.deb Cydia Hack

[Denisha Padley]

Im writing tweaks for jailbroken iOS, which are packaged in .deb files. The tweak is saving its data at /var/mobile/Library/Application Support/TweakName/file.save. I'd like to rm that save file when a user uninstalls the tweak, so that I don't leave files lying around. But my understanding is that the postrm script runs when a package is updated as well as when it's deleted, and I'd like to preserve the saved state between versions, as I don't expect any update to change the save format (and I can deal with that if it does arise).

However, the package system will also pass command line parameters to the scripts, and you can use those to determine which scenario you're in: upgrade, or uninstall.

Note: you didn't say whether these are being installed by Cydia, or by dpkg directly at the command line. I can't test with Cydia right now, but the general concept should be the same. As you've probably noticed, when installing packages through Cydia, it shows you the standard output from the installer scripts as they run.

Without even needing to SSH into your device, you can simply use the popular iFile file system browser app from Cydia to install .deb files. This method only takes a few taps on the device itself and is undoubtedly easier to follow, especially for those newer to jailbreaking.

Jailbreak tweaks are typically distributed in the form of Debian files, which are indicated by the .deb at the end of the file name. Package managers automate the installation process any time you search for and install these packages via a repository, but you can also install these files manually by using a file browser app like Filza.

Since many jailbreakers like to keep backups of their jailbreak tweaks for when they restore their device and set it up as new, it may come in handy to know how you can acquire these .deb files. Fortunately, iDB is here with another useful tutorial that will show you how.

Ways to acquire .deb files for paid jailbreak tweaks certainly exist, however iDB chooses not to share these methods as it would perpetuate file sharing and piracy. Such acts actually drive developers away from the community, resulting in fewer exciting add-ons for users to enjoy.

Perhaps the most effective way to find a .deb file for a particular jailbreak tweak is with the iOS Repo Updates website. To get the .deb file for a jailbreak tweak from iOS Repo Updates, simply follow the steps outlined below:

While the above two methods are easier, more convenient, and effective in the pinch of time, sometimes you may need to contact the developer if the jailbreak tweak is no longer available to download on a repository or if the jailbreak tweak is paid.

Now that you know how to acquire the .deb file for most publicly hosted and free jailbreak tweak packages, you can easily save them for use later, especially if you decide to set up your jailbroken device as new again.

I have been hosting my app on a cydia repository for quite some time, and haven't had any problems hosting the app for iOS 5 or iOS 6. However, when I upgraded one of my devices to iOS 7, and tried to install the app it gave me some errors during the installation.

I've tried googling the errors, but haven't had much luck, and I just reread saurik's post about building a .deb file and creating a cydia repository, here I am still not sure why the package / .deb file would work in iOS 6 but then stop working in iOS 7.

this error mostly happen if you are using new SDK that has not been jailbroken yet, if you are using Xcode with new SDK you should download older Xcode with SDK that has been jailbroken, then you can compile an app that will load normally.

Hi there! I recently have jailbroken my device with Electra. I am on 11.3.1, using an iPhone 6s. So, I was very excited to jailbreak, since I can now use hacks for games that are way better than hacks for a non-jailbroken device. Anyways, I am good at following instructions, and the instructions are really simple on how to install them. So, I downloaded Filza, Preference Loader, but Cydia Substrate doesn't seem to come up. So, I installed the .deb file from the IOSGODS post, I tapped "Open with Filza", then I clicked on the .deb file, then clicked "Install". It does its thing, but it doesn't pop up anything stating "Installation Successful". So, i wait a couple mins, then i tap on respring on the upper right corner. My device resprings, but the game isn't on my home screen nor in settings. I have a feeling the reason this is not working is because I don't have Cydia substrate, but I'm not sure how to get it, if it doesn't come up with search. So, I ask anyone who is really experienced with this process, to please help me! I'm not sure what to do, and if IOS 11 is able to even use any of the jailbroken hacks on IOSGODS, if Cydia substrate doesn't pop up, and it shows on the post that it is one of the hack REQUIREMENTS. Thanks in advance!

