If These Ten Apps Don’t Convince You To Jailbreak Your iPhone, Nothing Will
3:53 am, October 16th, 2009, Tim Cox
Last week, we published The Complete Guide to Unlocking and Jailbreaking your iPhone and iPod Touch. Here’s a list of must have apps and tweaks that you’ve enabled by following our guide. Through Cydia, you can download and install each item below and add new functionality and usefulness to your iPhone. I give you the Top Ten Must Have iPhone Jailbreak Apps:
10. Kirikae
I know I’ve said this before, but Kirikae is really a must have app. It’s command tab for your iPhone. Kirikae can clean up your free memory, keep track of your favorite apps, and run apps in the background in a very iPhone like way.
Who cares if it’s a bit buggy and you might have to restart your phone every once in a a while. A fix will come in a future update. Be free now, even if free is a bit buggy.
9. SpringBoard Settings and the Apple Congruency Theme
Sure, I can order Chipotle on my iPhone while I’m getting into my car and by the time I get there my food is hot, ready and paid for. But I will still rethink my 2 year commitment to this device if I have to drill down four menus to turn off Bluetooth.
SpringBoard Settings is quick and easy access to commonly used settings and useful tweaks. Yes, iPhone users can easily adjust the brightness of their screen, turn on wifi, and hide app icons by swiping the status bar in Springboard.
SBSettings also has an extra doc for sparsely used apps, and you can enable things like a status bar memory or numeric wifi indicator.
8. Action Menu Plus Pack
Iphone Firmware 3.0 brought us copy and paste, and as always the jailbreak community is one step ahead.
Action Menu with Plus Pack brings clipboard history, favorite clippings, phone dialer, bottom of page scrolling and clipboard twitter to your copy and paste menu.
This thing changed my life when I needed to mail 5 photos to a friend. I went into my photo gallery and copied each one, opened up and email and pasted them using the Action Menu’s clipboard history feature. It’s like I was using a Blackberry or something.
7. Cycorder
Record video on your iPhone and iPhone 3g with Cycorder. This app is the single reason why I didn’t upgrade to the 3GS (Now that augmented reality stuff is out I’m wishing I had).
You don’t need a 3GS to record video on your iPhone which makes me wonder why the 3.0 Firmware upgrade didn’t include this feature for all of the iPhone family members.
You can even upload your videos to Facebook and Twitter using Pixelpipe and PPVideo Enabler which is also available through Cydia. Also comes in handy when you want your own Dash Cam.
6. GV Mobile
So you can’t get GV Mobile in the App Store anymore, but that’s why you jailbreaked in the first place, amirite?
Just using Google Voice for text messaging this month means I can downgrade my plan and save $20.
The benefits of Google Voice outweigh the scariness of Google owning yet another part of your life. Hopefully Apple will allow Google’s own GV app into their store, but for now jailbreaking brings you another forbidden App Store item.
5. SpotBright
Not only are contacts and emails accessible with Spotlight, but launch you can also launch your apps with the SpotBright Spotlight tweak.
When you use SBSettings to hide apps, SpotBright still finds and launches them. It also keeps a list of your recently launched apps below the searchbar.
I rarely use the recently launched items, but I hide my most unused apps and launch them when I need them so SpotBright is a must have.
4. Veency
Use your iPhone from your desktop! There are tons of creative uses for this app, including accessing your iPhone when you’re just too lazy to get up and get it.
I use my iPhone as a desk calendar and then make calls through my bluetooth headset so I don’t have to direct my attention away from my work. I’m just kidding I don’t do that. That would be pathetic, but it’s possible with Veency.
3. 3G Unrestrictor
3G Unrestrictor opens up the data usage restriction that hinders most iPhone apps from downloading large files over 3G. I run into this problem with iTunes.app, occasionally in the App Store, and all the time with VoIP.
Remember when I told you about making free calls with Fring and Google Voice? You can do that without a wifi connection using 3G Unrestrictor. To free any app from Apple/AT&T’s silly rules, open 3G Unrestrictor and add that app.
2. PDANet
Tethering may have been nixed with the 3.1.2 update, but you can still use PDANet to tether your iPhone to your Mac over wi-fi. Create a password protected network with your laptop, connect to it with your iPhone and open up PDANet.
It may be an extra step, but PDANet is currently the only option for tethering at this point. This jailbreak app is free if you only want to access “http://” urls (no https:// etc. ). You can purchase the full version of PDANet for $29.
