Question about jailbroken iPhone on AT&T

[Dagobert]

I've been wanting to get the iPhone so I can sell my iPod touch that way I don't have to carry around two devices in my pockets. I think I can get an iPhone 3GS towards December that's when my contract ends I think. Now I don't need the data plan, I wouldn't mind getting it if it was cheaper but for the price it is and the fact I don't really need it, it's a waste of money for me.

With a jailbroken iPhone, can you use it on AT&T without having to pay for the data plan? Since I plan on getting it from them and then canceling the data plan after a day and jailbreaking it.

Also if I block data, that means I won't be able to send or receive picture or video messages right? But am I able to send and receive regular text messages? Also when I block data, and I plan on using the phone using Wi-Fi, would I get charged or can I even go online with Wi-Fi on? I was told by someone that with the iPhone (not jailbroken) if you use Wi-Fi you still get charged by AT&T. I don't know if it's true or not but if it's jailbroken you shouldn't right?

 

[WeatherGuy]

As far as I know...if you have an iPhone on AT&T's network, you have to pay for the data plan if the phone is activated.

 

[Dagobert]

As far as I know...if you have an iPhone on AT&T's network, you have to pay for the data plan if the phone is activated.

I know that and I know I'm gonna have to get the data plan from AT&T if I buy the phone from them which I will but I plan on canceling the data plan right away which is why I want to know if I still need the data plan to be able to use the phone even after I jailbreak it.

 

[t0mm]

I know that and I know I'm gonna have to get the data plan from AT&T if I buy the phone from them which I will but I plan on canceling the data plan right away which is why I want to know if I still need the data plan to be able to use the phone even after I jailbreak it.

I'm in the UK but with AT&T I've read this:

you must always have the data plan on the iPhone.
and
if as soon as you put another AT&T SIM in the phone it is recognised as an iPhone and automatically bills the data plan.

 

[Dagobert]

I'm in the UK but with AT&T I've read this:

you must always have the data plan on the iPhone.
and
if as soon as you put another AT&T SIM in the phone it is recognised as an iPhone and automatically bills the data plan.

Yes that's correct, I've read that too, but is that also when you jailbreak it? Does it still recognize it as an iPhone and charge you? I don't plan on buying it and not jailbreaking it, I plan on doing it which is why I want to know.

 

[Knowlege Bomb]

Yes that's correct, I've read that too, but is that also when you jailbreak it? Does it still recognize it as an iPhone and charge you? I don't plan on buying it and not jailbreaking it, I plan on doing it which is why I want to know.

Here's how it works my man.

Buy the iPhone, take it home and jailbreak/unlock it. Once that's finished take the SIM card out and put it into another phone (non-iPhone). This is important so if you don't have one you need to find one. Call AT&T from that phone and tell them you aren't using the iPhone and want to cancel the data plan. Also tell them that you want ALL data blocked on that line. You can ask for a WIX block if you wanna sound technical. There's also a mobile provisioning file you can install that will change your APN settings (double protection against unwanted data charges is not a bad thing). Google "disable data on iPhone" and you should be able to find it.

Once they have removed the data plan and put the data block on your line, take the SIM and put it back in the iPhone. That's that!

You'll be able to use Wi-Fi without getting charged so you've basically got an iPod Touch with voice capabilities.

 

[Dagobert]

Here's how it works my man.

Buy the iPhone, take it home and jailbreak/unlock it. Once that's finished take the SIM card out and put it into another phone (non-iPhone). This is important so if you don't have one you need to find one. Call AT&T from that phone and tell them you aren't using the iPhone and want to cancel the data plan. Also tell them that you want ALL data blocked on that line. You can ask for a WIX block if you wanna sound technical.

Once they have removed the data plan and put the data block on your line, take the SIM and put it back in the iPhone. That's that!

You'll be able to use Wi-Fi without getting charged so you've basically got an iPod Touch with voice capabilities.

That's what I needed to know, thanks. One more question though, with the WIX blocked, are you still able to send and receive text messages, like without any media in it?

 

[mjz147]

Question

I have a similar situation. If I have an old razr on AT&T could I have my data blocked and find an iPhone 3gs on eBay for a cheap price and unlock/jailbreak and use my sim card in the iPhone without them billing me for the $30 data charge every month. I know they can track if you have an iPhone or not because of the imea. But if the phone is unlocked/ jailbroken will they still be able to find out? Thanks.

 

[scaredpoet]

That's what I needed to know, thanks. One more question though, with the WIX blocked, are you still able to send and receive text messages, like without any media in it?

Without media yes.

