The story behind iUnlock: the first free, open iPhone SIM unlock software
By Paul Miller 
posted Sep 12th 2007 1:09AM
posted Sep 12th 2007 1:09AM
But instead of just swiping the iPhone Dev Team's method, hackers started looking for different ways to achieve the same results now they knew a baseband flash could be done, and a certain Zappaz finally struck gold after working on it all Monday night and well into Tuesday. But that was only the beginning. [Updated after the break]
While Zappaz was at work doing the hack from scratch, there were other efforts underway to spoof iPhoneSIMfree's software. Hexxeh was attempting to do it with an external server, while Geohot got in on the action and purpotedly managed to pull it off by tricking the software to do its thing even if the server returned a negative. However, Geohot decided to put his hack on hold and use the Zappaz method, which was decidedly less sketchy, since it wouldn't take advantage of iPhoneSIMfree's work and application to perform the hack.
When Zappaz eventually logged off due to fatigue, Geohot was preparing to build an application to wrap around the Zappaz script so it'd be ready for distribution. That's when iUnlock.zip showed up on the iPhone Dev Wiki and the iPhone hacking scene came to a standstill.
Apparently the iPhone Dev Team HaRRo (specifically including members Daeken, Darkmen, guest184, gray, iZsh, pytey, roxfan, Sam, uns, Zappaz, and Zfhad) been working on the same general method as Zappaz the whole time, but managed to finish first, and prep and post a usable solution. This same group assembled the binary from iUnlock together with a couple of other files necessary to complete the unlock, thus assembling the first easily distributable, (relatively) easily executed, and completely free and open iPhone SIM unlock software anyone laid eyes on.
After spotting the first initial release, independent documentation (and later official) documentation began sprouting up; before you could say "that's the end of the road for iPhoneSIMfree sales," there were people unlocking their iPhones in droves -- free at last, after 74 days on the market.
Update: It seems only inevitable, but we've received word from the iPhone Dev Team that credit for iUnlock doesn't rest squarely on HaRRo's shoulders, nor was he apparently responsible for the initial release of the iUnlock tool. (In similar fashion nor was Draken apparently solely responsible for the first packaged release.) We won't get into the he said she said of the tale, but the iPhone Dev Wiki has released an official statement today on the software unlock, and credit for the hack is being given to a broader core group.
Donations can be sent to the iPhone Dev Team via PayPal to iphone dawt devteam att googlemail dawt com.
FIRST COMMENT, OH YEAAA
This just in...
Those who paid $99 for their sim unlock software are getting a $99 dollar instore credit at...wait! you got effed!!! hahahhaha you impatient losers...
GPS please!
Wrong story...
GPS is a hardware thing. Nothing in the world will make your current iPhone have GPS. Read a little, you might learn something.
the iphone could read the coordinates read from googlemaps app and route pointer location to a gps reading through bluetooth.
nmea bluetooth apis are everywhere. the only problem is bluetooth routing on iphone and maps app.
@eminem213486 -very true.
I also wonder if there isn't an AT command that can pull the GPS data out of the baseband, as I bet there actually *is* an e911-use-only GPS in the GSM module.
Has anyone had to call 911 with an iPhone yet? Did the dispatcher mysteriously know exactly where you were after a few seconds?
eminem213486-
Did you just look up a bunch of pseudo-technical words and string them together randomly? Read coordinates from Google Maps? Huh? What?! Do you know some secret feature of Google Maps where it can figure out where you are on the map? Route pointer location to a GPS reading?! What does that even mean? Seriously dude, what are you smoking...
any link in google maps has the coordinates The X,Y on where you want the map to be when you link it. i think that this could be read by a hidden "gps port" app that would emulate a gps com port to a bluetooth device. this gpsport app would also read the coordinates from the bluetooth gps, this would give the x,y and it will change the map on iphone to your current position.
solution 2 would be a separate gps map application on top of iphone that connects to gps via bluetooth. (no need to download maps)
thats what iphonesimfree desirves useing the dev teams work building on top then selling it for cash and not even to the end user puting people through alot of shit o whell i guess its all over now i got my phone unlocked thanks dev team!!
what do you mean, what they deserve, as already mentioned, they sold licsences in bulk. they already go their money and ran off with it. cuz they're all classy-like...
oops, wrong tab. Thought this was the gadget giveaway.
Should we expect a book on their lives and the iphone unlocking soon?! lol
Now they need a nice GUI version for even n00bs to use.
