When the iPhone Dev Team had released the latest version of anySIM v1.1, their GUI-based tool to unlock the iPhone last week it was only applicable for those you had not unlocked the iPhone, however that had left a large percentage of the 250k iPhone owners who have unlocked their iPhone to wait for the re-virginizer tool which was supposed to revert the iPhone back to factory settings i.e. locked state.
The iPhone Elite Dev Team, the break-away group from the iPhone Dev Team and if you remember the folks who were the first to publish the method to downgrade the baseband of iPhone running on v1.1.1 are at it again, they have just released their own re-virginizer tool for unlocked iPhones running on OS v1.0.2.
When the iPhone Dev Team released the latest version of anySIM v1.1 for iPhone OS v1.1.1 they had promised that they would soon be releasing a re-viriginizer tool for unlocked iPhones running on OS v1.0.2 which is essentially revert your iPhone back to factory settings i.e. locked state after which I guess you should be able to update to the iPhone OS v1.1.1 and use anySIM v1.1 to unlock the iPhone. (Here is the article @ iPhone Hacks, in case you would like to get more details, anySIM v1.1 - Free GUI based SIM unlock tool for (Virgin) iPhone OS v1.1.1 released by iPhone/iTouch Dev Team)
The iPhone Elite Team seems to have beaten them to the race by releasing their own re-virginizer tool which is designed to rebuild your iPhone's seczone lock table and apparently repair the damage done by the free unlocking methods. After using this tool, the iPhone hackers suggest that your 1.0.2 unlocked iPhone will return to its pre-unlocked state and would be safe to upgrade to 1.1.1.
So who should be using this tool?
This is for all those who have an iPhone still running on OS v1.0.2 and have unlocked their iPhone using any of free unlocking methods such as anySIM & iUnlock which was released by the iPhone Dev Team.
What does this mean for those who fall in the above category?
As mentioned earlier, the re-virginizer tool in essence restores your iPhone back to factory settings i.e. locked state. The team also claims that once the iPhone is back in its virgin-state then you should thus be able to safely update your iPhone to the latest version i.e. iPhone OS v1.1.1.
But as always in case of any new unlocking or in this case re-virginizing method, I would recommend that you wait for sometime to find out how well it has worked from iPhone owners who are courageous enough to try it out or maybe even wait for the iPhone Dev Team to release their own re-virginizer tool as they have promised. We know that they have been working hard to come up with a solution that has been well tested and error free.
However, if you are one of those courageous ones who is not willing to wait then here is the link to iPhone hacker's website for the details on how to re-virginize your iPhone and don't forget to let us know how well it worked for you and if you were able to upgrade to iPhone OS v1.1.1 without bricking your iPhone for benefit of your fellow readers here @ iPhone Hacks.
Update:
Alice McGregor one of the readers here @ iPhone Hacks has asked quite a pertinent question in the comments which I missed out in the original post. So here is an update with additional FAQ courtesy the iPhone Elite Dev Team which should be helpful in bringing in more clarity and answering the question.
Q. I got "bricked" when I upgraded to 1.1.1 after using anySIM/iUnlock on 1.0.2. Will this allow me to safely upgrade to 1.1.1 without further problems?
* Yes.
Q. Will this reset the NCK counter?
* Yes.
Q. Can I use this method to re-virginize my iUnlock/anySIM'd phone in either 1.0.2 or 1.1.1 firmwares?
* Yes. However, this process involves reflashing the 3.14 baseband firmware so it is safer to downgrade to 1.0.2 OS firmware prior to proceeding.
Q. Can I use this tool if my phone was unlocked with IPSF?
* No. Only IPSF can restore the baseband seczone to factory-default.
If you are thinking that the process is quite complex looks like someone has already written a script that automates the process provided by the Dev team since the time the post was published. Click here to visit iPhone Elite Dev team's website to get the latest.
Thanks iPhone Elite Dev Team for the re-virginizer tool and for promptly clarifying some of the doubts.
However, folks do note, the recommendation of caution still holds.
Thanks Alice!
