SBSettings: Why I Still Jailbreak With 3.0
Back in the Dark Ages (iPhone 2.0 firmware) jailbreaking your iPhone had many points of merit. It could give you MMS, Copy & Paste, tethering, video recording, info on your lock screen and more. However, the reasons I jailbroke were for MMS, Copy & Paste, and Internet tethering.
So when the much-awaited 3.0 release was finally here, I thought to myself, “Great, no need to jailbreak anymore.” I installed my developer’s copy of the beta firmware and there was much rejoicing with smooth, Apple home-cooked MMS, copy & paste, and Internet tethering.
But then, as I watched episodes of “Arrested Development” via XBMC using my iPhone as the remote, or lay in bed on my side trying to read news feeds without the screen rotating when I didn’t want it to, I really, really missed SBSettings. So it came to be that the day the jailbreak dev team released its official PwnageTool for 3.0, I immediate jailbroke my 3.0 iPhone. Just for one application: SBSettings. It really does bring that much convenience to the table.
So what is SBSettings? Its a HUD interface that’s available from any screen that also displays the status bar at the top; thus almost all applications. To activate the HUD you simple swipe your finger across the status bar, left or right, or even down from it. The HUD will then smoothly slide from the top of the screen to give you lots of information and toggles.
As well as giving basic information about your phone (IP Addresses, memory usage, free space), you can configure which toggles you want to display, and other developers can write their own toggles that interface with it. Above you can see the toggles I have configured; they are as follows:
Processes
This brings up a list of currently running applications. Of course since Apple only allows its apps to run in the background by default, this will usually only display the Mail, Phone, Safari and iPod apps (unless you’re using the jailbreak Backgrounder tool). More importantly, it allows you to kill these apps. If my iPhone is running slower than usual, having a look in here usually shows that iPod and Safari are also still running, and by killing them I can force the system to free up memory and processor power immediately.
Brightness
I leave the iPhone’s brightness control on auto, but sometimes it doesn’t work so well — especially if I’m in bed playing Peggle, FlightControl, or catching up on feeds while my wife is trying to sleep. The brightness toggle simply gives you a quick easy way to control the screen brightness.
KeepAwake
KeepAwake is one of the third-party plugins for SBSettings that when toggled will keep your Wi-Fi connection awake even if the phone is sleeping. This is ideal when using your iPhone as a remote control for XBMC or VLC or anything else. Without it, you use the remote to start watching a TV show or a movie and then put your phone down. Half an hour later you pick it up to hit pause and then have to wait for up to 30 seconds for the Wi-Fi to reconnect before you can do so. KeepAwake solves this issue; just toggle it on when needed and then toggle it off when done watching TV. When it’s toggled on, it also puts a little indicator in the status bar to remind you that it’s on.
Wi-Fi
This lets you quickly toggle Wi-Fi on and off, making it a lot easier to conserve battery power when you know you don’t need Wi-Fi. If you hold the toggle down, another HUD will pop up with info about which Access Point you’re connected to.
SSH
Along with the jailbreak you can install OpenSSH to give you direct access into your phone. This is really only of interest for the technically curious (or for copying videos created with Cycorder), but this toggle lets you turn the SSH opening on or off, thus reducing a potential security hole (especially if you install OpenSSH and forget to change your iPhone’s root password).
Bluetooth & Phone
I doubt I need to explain these, but I will anyway. The Bluetooth toggle lets you quickly toggle Bluetooth on and off, while the Phone toggle turns the phone on and off. You can quickly enter flight mode by ensuring the Phone, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi toggles are all off. For me, its about complete and easy control.
Rotation
The Rotation toggle installs with the Rotation Inhibitor application and allows you to lock the screen to a specific orientation. I find this is perfect for those times when using your iPhone lying down on your side. Tapping and holding the toggle lets you chose into which orientation you want to force the phone.
What Else?
There are also SBSettings toggles for typing auto-correction, 3G and EDGE and the GPS. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a Tethering toggle released by somebody in the next month or so to allow quick toggling of Internet tethering. You can also quickly shut down or reboot your phone, and configure the battery percentage text (and date display) in the status bar.
SBSettings is all about providing quick and easy control so you can maximize efficiency. For me, it’s the only reason I jailbreak, and until Apple provides something as sleek, quick and easy, I will continue to jailbreak.
Tweet This (36)
Neil on June 22nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Another good reason to jailbreak…you can change the sounds for the SMS and Voicemail….I do not understand why Apple won’t let you customize these “out of the box” you know, like even the cheapest throwaway phones let you do.
