Prior to the release of iPhone firmware 2.2, the iPhone Dev Team had warned iPhone 3G users to avoid upgrading to it when its available until they give an all clear.
They later confirmed that iPhone 3G users who were interested in unlocking their iPhones should NOT upgrade to the latest firmware.
But when Apple released iPhone firmware 2.2 on Thursday night quite a few 1st gen iPhone and iPhone 3G users ended up accidentally upgrading their iPhones to the latest firmware as they reported that iPhone firmware 2.2 also included an update for iPhone 3G's baseband firmware.
Based on reader comments here at iPhone Hacks and other discussion forum threads it appears that Apple has broken the hardware method to unlock iPhone 3G with firmware 2.2, as they are no longer able to use their iPhones 3Gs after upgrading.
Hackers in Brazil had unlocked iPhone 3G back in July and started shipping the Turbo SIM cards from August, 2008.
The Dev Team had immediately warned iPhone 3G users after iPhone firmware 2.2 was released:
"The 2.2 firmware for 3G contains a baseband update for the 3G iPhone.
We can confirm that this update SHOULD NOT be applied using iTunes if you want the chance of a soft-unlock in the near future."
They released PwnageTool 2.2, QuickPwn 2.2 for Mac & QuickPwn 2.2 for Windows for iPhone Firmware 2.2 the following day along with detailed instructions.
They had published the following instructions for the iPhone 3G users who wanted to preserve the baseband:
"Baseband 101
The ‘baseband’ is the generic name given to the internal components of the iPhone that handle the phone calls and Internet access. This ‘baseband’ is a tiny and unique independent computer system that runs inside your iPhone, it is separate to the main system that handles the applications (such as email and google maps) and it talks to the main part of the phone over an internal communications network. Think of it like a cable modem or other peripheral that is attached to your home PC that needs occasional updates. When a software update is released and presented to you within iTunes the baseband is sometimes updated (to fix bugs or add new features). The 2.2 update for the iPhone 3G contains such an update, so running the vanilla updater straight away with iTunes will reprogram and update the baseband. This could be bad for certain people, depending on your ultimate aim.
This applies if you have a locked iPhone 3G and you wish to update to 2.2 but preserve the iPhone’s current baseband software. Preserving the baseband will give you the maximum chance for any upcoming software unlock. To upgrade your phone to 2.2 and preserve the state of the baseband you need to create a custom .ipsw with PwnageTool. This custom .ipsw will not contain the baseband update but of course will still allow all the cool new stuff from 2.2."
We had also published a simple guide so that iPhone users who had accidentally upgraded to iPhone firmware 2.2 could revert back to iPhone firmware 2.1.
But based on the comments here at iPhone Hacks and other discussion forums iPhone 3G users who had accidentally upgraded to firmware 2.2 are still facing problems as the firmware update resulted in also updating the baseband firmware as their iPhones are no longer working.
Mark wrote:
"I am one of those people who accidentally upgraded to 2.2 without knowing I would no longer be able to use a Proxy-SIM with it after the upgrade."
Greyhame confirmed the problem:
"I have a Rodgers 3G that was working with Tmobile just fine with a Proxy SIM, but I upgraded to 2.2 and now it does not work and also I could not downgrade (Error 1013 and then it goes no further)."
ganja also reported a similar issue:
"I accidentially updated to 2.2 and did the downgrade to 2.1 the first time i got the error 1013. The second time I got it again but after a restart of my iphone it worked pefectly in 2.1 then i just had to jailbreak it and i thougt everything wold work normal again. I work with turbosim and i entered the pin but now it gets strange it is not possible to connect to my network no matter what it does noch connect to my carriers network i hate this"
We had only one reader, David, who seems to have managed to revert back to iPhone firmware 2.1 and get his iPhone 3G to work with Turbo SIM. He commented:
I accidentally upgraded my iPhone 3g to firmware 2.2 and the proxy fix would not work. So I tried restoring per the instructions and I got a "Error 1013" and I thought I was stuck.
Then I pondered a bit and tried something different. I downloaded the latest version of Pwnage which 2.1 and I create a custom firmware so I could jailbreak the iPhone.
After doing the steps in Pwnage I forced myself into DFU mode which they walk you through. iTunes then started up and it recognized the iPhone in "Recovery Mode" and I chose the custom 2.1 firmware that Pwnage had create.
Voila! It worked and now I am back to 2.1 firmware on an iPhone 3.g hacked via proxySIM to work on the T-Mobile network.
