Things You Can Do With Jailbroken iPad

The demand of multitasking has been increased drastically within recent frame of time and recently Apple announces its iOS 4 which enables it users the pleasure of multitasking and many others new features, but unfortunately for iPad as it can’t join this party not until this fall. But if you have an iPad and willing to jailbreak it then your ipad will be able to multitask from today, yes! Its true and it’s just the beginning of the things that you can do with jailbrorken iPad.

A jailbroken iPad can easily run all sorts of third-party applications which are far beyond our reach in Apple’s own App Store. With jailbroken iPad there is no limit, almost everything is possible for example, if we want to connect a Bluetooth GPS to iPad or even connecting a Bluetooth mouse to iPad all is possible, you can even sync iPad over Wi-Fi and browse the whole iPad file structure. In this article I will tell you things you can do with your jailbroken iPad and its endless possibilities!

The Basics of Jailbreaking

As we know jailbreaking an iDevice gives us freedom to install install thousands of third-party utilities and other applications. (Keeping in mind that “jailbreaking” is different from “SIM-Unlocking” because the SIM-Unlocking only allows us to use a cellphone or device with a different carrier).

If an iPad is jailbroken, it becomes very close to an actual computer which allows us to tweak any of the interfaces and make required modifications reaching the lowest levels of the device firmware. But there is also a catch that if not done properly i.e. by running unstable tools might cause damage to the device, although the chances of damaging device are highly unlikely. It is good to keep in mind that when we talk about a jailbroken iPad, Apple will not be able to tell you what you can do and what can’t be done with your iPad whether you run any application for good or worst so there will be no warranty or support available from Apple’s side!

Another good thing is that if some attention is paid to what you are doing to iPad then the process of warranty-voiding will going to pass very easily without any sort of incident and in case after few days your mind changes then you can always return to Apple’s default settings, “The locked-down environment”. So in my opinion the risk is so small to take as compared to the freedom you will be getting after jailbreaking your device and things you can do with jailbroken ipad!

How iPad is Jailbroken and Steps for Jailbreaking an iPad

It is always a good practice to make bakup of all your data before implementing any sort of jailbreak. So, in order to backup all your data and settings all you have to do is to connect the iPad to the computer. Second step to be performed is to look in the left iTunes column and then right-clicking the iPad’s name, and choose Backup. This backup will come handy if you decided to restore you iPad back to default setting and this backup will also help you restoring if in case something goes wrong!

After backing-up the iPad you will need a jailbreak tool there are many tools available for free to jailbreak iPad; I recommend using Spirit to jailbreak iPad. Another thing I would like to mention that the jailbreaking process always depends on version of iOS and iTunes you are currently using. As I am writing this, Spirit Jailbreak currently do not support iTunes 9.2 so before continuing, be sure that you must be running an older version of iTunes or download jailbreak that support iTunes 9.2 before proceeding. Usually the jailbreaking community (which is growing larger day by day) always compensates for all Apple’s patches and updates within few days and/or weeks. Checkout our Jailbreaks section for the latest Jailbreak to get latest news regarding jailbreak releases you can also subscribe via Email and/or RSS Feed for latest Jailbreak News!

After downloading the jailbreak, Unplug all other iPod devices (if any), and then connect your iOS 3.2 iPad to your computer directly. Now run the Spirit Jailbreak Tool. The process will continue to modify and then restart the iPad, since the process is automated so you should be leaving everything alone until the jailbreak mechanism completes.

After completion it will show you the result that the jailbreak is successful or not! If it fails to jailbreak or didn’t work then no need to panic as its happens to many people, in order to restore back to where you started all you have to do is to quit Spirit jailbreak tool and restore your iPad via iTunes. If in case iTunes won’t able to recognize the iPad, just kick it into DFU Mode (device firmware upgrade mode), then connect the iPad again, and keep holding the lock and home buttons for about 10 to 15 seconds after that release the lock button, but keep holding home button of iPad. The iPad screen should be staying black, but the iPad itself will appear in the iTunes. Restore your iPad from there, and then you are good to go for reattempting the jailbreak.

