Free iPhone unlocking solution released for download

[audiopollution]

One day after the release of the iPhoneSimFree unlocking solution, the method utilized by the software has been discovered and is currently being developed into a free software package. It seems that the baseband firmware can be upgraded through a bug in the firmware update code.

The free solution should be available in a few hours!

[shanmugam]

thats good news ...

bring it on!

[shanmugam]

--removed

[audiopollution]

The software has been released, and I've changed the thread title to reflect this:

Grab it from the 'Progress Report' section at:

http://iphone.fiveforty.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

[KennyWRX]

Is this for Mac only?

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

The software has been released, and I've changed the thread title to reflect this:

Grab it from the 'Progress Report' section at:

http://iphone.fiveforty.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

thanks audiopollution, site is slow not able to download yet

[kupan787]

Originally Posted by shanmugam

thanks audiopollution, site is slow not able to download yet

I just want to confirm it works. I have tested my iPhone with my girlfriends T-mobile sim, and it works great (can make calls, wifi works, etc). She doesn't have a data plan, so I can't test edge, but I hear that works according to other users (you just need the 19.99 data plan from T-mobile, not sure the name).

I followed the instructions on this site: http://iphone.unlock.no/

Supposedly a GUI version is in the works, which should help to make things easier.

[shanmugam]

Originally Posted by kupan787

I just want to confirm it works. I have tested my iPhone with my girlfriends T-mobile sim, and it works great (can make calls, wifi works, etc). She doesn't have a data plan, so I can't test edge, but I hear that works according to other users (you just need the 19.99 data plan from T-mobile, not sure the name).

I followed the instructions on this site: http://iphone.unlock.no/

Supposedly a GUI version is in the works, which should help to make things easier.

great! any body else had success please share ...

[AppleInsider]

A team of hackers attempting to unlock Apple Inc.'s iPhone for use with GSM-based wireless carriers other than AT&T appear to have finally succeeded in their efforts, and last night began distributing their solution as a free download via several websites.

Dubbed "iUnlock," the SIM unlocking tool represents the fruits of a multi-month effort on the part of the unofficial "iPhone Dev Team" -- a community of independent contributors who've banded together to discover and develop additional uses for the inaugural Apple handset.

Unlike commercial efforts from groups such as iPhoneSIMfree and UniquePhones, iUnlock was released Tuesday evening as a free download, and has since begun to spread rapidly across the web. Several iPhone owners and members of Apple online communities claim to have tested and verified the solution as genuine.

In its current state, however, the iUnlock solution is not for the technically-challeneged or faint-of-heart. It requires a "jailbroken" iPhone, rudimentary knowledge of using a unix terminal, experience with SFTP and some patience. Some tutorials on how to apply the hack have also begun to crop up, but they're currently rough around the edges.

Several more user-friendly installation guides are believed to be under development at the present time, as is a version of iUnlock that will be based around an installer for the less technical savvy.

Unlocking mobile phones for one's own use, for instance to place calls with a different carrier, appears to be legal under an exemption of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. However, the same may not be true for the specific steps taken by the iPhone Dev Team's unlocking solution, which has not been scrutinized in that regard.

Because the iPhone is GSM-based, U.S. consumers who unlock the phone will be limited in their alternative wireless carrier choices to just T-Mobile, the only other national GSM-based service provider outside of AT&T. Internationally, however, the unlocking solution would seem more compelling due to the proliferation of GSM-based networks and carriers overseas.

AppleInsider assumes no responsibility for any damage or legal issues caused by readers who install iUnlock, and is providing links to the downloadable files and associated tutorials strictly for information purposes. AppleInsider is also not linking directly to the iPhone Dev Team's wiki site in this article per its request that publications refrain from doing so out of server stability concerns. Readers can find the website easily by searching Google.

iUnlock application

-Giz Mirror (Associated Report)

iUnlock tutorials

-ModMyiPhone version
-Hackint0sh version
-FreeiPhoneUnlock version
-iphone.unlock.no version

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[BlackSummerNight]

A update from Apple will render your phone useless.

[Eros]

Updates are at the discretion of the user. You do not have to update!

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Eros

Updates are at the discretion of the user. You do not have to update!

It would be silly to not update. A great deal of the promise of this phone IS the updates. What would be the point of eliminating one of the main reasons for purchasing the phone?

And, if you think that ATTs coverage sucks, you ain't seen nothin' until you're on T-Mobile. If you're lucky, you live in an area where they have decent coverage, but thats not widespread.

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

A update from Apple will possibly render your phone useless.

Fixed that for you.

[potterhead4]

Originally Posted by melgross

And, if you think that ATTs coverage sucks, you ain't seen nothin' until you're on T-Mobile. If you're lucky, you live in an area where they have decent coverage, but thats not widespread.

No kidding. There are inexplicable T-Mobile dead zones all over the place in the major cities I've lived in and been to. Just like entire neighborhoods that for some reason don't get any service at all. The only benefit (and reason I don't have an iPhone) is that the price per minutes, if you make a lot of voice calls and SMS plans are a lot cheaper.

