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.