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RipDev discovers how to activate iPhone Screen Shots

A lot of iPhone dev types have known about the SBMobileScreenshotr preference for a very long time. What we didn't know was how to make it do anything. The software programming site RipDev solved the mystery.

After setting the preference in /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/com.apple.springboard.plist, just restart Springboard and use the following super-secret key combination: Hold down the Home key and toggle the mute switch. Your screen flashes white, a screen shot appears on your camera roll. How did they figure this out? Given the relative unlikelihood of coming across this key combination by chance, I'm guessing they might have had some human direction. Or maybe they're just really really good at disassembling code.

If you'd rather not edit your property lists directly, add http://repository.ripdev.com as an Installer repository and install Apple Screenshot Enabler. Warning: trying to remove the mod via Installer.app caused my phone to reboot. It just would not uninstall properly.

Thanks TJ



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Hacks iPhone

A lot of iPhone dev types have known about the SBMobileScreenshotr preference for a very long time. What we didn't know was how to make it...
 

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danny543

Very useful article,Erica,thanks for your sharing!
I just actived my iphone according to your guide. And The Apple iPhone features a beautiful 3.5-inch widescreen display. That's the most important reason I love it! Apple expects iPhone owners will use their new device to watch movies, browse the web and check email. To access the features of the iPhone, you need to use the revolutionary muli-touch interface. Being a phone and using a touch interface, the iPhone will be susceptible to scratches. Having a scratch on your screen can have a negative impact next time you sit down to watch your favorite movie or television program. To avoid this, the best iPhone accessory investment you can make will be an iPhone screen protector
The iPhone uses multi-touch technology which requires you use the touch screen to navigate the phone. This will undoubtedly result in "smudges". While cases can protect your iPhone from drops, an iPhone screen protector will protect the screen from accidental scratches from a fingernail. It is a further safeguard against mishaps and allow you to enjoy Zoolander in all it's glory.


May 19 2008 at 8:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marcos

On my iPhone it didn't work: the key combination makes the click sound but the screen goes briefly dark and then puts me back in the "slide to unlock" screen.

Any ideas?

March 31 2008 at 5:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pete Zich

I know things like Caption Crunch edit the backup plists and restoring to change the status and such, is there a way to do something like that with this?

March 31 2008 at 3:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jason Tucker

Is there any way to go about this on the ipod touch?

March 20 2008 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
chair_tard

via Term-vt100.app:

install plutil ('#' is the prompt, don't type it):
# mkdir /usr/local/bin
# cd /usr/local/bin
# curl -O http://ericasadun.com/ftp/EricaUtilities/individual/plutil
# chmod +x plutil

add plutil to path:
# echo 'export PATH=/usr/local/bin/plutil:$PATH' >> ~/.zsh_profile
make sure
# echo $PATH
spits out
/bin:/sbin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/private/var/root/bin
then
# restart

enable screenshots:
# cd /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/
# plutil -s SBMobileScreenshotr -v YES com.apple.springboard.plist

----


I love your articles Erica. I just wish they could be slightly more comprehensive. Anytime you have a plist hack, you ought to just paste in the full 9 on how to do it. Thanks for your efforts, regardless. Keep up the good work, we're all counting on you.

March 20 2008 at 3:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan

Yeah, not so simple. In theory it's good, but doesn't output screen actions.

March 19 2008 at 4:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan

Cool.
But! How can you get your actions to be recorded? You know, like a scan converter, like Steve Jobs does on screen during the conferences? Hmmm??

March 19 2008 at 8:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Dan's comment
philgilder

use the video out lead to a recording device?

March 19 2008 at 3:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jay Robinson

Enabled hidden files and folders but can ney find /var/mobile/Library/Preferences/ folder from the Finder.

March 19 2008 at 2:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jay Robinson's comment
Jim Danner

If you're on 1.1.2 or earlier firmware, it's /var/root/Library/Preferences/

March 19 2008 at 6:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Beau

Meh, if only there was such a mute button on my iPod Touch. :-(

March 19 2008 at 2:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
iPhoneCoder

Now if they can find the setting for enabling video mirroring of the screen to the docking port ... :)

March 18 2008 at 11:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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