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by melgross

It would be silly to not update. A great deal of the promise of this phone IS the updates. What would be the point of eliminating one of the main reasons for purchasing the phone?

And, if you think that ATTs coverage sucks, you ain't seen nothin' until you're on T-Mobile. If you're lucky, you live in an area where they have decent coverage, but thats not widespread.

I think you'll find that the majority of people who will find this useful are those who live outside the US.

Like me.

[JeffDM]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

A update from Apple will render your phone useless.

We don't know. The last update did not disable the existing unlocks. Restore and update resiliency was one of the things some of the sites tested.

Originally Posted by melgross

It would be silly to not update. A great deal of the promise of this phone IS the updates. What would be the point of eliminating one of the main reasons for purchasing the phone?

I don't remember improvements being promised, and the updates so far didn't add anything that I remember. It's rare that I've seen product feature additions on updates. From Apple's iPod, I think it was limited to podcast support and game support.

[SpamSandwich]

Good one for the so-called hacking community. Apple should take note of the displeasure of being stuck with at&t by the community of iPhone users!

[auxio]

I've successfully used this tool and my phone now works on Fido/Rogers here in Canada. Though I can't figure out how to get EDGE to work. I'm using the settings from:

http://farhany.com/?p=97

It's probably because my account isn't set up for the EDGE network yet (I rarely used data on my old phone, and I don't think it used EDGE for data). I'll give Fido a call tonight and see.

[icibaqu]

what would be interesting to know is if the iPhone will work with T-mobile's HotSpot at Home deal (basically they give you a wifi router so you make calls on wifi while at home and have FREE entry to any existing T-Mobile Hotspot. . . NICE!)

[Harald]

Yes, I'm shouting.

Rocking the iPhone on Orange in the UK.

Hoo bloody RAH.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

Fixed that for you.

From a reply from Apple in an update to that story:

"software updates will most likely break"

http://www.gearlog.com/2007/09/apple...nt_hate_ip.php

[melgross]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

I think you'll find that the majority of people who will find this useful are those who live outside the US.

Like me.

So, to get this a few months earlier, you're willing to give up all of the improvements that Apple will be handing out over the next few years?

Or do you live in such a far out place that you don't think the phone will get there for years?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by JeffDM

We don't know. The last update did not disable the existing unlocks. Restore and update resiliency was one of the things some of the sites tested.



I don't remember improvements being promised, and the updates so far didn't add anything that I remember. It's rare that I've seen product feature additions on updates. From Apple's iPod, I think it was limited to podcast support and game support.

It's what Jobs pretty much promised. They will be adding features as time went on. That's what was said.

The ability to add (legal) ringtones. The ability to buy from itunes over wireless. The smaller added features that others have noticed, such as more options added to some choices. The ability to add a period and a space by pressing the space bar twice.

That's just after two months.

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by melgross

From a reply from Apple in an update to that story:

"software updates will most likely break"

http://www.gearlog.com/2007/09/apple...nt_hate_ip.php

Joswiak was speaking of 3rd-Party applications written for the iPhone. At the time of his comment, the software-unlock was not available.

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by melgross

So, to get this a few months earlier, you're willing to give up all of the improvements that Apple will be handing out over the next few years?

Or do you live in such a far out place that you don't think the phone will get there for years?

If Apple deem to relock the phone with an upcoming firmware update, so be it. I can deal with the lack of improvements until such time that the phone is available in Canada.

[auxio]

Originally Posted by melgross

So, to get this a few months earlier, you're willing to give up all of the improvements that Apple will be handing out over the next few years?

How so? Use the software unlock until such time as Apple releases the phone in your country, being wary of firmware updates. At that point, restore the firmware with whatever version works in your country, and after that you can then get all the updates you like.

Unless you think the iTunes firmware restore option will only be available in the US...

[melgross]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

Joswiak was speaking of 3rd-Party applications written for the iPhone. At the time of his comment, the software-unlock was not available.

True, but it could include that as well.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by auxio

How so? Use the software unlock until such time as Apple releases the phone in your country, being wary of firmware updates. At that point, restore the firmware with whatever version works in your country, and after that you can then get all the updates you like.

Unless you think the iTunes firmware restore option will only be available in the US...

I don't really know what to think.

The original interview sounded a very positive note. But the two updates to that, indicated an increasingly negative tone.

[TerrinB]

Originally Posted by BlackSummerNight

A update from Apple will render your phone useless.

You should say may render your phone useless. Apple has went on the record to say it wouldn't actively try to undo unlocks. However, when Apple rewrites the code for updates, some of the updates may break the unlock.

Also, the kid who unlocked the iPhone used the best method because he changed the read only memory. Apple cannot update that. That however, takes cracking open the case.

Finally, you can also restore the iPhone if things get messed up.

[TerrinB]

You are taking his comments way out of context. He was addressing application developers and explaining Apple's stance on third party developers who build applications that directly use the OS as opposed to Safari's web development platform. He said Apple's position for now was that it neither would support or discourage such third party development. He said, however, updates may break the third party software and Apple would not currently support developers to ensure their applications are not broken. This makes sense since Apple is likely still going to offer a major update, and the current version of the OS was just meant to get the product out the door.


