iPhone Locked iPhone 3GS on 5.1.1, can I unlock?

[cameronjpu]

Since unlocking through the ebay sellers (which has seemed to work perfectly for me on other phones) requires a restore of the phone afterward, does that also force you to upgrade it to iOS6? I need a 3GS (for the full sized sim card) on 5.1.1 (for Google Maps) unlocked (for travel of course).

Before I buy a 3GS with 5.1.1 that I found, I want to make sure that I will be able to apply that unlock without losing 5.1.1.

To head off one question - it is owned by a family member so we actually hope to unlock it before it is off-contract so she can use it for travel as well - so the fact that ATT will unlock it isn't pertinent here. Thanks!

 

[PsstGreek]

To keep the 3GS on 5.1.1 you would need to have the SHSH saved.

 

[TriJetHero]

Jailbreak the phone. Install SAM in Cydia.
With SAM backup activation deactivate the phone, restart and connect to itunes, when it is unlocked you will receive the congratulation message.

No need to restore.

 

[cameronjpu]

To keep the 3GS on 5.1.1 you would need to have the SHSH saved.

So, I can save the SHSH by JB before I unlock, right?

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Jailbreak the phone. Install SAM in Cydia.
With SAM backup activation deactivate the phone, restart and connect to itunes, when it is unlocked you will receive the congratulation message.

No need to restore.

I'm not sure what a SAM is but I'll search cydia for it.

 

[PsstGreek]

So, I can save the SHSH by JB before I unlock, right?

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I'm not sure what a SAM is but I'll search cydia for it.

If you use the SAM method as stated above you wouldn't need to restore your iPhone.

http://www.bingner.com/SAM.html

 

[TriJetHero]

If the phone is jailbroken now check in Cydia top of main page, it will say which SHSH's Cydia saved for you.

If SHSH for 5.1.1 is not in Cydia or saved manully previously now, you can try to get the with iFaith(windows).

 

[cameronjpu]

If the phone is jailbroken now check in Cydia top of main page, it will say which SHSH's Cydia saved for you.

If SHSH for 5.1.1 is not in Cydia or saved manully previously now, you can try to get the with iFaith(windows).

It is not jailbroken now, but can't I jailbreak it now (I don't have it on my person so I can't check right now) and save the blobs?

 

[LindaFactUnlock]

hmm..

What I tell my customers to do before they try to restore is by Resetting the iPhone with the non at&t sim inside. Works for some.

 

[TriJetHero]

What I tell my customers to do before they try to restore is by Resetting the iPhone with the non at&t sim inside. Works for some.

Also related to iOS 6

 

[Sine Qua Non]

It is not jailbroken now, but can't I jailbreak it now (I don't have it on my person so I can't check right now) and save the blobs?

Like others are telling you, you don't need to restore the phone for the IMEI unlock to take. You just need to de-activate and then activate. You can do this with SAM or redsn0w.

1. Buy the phone with 5.1.1 on it. Once it arrives,
2. Order an IMEI unlock.
3. Jailbreak.
4. Add repo.bingner.com in Cydia
5. Install SAM
6. De-activate using SAM
7. Plug the phone into your computer with iTunes open. Any SIM can be in the phone at this point.
8. Get the "Congratulations" screen from iTunes. Your phone is unlocked.


Finding out if you have 5.1.1 SHSH saved is definitely useful, but is not necessary to unlock the phone you're thinking about purchasing.