iPhones upgraded to 1.1.3 can't be downgraded?

Not to say it's actually easy to get your hands on the rumored 1.1.3 firmware at this point, but in the event that you do, proceed with caution. Nate True, the guy that brought us a video walkthrough of the supposedly leaked goods, is reporting that he can't seem to downgrade to 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 after performing the install. Locked phones show an "Incorrect SIM" error -- a problem unlockers of yore are all too familiar with -- while previously unlocked phones can't be upgraded to 1.1.3 at all. Let's be honest, though: if you somehow managed to score a copy of 1.1.3, is that really going to stop you from going for it?

[Thanks, cingular#1]

Update: We're hearing that the phenomenon observed by Mr. True has existed since the very first firmware release; it's a state the phone enters whenever it finds a baseband version different than the one it's expecting to find, and it's apparently been bypassable via a modified "lockdownd" binary for some time. Thanks, Alex!

Update 2: To those asking why the network says "Nate," Nate True told us that "The network name comes in through the com.apple.springboard preferences plist. That file is copied back to the phone after a restore (and is thus not affected by an update)." In other words, even after an update that file pushed through and apparently showed the network name. So there you have it.

[Thomas @ Jan 27th 2008 2:33AM]

Hi,
I had the "incorrect sim" with my iphone after i upgraded a f***** up baseband from 1.0.2 to 1.1.1 before virginizing. I struggled for 10 hours not being able to get any further with downgrading back to 1.0.2 or upgrading to 1.1.2 or whatever i did. There was people out there having the same problem, but no one answered to what they could do to fix it. Because when you have the "incorrect sim" message you pretty much are completely f*****. But somehow I got through it. I had tried Independence on mac, iBrickr, winstaller and all there is, but it all ended up with "incorrect sim" however I upgraded/downgraded... But then suddenly, after using iBrickr to downgrade from 1.1.1 and still in "incorrect sim" mode in 1.0.2, I installed apptapp, launched winstaller, and installed a couple of progs (no matter what I suppose) in iBrickr, AND THEN LAUCHED independence on a MAC i got it it to jailbreak and start up and view springboard. I was so happy (and lucky i guess). So I found this one guy on the internet who saved me with one amazing quote (because when it was in this mode i also had f***** up IMEI which will happen to everyone in this state...my guess.. it starts with 0049...something): restart you iPhone without your SIM in and you will get your IMEI back... did that and my beautiful IMEI was back on track. This is probably how far you guys want to know.. or dont want to know..depends.. but then installed mobileterminal and did all the stuff for downgrading baseband and I was on track to upload to 1.1.1 after 10 fu**ing hours messing around. Totally worked.

On the other hand now I have upgraded to 1.1.3 and I am one of those "new themes and display every day" kind of guy so the fact that customize and summerboard doesnt work on this firmware is a hazzle for me right now. Used iSwitcher, but to be honest, those themes f***ing su**s ba**s if you ask me. 1.1.3 su**s ba**s and everything about apple's new firmware su**s ba**s right now. APPLE STEALS THE IDEAS FROM THE APPS FROM INSTALLER and then makes "THEIR OWN" upgrades and puts them in 1.1.3. WHY NOT COOPERATE WITH SOME OF THE FANTASTIC PEOPLE THAT SPENDS TIME CREATING THESE AMAZING APPS THAT WE BENEFIT SO MUCH FROM AND MAKE THE IPHONE UNBEATABLE IN THE MARKET FOr NOW?

THAT PISSES ME OFF! sorry about the language, but it has got to be said. they steal the ideas and then block the programs that already had those ideas 4 months ago from being used in 1.1.3. makes sense? From apple's point of view...MAYBE.. from my point of view.. F*** U APPLE! LI** MY BA**S!

Sincerly,
Thomas

[walter @ Feb 4th 2008 8:41AM]

im not sure about the unlock on differnt networks.. i do know you can upgrade to 1.1.3 thru itunes then you can downgrade to 1.1.1 then 1.1.2 then use nate trues update to 1.1.3 then change your lock down file back on AT&T here is where you can find how to do it.. http://modmyifone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27454

[vip malixi @ Dec 30th 2007 3:27PM]

After the iPhone SDK arrives in Feb, I bet Apple will require iPhones update to the latest firmware (i.e., unlocked phones will stop running) to be able to run apps based on the SDK

[David Clark @ Dec 30th 2007 3:51PM]

Which means they'll have to really do something remarkable with the SDK to make people actually want to use the upgrade. If it's junk like webapps 2.0, nobody will even bother.

[xbit @ Dec 30th 2007 5:46PM]

Mr. Jobs has already spoken about keeping the SDK pretty tight.

I would bet good money that you'll only be able to distribute and run apps through iTunes.

[quiksilverlx @ Dec 30th 2007 3:36PM]

I think all these minor upgrades are just a part of Apple's plan to keep iPhone customers constantly downloading anti-unlocking software, thus making sure the iPhone stays locks. I mean this could be the nothing way to explain this minuet upgrades that they could released with the original iPhone.

