ScreenCastsOnline Forum - iPhone Unlocking

Don McAllister

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iPhone Unlocking
Sep 18^th, 2007, 11:32am

OK, So I want an iPhone before November and it just so happens I'm in the US in a week.

Forgive these dumb questions but if anyone can answer these, I'd really appreciate it.

What's the best unlocking method?
I've got a Pay As You Go Orange SIM card in my current Razr. Will this just work in an unlocked iPhone (no data just phone)?
Presumably, the wifi options are not dependent on the SIM card.
Is it possible to get a SIM card with data without signing up for a 12 or 18 month contract to use in an unlocked iPhone?
Once the UK versions of the iPhone comes out, would it be possible to get a pukka O2 SM card for the iPhone and revert to a fully supported version.

I know some of these are unanswerable but what the heck!

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MacSeason

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Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #1 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 12:10pm

What's the best unlocking method?
I have been using http://code.google.com/p/independence/ for Mac to activate and Jailbreak the phone so I could install SSH etc on it. Worked fine both on an AT&T activated phone and a new one fresh out of the box. The latest version also fixes the YouTube problem in a single click along with Activation.

For unlocking I have used the http://www.iphonesimfree.com/ which is commercial with success and I have also used the free "anySim.app" by he Dev Team http://iphone.fiveforty.net/wiki/- which also worked really well.

Both above works with the latest iPhone firmware (1.0.2) and the latest iTunes (7.4.2)

I've got a Pay As You Go Orange SIM card in my current Razr. Will this just work in an unlocked iPhone (no data just phone)?
Yes it should be fine ref: http://iphone.fiveforty.net/wiki/index.php/Software_Unlock_Results#United_Kin...

Presumably, the wifi options are not dependent on the SIM card.
Yes works even without a SIM card - as long as the iPhone is activated.

Is it possible to get a SIM card with data without signing up for a 12 or 18 month contract to use in an unlocked iPhone?
No idea about the UK market...

Once the UK versions of the iPhone comes out, would it be possible to get a pukka O2 SM card for the iPhone and revert to a fully supported version.
I am not sure as the iPhone will likely come with a special O2 SIM card pre-installed in the UK like they did in the US - and since this would be bought in the US they might not want to entertain it - then again I would be surprised if they would not take your money if you asked them nicely.

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Don McAllister SCO Administrator Offline Posts: 3366 UK	Re: iPhone Unlocking Reply #2 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 12:14pm Excellent! Thanks so much for the detailed response Looks like the whole unlocking and third party development thing is building up some momentum. I wonder if Apple will try and pull the plug on the next Firmware release? I suppose if they do, then people will just work around it!
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wastern

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Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #3 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 12:44pm

I'd get nervous about it now. Apple is coming out with update after update. They are trying to kill ringtones left and right, breaking iPods in Linux, putting extra measures to stop hacking of the iPod Touch

You might be ok, but I'd wait to see how the first updates since the unlock goes for people. I don't think there has been a firmware update since the unlock happened. My phone breaks everytime Apple updates since I have Installer.app. Everything gets wiped out and I need to wait for an app update to get it all back

Apple seems to be locking things down more then ever. I'd hate to unlock the phone and have Apple come out with something that breaks it, then doesn't allow you to sync until you update your firmware...or something along those lines. Then you're stuck.

Would you be getting it on the O2 network anyway? If so, November isn't that far off. Its worth waiting for imo.

What really sucks in the UK is you have good 3G coverage, but they're still going with EDGE so you have to wait for an infrastructure to be built around this phone just so you can get slower service

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Phil Bridges Ex Member	Re: iPhone Unlocking Reply #4 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 1:13pm One for our American cousins I suspect… If Don buys his iPhone from a US Apple store, is there any obligation to follow through with an AT&T sign-up or could he simply walk out and says it’s a gift for someone etc?
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Don McAllister SCO Administrator Offline Posts: 3366 UK	Re: iPhone Unlocking Reply #5 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 1:38pm I'll answer that one! Absolutely not! The signup is done once you get the iPhone home via iTunes. The latest unlocking caboodles do away with that.
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wastern Global Moderator Offline Posts: 2013	Re: iPhone Unlocking Reply #6 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 2:05pm Don is correct. The iPhone leave the store just like an iPod. All dealings with AT&T are done via iTunes once you get home
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Mabsey

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Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #7 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 2:23pm

wastern wrote on Sep 18^th, 2007, 12:44pm:

What really sucks in the UK is you have good 3G coverage, but they're still going with EDGE so you have to wait for an infrastructure to be built around this phone just so you can get slower service

That's my thought as well. I cannot believe O2 is downgrading its service to accommodate the iPhone. So disappointing.

