Use Tiny Umbrella to determine firmware version, serial number, etc.

Often when I am contacted for unlock assistance I need specific information in order to determine if a device can be unlocked : iPhone model, firmware version, and baseband version. I will often also need the first five digits of the serial number in order to determine when the iPhone was manufactured.

If the iPhone is activated and the apps are accessible this information is easy to retrieve :

- Firmware version, see Settings -> General -> About -> Version

- Baseband version, see Settings -> General -> About -> Modem Firmware

- The first five digits of the serial number, see Settings -> General -> About -> Serial Number

However, if the iPhone has not activated and the iPhone is stuck in the emergency call screen, the information cannot easily be determined. This is where Tiny Umbrella can save the day.

Navigate to this URL

Depending on your operating system ( Windows or Mac ), download the appropriate version of Tiny Umbrella, located at the far right of the page, in the middle :



Run Tiny Umbrella with your iPhone plugged into your PC ( note that iTunes must be installed in order for Tiny Umbrella to work ). Your operating system may give you some notifications about ports, security, etc. - simply accept/allow the access and continue with Tiny Umbrella.

In the small left pane your iPhone should show up under "Connected Devices", left click on your iPhone.

In the large right pane information about your iPhone will show up. There you can determine the following information :

- iPhone model ( see "Saved SHSHs for " ) ... information here will only show up once you have saved your SSH, see below.

- Firmware version ( see "Installed Firmware Version" )

- Baseband version ( see "Installed Baseband Version" )

- Serial number ( see "Serial Number" )



If you have not saved your SHSH information now is a good time to save them, simply click on "Save SHSH" - saved SHSH information will show up in the "Saved SHSHs for " field. Saving your SHSH information will allow the firmware on your iPhone to be downgraded ( normally Apple does not allow this ). Downgrading your firmware is useful should you "accidentally" upgrade your iPhone to a firmware version that cannot be jailbroken. After the firmware downgrade you can then re-jailbreak your iPhone.

Tiny Umbrella has other excellent uses, it's a good tool to become familiar with.

p.s. This works for the iPad and iPod Touch as well

Late Sunday afternoon ( Nov. 28th ) the long-awaited unlock was released.

Note that this unlock currently only applies to the 3G and 3GS - an unlock for the iPhone 4 will be started next week and an ETA has not been given ( my guess : 2 weeks more ).

I have followed the blogs on this new unlock and feel confident that it's ready for prime time.

A few things to note about this unlock ( it may get a big technical here ) :

- This unlock is primarily for 4.1 firmware. For those who went to 4.2.1 firmware it will work for the 3G and select ( rare ) 3GS models.

- The jailbreak process ( always required prior to an unlock ) will upgrade your 3G or 3GS baseband to an unlockable version ( the baseband is what gets unlocked ). It cannot be downgraded once updated. It may be upgraded by subsequent firmware releases, it depends on Apples response to this unlock.

- Once the baseband is upgraded your iPhone cannot be restored by typical iTunes "click on the restore button" - it will require a custom firmware bundle that you can have created by me or someone like me ( another unlocker ).

- If you take your iPhone in for service it is possible for Apple to detect this baseband upgrade if they look for it. Apple considers owners of jailbroken iPhones to have voided their warranty, even though jailbreaking/unlocking is NOT illegal. Typically ( i.e. in the past ) if you need to service your jailbroken/unlocked iPhone from Apple you would perform a basic restore via iTunes and the iPhone will no longer have any traces of a jailbreak/unlock. This is not the case with this upgraded baseband, Apple can detect it if they look for it. My opinion is that Apple will fix this issue in a couple of new firmware releases and this baseband update will no longer be detectable ( just my opinion though ).

With these minor'ish risks in mind, I am confident of the unlock process itself, it's solid.