IF/when AT&T ever enables MMS for the iPhone, those won't work for you.

 

[Applejuiced]

That is false.

I'm in the UK but with AT&T I've read this:

you must always have the data plan on the iPhone.
and
if as soon as you put another AT&T SIM in the phone it is recognised as an iPhone and automatically bills the data plan.

 

[LAS22]

confirming with Applejuiced, below quote is false.

i have 2 iphones(2g & 3g) with both having no data plan so it's pay per use, but using sbsetting to turn off edge(and 3g) to block data at the device level. i did not call att to block data at the account level, just in case of an emergency, i still can use data by turning edge on at my phone.

though, you may get a text message from att 'suggesting' their unlimited data plan, you don't get automatically billed for it and added to your account.

...my personal experience.

I'm in the UK but with AT&T I've read this:

you must always have the data plan on the iPhone.
and
if as soon as you put another AT&T SIM in the phone it is recognised as an iPhone and automatically bills the data plan.

 

[BearsFan34]

Uh-oh.

Here's my issue:

I have a 3GS. Gave my iPhone 3G to my wife, which is jailbroken/unlocked on AT&T. It's been working great since I got the 3GS in June, though at first the APN Changer did NOT work, and a bunch of data snuck out. I've since fixed the APN issue (and paid the bill for said overages), and the only way that JB/unlocked iPhone gets data is via wifi. SMS works great.

So today she gets a text message from AT&T stating that we have until like Sept. 14th...since they've detected an iPhone used without a data plan.

Now what do I do?

I have a spare RAZR I can drop her SIM card in to use temporarily...and I do NOT want to get charged for using an iPhone data plan on her account since she does not want it and does not need it.

Any advice on what to do here?

 

[richardhunt]

If she must have an iphone and want no data plan, then I'd say sell the 3G phone and get a 2g phone. The data plan is not a pre-requisite of the 2g phone as it is on a 3g phone on AT&T's network. The other solution is to go to Tmobile and block data access, if you can get out of AT&T's contract for her airtime.

 

[BearsFan34]

If she must have an iphone and want no data plan, then I'd say sell the 3G phone and get a 2g phone. The data plan is not a pre-requisite of the 2g phone as it is on a 3g phone on AT&T's network. The other solution is to go to Tmobile and block data access, if you can get out of AT&T's contract for her airtime.

Thanks...I wish I could do this. My family is on an AT&T Family talk plan with unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes, so a switch to T-Mobile won't do any good since my wife talks on the phone a LOT.

I gave away my 2G iPhone to another family member. So with this 3G, I'm kinda determined to figure something out with the 3G. I don't want to mess with the IMEI at all, that seems quite difficult and not fool-proof.

Anyone else think the idea of using a RAZR for a week, calling AT&T after they recognize the RAZR on the account, then switching back to the 3G will work? Once on the RAZR, I'm thinking that if I ask AT&T to disable all data on the RAZR, that preference would stick once I put the SIM back in the 3G.

 

[Digidesign]

AT&T will charge you for terminating the data plan early for the new 3GS phones. The amount I heard varies, and may depend on how far along you are on the 2-year contract.

So if you put the SIM card into another phone (can AT&T from another IMEI), you can cancel the data plan for the 3GS, but you will be charged an early-termination fee. Just keep that in mind. AFAIK, early termination for the 3G without fees may be possible, just not the 3GS.

 

[BearsFan34]

AT&T will charge you for terminating the data plan early for the new 3GS phones. The amount I heard varies, and may depend on how far along you are on the 2-year contract.

So if you put the SIM card into another phone (can AT&T from another IMEI), you can cancel the data plan for the 3GS, but you will be charged an early-termination fee. Just keep that in mind. AFAIK, early termination for the 3G without fees may be possible, just not the 3GS.

Whoops, I was not clear on what I'm trying to do. Thanks for the above, but hopefully I won't have to cancel MY iPhone 3GS anytime soon.

Here's how I have it:

Me = iPhone 3GS (not jailbroken/unlocked)
Wife = My old regular iPhone3G (jailbroken AND unlocked)
Other fam member = POS Nokia phone
Other fam member = POS Nokia phone

My wife on my old jailbroken/unlocked iPhone 3G just got a text message from AT&T saying I need to call 611 and talk to them about her phone. I jailbroke/unlocked my old 3G and put her SIM in it.

She has no use for a data plan nor wants one. I use my 3GS for work, and just wish to have her use my old 3G as just a phone and wifi device.

