Installing custom applications on your iPhone has just gotten a heck of a lot easier. While it’ll still require a dive into the deep dark recesses of Terminal.app, the trip to the command line has just been reduced into a couple of quick commands.
Nullriver created an Installer application for the iPhone a week or two ago, but the problem was that the seemingly recursive task of installing the installer still meant fooling around with a host of confusing commands. Now, however, it requires only a few simple steps:
The installation worked mostly without kinks for me, though the first time around, I didn’t hold down the home and sleep buttons for quite as long as necessary, prompting a pleasant reminder from the script: ” You’re going to have to learn to hold it longer than that, buddy!” The second time, however, proved to be the charm, and the Installer application showed up on my iPhone’s home screen.
The Installer app itself is slicker than that neighborhood kid’s Slip ‘n Slide. It’ll present you with a list of packages that you can install, update, or uninstall, all via the Net, with no hacking required. At first glance, you’ll just see a few options, but if you install the Community Sources package, you’ll get a whole lot more. One interesting note: if you install more applications than fit on the iPhone’s home screen (five, including the installer), your apps will scroll off the screen and you won’t be able to access them. Fortunately, you can always remove third-party packages via Installer, or use something like iFuntastic to hide the default Apple apps that you don’t use.
Speaking of which: if the Nullriver guys would team up with the iFuntastic folks, they could probably create a GUI installer in pretty short order. The only question then would be how soon a software update from Apple will crash the party.
"if you install more applications than fit on the iPhone's home screen (five, including the installer), your apps will scroll off the screen and you won't be able to access them."
Bring on Quicksilver for iPhone!
I like the sound of that. Too bad about only 5 apps though. C'mon Apple, how about that API already?
Isn't it Nullriver that made the application? Nullsoft being the company behind Winamp and the like.
Well then it seems that what is needed is an app (possibly an expanded installer?) that provides a more expansive facility for launching other apps.
I'm pretty sure nullriver isn't nullsoft
Well it's not working for me. I launch the app and it tells me it's not supported, won't even open the app. What am I missing here?
A side note, there is an application you can install called Launcher and a tweak called SBKb. This will move all of the third party applications to the Launcher which is a single icon. However, it also moved the safari icon which may or may not be wanted (making phone/mail/icon easier to hit)
Once you install the Community Sources package, you'll see an app called Launcher (v.0.2 as of right now) that will present you with a listing of the apps that don't fit on the main screen.
@rg: Don't launch the app. The app is for use on the iPhone. Launch terminal and then drag get_installer.sh onto the terminal window, then hit return. It will do the rest.
Oh and here's some iphone news from Apple - you know - the makers of the iphone. Sorry it's not another boring hack which I won't install because every update will nuke it:
Apple releases iPhone Software Update version 1.0.2:
tp://www.appleinsider.com/articles/07/08/21/apple_releases_iphone_software_update_version_1_0_2.html
I don't quite know how to nav to Installer's directory. Where does Bootstrap fit in? I use it and get a Terminal Error Messages that states "Failed: (0) afcWriteFile: Cant read file".
Using Jason's method gets me "Please run this script from within the iPhoneInstaller folder!".
i want to do this, but i'm scared i'll screw something up. when the hell is apple gonna get on board?
How do you- Navigate to the Installer installer's directory as described in step 5?
Sorry for the lack of detailed instructions, but it's going to vary slightly depending on where you unzipped the file. Let's say, for the purposes of this example, that you unzip it to your Desktop. You'll want to use the command-line cd (change directory) command. To do so, type cd and the full path, for example cd "/Users/[your short username]/Desktop/iPhone Installer" (you only need the quotes if there's a space anywhere in the path name). Once you get to the Installer directory, type the command in step 6 and you're on your way.
Thanks Dan.
Was able to change directory, but now when i type in the command in step 6 nothing happens
All i get on my Powerbook G4 is that the installer isn't supported on this architeture. And if I drag the get_installer sh to the terminal window it tells me
Please run this script from within the iPhoneInstaller folder!