Actually a nice easy GUI one step software solution :D
A heart-warming tale about two distant heroes, coming together to unite a world of imagination. And a blood curdling epic of a man who would risk everything to destroy it all. Coming this fall to theaters everywhere...
Arnold Schwarzenegger is "Little Tortilla Boy"
"I want him and his Tacos DEAD, you hear me??"
(great stuff)
hahaha i see some comedy central presents junkies on here too.
Pablo Francisco right? "Oh f*ck yeaahh!"
or:
"We knooow too much!"
Thx for sharing this iPhone Dev Team , now i can use my iphone in mexico
great work guys!!
so........if i unlock the phone for use with t-mobil, will they mind all the internet use on their network? if i buy a data plan will they just ignore all the use?
If you get the correct data plan then they wont mind. Its a matter of finding the correct one. IF you want to learn a bit more about t-mobile's data plan setup then cruise on over to howardforums.com. Using unlocked non-t-mobile phones on their network has been going on for years. I myself do this all of the time. Due to the advanced nature of the non-t-mobile phone I use alot more data than I ever could with one of their pieces of garbage. I've been doing all sorts of net surfing and yes, even youtube (despite what apple says, they were not the first to get this).
iPhones are locked? Why would anyone buy something you can't use?
Do you even understand the concept of a SIM lock?
Where have you been Tarvus ?
When is the movie coming out?
iPhone: From Chinese factory to unlocked in 74 days.
Try googling for "gsm carriers". To my knowledge att & tmobile are the only nationwide gsm carriers. The phone doesn't have hardware support for CDMA. That rules out verizon and sprint.
ok guys help me out..seriously...I am debating ..on an ipod touch..or an unlocked iphone..now i have verizon..so would that be worthless to do? and whould i have to get a plane with t-mobile instead..anyone know..which carriers have SIM CARDS!!?!gahd..
i would go with iphone just 100$ more will get u a phone sms maps a camara ipod with speekers and i think there are going to be more mods on the iphone in the feture un like the thouch t-moble has SIM CARDS
I think both Surkhall and yourself should just spend the money on grammar lessons instead.
ok so i can just go out buy a tmobile sim card..and have it work just like that....do i have to sign a contract with them whats the big deal about unlocking other than you basically screw AT&T..which i am all for!!
I'd go with the iPhone. Sure you get 16GB for the same price of iPhone 8GB. But you lose bluetooth and the convenience of a single device. Besides, it's not like that extra 8GB is going to fit some people's music collection anyway...
Any GSM provider uses SIM cards I believe. In my part of the US, that means only T-Mobile or AT&T.
it depends where you live. AT&T and Tmobile coverage sucks in alot of places like georgia.
They do not suck in the parts of Georgia that people with at least a high school education live in.
wow. only 4 iphone stories on the front page. you guys are slipping.
ya i know eh? I was totally hoping for some exciting image of an lcd screen from samsung instead... ohhh... so exciting... haven't seen enough lcd's lately.
just got it unlocked. hardest part was the ibrickr i was having problem trying to brick it. after that it was smooth.
I was gonna get iPod touch but now I'm seriously considering 4Gb iPhone for use with my t-mobile sim. My question is, if I'm on the t-mo network with unlocked phone, will apps like google maps, mail and youtube work??
You'll need to add T-mobile's internet plan ($19.99 I think) for the apps to work unless you only use Wifi. You'll also need a separate YouTube hack but someone's already written a script for it. So basically everything (except visual voice mail, or whatever that's called) works as long as you have a comparable t-mobile plan (i.e. voice+data)
Sorry to sound like an idiot, but how do I unlock my iPhone now? Is there something I have to download? Once again, my apologies for sounding like a moron to all the smart ones on here...
I really hope that the crackers are going to give the people who are paying $600-$750 on eBay for unlocked 8GB iPhones a $100 Apple Store credit voucher. Those poor poor people.
I mean, suckers.
id also like to say bc of this hack i just bought me a refurb iphone from apple.com :p i can rest assured i can resell later when 3g comes out.
$349 for a refurbished 8GB iPhone. Why not just spend the extra $50 and get a brand new one?
$349 for a refurbished 8GB iPhone. Why not just spend the extra $50 and get a brand new one?