And one again, I would like to mentioned that if you ever want to revert all the settings and bring your iPad to its original state, then all you have to do is to just restore the iPad via iTunes. In case iTunes unable to recognize your iPad, just put it in DFU mode (as I have mentioned above), your iPad will be restored.

Things Can be Done with Jailbroken iPad

There are many thing that you can do with your jailbroken ipad; Just after implementing the jailbreak on your iPad you will notice that now your iPad has option for restoring to its older version by reverting all the changes made by the jailbreak, another thing that you will notice is a new icon named as “Cydia”. What is Cydia? Well cydia is the center for jailbroken idevices for downloading tons of both free and paid applications and tweaks. All these applications will co-exist with the App Store programs that you are using; hence you won’t even have to compromise on anything.

A question arises that how Cydia works? The simple answer to it is that the Cydia connects to various sources and repositories to download installation packages. Cydia already includes thousands of its trusted sources by default, but you still have option of adding other custom sources, Apart from Cydia, you also have liberty to download other stores, a popular store is named as Rock App; The thing I personally like about the Rock App is that it give trail for downloads before buying so that we can see demos of many downloads before paying for it.

After launching Cydia, it will check for updates for the apps you have installed and prompt you to install updates if necessary. You can open cydia once a while even if you don’t want any apps because it will look for updates for already installed applications and prompt you if available.

One important thing that I would like to mention is that before digging more into options in Cydia, you should backup ECID SHSH of your iPad with the Cydia server, This is a sort of identification code that is used by Apple to identify that what firmware is going to install in which of its device! It will be really useful specially if incase, in coming future you accidently install any update or patch for iOS released by Apple that might kills your jailbreaking. If such thing happens then you will be able to use this backup to revert to all your prior settings, i.e. the jailbroken version of the iOS, So you should allow the backup if cydia prompts you or manually by picking the option in the main page.

Now it is time to change the password for iPad, because at the moment your iPad will have a default, root login that could be guessed by anyone. It happens so that Cydia and various other apps can enable some additional required network functionality, all you have to do is to set a new password. You can find the information regarding changing password under the ‘Root Password How To’ in your Cydia application.

Adding Multitasking in iPad

Backgrounder for Apple’s iOS 4 actually does partially multitasking. More applications need to be written for multitasking because there are some limitations in this App as the multitasking feature can’t be implemented on all the apps installed in iPad. But when using a jailbroken iPad, you can multitask with virtually any app installed. This featured comes really handy in numerous ways, permitting you in pausing games that doesn’t allow saving.

In order to add multitasking ability in your iPad, you have to install “Backgrounder” which is a free app and can easily be grabbed from cydia, just tap the search within cydia app in order to download and install it.

After installing Background worker you can multitask by opening any of the apps installed in your iPad and instead of pressing the home button for a fraction of second (which usually quit apps normally) you have to keep the home button in pressed state, on holding the home button for few seconds a little message will pop-up informing you that program still going to keep running in the background. (If you want to quit an app later, repeat this process to exit completely.)

Sync Your iPad Over Wi-Fi

Many of iPad users are seen complaining that connecting iPad to USB in order to sync with iTunes irritate them the most! But the beauty of jailbroken iPad is that you no longer need any cord to sync with iTunes, Along many other thing you can do with jailbroken iPads, it also allows you to Sync through Wi-Fi. Syncing through Wi-Fi is obviously slower than the speed over USB, but it really works like charm. To get Wi-Fi Sync app (which will cost you about $10) search for “Wi-Fi Sync” via Cydia and install it!

Secondly you have to install companion utility which is provided with the Wi-Fi Sync app onto your computer and then keeping iTunes open, and by running Wi-Fi Sync app on iPad. iTunes will going to recognize the connected iPad and then you begin sync from the app similar to USB.

