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Unlock VS Jailbrake

T

trev

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 11, 2006
398
0
St. John's, NL
Hey guys,

I've got my friends old iPhone 3G, which was on Rogers network (Canada). I'm a Bell Aliant customer and am planning to use it on their network. They say they can unlock it for a fee of $75, or I could do it myself using Jailbreak. Just looking for some clarification here. From what I read, Jailbreak is to unlock many features of the iPhone, which frankly, I don't care for. I'm only looking to do a carrier unlock. I've heard of ultrasn0w that will do the job. Basically, just looking for clarification on the process.

Trevor
 
It sounds like you've got it straight.

Jailbreaking just allows iOS to run unsigned code (apps/code not approved by Apple).

Ultrasn0w requires a jailbroken iPhone but will unlock your device (depending on the baseband version).

Basically, you'd jailbreak your iPhone with redsn0w, pwnage tool, greenposi0n, limera1n, etc. Then once finished go into the Cydia app which is installed during a jailbreak and install ultrasn0w.
 
trev said:
Hey guys,

I've got my friends old iPhone 3G, which was on Rogers network (Canada). I'm a Bell Aliant customer and am planning to use it on their network. They say they can unlock it for a fee of $75, or I could do it myself using Jailbreak. Just looking for some clarification here. From what I read, Jailbreak is to unlock many features of the iPhone, which frankly, I don't care for. I'm only looking to do a carrier unlock. I've heard of ultrasn0w that will do the job. Basically, just looking for clarification on the process.

Trevor
Click to expand...

there is not real "VS" you have to jailbreak in order to unlock so really your doing both

on the phone go to settings/general/about see what firmware you have this is important do determine if you even can still jailbreak, if your friend had updated the phone before giving it to you then it might be to late to currently unlock and you might have to wait for a new unlock
 
iisforiphone said:
there is not real "VS" you have to jailbreak in order to unlock so really your doing both
Click to expand...

Not true, the carrier got unlocking code to do it without jailbreaking, it is not clear on the OP when he said "they".... if he means the carrier them Jailbreaking is not needed. if that is the case, title it is a bit misleading, it should read something like "Carrier unlock vs Jailbreaking Unlocking"
 
maturola said:
Not true, the carrier got unlocking code to do it without jailbreaking, it is not clear on the OP when he said "they".... if he means the carrier them Jailbreaking is not needed. if that is the case, title it is a bit misleading, it should read something like "Carrier unlock vs Jailbreaking Unlocking"
Click to expand...

true or he could of titled it

$75 vs Free


can the carrier unlock any baseband?
 
If and that is if, OP can get his phone factory unlocked for $75 he should jump on it. The tariff on getting a new iPhone 4 factory unlocked vs tied to a provider is a whole lot more than $75 difference.
 
dhlizard said:
If and that is if, OP can get his phone factory unlocked for $75 he should jump on it. The tariff on getting a new iPhone 4 factory unlocked vs tied to a provider is a whole lot more than $75 difference.
Click to expand...

OP is talking about a IPhone 3G.
 
Ok...so to clarify. If I'm on ATT and don't care about an unlock, I can just go ahead and jailbreak right?? I can do an iTunes upgrade to 4.1 and run GreenPoison, even though the Baseband is upgraded.

iPhone 4
 
KidStallyn said:
Ok...so to clarify. If I'm on ATT and don't care about an unlock, I can just go ahead and jailbreak right?? I can do an iTunes upgrade to 4.1 and run GreenPoison, even though the Baseband is upgraded.

iPhone 4
Click to expand...

Yes, you can, However it is still recomende that you keep your current baseband, if you decide to sell your phone next year and get the iPhone5 at full price, them it will worth more if it is unlockable. It is really not that hard just use pwnage tool or tiny Umbrella to upgrade.

Just an FYI
 
maturola said:
Yes, you can, However it is still recomende that you keep your current baseband, if you decide to sell your phone next year and get the iPhone5 at full price, them it will worth more if it is unlockable. It is really not that hard just use pwnage tool or tiny Umbrella to upgrade.

Just an FYI
Click to expand...

I doubt I will sell for the iPhone 5......But isn't there a chance that baseband will be unlockable by then?? Even if not, I can give the iPhone4 to my kids or wife. We'll be adding two new lines this summer anyways.

Thnx for the quick response though!
 
trev said:
@Applejuiced:

Is there a way to downgrade in that case?
Click to expand...

The only phone that you could downgrade the baseband on was the 3G, and that was only with a pretty rare and early bootrom. Since you have a 3G, download FuzzyBand from Cydia and see what it tells you. If you have the 5.08 bootrom, you are lucky.
 
ulbador said:
The only phone that you could downgrade the baseband on was the 3G, and that was only with a pretty rare and early bootrom. Since you have a 3G, download FuzzyBand from Cydia and see what it tells you. If you have the 5.08 bootrom, you are lucky.
Click to expand...

Yep, what he said above. Or download f0recast and check your bootloader version but odds are slim though.
 
So, I somehow managed to change the modem firmware to 05.15.04

I followed the steps from pwnage, using an ipsw from the site below:

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=750

I used the ipsw file, 4.1.0 (3G): iPhone1,2_4.1_8B117_Restore.ipsw

This worked perfectly, then i used ultrasn0w, and that worked perfectly. Got all the confirmation prompts and everything.

Went to my Bell store, and they were like "yup, she works!". Did there little thing on their end and sent me on my way.

Seems to have worked, my phone is even picking up the carrier as being "Bell 8.0".

HOWEVER, I have hit a brick wall at the very end of the tunnel. When I turn my phone on, it says "searching"... then after about a minute I get "No service". Any ideas?

To point out the obvious, yes, I am in a service area. I've since travelled about 20 K with my phone and still, no service.
 
You updated the baseband to one that ultrasn0w doesn't unlock yet, probably accidentally, which is unfortunate for you.

The Dev Team are only just going to release the 05.14.02 upgrade this week.

Follow this site for info about a future unlock for the baseband you now have: http://blog.iphone-dev.org/
 
trev said:
Maybe I'm wrong about the baseband.

Edit: nope, 05.15.04 indeed

I just read this:
http://www.ipodtouchfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81255

Notice Beoyans answer... this this may be the problem?

p.s. should I have my sim card in or out during the restore process?
Click to expand...

Did you update to 4.2? That's the only way to get 5.15 baseband. You should have been patience and waited for 5.14 Ultrasnow unlock updated coming out soon. Now, you are totally messed up because that seems to not support 5.15. Have fun waiting few more months at the least. At this point, probably best for you to pay $75 for factory unlock.

And, that link is from 2008. Doubtful, it applies anymore.
 
@Myzhi

No, I didn't update to 4.2. I used Pwnage tools with the ipsw file lined above. In my settings>about, I have:

Version: 4.1 (8B117)
Modem Firmware: 05.15.04
 
trev said:
@Myzhi

No, I didn't update to 4.2. I used Pwnage tools with the ipsw file lined above. In my settings>about, I have:

Version: 4.1 (8B117)
Modem Firmware: 05.15.04
Click to expand...

You somehow went to firmware 4.2 then revert back to 4.1, but the baseband can't be downgraded. That's the only logically way you could have gotten the 5.15 baseband.
 
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