How to Put Cydia on an iPod Through a Backup

A jailbroken iTouch device can run Cydia as its app store.

Cydia is an independent app store application for your jailbroken iPod touch, which has been unlocked from iTunes and can install third-party software. Cydia is automatically installed as part of the jailbreaking process. Jailbreaking can be achieved using a backup of the official iOS firmware, which uses a desktop application called Redsn0w to install Cydia when the backup is being applied to your iPod touch. As of the date of publication, Redsn0w is the only application available that can install Cydia on the latest version of the iPod touch's operating system.

Things You'll Need

• iOS firmware file
• Redsn0w
• iPod touch USB cable

Instructions

1. Download the Redsn0w application and the iOS firmware backup file to your computer. Open the download folder containing the two files. Right-click the Redsn0w file and select "Extract here" from the context menu.

2. Hold the "Sleep/Wake" button on the iPod touch for three seconds, then slide the "Slide to power off" button to the right. The iPod touch shuts down.

3. Connect the iPod touch to your computer using its USB cable.

4. Launch the Redsn0w application by clicking its icon on the computer.

5. Click the "Extras" button, followed by "Select IPSW." Navigate to the iPod touch firmware backup file on your computer, select it and click the "Open" button.

6. Click the "Back" button, followed by the "Jailbreak" button. Follow the on-screen prompts to put your iPod touch into its device firmware upgrade mode. To enter DFU mode, hold down the "Sleep/Wake" and "Home" buttons together for 10 seconds, then release the "Sleep/Wake" button while continuing to hold the "Home" button. Redsn0w will inform you when DFU mode has been successfully activated.

7. Shut the iPod touch down again once Redsn0w informs you that the jailbreak has been initiated. Once the iPod touch has shut down, put it into DFU mode again using the same procedure.

8. Click the "Extras" button in Redsn0w on your computer, followed by the "Select IPSW" button. Select the same firmware backup file as before and click the "Just Boot" button. The iPod touch restarts to complete the jailbreak process. Cydia is now installed on your iPod touch through the firmware backup file.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also download the firmware backup file through the iTunes multimedia management software on your computer. Connect the iPod touch to your computer using its USB cable and click the "Update" button in the iTunes "Summary" tab. Click the "Download Only" button and the firmware backup file is downloaded to your computer where it can be used by Redsn0w to jailbreak the iPod touch and install Cydia.

• Jailbreaking your iPod touch is legal but voids the device's warranty.

• If you shut your iPod touch down fully, Redsn0w's "Just Boot" action must be performed again in order for Cydia to continue working. This is known as a tethered jailbreak. Turning the screen off using the "Sleep/Wake" button does not affect the jailbreak or your use of Cydia, however.

References

• OSX Daily: How to Use Redsn0w to Jailbreak iOS 5.0.1
• OSX Daily: iPhone DFU Mode Explained, and How to Enter DFU Mode On Your iPhone

Resources

• Redsn0w
• OSX Daily: iOS 5 Now Available [Download Links]