1. MultiIconMover
Be careful not to confuse this app with paid app in Cydia. MultiIconMover is free and the best way to move your apps around. In fact, every time I use MIM I think, “Why didn’t Apple think of this?” I guess they were too busy coming up with features for other life changing devices.
Simply make your icons squiggle, touch the ones you want to move to a different page then go to that page and hit the home button. The checked apps fill the vacant spaces on that page and you can check more apps. Hit the home button again to exit jiggly mode. Brilliant.
Posted by Tim Cox in News, Reviews, iPhone | Comment on this article
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Tim Cox is the social media and communications coordinator for a private university in the Los Angeles area. He has written for a number of online and print publications and has presented on technology and social media at the national level. One of his greatest accomplishments was networking a Mac Plus with a Mac Pro. In his spare time he writes music, poetry, and trains for Street Fighter IV tournaments. He is married with 5 beautiful kitties. He encourages you to 
Hi,
Sorry but I’m not very computer savvy.
i have a 1st generation Iphone that I updated to 3GS.
I’m not with AT&T ‘cos I live in Switzerland and we have different carriers here.
Anyway, can i jailbreak my iPhone following the steps you gave in another article?
Thanx for the help!
xx
Sarah, on October 16th, 2009 at 4:32 am
Has cultofmac been hacked or something. Two different Macs running on Safari and an iPhone show a blank page with the HTML source full of this stuff:
[kbd id="ouhnh"]
and links to axissoftware.net with text like .crack, norton etc.
On happens on Safari, not Firefox.
gazzer, on October 16th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Why is this site so obsessed with promoting jailbreaks for iPhones…?
Duality, on October 16th, 2009 at 5:02 am
The only one that seems interesting to me is SpringBoard Settings. This one is genius.
Pete, on October 16th, 2009 at 5:07 am
@sarah
3GS is the lastest Hardware-Version of Iphone. I think you meant, that you’ve installed the 3.x (probably 3.1) Operating System Update on your 1st generation Iphone (US-Import).
You can use QuickPWN to unlock and jailbreak your Iphone.
Ich empfihl dr aber s’neue Iphone bi dr Swisscom z’poste, isch e riese Unterschiid was d’Gschwindigkeit agoht!
Michael, on October 16th, 2009 at 6:20 am
These are some great apps, but, for most “normal users”, jailbreaking is a dicey option. They may or may not do it correctly. Even if they do, they will still let iTunes update their phone and wreck it (at least temporarily). While these folks might have a “friend” who will do it for them, that friend is probably not going to want to fix your phone at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday night. Keep these reviews coming, but at least preface the post with a disclaimer saying that if the person can’t do it themselves, don’t do it at all!
GeekShui, on October 16th, 2009 at 6:35 am
@Michael:
Thanx Michael!
I’m sorry I don’t speak swiss german, I live in the french speaking part of Switzerland…
Where can I get or how do I use QuickPWN? 8what is it actually? hehe)
thank you again!
Sarah, on October 16th, 2009 at 7:01 am
All of this is great, until someone discovers malicious software embedded in on of the off-the-reservation apps. Then it’ll be “oh noes!”
Hotshoez, on October 16th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I tried the black rain jailbreak on my 3g 3.1.2 and it failed a dozen times. I’ve even tired the holding down the power button home button trick and still failed. If anyone knows a flawless way to jailbreak my iphone please let me know at ranjor@cox.net.
Randall Jordan, on October 16th, 2009 at 8:06 am
What about Intelliscreen (incredible app), Five Icon Dock, Boss Prefs and tethering?
Ron, on October 16th, 2009 at 8:36 am
I installed Kirikae app in Cydia, and it freezed at the Reload Springboard stage.
For those who passed trough this same issue, the solution is to force restart holding sleep and home button until the screen turn off, after that you have to wait for reboot.
--mb, on October 16th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Then nothing will, I guess. I don’t see anything here that makes jailbreaking worth the trouble. I like my iPhone as is.
Jeff, on October 16th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Trouble? There’s no trouble, ever heard of the “ten second only jailbreaking software”? Yes in ten seconds your gadget is jailbroke with nothing else to do, it’s called “Blackra1n” from “GeoHot”.
--mb, on October 16th, 2009 at 9:16 am
1. Yawn. call me a ‘nothing will’ cause these are neither that vital nor cool. guess i’m not that lazy that I can’t drill down a couple of menus or flick my finger a few times
2. the first app it is noted that it is buggy. great. that’s quality
3. how disappointing to see what was once a great Mac blog promoting the violation of the rights of Apple. charming, real charming
Charli, on October 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am
What theme is that on SBSettings?