[T-Bone @ Dec 30th 2007 5:43PM]

Yep. Release iPhone, see what holes are being exploited, plug holes, see which new holes pop up, plug holes, repeat. Sounds good to me.

[Jacob @ Dec 30th 2007 3:46PM]

Thanks, Apple, for taking a few more steps towards becoming the new Microsoft, or Sony (i.e. PSP).

I used to like almost everything you did. I used to defend you all the time. I don't anymore.

[Dan @ Dec 30th 2007 4:11PM]

too late, they already are
apple isnt the company it used to be, its already progressed to that point

[Maci @ Dec 30th 2007 4:40PM]

Use commas correctly.

[Samurai Jack @ Dec 30th 2007 4:17PM]

It's called bug fixing. And it's not difficult to understand.

Every jailbreak exploits a software defect that, used kindly, results in new apps on your iPhone. Used maliciously it results in pwnage. Apple are right to close these holes. It's not at all like the PSP situation. Who cares if you hack a portable game console? I care very much if the personal information I keep on my iPhone gets hacked...

[KarlW @ Dec 30th 2007 5:14PM]

I partly agree with Samurai Jack

I don't think Jailbreak uses any practical exploits that could be used by malicious code. The jailbreak exploits, I believe, rely on the iPhone being connected to your computer, which are historically the kind of conditions malware rarely relies on. For exploits like these, I don't mind too much if they are left unpatched. If the situation changes, and malware does start to rely on these conditions, my opinion will change.

Things like the TIFF exploit, which have a large surface area (any web site), are much more dangerous and should not be left unpatched. Indeed, when you jailbreak your phone through this exploit, it gets patched by the community to not leave you vulnerable. Everyone, including the people who take advantage of them, agree these exploits are very serious.

But it is true that I would not like any malware on my phone. That is one of the problems with having such a flexible OS on a phone. It's a very difficult job to get the balance between restrictions and security right, and I hope people consider this before slating Apple for being too restrictive.

[Jacob @ Dec 30th 2007 5:34PM]

That wasn't really my point. My point was that with the iPhone and the subscription bit they f'ed everything up. God knows when this phone will reach the rest of the world, God knows which operator, God knows how expensive.

I just want them to sell the phone. Period. Or comma, should I care about Maci The Pedant.

[whatever @ Dec 31st 2007 6:32AM]

Jacob, the subscription thing is part of Apple's business model.

I think Apple is simply trying to recoup its investment in the product. While the cost of the phone might be higher than its production costs, what about all the money invested in R&D for x number of years?

Technology ages very quickly. In a year or two's time, people will expect a better iPhone. So, if Apple has to get its money back for its current model, I am not sure if they have much choice.

Besides, isn't this subscription thingie a common practice in the US? Slightly different story in Europe though.

[me @ Dec 30th 2007 3:41PM]

sorry, off topic, how do you change the avatar? thx

[rgw1469 @ Dec 30th 2007 3:54PM]

Who cares if you can't jailbreak the thing easily. The SDK will be out shortly for development, quit complaining.

What is it with nerds and new gadgets? The second it comes out they want to see if they can hack it and run *nix on it. lol. Why can't you just use the thing like a normal person?

[paul @ Dec 30th 2007 3:55PM]

because you cant IM, you cant record video, play games, etc.

[rgw1469 @ Dec 30th 2007 3:57PM]

that's what an SDK is for. Be patient and get a new thing to worry about than cracking everybody's proprietary software like it's your inalienable right.

[letstakeawalk @ Dec 30th 2007 4:15PM]

It's called a "hobby". It's fun, it's challenging, and it's fun to have your friends go "wow..."

Why do people buy aftermarket parts for cars, or upgrade their homes, or buy new clothing when their old stuff still fits?

[Ben Grimsbo @ Dec 30th 2007 4:58PM]

@letstakeawalk

My hobby is mocking you and your hobbies.

[Spresco @ Dec 30th 2007 5:03PM]

Are you implying your not a nerd?...Why are you here?

[Ed @ Dec 30th 2007 6:10PM]

The iPhone technically already does run *nix, because it runs a derivation of OS X which is a derivation of BSD which is a derivation of UNIX.

[starkruzr @ Dec 31st 2007 2:19AM]

The SDK is going to suck, because it will be oriented around letting Apple sell mostly worthless games for $15 a pop instead of actually useful applications. "lol."

Yeah, I hate it when people don't just get in line and do what they're told.

[kerrick.long @ Dec 31st 2007 7:27PM]

Because Knowledge belongs to the world! (AntiTrust)
And it's true!

[Beef Supreme @ Dec 30th 2007 3:57PM]

Apple is not stupid folks. This reminds me of the same battle between Sony & the PSP hacking community.

[Ryan @ Dec 30th 2007 4:03PM]

you avatar looks like a cigarette.

[computer.dude.28 @ Dec 30th 2007 4:05PM]

oh, man, it isn't a cigarette! I didn't notice until i read your comment, Ryan.
Anyway..