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Phil Bridges

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Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #8 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 5:37pm

If you read some of the 3G phone reviews you'll see they EAT battery life big time (like my N70!) so it's probably a conscious decision on Apple's part, Edge just takes what it needs, and you don't always need 256K or whatever for browsing ...

and to Don, I wonder if the warranty still works if you don't register it with iTunes? Don't suppose you're bothered really but just a thought.. Orange seem to honour their warranty if you unlock their phones..

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Mabsey Global Moderator Offline Posts: 1981	Re: iPhone Unlocking Reply #9 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 6:34pm 3G does eat battery but you can always turn it off. I just want the option for it to be there.
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legion

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Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK

Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #10 - Sep 18^th, 2007, 7:45pm

Phil Bridges wrote on Sep 18^th, 2007, 5:37pm:

If you read some of the 3G phone reviews you'll see they EAT battery life big time (like my N70!) so it's probably a conscious decision on Apple's part, Edge just takes what it needs, and you don't always need 256K or whatever for browsing ...

and to Don, I wonder if the warranty still works if you don't register it with iTunes? Don't suppose you're bothered really but just a thought.. Orange seem to honour their warranty if you unlock their phones..

I'm using a N80.
I use it quite a bit throughout the day, a couple of MMS, SMS, about 30 mins of voice calls and about 30 mins of browsing a day.

I've had it for about 15 months now and only put it on charge every 2 or 3 days, so I dont see it as much of a problem as regards battery life.

The main issue I feel is the 30% coverage O2 have with the EDGE network. If Apple release a 3G phone early 08 I doubt that O2 would feel like spending money to keep upgrading the old EDGE network when people will be buying the new 3G iPhone.......

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Phil Bridges Ex Member	Stephen Fry's blog Reply #11 - Sep 19^th, 2007, 9:29pm Looks like Stephen Fry is keen on the IPhone too, it's his first blog post, and hey, he's one of us it seems! http://www.stephenfry.com/blog/?p=3
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Mackid805

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Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #12 - Sep 21^st, 2007, 4:38am

MacSeason wrote on Sep 18^th, 2007, 12:10pm:

Once the UK versions of the iPhone comes out, would it be possible to get a pukka O2 SM card for the iPhone and revert to a fully supported version.
I am not sure as the iPhone will likely come with a special O2 SIM card pre-installed in the UK like they did in the US - and since this would be bought in the US they might not want to entertain it - then again I would be surprised if they would not take your money if you asked them nicely.

Actually iPhones allow you to choose networks, but the option is only shown when your roaming....So it may be possible.

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Don McAllister SCO Administrator Offline Posts: 3366 UK	Re: iPhone Unlocking Reply #13 - Sep 21^st, 2007, 8:04am Thanks for all the responses! Now I've heard some reports (only one of two mind you) of people bricking their iPhones during the unlock process. Doh! I'm wavering now. Quick, convince me to get one next week!
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Mabsey

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Re: iPhone Unlocking
Reply #14 - Sep 21^st, 2007, 8:53am

Dude, wish I could but I think you should wait.

It's very unlikely that you'll brick your phone but it could happen. Also, on another podcast someone mentioned when the iPhone first came out, it was a brick until you registered it with Apple/AT&T via iTunes. I doubt Apple would do it (bad publicity), but as they did say they are playing a cat & mouse game, maybe they could figure a way of checking whether you have an AT&T "iPhone-registered" SIM in the unit and, if you don't, brick it. I'm not paying any attention to the hacking, so I'm sure those in the know can confirm whether or not Apple could even do this.

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