Jailbreaking your Apple TV 3 allows you to customize your device and install unique themes using third-party apps from outside of Apple App Store. Unfortunately, there is no way to jailbreak the latest version of iOS on Apple TV 3. All versions of iOS that can be jailbroken are no longer signed by Apple and cannot be downgraded to. This minHour teaches you how to jailbreak an Apple TV 3 running iOS 5.0.2 or earlier.
Steps
Verify that your Apple TV 3 is running iOS 5.0.2 or earlier.
Snow3rd is unable to jailbreak Apple TVs running iOS versions later than 5.0.2.
- Navigate to Settings > General > About to determine the version of iOS installed on your Apple TV 3.
Verify that you have access to a computer running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP.
Snow3rd is only compatible with these earlier versions of Windows, and is not compatible with Windows 8 or Mac OS X.
Select the option to save the .zip file to your desktop.
Close and end all open applications and processes running on your Windows computer.
Connect the Apple TV 3 to your computer using a micro USB cable.
The Apple TV’s USB port is located on the back of the device.
Disconnect the Apple TV from its power source.
The only wire connected to the Apple TV 3 should be the mini USB cable.
Navigate to your Windows desktop and double-click on the Snow3rd .zip file.
This will extract its contents, and the Snow3rd dialog will display on-screen.
Click on the “Jailbreak” button.
The jailbreaking process will begin, and its progress will display in the status bar. The procedure may take up to several minutes to complete.
Close the Snow3rd dialog box when the “Jailbreak Successful” message displays on-screen.
Disconnect the Apple TV 3 from the mini USB cable, then restart the device.
Reconnect the Apple TV 3 to your computer after the restart, then launch iTunes on your computer.
Verify that iTunes recognizes the Apple TV 3.
If iTunes recognizes your device and displays the Apple TV icon at the top left corner, it means the jailbreak was successful.
Connect the Apple TV 3 to its power source and HDMI cable.
Your Apple TV 3 is now jailbroken and has the ability to install and run jailbroken apps you download from the Web outside of App Store.
Tips
- Consider installing XMBC or a TV Flash from the Web after jailbreaking your Apple TV 3. These utilities offer content made specifically for jailbroken Apple TVs, as well as unique themes, plugins, and apps that can enhance your experience with your jailbroken device.
Warnings
- Snow3rd software is still in beta testing phase, and is not guaranteed to work on all Apple TVs. Keep this factor in mind when attempting to jailbreak your Apple TV 3, and know that the procedure is not guaranteed to work on all devices.