How to Use the Command Line in iPhone Cydia

By default, the iPhone does not possess command line access. Apple likes to keep the system fairly locked down, which has resulted in an "underground" community of tinkerers. These developers have created their own app store, available for "jailbroken" devices. Within this secondary app store is an application known as MobileTerminal, which gives users command line access to the iPhone.

Instructions

1. Open the "Cydia" third-party iPhone app store application.

2. Select "Sections" then "Terminal Support." Locate the entry "MobileTerminal" and select it. You can optionally search for the application.

3. Click "Install" and confirm the action. You may need to reboot the device after the install. To do so, hold down the power button and swipe the screen, as prompted, to power off the device. Hold down the power button again to power on the device. The "MobileTerminal" application will be installed on your home screen.

4. Open the "MobileTerminal" application. Enter the desired commands with the on-screen keyboard. Press "Enter" to execute the commands (see Resources for available commands, or type the command "Help" in MobileTerminal).

References

• ModMyi: MobileTerminal
• PodZombie: How to Install MobileTerminal

Resources

• MobileTerminal: Tips and Tricks
• Wired: US Declares Jailbreaking iPhone Legal