FireCore team has come up with a PwnageTool like program to build custom jailbroken .ipsw files for your second-gen Apple TV. The thing is it is a tethered jailbreak, just like most of the jailbreaks now.
Currently the jailbreak for the 4.1.1 (iOS 4.2.1) software is ‘tethered’. A tethered jailbreak requires the AppleTV to be connected to a computer for a brief moment during startup.
Before you proceed with the jailbreak, you will need the following:
A Micro-USB cable
iTunes 10.1.1
iOS 4.2.1 for Apple TV
Seas0nPass
All download links are posted at the end of this article.
Step 1: Download and launch Seas0nPass.
Step 2: Now select “Create IPSW” option to build your own custom jailbroken firmware for Apple TV
Step 3: Now wait for Seas0nPass to download all the files required for creating custom firmware.
Step 4: When prompted by Seas0nPass, connect your Apple TV using a micro-USB cable (leave power disconnected), and hold-down both the ‘MENU’ and ‘PLAY/PAUSE’ buttons for 7 seven seconds.
Step 5: iTunes should now open automatically to start the restore process.
Step 6: iTunes will confirm the restore when complete. Once done, your Apple TV will be jailbroken on iOS 4.2.1.
Since this is a tethered jailbreak, you will have to boot your Apple TV into “tethered-boot” mode for it to function in jailbroken state.
Note: The Apple TV must be disconnected from the computer (for at least a brief moment) after restoring in iTunes for the tethered boot process below to work properly.
Step 1: Start Seas0nPass again and this time select the ‘Boot Tethered’ option.
Step 2: When prompted by Seas0nPass, connect the Apple TV to your computer via micro-USB. Wait for the rapid flashing light on Apple TV and then connect the power. Once both are connected, hold-down both the ‘MENU’ and ‘PLAY/PAUSE’ buttons for 7 seven seconds for it to enter DFU mode.
Step 3: That’s it ! Seas0n Pass will now automatically complete the tethered boot. Once done, remove the micro-USB cable and connect the HDMI cable.
Once you are done with the jailbreak, you can install different apps for apple tv.