Paul, on October 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am
i’m surprised how many people are against jailbreaking. i find it necessary. there are many apps besides what’s listed that make it a must have
JB, on October 16th, 2009 at 11:45 am
R U Serious….all the above is crapp…just for losers with toooo much time.
Give me an app or software that can enable “Flash” on the iphone and that’s the only reason needed to convert the majority.
veeej, on October 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
The whole jailbreaking thing is similar to putting together a hackintosh. If you’ve got the time and inclination to deal with jailbreaking at each OS update, and the potential stability and issues, then have fun–everyone needs a hobby.
I use Apple products so I don’t have to screw around with crap like that.
Barry Wood, on October 16th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Great list. It’s tempting me more and more to jailbreak.
Erik, on October 16th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
I guess nothing is going to convince me to jailbreak my iPhone, because there is NOTHING there worth having in my opinion.
Scott, on October 16th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
The reason Apple didn’t add Cycorder type video recording to the iPhone 3G – the quality is way too low. Cycorder not only records in low resolution, the frame rate fluctuates from barely ok to terrible. Better than nothing, maybe but only just.
Simon Peak, on October 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
i have 3gs 32gb comes with operating system 3.0 it had been jailbreacked and unlocked with ultrasn0w and accedently it upgrade to os 3.1
i am stucked now it only works with incoming carrier swisscom.(baseband upgraded)
do i have to upgrade to os 3.1.2 or do i have to wait for another unlocker my operating system is window,
pleaseeeeeeeeee help me to solve this problem
flyingthunder, on October 17th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
WHAT! That’s suppose to be a reason why Apple didn’t add video recording?
The iPhone 3GS has a 3.2 Megapixel camera compared to the 2 Megapixel on the iPhone 3G and 2G
That’s a 1 Megapixel increase which is not much
A 2 Megapixel camera should be able to record at 640×480 resolution
Cycorder quality isn’t that good because it’s a homemade app and of course like alot of us we dont have access to the whole iPhone somehow he was able to make video recording possible
Also how about Installous? Why didn’t you list that
YOU CAN GET ANY APP FOR FREE AT THE APP STORE
Justin, on October 17th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
After all the money I spent on my phone, not worth it.
JFM, on October 17th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
10. Kirikae: this does seem cool. multitasking would be a great feature, especially with audio based apps. if the battery can take it.
9. SpringBoard Settings and the Apple Congruency Theme – I can see where this would be somewhat useful, for turning on/off wifi, BT, 3G, brightness. As for hiding sparsely used app, i do that already on the last page.
8. Action Menu Plus Pack – You usage example is already possible to do w/o jailbreaking, you can share up to 5 photos, or copy a ton (at least 50+).
7. Cycorder – it kinda sucks. poor quality because the iPhone 1st gen, and the 3G aren’t fast enough to encode good video fast enough. plus, in terms of jailbreak video apps, i would pick qik; it lets you take video OR stream live video to the web.
6. GV Mobile – yeah ok, this rules. i’m hoping it makes a return to the App store.
5. SpotBright – spotlight already searches app. and my frequently used app i would just put on my 1st home screen.
4. Veency – seems like fun, but not essential.
3. 3G Unrestrictor – seems like a nice solution if you encounter 3G restrictions often. i don’t.
2. PDANet – i got the NetShare app in the appstore the 1 day it was available and this seems essentially same. certainly useful in a pinch, but nowhere near as nice as the legit tethering option built into the iphone. at&t just needs to get on that!
1. MultiIconMover – really? #1? MAYBE before iTunes 9 – but now I do all my major app moving in iTunes… so easy!
fbn, on October 18th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
G’day from Australia
I’ve recently upgraded from 3G to 3Gs. Had my old 3G jailbroke and did the same to the 3Gs only 3 days ago.
I enjor reading your brilliant blogs and although I’ve never commented, I feel I must comment on this particular thread. This is largely due to my advice for jailbreaking the iPhone. I really recommend ppl to A: jailbreak the iPhone, check out the goodies, play around, have your fun, wear it out, then…B: reinstall (unjailbreak) your device by either backing up from a restore or upgrading the os if available. Whilst jailbreaking opens up the true capabilities of the iPhone, it also chews thru battery to use the graphics or processer heavy apps/themes (think winterboard, most popular jailbreak app, but iPhone becomes slower, less battery life, apps may crash,). But as I said, highly recommended to try it out. I used blackra1n on the 3Gs and it takes 12 seconds to jailbreak! Apps like mywi which makes you a walking & talking wifi hotspot is the only reason I haven’t UNjailbroke my iPhone. Overall, it’s a good experience, not recommended for prolonged use, highly recommended to try out.
