleNerd, both core members of iPhone Dev Team, 3 members of Chronic Dev Team: posixninja, pod2g & nikias, and the legendary planetbeing, the globally-admired iOS hacker/developer responsible for initially porting both Linux & Android to the iPhone) IS accepting donations - please feel free to donate via PayPal if you're able!

NOTE: Because Absinthe creates a backup and restores it onto your device as part of the way it gets files on the device, we recommend the device is mostly empty when you start the process. To do this, CREATE A BACKUP IN ITUNES FIRST (connect to iTunes and sync). If you're using iCloud to backup, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage and Backup > Backup Now.

ONLY ONCE YOU'VE BACKED UP, on your device go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. MAKE SURE YOU'VE BACKED UP YOUR CONTENT. You do not have to Erase All Content and Settings if you don't want to, but the jailbreak could take up to 20-30 minutes to complete if you don't, depending on what's on your device.

Alright, let's get started. First thing you'll need to do is download the Mac version of Absinthe 0.4 from mod.my/absinthemac04. Double-click the zip file to unzip it if your browser didn't automatically unzip the file.





Making sure your device is connected, double-click Absinthe to launch it. You will see the Absinthe home screen, and Absinthe should tell you your device (and firmware version) is detected. Press the Jailbreak button.



Absinthe will then go through a few status messages while it jailbreaks your device. It will stop for a bit at Waiting for reboot - not done yet, don't unplug your device yet!, and once the device has finished rebooting it will continue the jailbreak. Do not touch or unplug the device during this process.



Once the process has finished in Absinthe, it will alert you to unlock the screen if necessary and tap the "Absinthe" icon to finish the jailbreak. Remember, the icon may not be on the first page - scroll to find it.



Tapping the icon will bring up a webview with a white page, and then your device will restart.

NOTE: If you see an "Error establishing a database connection" error or a white screen which lasts longer than 1 minute, please go to Settings and turn on VPN, and wait instead. The VPN connection will give an error. This is normal. A reboot should happen a few moments after the error.

You will see the Apple logo with a progress bar quickly as the device restarts, and then your device will power back on.

NOTE: The Set Up iPhone (or iPad) GUI you see when you restore an iDevice will now appear. If you backed up with iCloud at the beginning of this tutorial, please choose Restore from iCloud Backup in the Set Up iPhone GUI, and restore from the backup you took at the beginning of this guide.

The iDevice will then restore from backup, reboot, and you're good to go.

Cydia is now on your device where the Absinthe icon was before!



That's it! You're now holding a jailbroken device. Not too bad, eh?

[Cowboy]

Great guide now if all of us could get the website to work lol

[2k1]

Thank ya for the guide. True cowboy and I hope everyone reads this lol

[hitman10]

Woot!!! Thanks you soo much!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today is fun day!

[jsounantha]

effing awesome!!!! Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!

[Dels0l]

cant wait to get home and do this, thank you!

[endwaro]

I need help i want a carrier unlock and I'm on 9A406 they say i have to downgrade to 9A405 in order to get an unlock. i have an iPhone 4S. any one mind helping me find a guide or something can help know if and how to do it??
and yay for the jailbreak!!!!!!!

[GrandMstrBud]

Yes I just jailbroke a factory unlocked iPhone 4S.

[Rescuer]

verizon in one pic, att in the next! oh noes!

[Greatbiguns]

Great guide now if all of us could get the website to work lol

Ha Ha, gotta Love it....
At least the Jailbreak is out!! Woo Hoo!!

[ccuento]

I'm getting a vpn error. Is anyone getting the same?

[Varunpan]

Great Guide and posted so quickly!

Question: If i get the

"Error establishing a database connection" error

and i turned on VPN, Do i click the Absinthe icon again or just wait for my phone to reboot?

[Rescuer]

I'm getting a vpn error. Is anyone getting the same?

Go into settings and turn on VPN.

[imperialto]

awesome, will donate when done!! Please donate to the team as noted on

Dev-Team Blog - Corona A5 jailbreak nearly ready to pop!

to: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/websc...=DPFUPCEAYUD4L

[iGamers]

okay, i keep getting the error when trying to use absinthe, so i tried the VPN thing, I got the error, but no reboot, i tried clicking okay and waiting, but no reboot, i tried leaving the error, no reboot, idk how long this will take or what, anyone else having issues, i know the server is probably being swamped so I'm not worried, just hoping i get it jailbroken soon lol, its been too long

[AfterMercyFM]

I started about 7 minutes ago and it's still at the "Beginning jailbreak, this may take a while..." and the progress bar hasn't moved. They're not lying this is taking a while. But how long did it take to get past that part for you guys? I'm on 9A405.

[NickFerguson]

OI! ABSINTHE! sorry i love get him to the greek and thought the name of the jb software was classic

[iGamers]

I started about 7 minutes ago and it's still at the "Beginning jailbreak, this may take a while..." and the progress bar hasn't moved. They're not lying this is taking a while. But how long did it take to get past that part for you guys? I'm on 9A405.

the beginning didn't take very long for me, possibly 5 min. including the initial restore and everything

[AfterMercyFM]

the beginning didn't take very long for me, possibly 5 min. including the initial restore and everything

I backed up and wiped everything, then started and it's still at the same spot. What should I do? Be patient or start over?

[iGamers]

I'd just be patient, give it another 15-20 min, if it doesn't finish by then, restart it