However, he still seems to have some problems with his data connection. As he had one question:
"I have yet to figure out how to setup my Edge settings. Any ideas?"
iPhone 3G users who have used the custom iPhone firmware 2.2 using latest PwnageTool to update their iPhone 3Gs have reported that their iPhone is working with the hardware unlock method. Reader, Love my iPhone, had commented:
"Just want to share this: if you use turbosim to unlock your iphone 3G, you can update your phone to v2.2 using pwnagetool custom ipsw. By doing this, you have preserved baseband version which will not effect the way your trubosim works, otherwise you have either to update the firmware of your turbosim (if it is available) or buy a new one which supports v2.2 in the near future. I have personally tested it. I have updated my iPhone 3G to v2.2 using pwnagetool and my turbosim is still working."
The 1st gen iPhone users who had also accidentally upgraded to the latest firmware have not reported any issue as the baseband has not been upgraded with the firmware update. They have also been able to successfully downgrade to iPhone firmware 2.1.
Reader mark had reported about another discussion thread here on the same topic which further confirms that Apple has broken the hardware method to unlock iPhone 3G with iPhone firmware 2.2.
This will also affect new iPhone 3G users who are planning to buy iPhone 3G to unlock it using the hardware method as they will soon come preloaded with iPhone firmware 2.2.
Incidentally, the iPhone Dev Team had also advised users to avoid using the hardware method to unlock iPhone 3G. They had raised the following concern about the method in one of their blog posts:
"While a hack could in theory work under this scheme, the errors are recorded by telecom companies, and may be considered tampering in a company's network. In countries like Germany, as a result, a person could allegedly face up to three years in prison, and in the US, it may fall under legislation designed to combat terrorism."
iPhone Dev team are currently working hard on their software method to unlock iPhone 3G and are very close to unlocking it.
Thanks to all the readers who gave their feedback on the problems they are facing post iPhone firmware 2.2.
Update:
yankii, one of our readers, has summarized the situation for iPhone 3G users that facing this issue in the comments:
"The sim proxies work for 2.1 and below... so theres nothing we can do for now.
We can only wait for 2 things... either they release a sim proxy that is compatible with 2.2, or, iPhone dev team releases a way to either downgrade the baseband, or, to unlock the phone.
Either way, we have to wait... and get used to my iphone being an ipod touch for the time being."
Do you use the hardware (Turbo SIM, Proxy SIM etc) method to unlock iPhone 3G? Are you facing a problem after upgrading to iPhone firmware 2.2?
Have you been able to fix the problem after the firmware update, so you can use your iPhone 3G again? Tell us in the comments.
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I also have updated to 2.2 accidently, have 2.2 jailbroken. just dont get any connection using my turbosim.
I was able to jailbreak 2.2 and also to downgrade to 2.1, but, once you downgrade to 2.1, the baseband version remains 2.28.00 (which is 2.2 version), and you will have No Service on your phone. The sim proxies work for 2.1 and below… so theres nothing we can do for now.
We can only wait for 2 things… either they release a sim proxy that is compatible with 2.2, or, iPhone dev team releases a way to either downgrade the baseband, or, to unlock the phone.
Either way, we have to wait… and get used to my iphone being an ipod touch for the time being.
@yankii,
We forgot to mention it in the post, but you have summarized the situation perfectly.
Hey guy's i got a 3G iphone with the Sim Gevey 3G- Plus on firmware 2.2 with pwnagetool 2.2.1 and is working perfect.
Before you update your Iphone with Pwnagetool 2.2.1 turn off the phone and take out your turbo sim and put back your regular sim.
Do step by step by pwnagetool 2.2.1 and when you restore the iphone go to setting and turn off the 3G option.
Turn off your phone and take out your sim card and put back your turbo sim with the T-Mobile or other network, go to setting and go to reset – reset all setting your iphone will restar againg.
Then go to setting and turn on the data roming and then go to cellular data network put the APN setting turn off your iphone and turn back on and Boom you got your iphone working 100%
So I upgraded to the new firmware using pwnagetool and after rebooting, my phone would no longer receive service. I have AT&T as my provider. I then restored my phone using itunes to the new firmware and I got service again. I was then able to Jailbreak my phone again using quickpwn and now I still get service. I think anyone who has AT&T must upgrade to the new baseband or they will no longer get service.
I was able to upgrade to 2.2 via pwnagetool preserving the older baseband version, and I can connect to AT&T just fine. You don't need the new baseband version. Keep the old one if you can.
hey Jeremy Ervin now you have to stick with A&TT for ever you didn't follow the golden rule with Pwnagetool 2.2. used quickpwn was not good.
