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Jailbreak vs. Unlocking -- Which Do I Need?

S

Schmoyer

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 1, 2008
17
0
So I should receieve my iPhone 3GS on Friday. My hope is to be able to give my current iPhone 3G to a friend who also has AT&T. However, my friend does not need nor want the data package and solely wants the phone for the iPhone/iPod/Gaming/Wireless abilities. I was originally under the impression that I could Jailbreak the phone and simply place his sim card in the phone and it would work without the data package and obviously won't have internet access unless connected to a wireless netowrk. However, the more I read the more confused I become. I don't believe I need the phone to work on multiple GSM's? rahter just work without the data package with the same carrier in the US (AT&T). I was hoping someone could give me some advice, if this was possible, and if so which program(s) I would need and then I could research thoes more specifically. Currently, the phone has software 2.2.1 installed and I own a Mac, which the phone would be unlocked/synced with.

Thanks!
 
If I understand the question correctly, you don't need to jailbreak or unlock -- just restore the phone in itunes, set it up as a new phone (choose not to syn anything), let it activate with your SIM card, and then pop out your SIM and give him the phone. This should give him access to the phone function, but no data (except over wifi).

You could jailbreak for him, but it's not necessary.
 
As the previous post states, you do not need to jailbreak or unlock. However, you do need to make sure that he tells AT&T that he doesn't want data and to put a lock on the data on his account so it can't be used. Also, visual voicemail will not work.
 
I appreciate the timely responses. I have a few follow-up questions...

I understand I don't need to unlock/Jailbreak the phone, which is great!

I know the user already has the data package blocked currently, would they have to specifically block it for the iPhone or is he still set?

If all I have to do is restore the iPhone and activate it with my SIM, theoretically, could I put his SIM in the phone right now and it would function, without reset? If not, why?

How would the voicemail work... Would you just call you're mailbox like any other phone?

Finally, I assume this will hold true once the 3.0 is released Wednesday? If I reset the 3G in a few weeks, AFTER I'm already using the 3GS, would I have to then reactivate my 3GS?
 
I checked at my local AT&T just last Friday inquiring about basically the same thing. My wife would take my old phone, but doesn't want data, just phone, wi-fi, etc...

The AT&T guy said something like the phone could still receive data and you could run exorbitant data charges. He mentioned people doing this and getting socked for $50,000 data bills.

I even asked about jailbreaking, etc... and he said it couldn't be done.

How do you shut off data completely and know it's off? He did say it could be disabled and used as an Ipod Touch though.

Is he full of sheet, or what?
 
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