Anyway, if you are interested in unlocking your iPhone I can help you out, starting Tuesday ( I am booked for Monday ). I work until 6:00 this week and my first appointment would be at 6:30 ( already taken for Tuesday ). I typically meet people in select Starbucks stores in north Calgary and do the work while you wait - the cost of the jailbreak and unlock is $20 per iPhone.

Two recommendations :

1 - DO NOT upgrade to 4.2.1

2 - Sync your iPhone via iTunes prior to meeting me if you have data on your iPhone that you want to save. This jailbreak/unlock process will not delete any data but it's always good practice to backup ( via iTunes sync ) your iPhone prior to any big changes. Note that there is a second jailbreak/unlock process that WILL delete your data - I may use this process if I have any problems with the main process.

iOS 4.1 unlock status

iOS 4.2.1 firmware was released on Monday ( Nov. 22nd ) ... resist the urge to update to that version.

There currently is not an unlock for iOS 4.1 and the new 4.2.1. However, an unlock for the 3G and 3GS iPhones is expected within days with one for the iPhone 4s to come a bit later ( not ETA has been given ).

However, one thing that all of you MUST do immediately in order to ensure that you can have a "good" jailbreak for 4.2.1 is to backup what is called your SHSH information. This is information that Apple uses to determine if your device can be downgraded. Typically, Apple does not allow 3GS and iPhone 4 phones to be downgraded, they must stay on the most current version available ( the 3G iPhones do not have this issue and can be downgraded to any firmware version ). However, with saved SHSH information your 3GS and iPhone 4 can be downgraded.

The word from the jailbreak hackers is that your SHSH info for firmware 4.1 must be saved in order to ensure a "good" jailbreak, as I mention above. The process is simple :

1 - Go to the following website and download TinyUmbrella ( at the far right of the page ) for your Windows or Mac system

2 - Plug your iPhone into your computer and run TinyUmbrella ( you may get some firewall messages in a pop-up. Click on Private and Public networks, then "Allow access" ).

3 - When TinyUmbrella loads, click on your iPhone in the left pane, under "Connected Devices" and then click on "Save SHSH" at the top right of the right pane.

4 - In the "Saved SHSHs for " you should see the firmware versions for which SHSH info has been saved : e.g. iPhone4 4.2.1 (8C148) <- this is SHSH information for 4.2.1 firmware for an iPhone 4 As long as you have an entry for 4.1 ( e.g. iPhone4 4.1 (8B117) ) you have done what is requested by the iPhone hackers and are good for a soon-to-be-released jailbreak for 4.2.1 - note that you can stay on firmware version 4.1 for an unlock ... just DO NOT update your firmware right now.


That's it for now.

The current state of jailbreaks/unlocks

Today ( October 20th ) a tool was updated that makes the unlock world more interesting. Plus, new jailbreak tools released a couple of weeks ago provide more options.

However ... STILL no direct unlock for those on iOS 4.1 firmware. If your iPhone is on iOS 4.1 firmware there is currently NO tool that will unlock your iPhone - you will have to wait until the end of November ( my estimate ) for an iOS 4.1 unlock solution.

Now, what is available today?

- iPhones on iOS 4.1 firmware : jailbreak is possible, no unlock

- iPhones on iOS 4.0.x : jailbreak is possible on these iOS versions. Additionally you can indirectly update to iOS 4.1 with the above-mentioned updated tool and retain your unlock. This is the reason that I suggested that you not upgrade to iOS 4.1 in my previous post.

-iPhones on firmware below 4.x.x ( primarily the 3GS ) : same options as the previous option, see above

Note that I DO NOT recommend that 3G iPhones be updated past 3.1.3. The reason is that, in my opinion, iOS 4.x.x firmware is just too much for the 3G. The 3G runs slow, slow, slow. Stay one 3.1.3 or downgrade to it.