Adding Bluetooth Mouse to iPad

You might have used some apps or games on your ipad in which you thought that it would be very nice if I could use my mouse instead of rubbing fingers all over the screen; for these type of app jailbreaked iPad could allow you to use Bluetooth mouse free of cost! Search for BTstack Mouse via cydia and install this free app and stop rubbing fingers all over! :-p

After installing BTstack Mouse, set your mouse to discoverable mode and run this app. When you pick your mouse the app will then place a mouse pointer on iPad’s screen. Use it as if you are using a typical desktop computer.

While using BTstack Mouse you might not be able to connect other bluetooth devices to iPad because BTstack runs by disabling Apple’s built-in protocol for Bluetooth. So if you want your keyboard to be connected aswell then all you need is to install another application called as BTstack Keyboard which is available at $5 via cydia.

Manage Your Files on iPad like managing them on PC

Getting documents into and out of an iPad is really hard without having a file browser so if you have jailbroken your ipad then why not install a file manager yourself?  There is a free app called as “iFile” which lets you to access whole disk structure of iPad. To install this free app just search for “iFile” via Cydia!

Once installed the iFile app can also setup up as a file-server, though which you can access all the shared files back on a computer. You can do this by tapping the antenna icon that appears at the bottom of ipad’s screen, and then connect to listed address(s) on a browser.

Adding GPS on iPad via Bluetooth

Along with all other things you can do with jailbroken iPad there is another app called as “BTstack GPS” which connects to a wide range of GPS devices based on Bluetooth; If your iPad have Wi-Fi then you can enable GPS for many applications.

Open Cydia and search for this free app and install it to enjoy GPS on ipad via Bluetooth.

Play Classic Games on iPad

Apple does not allow the applications that run any executable code during and/or after installation on Apple’s App Store. Thus shutting out many of entertainment apps and many other classical adventure type games, on jailbroken iPad this is not a problem anymore since there is a free app named as ScmmVM which can play all those classical games. All you have to do is to track down the copies of those classical games.

In order to grab the latest ScummVM release for your iPad, you have to add a new source within Cydia. You can do this by tapping on more package sources option in the Cydia screen, and choose UrbanFanatics.com and add it by tapping install button. After it is installed just search for “ScummVM”, and grab this superb free app.

Now transfer all your classical games to your jailbroken iPad. You can use the iFile app which I discussed above and move the files through iFile’s web browser. After transferring all the games, Tap ScummVM to open and locate the games directory where you have copied the games to begin playing.

Customize iPad Interface

“Infiniboard”, which is available at cydia for only $2, is a nice interface tweak for iPad which lets user to place as many application icons on a page as he wants. When the whole screen is filled with icons then you just have to scroll down to see the rest of the icons. This little app gives simple way to organize hundreds of apps without any worry of running out of icon space.

“Music Controls” is another nice little app for iPad which can be downloaded from Cydia at about $5; the app gives interface to background audio apps. It also supports dozens of other apps too. Music Controls let you to put buttons and song information in iPad’s status bar.

Run iPhone Apps on iPad Full Screen

Have you tried to run iphone apps on ipad? It usually doesn’t look good and won’t even run on full screen giving it a chunk odd looking view, so what to do to fix this issue? Wait for higher-resolution editions of these apps? No there is an awesome app for your jailbroken iPad to give a try! The name of app is “FullForce” can be grabed via cydia, the app sharply renders the running apps with nicer results and very few display errors!

These few apps and tweaks are just scratching the surface of what can be done with a jailbroken ipad; there are thousands of apps out there waiting to be browsed so you should give it a shot yourself and see the things that can be done with jailbroken iPad.

In the end, there is a little tip that when you jailbreak your iPad, then avoid getting/installing new updates iPad updates from Apple because updating a jailbroken ipad might detect that the device is jailbroken and revert it back to original/locked state! Explore endless possibilities of your iDevice and keep yourself updated to the latest jailbreak news and tools!