Unlocking the NEW UK iPhone

[phalewhale]

Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase a new iPhone on launch date which is this coming Friday over here in the UK.

I am wanting it unlocked and currently weighing up my options. I've heard of jailbreak etc but to be honest it all seems a bit complicated and I'm concerned I might brick my phone.

I have come across a website at http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com and they offer to unlock the iPhone for £39.99

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this service, or maybe has any feedback about it?

 

[andyh2]

First off, if you buy an iPhone new in the UK in an apple or AT&T store, it'll have the new non-hackable firmware, so you won't be able to unlock it until the whoever it is figures out how to downgrade to 1.1.1. Also, you can only use carriers that use GSM and EDGE, not EV-DO etc.

 

[Kardashian]

First off, if you buy an iPhone new in the UK in an apple or AT&T store, it'll have the new non-hackable firmware, so you won't be able to unlock it until the whoever it is figures out how to downgrade to 1.1.1. Also, you can only use carriers that use GSM and EDGE, not EV-DO etc.

First off, if the OP is buying one in the UK, their choices will be O2, Apple or The Carphone Warehouse for the purchasing side.

As for the non-hackable firmware, we will have to see when 1.1.2 or the UK iPhone is released as to whether it needs hacking or not, and if so, how difficult it will be. However, it is likely Apple has re-locked it.

Lastly, I don't know what EV-DO is, but we don't have it in the UK.

Most of our carriers/networks use GSM as standard, with only 3 (Hutchinson 3G) offering a primary 3G service - which maybe what EV-DO is in the US?

Either way, it's being released onto a GSM network here.

 

[phalewhale]

First off, if the OP is buying one in the UK, their choices will be O2, Apple or The Carphone Warehouse for the purchasing side.

As for the non-hackable firmware, we will have to see when 1.1.2 or the UK iPhone is released as to whether it needs hacking or not, and if so, how difficult it will be. However, it is likely Apple has re-locked it.

Lastly, I don't know what EV-DO is, but we don't have it in the UK.

Most of our carriers/networks use GSM as standard, with only 3 (Hutchinson 3G) offering a primary 3G service - which maybe what EV-DO is in the US?

Either way, it's being released onto a GSM network here.

Thanks for the responses. So it's likely that the UK iPhone will ship with 1.1.2? If that's the case I suppose I'm wasting my time getting one on launch day since an unlock won't be available.

The Sony Ericsson P1i is only available on O2 as well but at least you can buy SIM free ones. It's a pain in the donkey.

 

[ghostshadow777]

In theory, the AppSnapp method won't work on 1.1.2 phones because the TIFF exploit has been fixed with 1.1.2. I do wonder if restoring with iTunes 7.3 and manually select 1.0.2, and then jailbreak with iNdependence, virginize then upgrade to 1.1.1 would still work.

 

[Kardashian]

Thanks for the responses. So it's likely that the UK iPhone will ship with 1.1.2? If that's the case I suppose I'm wasting my time getting one on launch day since an unlock won't be available.
.

Read below.

In theory, the AppSnapp method won't work on 1.1.2 phones because the TIFF exploit has been fixed with 1.1.2. I do wonder if restoring with iTunes 7.3 and manually select 1.0.2, and then jailbreak with iNdependence, virginize then upgrade to 1.1.1 would still work.

This is a question me, and a lot of other people have been wondering.

Basically, its not just the firmware that locks the phone - but the baseband. If the baseband gets screwed during an unlocking/hacking - then the phone is rendered useless. Firmware can always be restored via iTunes.

The question now is, can you force an install of the old 1.0.2 or 1.1.1 firmware onto the phone. If the answer to this is yes, they can then fake activation and Jailbreak the phone on either 1.0.2 or 1.1.1, downgrade the baseband to an earlier version, and then unlock it.

Basically, what all that means is - if we put a 1.1.2 phone into recovery mode, connect it to iTunes, and then MANUALLY select our own firmware (which has been proven to work, its how they started doing the 1.1.1 unlocks) - selecting of course from either 1.0.2 and 1.1.1 which we know can both he hacked/unlocked - will it work? Will it allow us to install old firmware?

The 1.1.1 phones did, and it had nothing to do with the TIFF exploit - so there might be hope just around the corner.


Stupid persons terms: Can we install an older version of the iPhones firmware on it? If we can, it will be unlocked within minutes. The 1.1.1 firmware let you - lets hope 1.1.2 will.

I would give it a month tops until its cracked. Leave it until then.

 

[ghostshadow777]

Can we install an older version of the iPhones firmware on it? If we can, it will be unlocked within minutes. The 1.1.1 firmware let you - lets hope 1.1.2 will.

