March 29, 2024
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Posted October 31, 2010 at 11:51pm by iClarified
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These are instructions on how to jailbreak your Apple TV 2G on iOS 4.1 using PwnageTool for Mac.

Step One
Make a folder called "Pwnage" on the desktop. In it, you will need a couple of things. PwnageTool 4.1.2, found here or here.

You will also need the 4.1 Apple TV firmware.
4.1.0: AppleTV2,1_4.1_8M89_Restore.ipsw


When downloading the IPSW file, it is best to download it with Firefox since Safari often auto extracts it!
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Two
Double click to mount PwnageTool then drag the PwnageTool icon into the Pwnage folder.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Then from the Pwnage folder double click to launch the PwnageTool application.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Click Ok if presented with a warning.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Three
Click to select Expert Mode from the top menu bar
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Four
Click to select your Apple TV. A check-mark will appear over the image of the device. Click the blue arrow button to continue.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Five
You will be brought to the "Browse for IPSW" page. Click the Browse for IPSW... button.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

From the popup window select your firmware from the Pwnage folder then click the Open button.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Six
You will then be brought to a menu with several choices. Click to select General then click the blue arrow button.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

The General settings allows you to decide the partition size.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

The Cydia settings menu allows you to create custom packages so you do not have to manually install the necessary them later. Most of these packages are not ready for the AppleTV yet so we will click the blue arrow to continue.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

The Custom Packages Settings menu displays listed package settings for your custom IPSW. For know leave these settings as is. Click the blue arrow button to continue.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Seven
You are now ready to begin the pwnage process! Click the Build button to select it then click the Blue arrow button to begin.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Eight
You will be asked to save your custom .ipsw file. Save it to your Pwnage folder you created on your Desktop.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Your IPSW is now being built. Please allow up to 10 minutes.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

You will be asked to enter your administrator password. Do this then click the OK button.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Nine
Once your ipsw has been built you will be asked to connect your Apple TV to the computer. Once it detects your device PwnageTool will guide your through the steps to putting your Apple TV into DFU mode. For PwnageTool's steps you should not be plugged into the power outlet.

You will be asked to press and hold the Menu and Play buttons for 7 seconds.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Once your Apple TV is successfully in DFU mode, PwnageTool will prompt you to launch iTunes.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Ten
Once In iTunes, hold the Alt/Option key and click Restore.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Eleven
Navigate to the Pwnage folder on your desktop using the dialog window that appears. Select the custom IPSW that was created and click the Choose button.
How to Jailbreak Your Apple TV 2G Using PwnageTool (Mac) [4.1]

Step Twelve
iTunes will now restore the firmware on your Apple TV. This can also take up to 10 minutes. Once done you will be rebooted into jailbroken iOS 4.1!

Currently, there is no Cydia application for your Apple TV so you will need to manually SSH into the device. You can find your IP address under Settings:General:Network. The username is root and the password is alpine.


***SUGGESTIONS:
If you are experiencing error 1600, or similar when restoring the custom ipsw in iTunes then try these suggestions.
- Make sure you are using the latest version of PwnageTool ie 4.1.2
- Make sure you are using iTunes 10.0.1
- Try a different USB cable, port, or computer
- Kill iTunes and iTunes Helper before entering DFU mode