Cheers on a great site
Michael, on October 20th, 2009 at 5:15 am
Nice list bro! I’m running most of them but there are a few more I have to look up now.
Cheers!
Tom, on October 22nd, 2009 at 9:36 am
You can enable later versions of lash on a jailbroken iPhone by using the iMobile Cinema plugin in Cydia or by using yxflash in Cydia.
Also, what about Winterboard to theme your phone, Call ID Faker to change your call ID (very fun), or inspell- to add spell check for your phone?
Bobbybooby, on October 29th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Obviously based on some responses, jailbreaking ist for everyone. That being said, there are plenty of programs other than those here that make the jailbreaking option at least worth considering. From my experience, jailbreaking my iPhone has been a +. There had been a lot of moments when using my phone pre-jailbreak when I wondered why apple didn’t do this or that in terms of functions when using the phone which would have made a whole lot more sense. Sure enough, after jailbreaking I found that other people felt the same as cydia is rich with apps that make your phone easier to use…or at least a little bit more user friendly.
Personally I think it’s sad that people have to jailbreak in the first place to get these things as apple should have the presence of mind to make their phone open to customization options and stop acting like a little kid who lets people see their toys but is afraid to let them touch.
Mark, on November 20th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
My favourite jailbreak apps are:
quickreply for SMS: this is great, I can instantly reply to a text without switching apps.
haptic pro: gives you haptic feedback which makes the iPhone feel more solid and responsive. You can configure when the phone vibrates but I like the default settings.
kirikae: makes backgrounder work really well. Now I can check email while waiting for safari to load a page
lastly: ultrasnow! I can use my iPhone on other networks abroad
Gobucks, on November 24th, 2009 at 10:31 am
My number one issue is not being able to have Skype running all the time. So,
does Kirikae allow Skype to run in the background constantly and does 3G Unrestrictor allow Skype to be used over 3G?
Rob, on December 21st, 2009 at 5:57 pm
The whole jailbreak thing intrigues me, but what would push me over the fence is a jailbreak app or two that does these things: 1) allows task reminder software to access the internal alarm rather than send alarm notifications only thru push and, 2) allows calendar and task reminder software the option to snooze a notification for a short period of time. If such jailbreak apps already exist, let me know and I’ll join the jailbreak faithful!
GY, on January 1st, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Tethering just works – I don’t think you need the pdanet software. Just the AT&T profile update will do with Blacksnow
Cl, on January 30th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Tethering has been hacked on 3.1.2, very easy to install just follow this guide:
http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=5634
Phone must be jailbroken to start with, but I guess if you are reading this, then it probably is. The benefits of using the USB tethering are well worth 10 minutes it takes to enable this.
John, on January 31st, 2010 at 2:29 pm
Okay lets get some things out of the way. Why would you not want to jailbreak an iPhone? It pretty simple you don’t even need to be a genius you can be a BLOND!!! Jailbreaking might be a little harder if you make your own jailbreak( like i did when 3.1.2 first came out and i didn’t want to wait for Geo Hot to make his his) and even if you are running on 3.1.3 you can all ways downgrade to 3.1.2 and use BLACK RA1N.
Mike, on February 9th, 2010 at 1:05 am
There is absolutely nothing in your list that justifies jailbreaking the iPhone.
MBar, on February 15th, 2010 at 6:44 am
hey, this is to mike, I’m stuck and was wondering how to downgrade to 3.1.2? I’m an idiot and upgraded to 3.1.3 not knowing i would lose my jailbreak. Or is there a way being more useful to just wait for a 3.1.3 jailbreak or make my own? Thanks! e-mail me at southernplayer_01@yahoo.com please and let me know. Thanks again!
3.1.3 idiot, on February 15th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Apple can brick your phone if jailbroken?
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/hack-your-iphone-get-banned-by-apple/?news=123
ram, on February 17th, 2010 at 12:57 am
JailBreak is not rec by me; thus the battrey life, performance, security and lost settings is lost when Jailed. So don’t even bother with it.
Allen, on February 17th, 2010 at 7:44 am
Awesome list. I use all of those regularly, but somehow missed out on Veency! It’s great. I mention a few others not on this list on my favorite list right here: http://jordandev.info/?p=286
JordanDev, on March 1st, 2010 at 8:51 pm