Apple Issues Warning on iPhone Unlocking

[sblasl]

Per Appleinsider:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...nt_damage.html

"Apple said Monday that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone's software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed.

The Cupertino-based company said it plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, later this week.

"Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones," the company wrote in a statement to the press. "Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty."

Apple added that the "permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone's warranty.""

[MacRumors]

Apple has issued a statement today that programs available for the iPhone to SIM unlock it could cause "irreparable damage to the device."

The maker of the Mac computer, the iPod digital music player and iTunes online store said that, once an Apple- supplied software update is installed on the iPhone, it "will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable."

Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update later this week.

Article Link

[Rooskibar03]

You all knew it was coming..

[Asar]

thats crazy, can we get our updates now?

[Adokimus]

That stinks. Makes sense. But, stinks.

-Ado

[PatMack]

WHAT!!!!


noooooooooo

[Peace]

Originally Posted by PatMack

WHAT!!!!


noooooooooo

Ya.It's called common sense.

[tkidBOSTON]

So the question that begs to be asked, is Apple doing this intentionally or is it just an inevitable part of the software update process??

Regardless, I guess this just means that anyone with a hacked iPhone won't be installing Apple updates.

[daa709]

makes sense, but apple will get backhanded in the EU in no time.

[Bruce Patterson]

Well if they'd release it in Canada, then we would have this problem. WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?

[dukebound85]

since when can you not do a restore of the software to get it back to normal?


sounds like a scare tactic to me

[ghall]

Well, at least they're telling us now. Well, at least I was a good sheep and went with AT&T.

Actually I was already on AT&T way before I got the iPhone so, it wasn't a problem.

Anyway, this is hardly surprising. So where is this update anyway?

[arn]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

since when can you not do a restore of the software to get it back to normal?

A restore doesn't reverse the unlock. The unlock changes the modem firmware I believe... but regardless, it is restore resistant.

arn

[skunk]

Originally Posted by tkidBOSTON

So the question that begs to be asked, is Apple doing this intentionally or is it just an inevitable part of the software update process?

You will never know. Inevitably or intentionally.

[GodzPeepz]

It sound's like a warning before another firmware update.

The only thing I have on my phone are 3rd party updates.

[wPod]

why is apple being so mean about this? what does it really matter? some extra revenue for them off of selling to at&t? thats just stupid. apple doest partner with any ISP for computers. "you can only use an apple computer with such and such ISP" come on now.

[Porco]

"irreparable damage to the device."

Irreparable damage to their yearly profits more like

But yeah, you hack/unlock/generally mess about with the iPhone in ways they don't like, you're stuffed if something goes pear-shaped and you'll not be wanting to go near any updates. I think any reasonable person would realise this.

Though I don't really believe any software issue could irreparably damage the hardware to be honest, anyone got any idea how that would be possible?

[Peace]

Originally Posted by dukebound85

since when can you not do a restore of the software to get it back to normal?


sounds like a scare tactic to me

When you do a restore you are restoring to a previous dmg stored on your computer.Apple will be updating the firmware also.The firmware resides on the iPhone.

[sblasl]

What was left out here from the announcement by Apple is the following:

"The Cupertino-based company said it plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, later this week. "

[SRSound]

Is this exclusive to unlocking programs or does having any 3rd party app make a phone susceptible?

[DMann]

Originally Posted by Peace

Ya.It's called common sense.

Just reset the iphone to original factory settings before installing the update. After that (or shortly thereafter) unlock the phone again (after updates are made to iFuntastic, et.al.) and reinstall your apps.

[adom]

haha good!

its like the xbox 360 updates all over again! manufacturers 1 - hackers 0!

[jbuba]

does this apply to all hacks? or just unlocking? It was my understanding that if i installed apptapp and other software that is associated with it, then all i had to do was perform a restore in iTunes and my phone would be back to factory settings?

[arn]

Originally Posted by jbuba

does this apply to all hacks? or just unlocking? It was my understanding that if i installed apptapp and other software that is associated with it, then all i had to do was perform a restore in iTunes and my phone would be back to factory settings?

right... seems this just refers to SIM Unlocking your iphone.

arn

[ct-scan]

I'm not sure if the problem is as extreme as they are saying, but I can see them fighting to keep their phones off of networks other than AT&T. So the "updated" phones will break all the SIM unlocking, bringing the phone to the updated, yet virgin state.

If all your upgrading is the software, I don't see what permanent damage can be done.

But, I USE AT&T, so...no worries really ;-)
(Except that I'll have to remod my software for all the 'cool' stuff after every upgrade...)