So to get around having to pay for a 3G data plan, I'm hoping to drop the active SIM that's in her 3G now, call AT&T and tell them "there must be some mistake," ask them to disable data on that SIM, then after a few days put that SIM *back* into the jailbroken/unlocked 3G iPhone. This way AT&T will "see" that her SIM is in a RAZR and not an iPhone, I'll disable the data on her number completely, and then go back to using the 3G as just the phone/wifi device.

Am just wondering if anyone's dealt with this situation similarly. We simply can't afford another iPhone data plan.

 

[thelatinist]

I think your plan should work. Pop her SIM into one of the POS Nokia's, call and get the data disabled, then back to her 3G. As long as you get them to disable the data, you shouldn't have any problems in the future.

 

[Applejuiced]

That is also false.
Too much bad information posted in this thread by people that dont have a clue.
You will NOT get charged an ETF if you cancel the data plan.

you can cancel the data plan for the 3GS, but you will be charged an early-termination fee. Just keep that in mind. AFAIK, early termination for the 3G without fees may be possible, just not the 3GS.

 

[haddman]

AT&T eventually will know your using the iphone based on the IMEI registration on the network. You may be able to disable the APN on your iphone, but they still know your using it, and eventually you will get the txt message, especially with the 3G and 3GS.

 

[Applejuiced]

The Txt message dont mean anything. You can ignore it like everyone does without getting a data plan.

AT&T eventually will know your using the iphone based on the IMEI registration on the network. You may be able to disable the APN on your iphone, but they still know your using it, and eventually you will get the txt message, especially with the 3G and 3GS.

 

[BearsFan34]

The Txt message dont mean anything. You can ignore it like everyone does without getting a data plan.

Ok...am trying to decipher all this info. Obviously I can't call AT&T about this type of thing...

What I'm going to do is try the SIM switch with a RAZR tonight. Will make a few phone calls to/from the RAZR, swap a txt message or two, etc.

Then check online to be sure the number in my AT&T account that used to have the JB/unlocked iPhone 3G is now showing the RAZR. Then I'll call 611 and have data turned off on the phone (I've read that SMS will still work, just not MMS...which is fine, we never use that anyway).

Then in another day/two, put the SIM from the RAZR back in to the iPhone 3G.

Am a little worried she'll get that text message again though, warning that we're going to get charged a data plan for using an iPhone, and will have to keep repeating this...

 

[strike1555]

AT&T will charge you for terminating the data plan early for the new 3GS phones. The amount I heard varies, and may depend on how far along you are on the 2-year contract.

So if you put the SIM card into another phone (can AT&T from another IMEI), you can cancel the data plan for the 3GS, but you will be charged an early-termination fee. Just keep that in mind. AFAIK, early termination for the 3G without fees may be possible, just not the 3GS.

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life. AT&T will *NOT* charge an ETF for not having a data plan.

Honestly, where do you people think such stupid s*** up?

 

[Applejuiced]

Yes, try that.
I dont think you'll have any probs as long as you're not using a different data plan not meant for the iphone.
Just block data and use the iphone thru wifi.

Ok...am trying to decipher all this info. Obviously I can't call AT&T about this type of thing...

What I'm going to do is try the SIM switch with a RAZR tonight. Will make a few phone calls to/from the RAZR, swap a txt message or two, etc.

Then check online to be sure the number in my AT&T account that used to have the JB/unlocked iPhone 3G is now showing the RAZR. Then I'll call 611 and have data turned off on the phone (I've read that SMS will still work, just not MMS...which is fine, we never use that anyway).

Then in another day/two, put the SIM from the RAZR back in to the iPhone 3G.

Am a little worried she'll get that text message again though, warning that we're going to get charged a data plan for using an iPhone, and will have to keep repeating this...

 

[BearsFan34]

Yes, try that.
I dont think you'll have any probs as long as you're not using a different data plan not meant for the iphone.
Just block data and use the iphone thru wifi.

Awesome. Thank you for your advice, I appreciate your time. I'll be giving this a shot hopefully tonight.

Sounds like "turning all data off" thru AT&T is the best way to go instead of the APN Changer method I'd been using.

Thanks again.

 

[strike1555]

Awesome. Thank you for your advice, I appreciate your time. I'll be giving this a shot hopefully tonight.

Sounds like "turning all data off" thru AT&T is the best way to go instead of the APN Changer method I'd been using.

Thanks again.

Why not just use APN? It's far easier than calling AT&T. It only takes about 5 seconds to do. Also, AT&T could remote the WIX block at any time and you wouldn't know.

I'm not sure how you are changing your APN but it's a simple one time process. All you do is go to http://unlockit.co.nz/ on your iphone and install the profile.

I highly recommend you do this even if you are getting a WIX block.