Zak on August 7th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Any ideas how to change the sound on sms and email ?
David B on June 22nd, 2009 at 9:37 am
I agree, SBSettings is the most important reason to jailbreak. I can’t figure out what those goofy little hands on the wifi and rotation toggles mean, though. They didn’t used to be there, but just before 3.0 they showed up.
Phil on June 22nd, 2009 at 11:44 am
The little hands mean that if you press and hold on the toggle it will do something. For example if you press and hold on the wi-fi button, it will tell you whether wi-fi is enabled and what network you are connected to.
David B on June 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
@Phil
muchas gracias
Brandon on July 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
i cant find sb settings in cidia HELP!!!!!!!
Ethan Garner on June 22nd, 2009 at 10:11 am
What is that theme? It looks really nice!
Louie on June 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 am
It’s “Tenuis Matte”
Open SBSettings and press the “more” button. Open “Manage Themes” and choose “Tenuis Matte”.
Enjoy
Miles on June 22nd, 2009 at 10:27 am
Backgrounder is not yet working with 3.0 (http://thebigboss.org/2009/06/21/iphone-30-app-compatibility-list/)
John Andrew on June 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
What theme?
Terry on June 22nd, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Tenuis Matte?
It is built-in.
Ryan Gonzalez on June 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
It’s this kind of little application — one that needs to be run in the background — that still keeps the usefulness of jailbreaking alive with the 3.0 update. If Apple allowed background processes, (and maybe an open app store) the entire hacking scene wouldn’t even be necessary.
That being said, this app looks really nice, seems quite useful, and powerful to boot.
David B on June 22nd, 2009 at 3:11 pm
What is even cooler is that it hooks into an existing process so there is not actually an extra background process running.
Quirilio Vilorio III on June 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I can’t seem to put it to work. Can you spare a hint? Thanks,
Staff Comment Andrew Bednarz, TheAppleBlog on June 22nd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
After you’ve installed it via Cydia reboot your device to ensure it loads properly. Then just swipe across the title bar. if that doesn’t do it, ensure it’s installed in Cydia – otherwise I have no idea.
Mike D on June 22nd, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I’m still new to the iPhone scene, but I think that this is something that I definitely would like to do! I just got the new 3G S, will redsn0w work for this? Do they have a jailbreak program yet that will? Thanks.
Staff Comment Andrew Bednarz, TheAppleBlog on June 22nd, 2009 at 6:40 pm
3GS isn’t jailbroken yet, but I doubt its too far off. Keep an eye on http://blog.iphone-dev.org/ for the latest jailbreak news.
piers on June 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 am
Totally agree – this is the killer app on the iphone. someone has kindly just released an internet tether toggle too which brings all the settings to exactly where they should be.
Rogerio on June 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
What is the source for the tether toggle in Cydia? I’ve been looking for one but wasn’t able to find so far.
Riddlers on June 23rd, 2009 at 6:22 am
Why don’t I have a Rotation Toggle? How do I get that?
keyser snnoze on July 3rd, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Me either ……. got it yet ?..
Riddlers on June 23rd, 2009 at 6:23 am
Okay, it should install with the Rotation Inhibitor application. But I can’t find that on Cydia.
daniel on June 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 am
Tricker ThreeG and Backgrounder are also very very good reasons to jb
David B on June 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 am
Wish I had asked this question earlier: aluminum MacBooks still have the same problems with redsn0w that they did with PwnageTool, yes?
Lonnie Kahoe on August 10th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Nope. I have an aluminum MBP and redsn0w jailbroke my phone fine.
Jim Stewart on June 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
For me the other key reasons are:
-OfflineMaps (for abroad/areas of no network this is great)
-xGPS (tom tom could render this obsolete I suppose)
-Lockdown (to stop me accidentaly dialing people)
-Backgrounder
-Yellow/Ultrasn0w
Thanks for the rotation app tip
Ron F on June 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
This app is the reason that I finally jailbroke my phone.
Riddlers- I found Rotation Inhibitor w/ Sbsettings toggle by doing a search in Cydia. It popped up immediately.
