Compared to other media set-top boxes, the Apple TV can appear somewhat limited. Out of the box it offers a limited number of channel apps and, unless you're invested in the Apple ecosystem, its AirPlay features are marginal at best. But the good news is you can get more content (a lot more), and additional functionality out of your Apple TV 2 with a simple jailbreak. It allows you to install popular apps like XBMC that make it easier to stream digital content throughout your home network. You're also able to find hundreds of internet channels like you'd find on a Roku.
What you'll need
- An Apple TV 2
- A Micro USB cable that's no longer than 1 m (3.3 ft) or the jailbreak won't work
- Physical Apple TV remote control
- FireCore Seas0nPass for Windows or Mac
- The latest version of iTunes
- Mac running OS X 10.6 or higher or PC running Windows XP SP3 or higher
Things to keep in mind
For this article I'm using an Apple TV 2 running the software version 5.3 (6105), and a PC running Windows 8. If you're on a Mac, no worries, the process is the same. Also, remember, this will not work with Apple TV 3, which is yet to succumb to jailbreaking more than a year after its release.
To check the version of software your Apple TV is running, go to Settings > General > About and there you'll see the software version. If you're running an older version, you can download the right version of Seas0npass for it.
Jailbreak Apple TV 2
After you have everything ready, launch the Seas0nPass software on your computer and click the "Create IPSW" button.
Next you'll get a message to connect your Apple TV to your PC or Mac. Plug in the power cord and Micro USB cable then connect it to your computer. You don't need the HDMI or Ethernet cables connected – just the power and Micro USB.
After you connect your Apple TV, grab the Apple TV remote, point it at your Apple TV and hold down the Menu and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously for seven seconds. This will put the Apple TV in Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode.
After you see the blue light on the front of the box start blinking rapidly, release the buttons and the Apple TV should be recognized by your computer. You'll get a message asking if you want to save the signatures. This is up to you. I usually don't because it errors out on my system for some reason, but you might have better luck.
Source: By Brian Burgess, Gizmag