@Jose Ribas
The reason you can still use Gevey-3G on v2.2 is because you updated using Pwnage Tools, which has preserved the baseband.
You can verify the baseband version: Settings -> General -> About -> Modem Firmware
1) Modem Firmware: 02.11.07 is V2.1
2) Modem Firmware: 02.28.00 is V2.2
I have already explained it in my previous posts. So let me summerise it again: If you want to have new features of V2.2 and also want to use Trubo SIM for hardware unlocking. Then you should:
While your iPhone 3G still in V2.1, and then use Pwnage Tools and create custom ipsw to update to v2.2 and jailbreak at the same. Do NOT update to V2.2 via iTunes and try to jailbreak afterwards.
Hey Love my iphone I all ready know about that, i don't know why you came with that, remember pwnage tool "Golden Rule", Daaaa….
I upgraded to 2.2 before I knew I could Jailbreak the 3g. Then I saw that quickpwn had made a jailbreak for 2.2. So I used that. It was simple, quick, and eventually worked after my iPhone keep on rebooting its-self for half an hour…
(THIS IS BEFORE I SEEN ALL THE WARNINGS ONLINE NOT TO UPGRADE TO 2.2 !!!)
Needless to say it worked. But now when I plug in sources that I know work, installer says they are valid, but I dont get any new categories or packets.
So my question is, why cant I get new stuff from sources I've seen work…
And can I take my phone back to normal, roll back to 2.1, then jailbreak it again using 2.1 until 2.2 is fixed.
I hope someone can help me with this, because I'm ready to run over my phone with my car and light it on fire!!!
Hello all fellows.
I use a jailbroken and ulocked iphone. I wait for a solution to come out. FOr every update there is always initial problems. I give time, take a look whats happening and when it is smooth i upgrade to 2.2 after a week. So the all the iphoners should wait a couple of days before updating, this will not only give them time to see things but also they can enjoy their iphone rather than getting annoyed messages.
me still at 2.1 happy with it working.
will wait a couple days further before upgrading.
Hey guys, just a quick question of anyone can help me, I just downgrade to 2.1 but I can't unlocked my 3G, and I can't seem to find the "iPhone1_2_2.1_5F136_Restore.ipsw" but a file and not a .ipsw, so I cant do anything, wjat can I do, what will be the correct step?
any help will be greatly appreciated.
cristv77
I tried to follow the golden rule but it was either stick with AT&T or no service at all. I could not get it to work right with pwnage tool for the life of me. I've jailbroken my iphone plenty of times but for some reason this time it didn't work right. Besides, I don't plan on switching carriers. The only reason I wanted to keep the baseband from being locked to AT&T was in case I sold my phone in the future. I'm sure by then, there will be a workaround anyway.
Posted by: iconoclast | November 24, 2008 at 03:12 PM
hey Jeremy Ervin now you have to stick with A&TT for ever you didn't follow the golden rule with Pwnagetool 2.2. used quickpwn was not good.
The Jesus phone is not co-operating, Whom do I bug????
hello experts,
i need help !!!!!mine is a 1st generation iphone which got screwed with that iphone logo screen of death and put my iphone in recovery mode.but when i tried to restore it is asking to upgrade firmware.i am regular visitor of iphonehacks as i saw this discussion goin on ,i was wondering what should i do.i paused the download when it started.can someone please help me…
@Cristv77 and @vijay,
Please check this post:
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2008/11/jailbreakunlock.html
It should answer your question.
I have also upgraded my iPhone with itunes and now it shows 'no service'. I really hope there will be a solution for this! Hopefully by software, but the proxy-sim have worked fine for me so that would be as good.
T-B, Sweden
Well now i understand whats wrong, i tried to get my new iphone to work for like 3 days in a row, the first thing i did when i jailbreaked was to do it with 2.2, and now i read that it updates/screws up the baseband.. Isnt it possible to restore the old baseband!?!? Its not helping to downgrade to 2.1 again….
3 years prison for hacking the iphone. lol
Calls for a Jailbreak
I'm so glad people don't have this same problem with the Motorola Krave. (motorola.com/krave) It's one of my favorite new cell phones right now with a full touch screen and 2 mega pixel camera. I've been a fan of this phone ever since I started working with Motorola. It's incredible.
