Jailbreaking and unlocking tutorials

My Step 1 tutorials all revolve around three key programs for Mac users: PwnageTool, redsn0w, and blackra1n. I do not have any tutorials for Spirit as I don't have enough phones to replicate every condition. Here is a brief summary of their differences.

PwnageTool (works up to 3.1.3 firmware)
• Does not require you to be on a specific firmware before use. You will create a custom firmware file with PwnageTool and restore with that.
• Is a more in-depth program offering a simple mode and an expert mode for greater control over custom firmware creation.
• Used for activating, and jailbreaking first generation, 3G, and 3G S iPhones. Uploads the BootNeuter program to the iPhone for unlocking the first generation iPhone only. You must use the stand alone program ultrasn0w for unlocking the 3G or 3G S iPhones.
• Creates a custom ipsw file that you can use to restore with (wipes out your current settings and personalization of the phone) again and again.
• Allows you to decide whether or not you want to install Cydia and Icy (discontinued).
• Uploads custom images for the boot logo and restore logo in expert mode. Simple mode installs custom default images automatically. You can also upload your own images.
• Allows custom root partition sizing.

redsn0w (works up to 3.1.3 firmware)
• Requires you to already be on the firmware you intend to jailbreak! This means you have already updated or restored. This is the biggest difference between redsn0w and PwnageTool.
• Is a more basic program offering only one mode for custom firmware creation.
• Does not create a custom ipsw file that you can use to restore with again and again. However, it does not wipe out your personal settings once they have been configured.
• Allows you to decide whether or not you want to install Cydia.
• Does not allow for custom root partition sizing.

blackra1n (works up to 3.1.2 firmware)
• Requires you to already be on the firmware you intend to jailbreak! This means you have already updated or restored. This is the biggest difference between blackra1n and PwnageTool. blackra1n is similar to redsn0w, however only blackra1n works on 3.1 or 3.1.2 firmware.
• Is a one button program on your Mac. Installs a basic program on your iPhone as well. This allows for installation of Cydia, Rock Your Phone, and blacksn0w.
• Does not create a custom ipsw file that you can use to restore with again and again.
• Does not offer the ability to customize the boot and recovery logos.
• Does not allow for custom root partition sizing.

Spirit (works with 3.1.2 or 3.1.3 firmware)
• Requires you to already be on the firmware you intend to jailbreak!
• Your iPhone must already be activated.
• Is a one button program on your Mac, and it will install the Cydia program onto your iPhone.
• Does not create a custom ipsw file that you can use to restore with again and again.
• Does not offer the ability to customize the boot and recovery logos.
• Does not allow for custom root partition sizing.
• You can read more about this program and download it here.

One last thing before I cover the Step 1 tutorials. You need to know what firmware versions are currently on your iPhone.
I recommend reading this next, if you need help determining this.

The first tutorial - Step 1 : Jailbreaking/unlocking the 1st generation iPhone, uses the PwnageTool program in conjunction with Boot Neuter to unlock the iPhone. This particular tutorial uses Expert mode, there will be no Simple mode tutorial as it is redundant and would have fewer options. Read it here. This tutorial is only for the 1st generation, or 2G iPhones. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak, activate (if you are not using an official AT&T contract), and unlock your iPhone to work with any GSM carrier's SIM card. It will also allow you to decide whether to install the Cydia third party distribution program. This method will require you to restore your iPhone to jailbreak it.

The second tutorial - Step 1: Jailbreaking/unlocking the 1st generation iPhone, uses the redsn0w program in conjunction with Boot Neuter to unlock the iPhone. Read it here.   This tutorial is only for the 1st generation, or 2G iPhones. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak, activate (if you are not using an official AT&T contract), and unlock your iPhone to work with any GSM carrier's SIM card. It will also allow you to decide whether to install the Cydia third party distribution program.

The third tutorial - Step 1: Jailbreaking/unlocking the 3G iPhone, uses the PwnageTool program in conjunction with ultrasn0w/blacksn0w to unlock the iPhone for use with any GSM carrier's SIM card. Read it here. This tutorial is only for 3G iPhones. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak, activate, and unlock your iPhone. It will also allow you to decide whether to install the Cydia third party distribution program. This method will require you to restore your iPhone to jailbreak it.

The fourth tutorial - Step 1: Jailbreaking the 3G iPhone, uses the redsn0w program. This tutorial is simulated. There is no unlock for iPhones that came with 3.1.3 stock firmware with the 5.12.01 modem firmware. Read it here.   This tutorial is only for the 3G iPhone. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak and activate your iPhone. It will also allow you to decide whether to install the Cydia third party distribution program.

The fifth tutorial - Step 1: Jailbreaking/unlocking the 3G S iPhone, uses PwnageTool and ultrasn0w/blacksn0w to unlock the iPhone for use with any GSM carrier's SIM card. Read it here. To be able to indefinitely restore to older firmware, read this tutorial. This tutorial is only for 3G S iPhones. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak, activate, and unlock your iPhone. It allows you to install Cydia for third party programs.

The sixth tutorial - Step 1: Jailbreaking/unlocking the 3G S iPhone, uses redsn0w and blacksn0w to unlock the iPhone for use with any GSM carrier's SIM card. Read it here.   This program has not been updated to work with 3.1.3 firmware. This tutorial is only for 3G S iPhones. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak, activate, and unlock your iPhone. It allows you to install Cydia for third party programs.

The seventh tutorial - Step 1: Jailbreaking/unlocking the 3G and 3G S iPhone, uses blackra1n and blacksn0w to unlock the iPhone for use with any GSM carrier's SIM card. Read it here. This tutorial is only for 3G and 3G S iPhones. Using this tutorial will allow you to jailbreak, activate, and unlock your iPhone. It allows you to install Cydia and Rock Your Phone for third party programs.

The PwnageTool, redsn0w, and ultrasn0w programs are distributed for FREE by the iPhone Dev Team. I either link (from within my tutorials) to the official download location for these programs, or host them myself. Blackra1n is distributed for free by GeoHot at his site here. Do not pay for these programs! I know there are shady businesses out there that sell them!