selling tethered JB's and not telling-and other ?'s

[Alleyoop]

I am buying an iPhone as a gift for someone, and need to get a used one that can have an untethered jailbreak.

I know that it needs to have an older version of iBoot, 359.3, but I think many people selling their iPhones on craigslist are not going to check their iBoot version for me.

I know most likely iPhones manufactured week 36 or earlier (which would be easier for them to check I assume) have a good chance of being capable of an untethered jailbreak, but it is not a certainty.

So how can you be certain a used iPhone can have an untethered jailbreak? If it still has version 3.0 does that guarantee that the iBoot version hasn't been updated? Does modem firmware 04.26.08 not guarantee anymore an untethered jailbreak?

I tried to buy one the other day from craigslist. The seller said it was jailbroken. When I met him I noticed it had 3.1.2 and 5.11, and I also saw blackrain. So I tried to power it off to make sure it wasn't a tethered jailbreak. The iPhone would not power off! So I didn't buy it. I am worried people are selling their iPhones as jailbroken and unlocked now, and not telling people that it is a tethered jailbreak.

Would this be the best way to tell? Power off and back on again and if it doesn't work anymore, you know it is a tethered?

Thanks!

 

[pixelated]

You are talking about a 3GS yes?

If it still has version 3.0 does that guarantee that the iBoot version hasn't been updated?

The iboot version won't be updated with a new firmware update. The new Version only started after the 3.1.2 update so a phone with 3.0 shouldn't be effected.

Would this be the best way to tell? Power off and back on again and if it doesn't work anymore, you know it is a tethered?

IF it is JB'd + tethered then you will see the USB/itunes screen when rebooted

If you are considering buying a new or used 3GS and cannot find out the iBoot version, you should at least check the 4th and 5th digits of the serial number, which represent the week of manufacture. For our purposes, the lower this number is, the better. Because different plants began using the new version of iBoot at different times, there is no firm rule for which phones will be safe; in general, however, a phone manufactured in week 36 or earlier will have an untethered jailbreak, 37-40 is iffy, and 41 and higher will almost certainly be tethered. These rules do not apply to re-manufactured phones, which are given new serial numbers but which have older components and may have the older version of iBoot.

TheLatinist's full FAQ on tethered JB here https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/833099/

 

[thelatinist]

The only way to be sure a phone is capable of untethered jailbreak is to check the boot loader. Any pre-week 36 phone should have the older versionof iBoot, though.

 

[Alleyoop]

You are talking about a 3GS yes?

Most likely I would buy a 3G or a 3Gs if I found an affordable one. I read the FAQ on tethered JB already, but thanks for the effort in posting the link. I guess I just didn't fully understand what updates iBoot. If updating above 3.0 is what does it, than I will stick to 3.0. if possible, or do the reboot before I buy, and check the serial. With all that I figure I should be safe.

I know many sellers in my area will not check the boot loader. As soon as a decent deal on craigslist is posted, the seller is inundated with calls and offers. They don't need to go through the trouble of checking the boot loader if they don't already know.

Thanks for your answers!

 

[Applejuiced]

Trust me if someone has a jailbroken iphone 3GS with the latest bootloader they'd know about it.
They'd figure out why the phone doesnt boot each time they try to restart it.
And to make sure you know that only applys to the 3GS models, the 3G doesnt have the updated bootloader.
Best and easiest way to find out is like you said try restarting it. If its jailbroken and restarts fine you're good to go.
Also 3.0 or any software updates thru Apple dont have anything to do with the new bootloader. Thats installed by the factory and cannot be changed, altered or an old bootloader updated once its out of the production line.
Its only available to iphone 3GS models released after week40+

 

[pixelated]

. If updating above 3.0 is what does it, than I will stick to 3.0.

The boot loader WONT CHANGE, not with any update. it only effects new model iphone 3Gs', so a 3G will be fine.

 

[Alleyoop]

The boot loader WONT CHANGE, not with any update. it only effects new model iphone 3Gs', so a 3G will be fine.

Hurray! That makes this much easier. Thanks! When I was unlocking my 3G a while back I remember 3.1.2 was problematic for some reason (erroneously thought it may be this boot loader thing). Glad this is worked out now and 3.1.2 is unlockable.

 

[Applejuiced]

Hurray! That makes this much easier. Thanks! When I was unlocking my 3G a while back I remember 3.1.2 was problematic for some reason (erroneously thought it may be this boot loader thing). Glad this is worked out now and 3.1.2 is unlockable.

This boot loader thing has nothing to do with the 3G or 2G models.
If might have been something else giving you problems while trying to unlock your 3G.

 

[Alleyoop]

Yeah, I have 3.0 so it wasn't a problem for me, but I remember everyone was warning not to update back then. Can't remember why though.

 

[thelatinist]

Yeah, I have 3.0 so it wasn't a problem for me, but I remember everyone was warning not to update back then. Can't remember why though.

That was because 1) there was no jailbreak available for 3.1 or 3.1.2 for several weeks after it was released and 2) 3.1 updated your baseband (modem firmware) version, and there was no unlock for the new baseband until Geohot released blacksn0w in November.