What is Untethered, Tethered and Semi-Tethered jailbreak? what’s the difference between Untethered jailbreak, Tethered jailbreak, and Semi-Tethered jailbreak? Why is an untethered jailbreak desirable? and What’s Tether Boot?
Here’s an overview of Untethered Jailbreak, Tethered Jailbreak, and Semi-Tethered Jailbreak:
Untethered Jailbreak
An untethered jailbreak is the most preferred type of jailbreak. Untethered jailbreak lets you jailbreak your device, use Cydia & other jailbreak tweaks and it does not require you to reboot with a connection to your computer or an external device capable of executing commands on the device. Untethered jailbreak provides trouble-free rebooting. You can reboot your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch normally, as many time as you want, without having to tether it to your computer to boot. Exploit used in untethered jailbreaks bypasses the iBoot sequence on its own, hence eliminating the need to connect with a computer to boot the device.
*** Untethered jailbroken iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch works normally, complete jailbreak features, Reboots normally, no consequences.
Tethered Jailbreak
Tethered jailbreak is a least desirable jailbreak of the three. With a tethered jailbreak you cannot reboot your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch at all without doing a tethered boot. Tethered means being basically “attached” to your computer in a way; you must boot your device by running code on it (via the dock connector) to make use of an exploit. Since a tethered boot requires access to a computer, so if you’re on the way, away from a computer, and your device reboots due to any reason, you’re stuck with an Apple Logo on the screen.
*** A tethered jailbroken device offers complete jailbreak features, but requires that the device be connected to a computer each time it needs a reboot.
How to Tether Boot with RedSn0w
Semi-Tethered Jailbreak
Semi-Tethered jailbreak allows you to reboot your jailbroken iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch but not without some consequences. with limited jailbreak and stock functionality. After the jailbreak, you can reboot your device normally (without the need of a computer) but most of the jailbreak hacks, tweaks and even some stock apps like Safari won’t work. To regain the full functionality to you jailbroken device, you must perform a tethered boot (see the steps below). Semi-Tether jailbreak is much better than Tethered jailbreak, but not quite as good as the untethered jailbreak.
Semi-Tethered jailbreak = Tethered jailbreak + a package installed that allows you to reboot with limited use
The semi-tethered jailbreak will allow you to reboot on the road, but with limited functionality. It is enough that you are no longer stranded, and you can use your phone, text, and many other features. This is just until you get home and can use redsn0w again to “just boot tethered”. Once you do that, you’re back to fully functional state.
Here’s an overview of Untethered Jailbreak, Tethered Jailbreak, and Semi-Tethered Jailbreak:
Untethered Jailbreak
An untethered jailbreak is the most preferred type of jailbreak. Untethered jailbreak lets you jailbreak your device, use Cydia & other jailbreak tweaks and it does not require you to reboot with a connection to your computer or an external device capable of executing commands on the device. Untethered jailbreak provides trouble-free rebooting. You can reboot your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch normally, as many time as you want, without having to tether it to your computer to boot. Exploit used in untethered jailbreaks bypasses the iBoot sequence on its own, hence eliminating the need to connect with a computer to boot the device.
*** Untethered jailbroken iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch works normally, complete jailbreak features, Reboots normally, no consequences.
Tethered Jailbreak
Tethered jailbreak is a least desirable jailbreak of the three. With a tethered jailbreak you cannot reboot your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch at all without doing a tethered boot. Tethered means being basically “attached” to your computer in a way; you must boot your device by running code on it (via the dock connector) to make use of an exploit. Since a tethered boot requires access to a computer, so if you’re on the way, away from a computer, and your device reboots due to any reason, you’re stuck with an Apple Logo on the screen.
*** A tethered jailbroken device offers complete jailbreak features, but requires that the device be connected to a computer each time it needs a reboot.
How to Tether Boot with RedSn0w
- Run the Redsn0w
- Hit Extras, then Just Boot.
- Hit next, follow the on-screen instructions to enter into DFU mode.
- This should boot your device. Don’t forget to repeat the tether boot process every time you reboot your device
Semi-Tethered Jailbreak
Semi-Tethered jailbreak allows you to reboot your jailbroken iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch but not without some consequences. with limited jailbreak and stock functionality. After the jailbreak, you can reboot your device normally (without the need of a computer) but most of the jailbreak hacks, tweaks and even some stock apps like Safari won’t work. To regain the full functionality to you jailbroken device, you must perform a tethered boot (see the steps below). Semi-Tether jailbreak is much better than Tethered jailbreak, but not quite as good as the untethered jailbreak.
Semi-Tethered jailbreak = Tethered jailbreak + a package installed that allows you to reboot with limited use
The semi-tethered jailbreak will allow you to reboot on the road, but with limited functionality. It is enough that you are no longer stranded, and you can use your phone, text, and many other features. This is just until you get home and can use redsn0w again to “just boot tethered”. Once you do that, you’re back to fully functional state.