I just purchased an unlocked/jailbroken iphone a few weeks back. It worked fine up until a week ago because I unknowingly updated to v2.2. I've been doing lots of reading to understand what I had to do to try and remedy the problem. I tried downgrading following the steps you guys provided and David's post and got it back to where I can see the buttons again. I'm now on v2.1 but the firmware is still off of v2.2 and now I'm getting the "no service" on the phone. Someone please help this Newbee out.
thanks a lot iphonehacks…keep rocking
Hi All,
I bought a jailbroken 2g iPhone a couple of months ago. I upgraded it to 2.2 today using iTunes, and then used quickpwn to jailbreak it again. I've been getting "no service" since… Any ideas?
@zoomah, @Cruz & @Brenmcg,
yankii has summarized the situation for iPhone 3G users who have accidentally upgraded to iPhone firmware 2.2 which has also resulted in updating its baseband firmware:
"The sim proxies work for 2.1 and below… so theres nothing we can do for now.
We can only wait for 2 things… either they release a sim proxy that is compatible with 2.2, or, iPhone dev team releases a way to either downgrade the baseband, or, to unlock the phone.
Either way, we have to wait… and get used to my iphone being an ipod touch for the time being."
I agree with BrenMCG. At the end of the days its Apples loss as I wont be downloading from iTunes until the baseband or Sim Proxy situation is sorted. Why do the network providers and Apple have to get so greedy! All other phones alow you to unlock for a fee.
@iPhone hacks
The reason I upgraded using iTunes was that had thought that the 2.2 update didn't effect the baseband of the 2g iPhone… All of the warnings were for the 3g!!
No they dont its been hacked and working on the new baseband 2.2 its the any-network device read this
http://www.ukphoneshop.com/news/mobile-phone-unlocking/any-network-release-unlocking-for-iphone-3g-22-with-baseband-update/1035/
I accidently upgraded my iPhone 3G to 2.2 firmware also, I read the entry of how to downgrade it back to 2.1, and tried to do it but I got a error message after the attempt. When I opened my phone again, the screen didnt have any of the regular buttons and shows to plug the phone into itunes. When I plug it back into itunes, it tells me to restore it to the latest firmware again. Now my phone is all messed up and only allows me to make emergency phone calls and shows the screen to plug the phone into itunes, makes me regret even trying to downgrade it at all..actually regret to upgrade it to 2.2 firmware unknowingly. CAN ANYONE HELP ME, I'M GOING TO CRY MY EYES OUT!!!
All good news as the release will let you upgrade from 2.1 to 2.2 without the baseband update which blocks unlocking.
If you have already updated and use a piggy back sim such as rebelsimcard turbo sim then you will find they don't work any more. The only thing you can do is get the new v3 any-network device .
read this:
http://www.ukphoneshop.com/news/mobile-phone-unlocking/any-network-release-unlocking-for-iphone-3g-22-with-baseband-update/1035/
didn't this happen with a previous update? how long did it take for the devteam to find a solution…i guess my iphone is now a itouch for the time being…
Oh ye of little faith!
http://www.any-network.com has a NEW version of the SIM proxy especially for 2.2!
It didn't take long!
Looks like Any-Network has a solution now for the iPhone 3G baseband ver 2.2. They have released the v3 of their SIM adapter which will work with latest iPhone 2.2. Read more about it on: http://www.any-network.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=14&category_id=3&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
There's a guy in Vietnam who can also unlock any iPhone 3G which have been upgraded to baseband 2.2. Read more about it on: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10107580-1.html or go to the guy's website at http://www.gsm.com.vn
Funny people keep saying they upgrade by "accident."
It's only an accident if it did it all by itself after you connect your iphone to your PC or Mac. But you had to push this big button accepting the upgrade and they give you the option to cancel! Wouldn't it make sense for people who use hardware unlock to think for 5 seconds and say "hmmm… would my turbosim still work?"… wait.. I'm sorry… that actually took 2 seconds.
Accident? More like ID10T error to me.
Ok, wait a minute. This guy has to take the chip out to reprogram it while the Apple update can erase everything this guy did and put a new baseband on it without the surgery?
Something just doesn't add up… is it possible to read the chip's contents after he reprograms it and transfer that to another iPhone via a hacked firmware update?
Just curious on how Apple can reprogram the chip without the surgery while this guy has to risk bricking a phone to do it.
Reply to—-
"There's a guy in Vietnam who can also unlock any iPhone 3G which have been upgraded to baseband 2.2. Read more about it on: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10107580-1.html or go to the guy's website at http://www.gsm.com.vn"
I have found a TURBO SIM card that will work with the new 2.2 software. E-mail me at phoneunlockdoc at yahoo dot com and I can help you! SERIOUSLY, I have photos to prove it!!
