(Somewhat) easy iPhone firmware 1.1.2 unlock/activation finally available for updated iPhones [Update 1]
November 19th, 2007 at 12:19pm madgunde
[Update 1] Good news for all those iPhone aficionados who visit my blog: there is now a relatively simple jailbreak procedure that also handles activation for those of you looking to use an unlocked iPhone on unsanctioned networks. The older version only handled jailbreaking, but not the very important activation step, something I found out the hard way. Thankfully I was able locate instructions for manually cracking activation by replacing the /usr/libexec/lockdownd file with a hacked version via SSH/SFTP. Not fun. So do yourself a favor and use the new, improved jailbreak/activation method and save yourself the hassle. Instructions are in the included README.txt file.
Please note that I have not tested the new version myself, so run it at your own risk. I’d suggest reading through the comments on this TUAW article and maybe scanning the posts in the Hackint0sh forums to see if anyone is having any problems before proceeding. Please note that this jailbreak/activation solution DOES NOT handle unlocking. This will require an extra step using an unlocking program such as iPhoneSimFree.
Now I say it’s relatively simple because it is somewhat lengthy, with many steps to follow, but the hard stuff is automated, so as long as you are comfortable following step by step instructions and are fairly familiar with your OS of choice (Mac OS X or Windows), you should be OK. Whether or not it’s worth upgrading to the latest firmware really depends on who you are and how you want to use your iPhone, or more specifically, in what language. Besides the likely bug and security fixes (like the Safari TIFF file exploit, which has been closed), the only new features seem to be better support for typing and using your iPhone in other languages. So unless you want/need the better language support, have bought a new iPhone that came with firmware 1.1.2 out of the box, or, like me, you absolutely have to know you’re running the latest firmware “just because”, you may want to just sit this one out and wait for the next firmware update.
Update 1 - 12/22/2007: Please note that as of this writing, there is no software unlocking solution for out of box version 1.1.2 iPhones. The above article is referring to iPhones that are updated to firmware 1.1.2 from earlier versions. Thanks to reader “TM” for bringing this to my attention.
Entry Filed under: Apple, Computing, Gadgets, Software, Tips, iPhone
3 Comments Add your own
1. TM | December 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
It’s probably worth noting that iPhones with OTB (Out Of the Box) iPhone firmware 1.1.2, modem firmware 04.02.13_G and bootloader version 4.0.6 cannot be unlocked as at today’s date. They can be jailbreak(ed) and activated but not unlocked. (See madgunde’s “glossary of terms for iphone†http://artofgeek.com/2007/11/19/a-glossary-of-terms-for-iphone-newbies/ )
This is due to the new bootloader version. Hope there is a solution sometime soon.
2. madgunde | December 22nd, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Thanks for posting that TM. I just checked and iPhoneSimFree.com mentioned that as well in their latest news post dated November 20. It’s important that anyone thinking about purchasing a new iPhone for purposes of unlocking be aware of this!
3. Art Of Geek » 1.1.3&hellip | January 26th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
[...] Updated to firmware 1.1.2 and jailbroken/activated using the iPhone Dev Team solution. [...]
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