Upcoming jailbreak for 4.1 firmware ... good news ... bad news

The good news : this weekend a jailbreak for 4.1 iOS firmware will be released

The bad news : this jailbreak will only work for the iPhone 4, iPad, iPod Touch 4, and AppleTV 2. Nothing for the 3GS ( note that there is already a jailbreak for the 3G on 4.1 iOS firmware )

More bad news : there is NO mention of an unlock to accompany the 4.1 firmware

Not so bad news : if your iPhone 4 is on iOS 4.02, DO NOT upgrade to 4.1. It will eventually be possible ( once a tool is upgraded ) to upgrade to 4.1 a "special way" so that the unlockability that comes with 4.0.2 iOS will be carried over to this "special" 4.1 upgrade. I imagine that this also applies to iOS versions 4.0 and 4.0.1.

Hope for the 3GS : work is in progress for a 4.1 iOS jailbreak that will work for 3GS iPhones.

So, unlock-wise, not the greatest news if you are on 4.1 iOS. For any other firmware version, stay on it and DO NOT upgrade to 4.1 - this is the best hope if you need an unlock.

Jailbreak/Unlock for 4.1

Soon after the release of iOS 4.1 a vulnerability was found - this vulnerability is currently being worked on and hopefully a jailbreak will be developed soon.

No mention of a corresponding unlock has ever been mentioned and, based on comments by a prominent hacker, there is a possibility that you will first need to be on a firmware version lower than 4.1 before upgrading to 4.1 ( probably via Pwnage Tool ) in order to preserve the unlock that exists in the lower version firmware. This way you can be on 4.1 with an unlocked iPhone.

It all probably sounds confusing but the bottom line is DO NOT upgrade to 4.1, even if you are on 4.0.2 firmware where there this is not a jailbreak for the 3GS iPhones.

Furthermore, if you "accidentally" ( or deliberately ) upgrade your firmware to a higher version ( e.g. 4.1 ) that does not have an unlock, downgrading to a lower version ( which, by the way, cannot be done for out of the box 3GS and iPhone 4 models ) WILL NOT make your iPhone unlockable. This is because even though you may have downgraded to a firmware version that can be jailbroken, the component of the firmware that is unlocked DOES NOT get downgraded - it stays at the higher version and is not unlockable. This is why you do not want to go to 4.1 if you rely on an unlock.

New firmware 4.1 coming out Today! Sept. 8

Currently the highest version firmware for iPhone is 4.0.2 - it cannot be jailbroken.

Next week you'll see 4.1 pop up when you plug your iPhone into iTunes. This version is currently not jailbreakable and all people who like their iPhone jailbroken, and unlocked, should avoid upgrading your iPhone. Although I hope that some hacker has the jailbreak for 4.1 and is just waiting to release it ( NOTE : THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED ). Note, however, that no mention of an unlock has been made.

Soon I will be posting a short tuturial on how to determine if your 3GS or iPhone 4 can be downgraded to a jailbreakable version of firmware. Yes, this is possible but you would've had to have chosen "Make my life easier" in Cydia ( I take this precaution with all iPhones that I jailbreak ). More on this later.

New firmware 4.0.2 is out ... it CANNOT be jailbroken

Just a quick note to let you know that 4.0.2 firmware was released yesterday. Note that while this firmeare version DOES fix a serious security risk ( the one that the current jailbreak utilizes ) it is not currently jailbreakable.

My suggestion to those jailbroken on 4.0 or 4.0.1 firmware is to NOT upgrade to 4.0.2 but to go into Cydia, search for saurik's "PDF Patch", and install it. This will ensure that :

1) Your iPhone will still be running jailbreakable firmware ( you never know when you need to re-install 4.0 or 4.02 and require a re-jailbreak ), and

2) Your iPhone will be secure against any malicious uses of this firmware vulnerability

That's it for now.

New jailbreak for 4.x firmware!

As of this afternoon there is now a jailbreak to handle all iPhone models on 3.x firmware and higher.

I have jailbroken ( but not unlocked, that's coming soon ) my iPhone 4 without issue - some people are reporting Facetime problems.

I have jailbroken and unlocked my 3GS running 4.0.1 firmware without issue.