Hello, i live in Holland and have a contract with T-mobile and they unlock the phone for a fee, maybe you should call back you mobile provider and ask if they can unlock it…
i got question, i accidently upgrade to 2.2 but downgrade to 2.1 by using custom ipsw i find in the net, then after i jailbroken but my Modem Firmware r still 02.28 will that effect my future software unluck? and will my turbo sim still work? othr thing its after i restore the ipsw i reboot with quickpwn will that effect my future software unluck?
Add me to the list of people who are stuck with an expensive ipod touch. I was the most loyal apple customer before. Now i am thinking twice before my next purchase. I can't believe Apple would screw me like this. I am very disappointed in you Steve.
I updated it to 2.2 without knowing that it would cause such havoc.. naive me. No service ensued, following which I decided to restore my iPhone to its original factory settings. Now, I cant even use it at ALL. Only for Emergency Calls. Great help that is. I'm soooooooooooooo pissed off right now. What should I do?!?!?!?
To the last poster. You can still jailbreak your iphone so it can be used as an expensive ipod touch. That is the situation i am in at the moment. I actually have 2 bricked iphones. I live in Taiwan where Iphone was not available so i bought 2 on e-bay, 1 for me 1 for a friend. I updated both of them like an idiot. I personally will not buy another Apple product until this issue is resolved. I was the biggest apple supporter before… Now i am beginning to see them as just another big greedy company.
I was the biggest apple lover until my Iphone i bought on e-bay was bricked by v2.2 . Just for the record the original owner of the Iphone fulfilled the terms of their contract with AT&T. They either paid a penalty for canceling their contract or completed it. I was the proud owner of a Macbook Pro, I have also been directly responsible for converting well over 25 windows users to mac users. Furthermore i got my company to buy Macs for top management. That all has all come to an end. I am so disappointed in the level of greed displayed by apple and their CEO Steve Jobs. I am now pledging for now on to no longer promote apple products. I can't wait to short Apple stock just before their next big event. Any interested parties should take a look at how Apple's stock always falls sharply just after their big biannual announce event. I wrote 2 papers on this during my MBA. Check it out yourself. I will be busy undoing all the good will i have shown Apple over the years.
Hey Guys, please excuse this question for it may be something pointed out elsewhere. I have a 3G iPhone with AT&T and just want to jailbreak it for additional features (Qik, etc.). I don't care to unlock the phone ever really, so can I run the Pwnage Tool in Simple Mode and accomplish this without bricking the phone? I have the 2.2 update. Thanks
I upgraded my 3G to 2.2 using my turbo sim, after I noticed it does not work anymore, I RESTORED in itunes, and even witha older version of TURBOSIM, it no longer recognizes the SIM CARD, it requires a ORIGINAL SIM!!!which I don't have.
I am with no SOLUTION, since now I do not have any firmware in my ipone!
What to do?
Unlock iPhone 2 – 2.2
http://www.xiphone.org
Hello I am one of those people who updated 2.2 firmware to my iphone through itunes ( accidently ) and tried to use Tmobile service and didn't get any service..I do have gevey 3g sim card which doesn't seem to help atm. Can someone please tell me what I should do next? Is there any updates or sim cards yet for the baseband for 2.2 firmware on unlocked users? Please help me out thanks all~
Hi All,
Don't worry help is on the way in the next week i will test a few different 2.2 turbo sims. Once i have results on the best solution i will let you know. I have several orders in from different suppliers just be patient and conserve your anger and frustration toward Steve "i am so greedy" Jobs. Oh an do not waste your money on any software solutions. Those are free from the wonderful people at the iphone development team. Sadly they have not yet released their software solution. Don't worry we will be back on our iphones in no time.
i have updated my iphone 3g to 2.2 and was able to downgrade to 2.1 using a ziphone patch,im using a turbo sim and im able to make outgoing calls on my 2.1 iphone 3g ,but i am not able to recieve any incoming calls, it says user switched off ,this is because my modem firmware is still 2.28, it needs to be downgraded to 2.1,
the modem firmware did not downgrade when i downgraded from 2.2 to 2.1,
i am waiting for quickpwn to release the new quickPWN2.2beta software to fix this problem..
any-network haven't shipped my 2.2 adapter yet – 4 days after ordering – and I haven't heard a legitimate customer who HAS had one ship. Avoid these guys
any-network haven't shipped my 2.2 adapter yet – 4 days after ordering – and I haven't heard a legitimate customer who HAS had one ship. Avoid these guys