I guess i'm just confused.
On my home screen INSTALLER APP has numbers on it (like in mail when you have mail). How do I get rid of them? What are they?
If you want the scroll option in the home window you need to install the Summerboard app that you find after you have this loaded up. I'm scrolling no problem... yet.
And I found the easiest instructions, Video, at gizmodo.com and i think they are also on youtube???
This installer app on the Null River site must have changed even more since the writing of this article, because I didn't have to do anything w/a command line. I just clicked and installed, and it worked! It's really opened up my iWorld to greater things.
AND... I have the iPhone with 1.0.2 firmware, and the version I used for that -- maybe there have been more changes -- but although my icons may not show in the main area of the screen, I can easily use the iPhone's touch technology to move around and get to them. Worked just fine. I'm really happy w/the way things have gone and my decision to hack my phone.
Hack is such a horrible term. It should be known as "enlightening" our phones or "bringing consciousness to them."
do you download app-tap on your iphone
or the pc
because when i download it on my pc it only has pictures
not an installer
where do you install it
thanks
It's a pitty that i had to find out this in the hard way!!! I downloaded many applications and now the Installer Application doesn't appear on the main menu. What can i do to make it appear again? Thanks...
i want to install the installer but my firmware is 1.1.1 how can i get around that
I did the same yhing as Khalil and added too many apps, now the installer app is gone. What can I do?
Thanks
Hi Guys,
i have a question real quick. Maybe someone could help me.
I am running a hacked 1.0.2 and i accidently installed one too many 3rd party apps and now the installer icon is gone.
Could i launch installer from the mobile terminal (i have installed) on my iPhone?
Newbie to code so if someone could tell me the command, that would be great.
Thx!
David
@David Unfortunately, though the Installer.app is in /Applications, it doesn't appear that you can launch it from there. Your best alternative is, I think, to restore the phone from iTunes. You could also try deleting apps with the "rm" command (rm appname), but be extremely careful. In fact, just go the restore route. ;)
new probem
i had installer applications in past
but now i dont fint it on scren
question:? I have installed app snapp installer 3 into my iphone. i want to remove it now but I dont see any step to uninstall from the phone.
Im confused. So is installing this app worth it or not? :S
i added to many 3 rd parties too but on my phone appers a lil light on the bottom right corner and if u touch it or hold it u can access ur other 3rd parties try it
how do you uninstall the application installer?
i added an aplication called ants .. bt later i deletd the installer application .. nd thn whn i try nd put bak any sort of application only ants com ..
is this a virus ??
plz can any help me out wth this .. ??
=S
As someone else has done above, Ive too many 3rd party applications on my iphone and cant get to them from the screen,can someone tell me in laymans terms the easy way to remove them without bricking my hacked phone,or is there a website out there that someone has a link to.
Thanks in advance.
How long does it take for the application Installer to be installed on the iPhone? I am getting the message "ConnectRecoveryCallback Bad Stage - 1" and nothing seems to happen. Any help?
i too have added too many apps and the installer has dissapeared. if i restore my iphone via itunes wont it erase everything on my iphone???
i have an unlocked phone with the installer already on the hone screen. I want to get third party applications but it tells me i need to update my software, but when i do, there is always the error that the file size do not match. I dont see anything else on the interface except the installer update package. I am an absolute techno dunce so all help appreciated! Thanks
i have the intaller (intalled on my) iphone but accidently ive updated the installer and now it seem to go back to home screen when i click on it
wht shud i do plzz help me out
Hi:
I also have added too many apps and the installer has dissapeared. if i restore my iphone via itunes wont it erase everything on my iphone???...what can I do??????
As someone else has done above, Ive too many 3rd party applications on my iphone and cant get to them from the screen,can someone tell me in laymans terms the easy way to remove them without bricking my hacked phone,or is there a website out there that someone has a link to.
Thanks in advance.
same here...help!!!!