Beef Supreme,
Remember..
"Friends don't let friends update their PSPs"

[ChrisG @ Dec 30th 2007 4:05PM]

well maybe the whole dev community can use the 1.1.3 firmware to unlock the "unlockable" 1.1.2 iphones. Because if 1.1.3 has a new upgraded baseband, then we can make an unlock for 1.1.2. but the problem is the fact that this new firmware can't be downgraded ugh!

[Dino Ignacio @ Dec 30th 2007 5:04PM]

Pardon my ignorance but can someone explain how having a new baseband in the 1.1.3 fiwmware the key to unlocking 1.1.2 ? All this talk if seczones and such is boggling my mind.

Thanks.

[ChrisG @ Dec 31st 2007 6:08PM]

okay since I'm tired of explaining this, here's link explaining it all from the dev team forum site, hackint0sh.
http://www.hackint0sh.org/forum/showthread.php?t=18493

Basically the problem why 1.1.2 iphones can't be unlocked with Anysim is because of the fact that the seczone can't be retrieved and it needs a baseband upgrade. When 1.1.3 officially comes, we can extract the seczone from 1.1.3 and use it to unlock 1.1.2 iphones.

[Karl Viklund @ Dec 30th 2007 4:18PM]

Good move by Apple. Time to stop these hacks. Seems like the hackers never learn.
An SDK is coming, just wait for that.

[mik @ Dec 30th 2007 4:35PM]

hackers always learn.. thats why there are security patches.

[caramelzappa @ Dec 30th 2007 4:37PM]

God forbid someone wants to have their own unique use for a product that they buy. How dare they question almighty apple's choices concerning carriers and locked down software. Wanting to use your phone with your own carrier or install your own programs is a stupid idea. I'm glad my computer can only run the software it came with, aren't you? And I'm very happy too that I don't have to choose an internet provider since it only works on comcast. God I love things simple.


-_-

[Juaquin @ Dec 30th 2007 5:02PM]

Haha you can't stop hackers. You can slow them down, you can work with them, but you can't stop them. For most of these people, it's not too much about the things they can get it to do - it's about the challenge of doing it.

[Ben Grimsbo @ Dec 30th 2007 5:17PM]

@caramelzappa

Then buy something else besides an iPhone.

[caramelzappa @ Dec 30th 2007 5:29PM]

@ Ben Grimsbo

I don't have to, thanks to hackers I can enjoy an iphone without being tied down.

[Ed @ Dec 30th 2007 6:13PM]

Karl, why are you even here?

[Khris @ Dec 30th 2007 6:31PM]

@ Karl

You didn't have many friends as a child did you? Probably still true now as an adult.

Next time you feel the need to spout such a useless comment, go email it to yourself instead.

[adrian @ Dec 30th 2007 4:41PM]

Users knew the phone was going to be tied to a carrier before handing over the cash and signing the contract. Stop complaining, or buy phone from a different maker next time.

[Wwhat @ Dec 31st 2007 12:02AM]

The iphone is sold outside of the US now you know, and in a version that isn't as locked as the US one.

[adrian @ Dec 31st 2007 11:23AM]

True but that all come's down to the law of the land. US users still knew the score when buying and signing up.

[Fnet @ Dec 30th 2007 4:45PM]

Apple,go to hell.. you can't dictate what the customers want to do with product they bought with thier own hard earned money ..

[Anthony @ Dec 30th 2007 5:00PM]

You're right. So don't update.

[Spresco @ Dec 30th 2007 5:11PM]

way to jump on the bandwagon. love your originality by the way

[Jakob @ Dec 30th 2007 5:09PM]

I don't understand why Apple always is so secret about everything.
Why can't all countries just get the iPhone immediately?

In the end, they'll loose costumers, I'm sure.

[Morgan Percy @ Dec 30th 2007 5:18PM]

I was getting tempted to pick up an iphone just because of the hacked apps for it. Which is impressive since I hate Apple(sorry I want more control). Now forget it, I'll just wait for a real phone. Its sad when a company capable of so much chooses to do so little.

[Senor_Tom @ Dec 30th 2007 5:18PM]

I don't understand it. Why can't people who have shelled out all that cash for a phone/gadget just be allowed to do what they wish with it. If they don't sign up to the contract so what. (don't apple get some takings from contracts though?) They payed! Apple don't care if you buy an iphone and blend it, so why care if people fiddle around with the inards and software.I think hackers shouldn't be stopped, it is there hobby and if it weren't for these people we wouldnt have some widgets an apps that are circulating today.

[Miles @ Dec 30th 2007 5:18PM]

STOP ILLEGALLY HACKING APPLE'S HARDWARE YOU RETARDS
They want it to stay locked, what is wrong with a vanilla iPhone you dolts?
I congratulate Apple, we don't need another PSP on the market, we all know how that turned out.
>:|

[KarlW @ Dec 30th 2007 5:28PM]

It's not Apple's hardware. I bought it - it's mine.

[Miles @ Dec 30th 2007 5:34PM]

@Karl
Did you build it?
No
Did you manufacture it?
No
Are you running the cellphone network it is on?
No