Jailbreak Apps

February 10, 2011 - By æ

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You may have seen yesterday’s GSL post listing twenty, must-have apps for new Verizon iPhone users. The list included apps that were approved by Apple and, as a result, available in the traditionally-used App Store. As most iPhone users know, there is another side to the app world. Known to the world as Cydia, it is much like an alternate dimension that contains its own treasure trove of apps that Apple would never consider approving due to the fact that they use the jailbroken infrastructure to bypass restrictions on functionality and use that Apple has deemed necessary.

We’re not discussing the how-to or ethics of jailbreaking with Greenpois0n or any other tool. We’re not debating the potential impact of invalidating your warranty with Apple. We’re also not going to discuss things like Hackulous or how to jailbreak your device. These are all things you can research on your own, in order to make the decision that best suits you. The list of apps is provided with the assumption that you’ve already jailbroken your new Verizon (or AT&T) iPhone and want to know which apps have the greatest potential to make your iPhone life better.

We’re keeping it simple by listing the app’s name and a brief description of what the authors states is its function. They may have a price associated with them. You’ll be informed if they do, prior to installing them. Additionally, please be sure to read the advisories and disclaimers at the bottom of the post before installing anything:

• MyOs – Allows enabling/disabling of features (e.g. multitasking,Unified iPod, etc.) without editing .plist files
• FastSnap – Allows the hardware volume button to be used as camera/video controls
• qTweeter - Update and read Facebook and Twitter status. Activates with a swipe of the status bar.
• Folder Enhancer – Provides more granular control over folders, the number of allowable icons, creation of subfolders, and hiding of folders.
• Grid Tab for Safari – Allows open tabs within Safari to be displayed in a grid pattern, versus requiring left/right scrolling to view them.
• AppSync for iOS 4.1/4.2 – Allows for manual installation of .ipa files. (Read: Install apps without using iTunes.)
• biteSMS – Enhanced SMS messaging app that includes privacy, emoticon, signatures, delivery reports and more.
• CyDelete - Allows for the deletion of Cydia-installed apps via the normal iPhone app hold & tap deletion method, instead of opening Cydia to delete it.
• Five Icon Dock – Let’s you place five icons in the iPhone dock, versus the default four.
• Five -Column Springboard – Arranges apps in five icons on your iPhone, versus the default four.
• Gridlock – Allows you to place your icons anywhere and in the pattern of your choice, instead of four to a row.
• Home Page in Safari – Easily reset your homepage within Safari for iPhone by tapping the “+” icon.
• iFile for iOs4 – Access, manage and edit the file system on your iPhone to control features like multitasking, wallpapers, battery percentage, etc.
• Infinifolders – Allows you to add more than the default twelve apps within a folder and navigate within folders via vertical scroll.
• Fake Operator – Adds a sub-menu within Settings, which can be accessed to change the carrier from the default to a customized one.
• MobileTerminal 426 – Terminal emulator for the iPhone providing traditional system administration functions. (Read: Experts only)
• MobileVolumeSound – Adds the traditional Mac volume sound when raising/lowering the iPhone’s volume.
• OpenSSH – Allows you to connect to your iPhone, via SSH, over WiFi, in order to transfer files to/from it.
• Remove Recents – Removes icons of apps from the Multitasking Drawer (what you seen when you double-tap Home button) if the app doesn’t support multitasking.
• SBSettings – Allows you to access common settings (e.g. Enable 3G, WiFi, etc) and functions (e.g. Take screenshot) via customized screen swipes, taps, double-taps, etc.
• Serious SBSettings HD – Optimized Retina theme for SBSettings
• UserAgent Faker - Similar to Safari Developer Tools for Mac that allow you to emulate another browser such as FireFox.
• 3G Unrestrictor – Allows you to configure traditionally WiFi-only apps like FaceTime to function on 3G. Also allows for bypassing of 10Mb size limits in App Store downloads.
• FullScreen Safari – Allows for toggling of Safari browser into full screen mode and includes support for multi-touch gestures.
• Apple.com HD SBSettings – Customized theme for SBSettings that makes it resemble the clean Apple.com website.
• Open Notifier - Adds notification icons to the iPhone’s status bar.
• Shrink – Allows you to decrease the size of your iPhone icons to achieve a cleaner and less cluttered look.
• SB 2 Cloud – Lets users configure screenshots to be uploaded in the background to Cloud app immediately upon taking them and automatically copies the shortened URL to the clipboard for easy sharing.
• Voice Activator - Enhances the iPhones voice activated command functionality by allowing the use of voice commands to open apps, navigate to websites, toggle options like WiFi, Bluetooth, and Airplane mode, reboot the device and take screenshots.
• BytaFont – Allows for the customization of display fonts on the iPhone, versus using the default, built-in font.
• TV Tube Sleep – Customizes the behavior of the iPhone when the Sleep button is pressed by displaying an animation that resembles the turning off of 20th Century, tube television sets.
• My3G – Provides the same functionality provided by 3G Unrestrictor, as described above in the list.
• MyWi 4.0 – Allows iPhone users to share their devices 3G connection via WiFi or USB/Bluetooth tethering and supports unencrypted and encrypted sharing. (Note: To be used cautiously if not on an unlimited data plan)
• AdBlocker – Blocks ads from appearing in Safari, as well as within apps that include advertisements.

In order to find some of these apps within Cydia, users may need to add some or all of the following repositories, within Cydia. The lifespan of repositories is often unpredictable, so some that may be available now may not be in the near future. Since they must be added manually and only work within Cydia, they are purposely not hyperlinked:

• http://repo.benm.at/
• http://cydia.myrepospace.com/atomicmufin
• http://cydia.bitesms.com/cydia/beta5.1
• http://cydia.hackulo.us
• http://cydia.myrepospace.com/iHaxer
• http://repo.insanelyi.com
• http://sinfuliphonerepo.com
• http://www.themeitapp.com
• http://kuaidial.googlecode.com/svn/deb

As usual, it’s “Buyer Beware” with any app installed via Cydia. By installing it, the user is assuming that the package will do what its description says and won’t create problems with their device. Unfortunately, some apps may cause conflicts and not function as expected. If a user installs one and finds this to be the case, they should remove the package by navigating to “Manage” >”Packages”>(Tap the app to be uninstalled)>”Modify”>”Remove”. The same procedure applies to an app which may cause the device to crash once activated.

Users are encouraged to research the app prior to paying for and/or installing it on their iPhone. More information can be found on each one at http://cydia.saurik.com/.


Editor’s Note: A big thanks goes out to @aelphae, @iWG83 and their collaborative-minded friends for taking the time to compile this list of the best Cydia apps. It’s people like them that make things easier for new iPhone users to get the most out of their devices.

Disclaimer: Neither Geek Shui Living nor its contributors endorse or encourage the practice of jailbreaking. As always, iPhone and iPod Touch owners are reminded that jailbreaking their devices is legal but does effectively void the manufacturer’s warranty, could render their device temporarily useless if something goes wrong and should not be attempted by anyone. Yes, that means you, too.