What's wrong with saving $50 on $400? That's a pretty decent savings if you ask me - and Apple Refurbs are great. This is how I'm probably going to buy my iPhone soon too actually.
to me it always comes down to. i could buy alot of gas with $50 dollars!
im also still on AT&T and pay 60 a month for data + phone. i just dont want to enter a contract again. AT&T scares the shit out of me.
so i would have to get a tmobile plan or just the 20$ month...internet fee thing..? well and a sim card..can you just buy those??
hey
i'll buy this iphone however, on the website it says that iphone needs to be activated by att. so what does this mean? it doesnt open without att sim card? or it opens and not workin without the card?
those who bough the iphone did you open it with att sim card first then unlocked it and put another sim card?
ohh, damn i need to know more information.
okay, if i buy the phone right now, i have tmobile. after i opened the box and put it on, will it work to use the hack?
please someone answer me.
no...dont need to activate with att...not necessary to get iphone working..totally irrelevant
..so yes straight out of the box u can activate with t-mob.
thanks guys!
links to the software/guides? i downloaded the script from iphonedevwiki, but couldn't find any instructions there
Step-by-Step instructions to UNLOCK iPONE...
http://iphone.unlock.no/
Dear Engadget-
Do you realize threads like this are idiot magnets? Please turn off the comments.
Sincerely,
Their Leader
@ joseph
WHAAAAT???
With these software unlock solutions is it possible to unlock even before signing a contract with ATT? In other words can I pick an iphone from the Apple store and simply use these solutions before paying any homage to ATT?
Comments?
yes..as long as u have a mobile plan with another (if u want to use the phone features)...works with any provider anywhere in world.
Right - this New Zealander is in - getting myself a refurb 8GB iFun delivered to a friend in California - will be passing through in Oct to pick it up myself. Here's hoping they haven't shut down the unlock by then. Mid you, given the interest generated, I'm sure nobody wants to spark an arms race.
Doing the same thing here... I have all the software in case it goes mysteriously missing, I have the instructions, and I am _not_ updating iTunes until then. That should cover all bases, I'd think. Whatever works now will work also in the future as long as you don't update iTunes.
Maybe iphonesimfree still a cuasi smart option, you know free hack updates when apple updates came out.
No, iphonesimfree is NOT a smart option. :rolls eyes:
10x qortet, less than an hour and i've got a working iphone
I'm in Wyoming... no AT&T coverage... roaming only with T-Mobile. If I read it correctly, I'm in an 850mhz roaming mode here and need a phone that'll use that freq. I'm guessing that is CDMA territory?? If anyone knows about T-Mobile's roaming setup, please elaborate.
So, if I unlock an iPhone and put in a T-mobile SIM, will it work in my region? If not... can I just unlock the iPhone and NOT use it as a phone... just as a PDA? I can access stuff via WiFi for my purposes I guess. It'd be nice to have the phone function too though.
Thanks!
For us Sprint users (who love the fast internet on it), I'll just wait for the miniOne. If that offers CDMA anyways. Also, is there anyone who can show me how to use the iPhone with AT&T prepaid plan?
Here is a video of the whole process (the shell one, not GUI), for those interested:
http://gallery.mac.com/peconi#100043
I would like to win anything I am weird like that.
This is a basic set of questions that I hope you can help me with.
Does the iphone need activation in addition to the unlock? If so, do you initially need an AT&T contract to activate?
Specific example: I have (or intend to get) a GSM/Sim account in another country (e.g. Canada)from a non-AT&T provider. I want to use the iphone on my account. If I buy an iphone, say from Apple, can I unlock it and activate it without an AT&T account? If I can, will everything work except for the visual voice mail assuming I have a proper data plan?
Thanks for your help.
Stupid Question: I have a PrePaid T-Mobile Sim. Does it matter? Will the free IUnclock still work?
it Is a great story Paul, although the comments dont really warrant it. I've followed it closely on here, hackingosh and irc. I'm still wondering a few things. Did harro have anything at all to do with the development? What was he doing? He had the freesimunlock site up and the guides copied over. Guessing he was trying to gain money or just money from transparant ads? Then the site dropped off within a day at the exact time as the only other site in which he allegedly copied from.
Also it seems ipsf were the accelerant to all this. Even though they were partially making cash based on others works, they certainly inspired others to balance things out. Hope fully the story continues. An GUI complete packaged patch from erica a retaliation from apple they dont make them like this on tv. ;) george h is also looking into a antena based positioning system in his spare time between 3 jobs and UNO! Thanks for the article, east on his payas Yafo Tmobile.
i just unlocked my phone using iunlock first your phone has to be jailbreaked then i used the iunlock tutorial. Very asy porocess. 100% working. first i restored my iphone jailbreaked it which is also activating the iphone without att contract then used the iunlock tutorial.