Essential Cydia Apps for iOS

It’s been a while since I’ve made an iOS post so here’s one with added ‘Jailbreak’ features.  If you’ve never jailbroken your iPhone or iPad before or if you think the only reason to jailbreak one is to get free stuff then think again.  The ‘proper’ purpose of Jailbreaking is not to get free apps but to open up your device so you can install and use additional functionality which the device is capable of doing, but is limited by what Apple allows you to install.  Every user has their own collection of must have Cydia apps for a default install, here’s mine.  I’ve pulled the vids from other users in YouTube.  The vids explain the apps in more detail and will also give you an insight in to the many themes you can explore, hopefully, they’ll give you more understanding.

SBSettings
SB Settings gives you direct access to the background running processes of your phone from any screen or while you have any app to open. – This means you don’t have to close the app you’re in to go to settings, then connect to Wi-Fi, or switch on location services etc.. then return back to the app you were using.  By simply swiping your finger along the menu bar at the top you have the option to toggle on or off, Wi-Fi, ssh access, sms alerts, location services, 3g services etc..

Bite SMS
Bite SMS is a nice and complete replacement for your SMS system.  Along with all the normal features of text messaging , it boasts the ability to quickly compose new or reply messages from any screen, automatic delivery reports, integrated contact pictures, templates, signatures, proper timestamps, send delay and a ton of other features.

Infinidock
The apps in your dock, are most likely the apps you use most often and normally this is limited to four.  Infinidock allows you to have an unlimited number of icons in your dock so you can have quick access to the apps you select to place there.  I place my ancillary apps in here (Camera, Clock Features, Settings and my TV remote control).

Remove background apps
If, like me your iPhone is in your hand almost all the time running several apps all day all you’ll find that multitasking keeps the apps open.  For some apps (like Tom Tom, Trapster) location services continue to run for a limited time after you close the app.  You can manually close these by ‘stopping’ them from multitasking but doing this for all apps is a ball ache and will take a while to do.  “Remove Background Apps” allow you to close all your background apps simultaneously (which returns the system memory to you).

Spring Flash
A very underrated app but one I happen to use on a daily basis.  In the app store, you can buy torch apps which switch on the camera’s light.  In a situation requiring a torch, you must first unlock your phone, find the page where your torch icon is, open it and press a button to switch on the torch. – That can take anywhere between 5-10 seconds depending on your phone and how quick you are.  Spring Flash allows you to configure your hardware buttons to switch your light on and it’s instant. – No more fumbling for icons on screen when I can just hit my volume button twice and presto.. my torch is on instantly.

Typophone Weather
No Jailbreak iPhone would be complete without a little decoration and Typophone Weather adds decoration with functionality.  It’s a theme for your lock screen which replaces your date and time fonts and sizes whilst adding the current weather to your lock screen (no need for a springboard weather app now, it’s all right there on the main screen).

No Spot
Do you use the search capabilities on your iPhone? – No.. me too and the spotlight search is really annoying so switch it off using No Spot.

OpenSSH
Unless you’re comfortable browsing the file system in your phone or you know for sure you need OpenSSH don’t get it.  Otherwise it’s a valuable tool to access the guts of your phone so you can make backups, wirelessly sync photo’s, amend system files which allow you to overclock your phone and install custom programs (and settings).  Open SSH is also required for other apps which tap into it lick Veency below.

Veency
Need to show someone your screen whilst you’re doing stuff on the phone? – Great.. Veency is a VNC client for your phone, all you need do is install a server on the desktop you wish show from and enter your phone’s IP address.  Within seconds your computer monitor will show your iPhone and you can demonstrate or share your activities without having people lean and breath all over you to see what you’re doing. – It works both ways – You can also control your iPhone from your desktop PC.

There’s plenty more apps like this on Cydia, I’m not a great user of all the different bells and whistles this is just a quick guide to what I find essential.- I hope it comes in useful :-)