So after quite a few delays resulting in many doubting the authenticity of the hack which resulted in numerous videos to prove that it was for real, the software-only unlocking hack from iPhoneSIMFree is finally available for individual iPhone users via four online retailers across the globe.
The launch was preceded by an exclusive video by Ryan Block of Engadget to demonstrate the unlock process from the start to the finish to further confirm the authenticity of the software-only unlocking method. Read all about it after the jump.
iPhoneSIMFree's software-only unlocking hack is finally available through four online retailers around the globe; they are Wireless Imports in the US, iPhone Worldwide Unlock in Australia, 1 digital phone in Germany (have temporarily suspending preorders), and iPhone 4 arab in Saudi Arabia.
As of now based on information available the US online retailer is selling individual unlocks for $99 while the Aussie retailer was offering the unlock for half the cost at $50. The retailers are claiming to have received a very good response already.
The unlock might be a good option for those who are in countries where the iPhone is not expected to be launched until sometime next year but for others like US here are some points you might want to think about:
- Unlocking the iPhone may result in losing the warranty.
- So far we know that the only feature that will not work with the unlocked iPhone will be the Visual voicemail feature.
- There is no guarantee that you iPhone will remain unlocked with the next firmware update. If an update is required, they will offer it for free IF they are able to provide it in the first place.
So if you don't care about any of these concerns then go right ahead and order the unlocking software or maybe even try out your luck with Engadget's SIM unlock give-away.
On a side note, as expected we also had the iPhone hacking community confirming that they will not be reverse engineering the unlocking solution.
In case you would like to watch the SIM unlocking process from start to finish download the video in wide VGA from these links courtesy Engadget (MP4 format or AVI format)
Update: Gizmodo was reporting some problem with the unlock but iPhoneSIMFree were quick to react in providing a fix for the problem, click here to read about how the unlock is working for others.
Update (30th September):
Update (27th September):
It is advisable not to try this for now, read Breaking News: iPhone Firmware Update 1.1.1 unlocks iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store BUT seems to Partially Brick Unlocked iPhone for more details.
Rate this post:
You might also be interested in reading about the following killer iPhone apps:
WebEx's PCNow brings Corporate Email, Skype via remote desktop
Native iPhone App "Connect" makes it easier to login to Wi-Fi Hotspots with your iPhone
Edit, Format and Share Word Documents using your iPhone with Glide Mobile
This is a waste of time people, all sim unlocks require Jailbreak and and murdered any chances of using it with the latest iTunes update. Go ahead & pay for this if you want, just know you most likely will brick your phone when you sync, or iTunes will lock it again. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME TRUST ME
What's out – I bought it at one of the resellers (www.Freeit4less.com), and it did not work, and they don't respond to email, in fact the address that they provide on their website does not work!
Have had my iPhone on T-Mobile using http://www.freeit4less.com for over a month now and it works great! Just upgraded to the new version 1.1.1 and I'm able to unlock it using FreeIt4Less' method as well! No doubt they are the best – and they respond to customer service e-mails SO FAST!
The previous post was clearly written by someone who works for/owns freeit4less. Freeit4less and their "solution" are worthless. They're misleading in their tutorials, don't provide complete information, and their tech supports sucks. I'm trying to get my money back and make sure others with 1.1.1 firmware don't give these crooks any more business. See my blog entry about this: http://freeit4less.blogspot.com/
The previous post was clearly written by someone who works for/owns freeit4less. Freeit4less and their "solution" are worthless. They're misleading in their tutorials, don't provide complete information, and their tech supports sucks. I'm trying to get my money back and make sure others with 1.1.1 firmware don't give these crooks any more business. See my blog entry about this: http://freeit4less.blogspot.com/
I'm one of the guys behind Freeit4Less and trust me, Steen doesn't work for us. It has been two months now and, a few thousand customers later, I think we're safe in saying our solution works. I know it works actually…I use it on my iPhone. 1.1.1 instructions were bad at first, but things are cleared up now and we're trying our best to make the site as good as it can possibly be.