For now, I'd say hold off for 24 hours and let the issues, and solutions, come out. A quick update for the jailbreak will probably be published.

However, I'd say that if you're feeling brave and have a 3GS on 4.x firmware, go ahead and jailbreak and unlock. Feel free to contact me if you'd like me to do this for you.

I'll post an update when/if an update comes out that fixes any issues.

UPDATE : All issues ( Facetime and MMS ) have been sorted out now, I think that it's safe to jailbreak and unlock now. Note, though, that there is still not an unlock for the iPhone 4. It is currently undergoing some final testing, then it'll be released. However, for the 3GS ... we're ready to go!

UPDATE : It appears as if the unlock for the iPhone 4 will be released in 48 hours ( it's 10:35 PM MST right now ).

Explanation of jailbreak for 3GS iPhones on iOS 4.0

There is a way to have a jailbroken 3GS running iOS 4.0. However, there are certain conditions that must exist :

• 3GS must be activated

• 3GS must be on a lower firmware version than iOS 4.0 and must be jailbroken, but not with Spirit

• 3GS must not have the new bootrom

If your 3GS meets these requirements then you can safely go to 4.0. Note, though, that this upgrade process WILL wipe your iPhone clean so make sure to sync your 3GS before going this route.

My 3GS meets these requirements but I have not yet gone to iOS 4.0 ... though I REALLY want to go there. The reason? MANY Cydia apps do not yet work on iOS 4.0. I use several Cydia apps and don't want to do without them so I will not be going to iOS until "my faves" are good for iOS 4.0 ... another consideration before jumping to iOS 4.0.

Upcoming unlock for stock 3.1.3 firmware, it's here now!

iOS 4.0 firmware was released today for your iPhones. Soon after came an updated ultrasn0w unlock for all existing basebands : 04.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, and 05.13.04

Thus, all those with iPhones stuck on 3.1.3 firmware can now have their iPhones unlocked. Note, however, that there is NOT a jailbreak for the new 4.0 firmware. If you are looking to unlock your iPhone do not upgrade to 4.0. An unlock will some within days, in my opinion, so it's not too serious painful of a wait, just hang on.

UPDATE : There are now jailbreaks for 3G iPhones on iOS 4.0 firmware. For 3GS iPhones on iOS 4.0 firmware, nothing yet ( the only way is to start with a jailbroken 3GS on a firmware version lower than 4.0, then to 4.0 ). Note however, that for the 3GS, this jailbreak is only for 3GS models that have the old bootrom ( see my post "3GS bootrom issue" for an explanation ).

Upcoming unlock/jailbreak for 3.1.3 and 4.0

With the release date of iPhone firmware 4.0 as June 21st this gives everyone a better idea of when an unlock will be available ... soon!

Typically when firmware is released to the public a couple of days pass then the jailbreak and unlock software is released to everyone. So this would give us a day or so after June 21st until "Happy Day". iPhone hacker @MuscleNerd, part of the Dev-Team, has announced that unlocks for 3.1.3 AND 4.0 firmware will be released. This means that you will not have to upgrade to 4.0 in order to enjoy an unlocked iPhone. Those who "accidentally" upgraded to 3.1.3 can choose to stay with that version for your unlock or upgrade to 4.0 ( it has some pretty cool features so it's worth upgrading, in my opinion ).

However, I'd caution everyone on 3.1.3 to hold off on upgrading to 4.0 until we hear from the hacking world to ensure that you have the best options for unlocking.

That's it for now.

New untethered jailbreak!

As of today, May 2, there is now an untethered jailbreak for iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads that are running 3.1.2, 3.1.3, and 3.2 firmware ( see my "3GS bootrom issue" post for an explanation of a tethered jailbreak ).

This jailbreak is NOT an unlock, there is still not an unlock for 3.1.3 firmware. Note, though, that if you are on 3.1.2 firmware your iPhone can be unlocked.