My point was, he was not talking about unlocking at all. There also is a difference between changing the OS and the firmware. Apple most definitely will update the OS, but not necessarily the firmware.

I also do not think Apple will try too hard to thwart the efforts of people trying to unlock the iPhone. People willing to go to that extreme to use an iPhone are most likely rare. It is making money regardless of whether you sign up with AT&T or not. The few people who use the iPhone unlocked means little to Apple. It made money on the sale, and does not have to service an unlocked iPhone.

Originally Posted by melgross

From a reply from Apple in an update to that story:

"software updates will most likely break"

http://www.gearlog.com/2007/09/apple...nt_hate_ip.php

[extremeskater]

Originally Posted by melgross

It would be silly to not update. A great deal of the promise of this phone IS the updates. What would be the point of eliminating one of the main reasons for purchasing the phone?

And, if you think that ATTs coverage sucks, you ain't seen nothin' until you're on T-Mobile. If you're lucky, you live in an area where they have decent coverage, but thats not widespread.

I believe Tmoble only has decent coverage if you live near a major interstate. I use to have TMoble years ago I could take a call in the front of my house and it would drop it I went into the kitchen at the back of my house.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by TerrinB

You are taking his comments way out of context. He was addressing application developers and explaining Apple's stance on third party developers who build applications that directly use the OS as opposed to Safari's web development platform. He said Apple's position for now was that it neither would support or discourage such third party development. He said, however, updates may break the third party software and Apple would not currently support developers to ensure their applications are not broken. This makes sense since Apple is likely still going to offer a major update, and the current version of the OS was just meant to get the product out the door.


My point was, he was not talking about unlocking at all. There also is a difference between changing the OS and the firmware. Apple most definitely will update the OS, but not necessarily the firmware.

I also do not think Apple will try too hard to thwart the efforts of people trying to unlock the iPhone. People willing to go to that extreme to use an iPhone are most likely rare. It is making money regardless of whether you sign up with AT&T or not. The few people who use the iPhone unlocked means little to Apple. It made money on the sale, and does not have to service an unlocked iPhone.

I know that. But Apple makes firmware updates as well. That could cause problems.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by extremeskater

I believe Tmoble only has decent coverage if you live near a major interstate. I use to have TMoble years ago I could take a call in the front of my house and it would drop it I went into the kitchen at the back of my house.

That's one of their biggest problems.

It's also why they offer good plans and such. It's to make up for their terrible coverage.

[kupan787]

Originally Posted by melgross

That's one of their biggest problems.

It's also why they offer good plans and such. It's to make up for their terrible coverage.

Living out in Cali (both in San Jose and now Sacramento), T-mobile has been great (as good if not better than ATT). Never had a dropped call on T-mobile, but with ATT, I get dropped calls a few times a week (fewest dropped calls my ass!) Honestly, if I wasn't in a 2-year now with ATT, I'd really contemplate switching. Although Visual Voice mail is something awesome....

Plus the prices can't be beat. I was paying $59.99 for unlimited internet, email, sms, 1000 anytime, unlimited nights and weekends. With ATT I am paying $69 for 450 minutes, 5000 night and weekend, 1500 texts, and unlimited internet. Add to the fact that I despise ATT (used to have them pre-cingular and they sucked), both their wireless and landline services.

Don't even get me started with the bull ATT pulls. They (ATT) bought the rights to my apartment complex, so no cable is allowed. For TV, I could care less. DirecTV is fine, if not a bit better than cable was. But for internet, it's DSL or nothing. And to get DSL, you need a landline, with the cheapest line costing $20 (after all the crappy fees). So I am paying close to $75 for internet (with 150 landline minutes within my 15 mile local call zone...woohoo), whereas before I was paying $45 for internet, and it was faster (yea for cable). I love how companies can buy monopolies like that...

[tonton]

Even if you use AT&T, it's still worth unlocking if you're going to be doing any travelling outside of your service area.

[Fairly]

Hear that? That thumping sound? That's the approaching DMCA monster.

[kupan787]

Originally Posted by Fairly

Hear that? That thumping sound? That's the approaching DMCA monster.

...which is just passing by because according to the DMCA is it LEGAL to unlock your phone (at least for the next 2 years or so...can't recall the exact date). It is questionable if you can sell an unlock solution, but the act of unlocking your phone is not illegal.

[nvidia2008]

...In Malaysia confirmed for DiGi. Maxis and Celcom not so promising at this stage... I'll wait for full 3G Asian release though.

[nvidia2008]

......

[gta-wireless]

It has been tested for both voice and data use extensively in multiple countries, using various carriers and haven't found the existence of any problems. (iphone software update 1.0.2 is required to enter the correct provider details for data use). The European carrier, "3", carries a 3G sim card, disabling the iPhone to work under their network.

While we have taken all possible measures to ensure that the phone will remain unlocked, we can only guarantee the current released versions of updates (up to and including 1.0.2). With any of these versions, even if the phone is fully restored, the phone will remain unlocked. If the future updates changes the baseband, it will relock the phone. Check with us before you perform any upgrades. If an update is required, we will offer it for free IF available for us to do so.