Well, technically, 1.1.1 didn't let you completely downgrade to 1.0.2. It always errors out at the end (code 1013 or something), The firmware might've been downgraded, but baseband still remains at 4.XX...until you virginize it.

 

[Kardashian]

Well, technically, 1.1.1 didn't let you completely downgrade to 1.0.2. It always errors out at the end (code 1013 or something), The firmware might've been downgraded, but baseband still remains at 4.XX...until you virginize it.

Yes. But from what I have read, which btw is not really in depth, just skimming, you can downgrade the Baseband as well - but its a lot more delicate that downgrading the firmware.

I think I've read it on some iPhone Unlock Wiki and the AnySIM site.

 

[ghostshadow777]

Yes. But from what I have read, which btw is not really in depth, just skimming, you can downgrade the Baseband as well - but its a lot more delicate that downgrading the firmware.

I think I've read it on some iPhone Unlock Wiki and the AnySIM site.

Yes, the baseband can be downgraded, hence, that's what "virginizing" script is for. I have two phones, one of them locked and attached to ATT, the other one unlocked and I've done the downgrading, virginizing and upgrading a few times. It's a good stress reliever.

 

[Nipz]

hello,

i brought an iPhone from USA about 2 weeks ago now and i used www.iphoneunlockuk.com/ to unlock it! Worked great just got to take it step by step!

Def dont use any free softwear...

 

[crunkcrumpet]

hello,

i brought an iPhone from USA about 2 weeks ago now and i used www.iphoneunlockuk.com/ to unlock it! Worked great just got to take it step by step!

Def dont use any free softwear...

I'm guessing they're an IPSF reseller, and there's nothing wrong with using the free unlock solutions, I did it for 1.02, then virginized, then unlocked 1.1.1. They work perfectly, and it saves paying for an unlock.

 

[bumfilter]

I don't see any point in paying them to do it for you, they probably would use the same tools as you would yourself. Guess it just depends on how you feel about doing it yourself. This is of course, based on my belief that they aren't the ones coming up with the hacks, just applying them for a charge.

 

[spinstorm]

May I just add that:

BOTH the firmware and the baseband have been upgraded on 1.1.2 - the UK phone.

We have NO IDEA whether any of the jailbreak methods will still work.

Apparently the TIFF method does NOT work and who knows if Independence/iPhuc will work until someone tries it!?

And who knows what the new modem firmware 04.02.13_G will do if it is unlocked with IPSF or even AnySIM...

For all we know the phone will remain unlocked with either/neither of them even if you upgrade.

So for these guys to be claiming that they will unlock your phone in 5 minutes when they can't even be sure they can CONNECT to it, let alone if any of the unlocks even WORK is just plain stupid!

I would be more worried about them permanently damaging your phone!

IF I was you I would NOT take it there - buy it and bring it home (maybe even sign up for a contract) but if you do not - just wait and see what happens with 1.1.2 and the hackers.

I mean lets be clear it could be that IPSF will unlock it and Independence will work perfectly and they can do it in 5 minutes but you have to ask yourself a question....

Would you rather someone who is following instructions on a piece of paper experiment with YOUR new iPhone or would you rather wait till someone from the various teams who knows what they are doing gets THEIR iphone working first?

Also remmeber that if that shop do break your iphone - Apple WILL NOT replace it or fix it as you will have broken the warranty conditions!

Better SAFE that sorry - if you can't wait get a contract!

 

[phalewhale]

iPhone will be unlocked by Apple

I am considering going down the contract route but I hate the idea of giving my hard earned cash to O2 who gave me terrible service for one year back in 2003. I've been with Vodafone ever since and I don't really want to leave - plus I'm still in contract with Vodafone. I also want to keep my number.

But, what I'm thinking now is, what is going to happen once all of the contracts come to an end? Will Apple force you to take out another contract with O2 or AT&T if you want to keep using your iPhone? Surely they can't do that?!

So, won't that mean that Apple will eventually have to provide an unlock of their own?

 

[Phil A.]

I am considering going down the contract route but I hate the idea of giving my hard earned cash to O2 who gave me terrible service for one year back in 2003. I've been with Vodafone ever since and I don't really want to leave - plus I'm still in contract with Vodafone. I also want to keep my number.

But, what I'm thinking now is, what is going to happen once all of the contracts come to an end? Will Apple force you to take out another contract with O2 or AT&T if you want to keep using your iPhone? Surely they can't do that?!

So, won't that mean that Apple will eventually have to provide an unlock of their own?