In order to successfully jailbreak your device with the new software the following conditions must exist :

- Your device must not currently be jailbroken ( it will have to be restored to remove the existing jailbreak ).

- Your device must be on firmware 3.1.2, 3.1.3, or 3.2

- Your device MUST BE activated and not stuck on the Connect to iTunes or Emergency Call screen

Jailbreak/unlock scuttlebutt

A quick update on what's available for the upcoming firmware releases.

For those on 3.1.3 who are needing an unlock ... I am afraid that you will in all likelihood have to wait for the new iPhone, with 4.0 firmware, to arrive, probably in June or July. Until then there will be no unlock for those who "accidentally" upgraded their firmware to 3.1.3.

For those with 3G iPhones on 3.1.3 firmware, as I noted in my "Firmware Downgrading" post, if you have a really old 3G you can downgrade the baseband. This will enable you to unlock your iPhone with the very solid ultrasn0w. I outlined how to check the age of your iPhone but the best way is to go to the ih8sn0w website and download f0recast. Then plug your iPhone in and run the program. If your bootloader version is 5.8 then you are among the lucky few who can downgrade your baseband.

As a final note, there seems to be a rumor that a jailbreak ( not an unlock ) will be coming out at the end of April for the iPad and that this jailbreak will work for iPhones on 3.1.3 firmware. Something to think about - I'll update my blog if this becomes reality.

Firmware Downgrading

For those unlucky enough to have "accidentally" upgraded their iPhones to firmware version 3.1.3 ( or received a new iPhone with that version firmware ) ... if you are looking to downgrade your firmware to, say 3.1.2, hoping that you can unlock your iPhone, sorry, no can do.

With the exception of the 2G, which can always be unlocked, once you upgrade your firmware, the component that is responsible for the unlock, the baseband, is permanently upgraded. This means that even if you downgrade your firmware, the baseband version stays the same. So, for example, if your iPhone was running 3.1.2 firmware and was jailbroken and unlocked, then you upgraded to 3.1.3, losing your jailbreak and unlock, you cannot downgrade your firmware to 3.1.2 and expect to be able to unlock with blacksn0w, it just won't work.

Those in this situation will simply have to wait until the next unlock is developed. DO NOT hold out hope that there will be an unlock developed for the baseband that comes with 3.1.3 ... it probably won't happen. The jailbreaking community in general believes that the next unlock will be developed for the next firmware release, probably 3.2 or 4.0.

The ONLY hope that I hold out is to the 3G owners. If you have a REALLY old 3G, manufactured in 2008, there is a hope that your baseband can be downgraded. Look at your serial number, Settings -> General -> About -> Serial Number.

If the third digit is 8 ( that means that it was manufactured in 2008 ) and the next two less than 36 ( meaning the week that it was manufactured ) then you have a good chance of downgrading your baseband to an unlockable version using the very solid ultrasn0w unlock.

For everyone else, the waiting game continues.

3.1.3 iPhone firmware released today

Today Apple released version 3.1.3 of its iPhone firmware.

For those on the jailbreak/unlock train, unless you have a iPhone 2G, DO NOT upgrade to this version. My suggestion is that when you get the pop-up in iTunes, telling you about the update, you click on "Do not ask me again" and click the "Cancel" button. That way you will no longer receive the popup where you may accidentally choose to apply the update.



iPhone 2G models can be jailbroken and unlocked with the latest release of the Dev-Team's redsn0w software.

iPhone 3g and 3GS models should not be upgraded to 3.1.3, particularly if you value your unlock. While the Dev-Team is working on tweaking redsn0w so that it can jailbreak a 3.1.3 iPhone, if you perform a stock upgrade to this version via iTunes, your base band will be upgraded ... there is no unlock for that version of baseband ( 05.12.01 ).

My guess is that the Dev-Team will update Pwnage Tool so that you can upgrade to 3.1.3 with a custom IPSW firmware bundle but preserve your baseband and unlock.

Stay tuned.