Riddlers on June 24th, 2009 at 3:08 am
Thanks Ron, I found it. I have no idea why it didn’t come up last time when I looked for it, it must have been off temporarily. Thanks for making me look again :-)
Rogerio on June 24th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Does anyone know what is the source for the tether toggle piers mentioned above?
kulitschka on June 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
thnaks for this explicit explanation. I stumpled over at while seearching for a wifi toggle replacement.
babel on June 24th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Hi, I upgraded to 3.0 (iphone 2G), sbsettings works correctly, but I cant change the options, when I click “more” it shows the config screen but then exits to the springboard immediately.
thinkmac on June 28th, 2009 at 5:31 am
I have the same problem with iPhone 3G – OS 3.0: sbsettings are working, but if I click “more” it tries initializing for a second but then exits to the springboard…
WannaBeGeek on June 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am
I stumbled on this forum looking for a way to add a shortcut to bluetooth and wifi b/c the battery life is horrible on my new 3GS. I’ve turned off all settings that make the iPhone fun, which to me defeats the purpose of having one. If the battery doesn’t keep up with the features then … well that’s another rant for another day.
Anyway … I’m *really* new to the iPhone and Apple in general … still a PC girl. I just bought the 3gs and I keep reading about jailbreaking and it sounds like the SBSettings will do most of the things I want my phone to do. But is jailbreaking safe or easy to do if you’re not a guru / developer type person?
I read here that there is not even a jailbreak option yet for the 3gs but I want to be knowledgeable about all of this so when it’s available I can use it.
Sorry if this isn’t the right place to ask this type of question. Would appreciate feedback and/or links to learn more.
David Barwick on June 29th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_jailbreak_your_iphone_to_os_30.php
A great walkthrough on how to jailbreak. It’s easier than ever with redsn0w. I’m nothing more than a wannabe geek myself, and I couldn’t live without my jailbreak. Of course you’ll have to wait for the 3GS jailbreak, but that day will come. http://www.blog.iphone-dev.org is the place to go for the latest information.
Leland Austin on July 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I have the iPhone3G w/ the 3.0 OS and I really wanted to fly straight and not jailbreak my iPhone. I had the iPod Touch and upgraded to the iPhone. I use to jailbrake my iPod Touch all day everyday. However, after seeing this forum, and wanting to change the theme on my iPhone and a few other things that I missed from jailbreaking, I couldn’t help myself. I love this SBSettings. Like woooow! I’m always using the Internet or Bluetooth, and I’m always on the move and the toggles make my life so much easier then closing the app, going to settings, and etc. I thought that once I got the iPhone3G and the 3.0 OS came out w/ all the features I was looking for, I wouldn’t need to jailbreak. But, oh how I was wrong…yep very wrong.
Problemchild on July 5th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Ok so I have a quick question. First I updated my iPhone 3g to the 3.0 os
and when I did so it didn’t install the movie camera or tethering. It is almost like it updated for a touch and not a phone so my question is what happend and what can I do to fix this.
Adam on July 5th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Nothing on the camcorder. It’s a hardware shortcoming on the 3G. The camera doesn’t do autofocus.
David B on July 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Camcorder is for 3GS. Tethering comes after AT&T activates it, and for more money.
keyser snnoze on July 5th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
When I use redsn0w or PwnageTool app to jailbreak my iPhone 3g-3.0 I get Cydia working properly but I can not get my cracked app icons to appear. They seem to be loading but I can’t see them on the phone. I’ve been told it is due to iTunes 8.2 upgrade.
( I don’t want to downgrade my iTunes because it can’t read my library file – playlist & ratings etc ) I am also using ultrsn0w for unlock. Miss my apps – Anyone know a fix?
Thanks
Staff Comment Andrew Bednarz, TheAppleBlog on July 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Buy the apps instead of stealing them.
keyser snnoze on July 5th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
I always buy them after a “test” run to weed out the crap and multiple rip-offs out there
U dig !
alex on August 26th, 2009 at 5:44 am
you could always download intsallous it works well for the jailbroken iphone
a_load on July 31st, 2009 at 6:32 am
SBSettings and toneFXs. Sbsettings because it is a quick powerful toggle tool. ToneFXs because it makes my i phun.
Glen Fiddich on August 28th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Tether toggle please!
Yozi on November 3rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
any way to rearange dock / docked icons inside sbsettings? thx
str8 on November 4th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
The PDAnet tethering app has a toggle for SBSettings. It works great and I use it all the time.
FoggyD on November 12th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Yozi,
You can control the order of the apps in the sbsettings dock, by removing all items, exiting sbsettings, rerunning sbsettings, and selecting the apps in the order you want them to appear in the dock… Maximum of 12 apps.