We recently told you about the hidden panorama mode in the iOS 5 Camera app that could be enabled by editing a .plist file. Since then, a jailbreak tweak called “Firebreak” has been released that automatically enables the feature on any jailbroken iOS 5 device.
Panorama mode in the iOS Camera actually works, and you can get it on your own device right now without jailbreaking.
A simple hack has surfaced that enables the hidden panorama mode on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPod touch, and iPad 2 running iOS 5. To enable the feature, you’ll need to perform a modified backup of your iOS device in iTunes. You will also need to restore from a new backup, so keep that in mind before continuing.
Step 1: Download the free trial of iBackupBot for Mac OS X or Windows. Install it on your computer.
Step 2: Backup your iOS device in iTunes. If you have a recent backup, then you can use that file. You have to manually backup instead of using iCloud.
Step 3: Once you’ve got a backup you’re ready to restore to, open iBackupBot. Navigate to Library/Preferences/com.apple.mobileslideshow.plist and open that file. If you’re running the trial version of iBackupBot, just click cancel after the warning message and continue.
Step 4: Add
Step 5: Exit out of iBackupBot and restore your iOS device in iTunes to the recent backup file you just edited.
That’s it! You should now have the iOS 5 panorama mode enabled on your iOS device — no jailbreak required. When you launch the Camera app, the panorama mode should be available in Options under Grid and HDR mode.
PANORAMA3 9.30.41 PM
via @chpwn
There are plenty of other apps in the App Store that let you take panoramic pictures, but this method enables the native panorama mode that Apple has disabled by default in iOS 5. While the feature is usable, it’s obviously not ready for prime time, so don’t be surprised if you run into some bugs.