O2 clearly state on their iPhone FAQs page that even at the end of the minimum contract term you need to continue with your contract to keep using the iPhone. Kinda sucks to me

 

[spinstorm]

IF you read the O2 FAQ it seems to suggest that if you EVER cancel your contract your iPhone will stop working even if its AFTER 18 months!

Of course way before then there may well be an unlocked iPhone in France so you may not have to worry about that - I am guessing if its unlocked then it doesn't have to be activated either.

In the meantime your options are:

Buy one and sign up for a contract tomo
or
Buy one and wait for it to be hacked
or
Don't buy one!

Personally I think the iPhone contract at £35 is rubbish and although the £45 tariff is ok for me I think its too expensive to pay.

So its a good thing I have a US iPhone.

Like most people on here I will upgrade my firmware to 1.1.2 IF it is possible on my IPSF unlocked phone... but we will see if that is the case sometime over the weekend I guess!

 

[phalewhale]

O2 clearly state on their iPhone FAQs page that even at the end of the minimum contract term you need to continue with your contract to keep using the iPhone. Kinda sucks to me

Too right that sucks. I really don't know how they can get away with it to be honest. I was reading PC Pro before and noticed a Journalist had said Apple will HAVE to provide it's own unlock regime when the contracts come to an end. He also states that locking phones is actually ILLEGAL in Belgium and that the EU will probably step in if Apple doesn't provide a way to unlock the iPhone.

Interesting...

What the hell happens to all your music, address book and calendar info if you choose not to renew with O2?

 

[phalewhale]

Think think think...

Just thinking some more...

Had a quick look at the FAQ's on the O2 website. Here's a sample:

Can I "unlock" the iPhone and use it with another network?

iPhone is restricted to use on the O2 network unless you are roaming. If you do not enter into and remain in an airtime agreement with O2 on one of our tariffs for iPhone, you will not be able to use the phone functionality of your iPhone.​

So does that mean that I can activate my phone legitimately, then cancel my O2 contract within 14 days and still have an iPhone that does everything (including iPod, iCal, Address Book, WiFi, excpet the phone part? Or will I be made to hand over my iPhone as well?

 

[ghostshadow777]

So does that mean that I can activate my phone legitimately, then cancel my O2 contract within 14 days and still have an iPhone that does everything (including iPod, iCal, Address Book, WiFi, excpet the phone part? Or will I be made to hand over my iPhone as well?

No you don't need to hand over your phone, that's crazy. Think about it, after the phone has been activated, it's a fully functional phone, after that if you took the SIM card out, all it's going to say is "no sim card installed" or something like that, all functions except phone are still available to you.

 

[Devil's Refugee]

1.1.2 has been jailbroken on the Touch, I expect the iPhone won't be far behind now. But I would not go to anyone paying £40 to unlock the phone when you can do it for free yourself !

 

[wasimyaqoob]

I purchased an iPhone - 2 months ago and got my friend to unlock it using Jailbreak and indepeNdence - I think! - Well anyway... everything works fine, still on 1.0.2 - and I have NO intention of upgrading the firmware in the future!

 

[dalvin200]

I purchased an iPhone - 2 months ago and got my friend to unlock it using Jailbreak and indepeNdence - I think! - Well anyway... everything works fine, still on 1.0.2 - and I have NO intention of upgrading the firmware in the future!

none at all.. not even if they add killer features?

i initially wasn't going to upgrade to 1.1.1 (also got an imported phone that i unlocked) and thought that the itunes wifi was a real gimmick..
but i'm actually really using it (itunes plus only) which i am quite surprised about..

i think i may pass on 1.1.2 and wait till and proper point release (1.2.0?)..

 

[dalvin200]

1.1.2 has been jailbroken on the Touch, I expect the iPhone won't be far behind now. But I would not go to anyone paying £40 to unlock the phone when you can do it for free yourself !

i was actually going to pay, but forum members convinced me to follow the step by step instructions which really are very simple to follow (using the gui methods at modmyiphone.com)..

so i totally agree with you.. do NOT pay, as the real "workers" (iphone dev team) will not get any of that money..

 

[MacHiavelli]

Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase a new iPhone on launch date which is this coming Friday over here in the UK.

I am wanting it unlocked and currently weighing up my options. I've heard of jailbreak etc but to be honest it all seems a bit complicated and I'm concerned I might brick my phone.

I have come across a website at http://www.iphoneunlockuk.com and they offer to unlock the iPhone for £39.99

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this service, or maybe has any feedback about it?

If you unlock the phone, aren't you still up for the O2 contract? (So what's the point of unlocking?)

 

[abrooks]

If you unlock the phone, aren't you still up for the O2 contract? (So what's the point of unlocking?)

That made sense.......