We have seen how cryptic Apple iTunes error codes can be, and here is a working solution to fix another one - the Apple iTunes Error Code 1015.

What is TinyUmbrella ?

TinyUmbrella is an utility for Windows and MAC which allows users to save SHSH Blobs or Digital Signatures for Apple Devices (iPhone, iPad and Apple TV) locally, this allows restores to older firmware's which are no longer officially supported by Apple. TinyUmbrella works the magic by running locally as a proxy to iTunes, intercepting and faking the communication while iTunes thinks it is communicating with Apple servers for authenticating the firmware restore as permitted irrespective of what Apple Servers allow and disallow. This feature becomes indispensable for users relying on "Software unlocks" which are supported on older firmwares and basebands, as Apple restricts restores to these exploited versions forcing users to newer versions of iOS.

What is SHSH Blobs ?

These are backup files of firmware digital signatures which are needed to restore an Apple device, Apple generates these based on hardware keys of the device and the hash of the firmware - which makes them unique for every device. It is to be noted that Apple only issues signatures for the currently-available, current iOS version. What TinyUmbrella does is to save these digital signatures locally for later use, when Apple does not allow them.

How to save SHSH Blobs using TinyUmbrella ?

Simply download the TinyUmbrella utility (links provided at the end of this blog post), and connect your device. Once detected click the "Save SHSH button" and it's done, if having errors look at our TinyUnmbrella troubleshooting guide.

TinyUmbrella is an indispensable tool in the war between jailbreaking community and Apple, the software allows users to save their iDevice SHSH files making it possible to later downgrade or restore a firmware (.IPSW) even when Apple has blocked that forcing users to upgrade to a newer version.

If you are having issues trying to use TinyUmbrella and error shown is "Cannot Start TSS Service" and the status shows "TinyUmbrella's TSS server is not running" with option to start the server disabled, here is a quick and easy solution to the problem.

Developer of popular TinyUmbrella application has confirmed an interesting development on Apple's strategy to block carrier-unlockers, starting from recently released iOS 4.2.1 Apple seem to be enforcing a minimum baseband (bootrom) version requirement for users trying to upgrade their firmware. Users have resorted on tools like TinyUmbrella and Sn0wbreeze to update their device firmware to latest version keeping an older unlockable baseband version letting them enjoy the newest Apple iOS version while retaining a carrier-unlocked phone, this has changed for now until someone hacks their way-in finding a new way to get around this. The worst part is that if you try to use an older baseband updating to stock iOS 4.2.1 you will be stuck in recovery mode with no option but to restore back to iOS 4.1 or iOS 4.2.1 which means no carrier-unlock.