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Does ZiPhone 2.4 downgrade bootloader or not?

jamescwarren

jamescwarren

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 10, 2005
403
0
Isle of Man
I am hopefully unlocking an iPhone on Wednesday. I know I have the choice between iJailBreak 0.5.3 and ZiPhone 2.4. Based on scouring these forums, I think I am going to go with ZiPhone 2.4. (If people agree or disagree, do let me know). ZiPhone 2.4 looks perfect, but I have seen varied reports; some say it downgrades the bootloader, some say it doesn't. I need one answer, full stop. Does it downgrade it or not? If it does, is it a bad thing and can it be reversed? Does iJailBreak do this?

Thanks!
 
jamescwarren said:
I am hopefully unlocking an iPhone on Wednesday. I know I have the choice between iJailBreak 0.5.3 and ZiPhone 2.4. Based on scouring these forums, I think I am going to go with ZiPhone 2.4. (If people agree or disagree, do let me know). ZiPhone 2.4 looks perfect, but I have seen varied reports; some say it downgrades the bootloader, some say it doesn't. I need one answer, full stop. Does it downgrade it or not? If it does, is it a bad thing and can it be reversed? Does iJailBreak do this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Member,
The answer to your question is I have used the ziphone method on my new 16GB iPhone and infact ziphone did indeed downgrade my bootloader from 4.6 to 3.9 my phone is now unlocked with 100 percent full functionality. Everything works including the locate me feature in google maps app. Also it seems that my phone is dropping less calls since the 3.9 bootloader downgrade. So your answer from me us yes but as stated all works 100 percent. Hope this helps you. Mike
 
I have heard more people say that it does than people that it doesn't.

The problem with downgrading the bootloader is that there is no way to change it back so if someone ever comes out with a custom bootloader that is immune to security checks than everyone with a 3.9 bootloader is out of luck.

Basically it is being on the safe side for a "possible" custom bootloader. There is nothing inherently bad about a 3.9 bootloader besides the fact that you cannot change it to anything else.

And next time don't bump threads within a couple of hours. It is bad form. ;)
 
Just to confuse matters, my brand new 1.1.2 iPhone DID NOT get downgraded. I unlocked/jailbroke.
 
Diatribe said:
The problem with downgrading the bootloader is that there is no way to change it back so if someone ever comes out with a custom bootloader that is immune to security checks than everyone with a 3.9 bootloader is out of luck.
Click to expand...

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but if the bootloader can be downgraded, why couldn't you use the same method to upgrade it?

It wasn't downgradeable (via software) until recently.
 
munroe said:
Sorry if this is a dumb question, but if the bootloader can be downgraded, why couldn't you use the same method to upgrade it?

It wasn't downgradeable (via software) until recently.
Click to expand...

There is an exploit in the 4.6 bootloader as far as I understand it that makes this possible. But currently there is no exploit for the 3.9 bootloader, which is why you cannot change it back.
 
I used ZiPhone 2.4 via command line (ziphone -a -j -u) and it did not downgrade my bootloader. I'm still at 4.6. Everything works except the "locate me" feature in Google Maps, which is a side effect of still having BL4.6.

I activated an OTB 16GB for use on the Rogers network here in Canada and it works GREAT!
 
So if I was to use ZiPhone 2.4 GUI, it will downgrade the bootloader? And if I use terminal, it won't? If this is the case, can somebody post how to do this in Terminal or post me a link on how to do this, as this will probably be my chosen choice.
 
also, does it only downgrade when you unlock? what if you are just jailbreaking the phone (with att service)?
 
I'm not sure if this helps anybody but here goes.

I originally used the downgrade and jailbreak method to unlock and activate my 16GB OTB iPhone. This worked fine, but unfortnately I made a balls of something and so restored to OTB using iTunes and then used ZiPhone 2.4.

After Ziphone 2.4 everything works fine, apart from Maps location. I have now installed the Baseband Info applet via Installer and this is the results I get back from the Baseband test it does:

Modem Firmware: 04.02.13_G
Bootloader Version: 4.6_MS32

From these results I deduce that the modem firmware has been downgraded from 04.03.13 and the the Bootloader Version is the same as the shipped condition.

All the other results from the Baseband test are the same i.e. IMEI, Serial Number etc.

Hopes this help.
 
spenner said:
I'm not sure if this helps anybody but here goes.

I originally used the downgrade and jailbreak method to unlock and activate my 16GB OTB iPhone. This worked fine, but unfortnately I made a balls of something and so restored to OTB using iTunes and then used ZiPhone 2.4.

After Ziphone 2.4 everything works fine, apart from Maps location. I have now installed the Baseband Info applet via Installer and this is the results I get back from the Baseband test it does:

Modem Firmware: 04.02.13_G
Bootloader Version: 4.6_MS32

From these results I deduce that the modem firmware has been downgraded from 04.03.13 and the the Bootloader Version is the same as the shipped condition.

All the other results from the Baseband test are the same i.e. IMEI, Serial Number etc.

Hopes this help.
Click to expand...

Did you use the GUI version or the command line version?
 
Diatribe said:
Did you use the GUI version or the command line version?
Click to expand...

I used the GUI version, just ticked the 3 boxes on the 'Standard Options" screen.

I'm running OSX 10.4.11 (Tiger not Leopard) by the way, I know some people have said they can't use ZiPhone on Tiger but it worked perfectly for me.

I've tried all iPhone functions using both a Vodafone contract sim and Orange pay as you go sim.
 
spenner said:
I used the GUI version, just ticked the 3 boxes on the 'Standard Options" screen.

I'm running OSX 10.4.11 (Tiger not Leopard) by the way, I know some people have said they can't use ZiPhone on Tiger but it worked perfectly for me.

I've tried all iPhone functions using both a Vodafone contract sim and Orange pay as you go sim.
Click to expand...

Sounds great. So I guess it doesn't downgrade the bootloader. Is everything working for you (youtube, locateme, etc.)?
 
Diatribe said:
Sounds great. So I guess it doesn't downgrade the bootloader. Is everything working for you (youtube, locateme, etc.)?
Click to expand...

All working great, just the Maps Location tool doesn't work.

Everything works on both wireless and GPRS connection via my Vodafone contract. Only thing I can't do via GPRS is send emails, but I couldn't do this before on my K850i, couldn't work out what the problem was before so not right bothered at the moment.

Just glad I've got a working iPhone without O2 contract!
 
Just to let you all know, I just unlocked, activated and jailbreaked my OOTB 16 GB US iPhone for use here in the UK using the command prompt in Terminal and... IT'S FANTASTIC! WELL DONE TO THE CREATOR OF ZIPHONE IT'S AMAZING! I knew it didn't take long but to see it in front of your own eyes is just... WOW! I don't know whether it downgraded to bootloader as I don't know how to check, but everything works seamlessly! Thank you!!!
 
jamescwarren said:
Please, anyone? This is really important.
Click to expand...

I have a 16g 1.1.3 iPhone that I upgraded to 1.1.4 yesterday and jailbroke today using the ziphone 2.4 and my baseband is still 4.6. Everything works. Youtube, mail, ringers, internet, my sanity...:rolleyes:

I cant be happier (well there is that SDK thing):apple:
 
gadgetdad said:
I have a 16g 1.1.3 iPhone that I upgraded to 1.1.4 yesterday and jailbroke today using the ziphone 2.4 and my baseband is still 4.6. Everything works. Youtube, mail, ringers, internet, my sanity...:rolleyes:

I cant be happier (well there is that SDK thing):apple:
Click to expand...

how do you check what eversion the bootloader is?
 
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