You might be interested in checking out the Top 5 iPhone Applications:
- Skype on iPhone
- EyeTV v2.5: Stream your favorite TV Shows
- Glide Mobile: Edit, Format and Share Word Documents
- iPhoneDrive: iPhone Disk storage
- Nintendo's classic Duck Hunt game
But the real question is: does this tool work for the most-complex case? If someone had upgraded their firmware and no longer have the ability to use the baseband, can they downgrade and run the re-virginizer tool successfully?
Yes, plain and simple
Hey Alice,
The answer to your question is "Yes" based on the FAQ on iPhone Elite Dev Team's site.
I have also updated the post accordingly so you check the update above for more details.
Thanks for raising it.
cheers!
Any ideas about activating Applecare with the iPhone on an unlocked iPhone? When you try to activate applecare it says that the Iphone you are using has not been activiated. Am I just out of luck (since I already opened up the applecare package)? Some options that I've thought about are:
i current have an unlocked iPhone running 1.0.2 but still have the AT&T simcard.
1. Revirginize my iPhone to 1.0.2. and either activate using AT&T, activate Applecare, cancel AT&T.
2. Revirginize my iPhone to 1.0.2 and activate using the no-monthly fee (I read about this somewhere for those who don't pass a credit check or don't provide Soc. Sec. #) and then activate Applecare.
3. Wait until the phone needs a service and then try to see if there are other solutions available.
4. After my t-mobile phone contract expires and then get on AT&T plan using a virginized iphone.
5. Just try to sell my Applecare via craigslist to someone who wants it.
Any other folks figured out this one?
Thanks
if a buy a new iphone, how do i activate it without activating it with at&t?
i am such a noob at this. i want to re virginize my phone but have no idea how to do itttttt
I was given my iphone 1.02 as a gift. I live in Argentina, so I don't know how it was unblocked (it was bought to someone who sells imported goodies, so perhaps she had an active At&T card or something like that). The main thing is that I've also lost my At&T simcard, as I don't use it.
Can I do this whole thing? It's it worth it?
re: is it worth it.
here's a list of what you'll get
http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2007/10/24/iphone-111-special-report-native-apps-unlockingunbricking-troubleshooting/#NewFeatures
but it seems to me that the 1.0.2 version of iphone is still pretty good, you can continue to use the 3rd party apps., use the ipod part of the phone, browser/email and use the phone parts which is really 99% of what makes this is a good device. The new firmware adds a few nice features but not that much.
you might be able to get a new at&t simcard but i'm not sure how hard that is outside of the U.S.
i have a 8GB iPhone version 1.0.2 unlocked. I want to update it to 1.1.1!!! also i've heard that updatinig to 1.1.1 will lock up my iphone??? what should i do??
Hi, I test it, already works the virginizer, thanks a lot
greetings from Mexico city
Tried this and worked fine. Needed to do a few more reboots and jailbreak/activation attempts to get things sorted than I expected to but persevered and now have a 1.0.2 (anySIM 1.1 unlocked) working with 1.1.1 and all features (except vis VM as I'm on Voda UK). Used the automated virginator script btw. Just read ALL the info and take it step by step especially the downgrade back to 1.0.2 before the special 1.1.1 pre-update tasks required in iNdependence. Thanks a mil to the Dev team and all for all the hard effort. cheers!
I had v1.1.1, but it was originally v1.02. I downgraded to v1.0.2, used anysim v1.0 to unlock it, then accidentally used anysim v1.1 to unlock it again – now it won't recognize my sim. Will this reset my phone?
Anyone can to share the differences between ver1.0.2 and v1.1.1 or even 1.1.2?
Thanks.
okay.. i got a V1.0.1 unlocked… how do i upgrade to v1.1.1 and unlock the phone? step by step guide will be nice…
I have re-virginized the 1.0.2 hacked phone. Want to run AnySim1.1 to unlock. How do I update the firmaware to 1.1.1? Do I have to go to 1.1.2 first using Itunes?
would this work with a barnd new iphone?
Hey, I made upload for 2.1 then my iphone just stayed stuck into the headphone mode. I've tried everything, put the plug off and in, downgrade, refurbrish, clean, erase the settings.. and still the same.. can you tell me what else can I do?