***THANKS: Thank you to Geohot and the Dev-Teams for their hard work in making this jailbreak and tutorial possible! A specific thanks to MuscleNerd for helping us solve some initial problems with performing the jailbreak.
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Comments (27)
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Zeljko
Zeljko - January 24, 2011 at 5:23pm
Please if somebody have time please try yesman`s method. Maybe will do the job. Please leave comments did you make it or not....Thanks
te72s
te72s - January 23, 2011 at 9:14pm
You need to make sure PwnageTool has the newest bundle, this should resolve the issue. 4.2.1 Firmware Bundle
cwf
cwf - January 21, 2011 at 9:00pm
I've gone through this several times, I opt-click on restore, pick my customer ipsw, iTunes extracts it, starts to verify, then tells me "this device isn't eligible for the requested build." When I click on more information it looks like the error I'm getting is 3194. Any thoughts on where I'm going wrong?
Tom
Tom - January 22, 2011 at 3:49pm
Me too. Works with Seas0nPass, but then I have to boot tethered. This gets to Step 12 in the tutorial and then says (exactly as yours does), that it "isn't eligible for the requested build"
Eagletooth
Eagletooth - June 29, 2011 at 3:18am
I'm getting the same dialogue: "This device isn't eligible for the requested build." :(
Zeljko
Zeljko - January 12, 2011 at 3:01am
I have try this tutorial 100 times and it didn`t work for me. I did everything propertly but i failed every time. And i am on 4.1 apple tv 2g
webphil75
webphil75 - March 14, 2011 at 11:16am
Hello, Impossible to pass DFU, i tried several times. Does somebody find a solution? (I french not to much help in french) Thanks
kwans
kwans - January 3, 2011 at 6:09pm
I have an apple tv but I don't know why I need to jailbreak an apple tv. Can u guys tell me benefits after jailbreaking? Can I get free movies or tv shows?
ricekake
ricekake - December 29, 2010 at 1:45am
OK...so I just got my ATV and I am getting the same message that it will not support the build. I have tried it on two laptops, two different cables, every usb port. I have tried it with the power cord on, off..with pwnage 4.1 and 4.1.2. Any help?
themoops
themoops - December 16, 2010 at 7:16pm
the instructions say DONT have the power plugged in to the ATV to put it into dfu mode. that's not correct.
eurozmikey
eurozmikey - December 14, 2010 at 1:14am
This does not work It tries to verify with Apple then says you are not able to use this build.
LK
LK - December 8, 2010 at 1:46pm
I have iTunes 10.1 - it attempts to check the firmware update with Apple; gives back error update server can not be reached. Anyone experience similar problem?
goodnbad
goodnbad - November 19, 2010 at 5:49am
Dear all How can i connect Apple TV G2 to the PC? It came with out connection cable and it has only Micro USB port or I can use Ethernet port????
tanker5
tanker5 - January 21, 2011 at 10:13pm
If u happen to have an amazon kindle, use the usb charger cord that came with it (or borrow the cord from a friend who has one). it's a perfect match for the atv2.
Paulc
Paulc - November 14, 2010 at 11:11am
Hi I have a Canadian AppleTV. I've tried to three times to Jailbreak using the above tutorial. These tutorials (ATV1, iPod, iPhone) have always been bullet-proof before, so I must be making a mistake. When I get to the restore part, AppleTV say it is reverting to factory settings, and I end up with an AppleTV at v.4.0, according to the settings menu. Also, it won't update from the AppleTV menu. Is 4.0 a Canadian setting due to the iTunes store/netflix differences here. Any hints? Thanks in advance Paulc
Kelly
Kelly - November 3, 2010 at 9:20pm
After I jailbreak, how can I tell it worked? I don't see Cydia or anything different on the main screen and the software version tells me I'm on 4.0 after I jailbroke with 4.1!?!
Steve
Steve - November 3, 2010 at 10:39pm
Google nitotv and follow the instructions to get their apps, like weather, rss...need to ssh using terminal on mac. Then you'll see the nitotv tab on the atv screen when it reboots
iApple
iApple - November 1, 2010 at 1:54pm
Thanks iClarified, worked flawlessly!!
peterhenley
peterhenley - November 1, 2010 at 5:24pm
cannot get into DFU mode using menu down button.......???
iApple
iApple - November 1, 2010 at 5:35pm
You must hold both the menu & play buttons together at the same time when prompted.
peterhenley
peterhenley - November 1, 2010 at 5:40pm
I did. followed instructions to hold menu and down button for 6 secs, then menu and play button per previous clarified item... but it tells me to press home button ....what is the home button???
iApple
iApple - November 1, 2010 at 6:35pm
You are not following the steps of this well written tutorial. Go back, read everything from beginning to end, understand it... and re-do the process from the beginning. Your answers are all posted in the instructions above. PS. There is no "home button".
peterhenley
peterhenley - November 1, 2010 at 6:47pm
sorry, my pompous friend, but the last panel said press the home button. the pwnage executable is later than the instructions and many panels have been removed. Do not lecture me on what I see with my own eyes.
iApple
iApple - November 1, 2010 at 7:31pm
Sorry for trying to help you locate that "home button" but I'm here for Apple TV. It appears to me you are posting in the wrong jailbreak section of this site. This thread is related to Apple TV ONLY... not iPhone. Read, read, read... ignore pictures, this is not grade 1. Follow the well written instructions of this tutorial (not "panels"). If I recall correctly... it was grade 1 basics which taught me to read, spell and understand what is WRITTEN!! Hope this helps but something tells me it won't. Best of luck to you. Enjoy your day!
peterhenley
peterhenley - November 1, 2010 at 8:22pm
Are there any other folks out there besides this smarty-pants asshole iApple who is having the same issue as I have?
Steve
Steve - November 2, 2010 at 9:34pm
second that peterhenley, there's some real jerks out there......
Peterhenley
Peterhenley - November 3, 2010 at 10:44pm
Duh, i read the instructions again, now it works. There was a previous article about putting atv into dfu mode that said press menu and down for 6 secs, then menu and play for 6 secs....confused me. Now i have nitotv weather etc....
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