Ok, so im actually freaking out right now lol. Because i did what you said, and when i opened the app, it shows the IOSGODS "Welcome " Pop up but then it disappeard quickly, and i clicked on "Login" but the thing disappeared and now its loading normal. Will give an uupdate when it fully loads

If you have come up against the limitations of python 2.5 then this section is for you. The first thing you will need is the .deb for python 2.7.2. You can download it from =python_2.7.2-5_iphoneos-arm.deb

If you jailbreak in iOS, you can install packages using .deb files. Being a Linux user I know Debian-based distros use that file type for apt. I know that iOS is not Debian-based or Linux-based, but it is UNIX-based. Why does iOS use .deb files when you jailbreak?

as I already said here my wifi is not working so I need to install Cydia .deb files like SBSettings, Installous, Winterboard etc. manually...well I did, but they wont work properly. I got some .deb files from various website, added them on my device in the cydia install folder, so far so good. I restarted my iphone, the icons showed up (Installous, winterboard) but when I open up Cydia and go to the packages they have a redish background (something like "hey there is something wrong"). Is something wrong with the files or the manual install is not good?

SBSettings -> Respring works, "more" work, the toggle icons don't show up (wifi, bluetooth, openSSH etc). Installous -> Added some .ipa files to my device, they show up on download tab on my device but no icons show up (they are blank). I hit install but i get an error like "Error building SBCache" then "Installed" but they are not installed.Winterboard -> works.

You can add .deb files and install apps from apptrackr, etc.. using the app iFunbox. I actually just used it the other day to locally upload my custom sms-tone pack. So download your needed .deb files from online, then transfer and install them via the program iFunbox.

This might be because certain Cydia apps have other requirements. When you download an app from Cydia it checks to make sure that you have the foundational files for that app to work installed, if not then it installs them itself. If you don't have those, some .deb files might not work properly.

This is a tutorial on how to do this. I am trying to make this as seamless as possible, so if anyone is having problems, please let me know and I will see what I can do to improve this.

So, heres how:

Ok, I think I may have found the solution. Go here:

Uninstall the previous two .deb files in your package manager, then install those. Install NFCBackground First, then NFCUnblock. I will update the tutorial to reflect this. Please let me know how this goes. Make sure to run killall -9 nfcd, respring, and force quit Shortcuts before continuing.

For the jailbreaking community, if you have ever wanted to get to those executable files, here is the guide to help you out. With few simple tips you can get the .deb files of any jailbreak tweak right from Cydia. Although this method does not apply to any commercial packages - unless you don't pay for them - it would be a helpful guide for those looking to get the executables.

Advanced package tool, or APT, is a free-software user interface that works with core libraries to handle the installation and removal of software on Debian, and Debian-based Linux distributions. APT simplifies the process of managing software on Unix-like computer systems by automating the retrieval, configuration and installation of software packages, either from precompiled files or by compiling source code.

APT is a collection of tools distributed in a package named apt. A significant part of APT is defined in a C++ library of functions; APT also includes command-line programs for dealing with packages, which use the library. Three such programs are apt, apt-get and apt-cache. They are commonly used in examples because they are simple and ubiquitous. The apt package is of "important" priority in all current Debian releases, and is therefore included in a default Debian installation. APT can be considered a front-end to dpkg, friendlier than the older dselect front-end. While dpkg performs actions on individual packages, APT manages relations (especially dependencies) between them, as well as sourcing and management of higher-level versioning decisions (release tracking and version pinning).

The user indicates one or more packages to be installed. Each package name is phrased as just the name portion of the package, not a fully qualified filename (for instance, in a Debian system, libc6 would be the argument provided, not libc6_1.9.6-2.deb). Notably, APT automatically gets and installs packages upon which the indicated package depends (if necessary). This was an original distinguishing characteristic of APT-based package management systems, as it avoided installation failure due to missing dependencies, a type of dependency hell.

3a8082e126