When iOS 5.1.1 first dropped, the latest version of Redsn0w (0.9.10b8b) provided an initial solution for A4 devices like the iPhone 4. However, it was tethered , meaning every time the phone died or restarted, it had to be plugged back into a computer to boot.

In the early 2010s, the digital landscape was a playground for a group of elite hackers known as the iPhone Dev Team . Their most legendary creation was , a multi-purpose tool that promised users "freedom" from Apple’s strict ecosystem.

By , the battle between Apple and the jailbreaking community reached a fever pitch with the release of iOS 5.1.1 . For many users, this update was a threat to their customized devices, but the Dev Team was ready. The Evolution of Redsn0w 5.1.1