iPhone 3GS jailbreak released by GeoHot ahead of Dev Team

Be warned, this is beta stuff and we haven't been able to test it ourselves. However, a number of breathless tipsters and commenters are reporting a successful jailbreak and unlock of their iPhone 3GS. The magic begins with a 3GS jailbreak released by GeoHot. See, George is fed up with the Dev-Team's insistence on waiting until Apple releases iPhone OS version 3.1. As he puts it:

Normally I don't make tools for the general public, and rather wait for the dev team to do it. But guys, whats up with waiting until 3.1? That isn't how the game is played. We release, Apple fixes, we find new holes. It isn't worth waiting because you might have the "last" hole in the iPhone. What last hole...this isn't golf. I'll find a new one next week.

Meeeeow. After performing the jailbreak, ultrasn0w should then take care of the unlock although we haven't seen official comment on this by GeoHot or the Dev-Team yet. Good luck, backup, and kiss the children goodbye -- it could be a long weekend if you brick your new iPhone. Now hit the read link if you must.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[blah @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:45AM]

Ja, agreed. Dev team's pretty dumb for not releasing it...

[Totalfixation @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:52AM]

It's possible apple can patch this up with the next update. The dev teams method could also be patched because of this one. So we'll have to wait and see.

[birder @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:17AM]

He did the right thing. Dev Team has been acting like a bunch of prima donnas for a while now. They were holding the Touch G2 jailbreak for what 6 months before someone else released it and forced their hand. They sound like a bunch of scared sissy boys and GeoHot called them on it.

[NG @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:55AM]

@ birder
Yea.. these "prima donnas & sissy boys" designed the unlocking program for free

I don't see you doing it for any of us, you un-talented prick.

[birder @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:08AM]

I don't have to do anything because Geohot did it for me. And if not him, someone else will for free or a fee. Unlike dev-team who now think they are the "scene" and post long winded teasers on their blog instead of releasing code. Prima donnas describe them perfectly. They require constant adultation even after their usefulness is waning. They are afraid of the big bad Apple releasing a patch to their exploit in the next release and so hold on to their "sekret infoz". News Flash, Apple will be releasing a constant stream of updates so nut up and show up.

[Izzy @ Jul 3rd 2009 9:26AM]

I actually agree with the delay. They get more people crying when things stop working "as designed." Also since 3.1 is already in Beta, its probably less than a month (or so) away.

[rTwelve @ Jul 3rd 2009 1:54PM]

I thought the original reason for the delay was that the 3GS isn't available in some countries, and if dev team were to release the jailbreak now, then by the time the 3GS released in those countries, Apple would be shipping them with patched firmware, rendering ultrasn0w useless. From what I understand, jailbreaking the 3GS relies on some simple bug some guy on twitter found and relayed to the dev team. While it is easily patchable by Apple (probably), the dev team can still create custom firmwares for people who did not get a unit shipped with already-patched firmware. (This is why dev team is telling people not to upgrade to the 3.1 beta.)

Basically, by releasing purplera1n now, GeoHot has screwed over eager consumers in those countries, of course until "someone finds another hole". Whenever that will be.

[goingdeaf @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:01PM]

i think its hillarious you have to hack your phone for it to be usefull and fun...oh! and so you can steal the apps.

[__smooth__ @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:59PM]

This may be a little off topic, but I'm reading all these posts about people waiting for the exploit and want to take full advantage of their phones, when really all they need to do whatever for free is go to android. Not the G1 if they don't want to, but any hard shell they feel comfortable with

[Nogami @ Jul 4th 2009 12:03AM]

Firmware 3.1 is already in beta to patch a major exploit through SMS texting. It would've been smarter to wait...

[loosely_coupled @ Jul 4th 2009 1:42AM]

They were holding it because major new releases are ALWAYS full of bugs -- both known and unknown ones ---- because bug-fixing is not the primary priority leading up to a major new feature release. There are always dozens of bugs that can't get worked out because of release deadlines. Now that this is released, Apple will no doubt patch it on the new 3.1 firmware, and unlockers are going to be stuck on the far buggier 3.0 release because of this idiotic move.

[sam @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:53AM]

I wish they would release jailbreak for ipod touch gen1 3.0 firmware that has youtube working, that jailbreak was released about 2 weeks ago and they havent released a new version with youtube working yet:(

[Bolo @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:53AM]

What are you talking about? I have an Ipod touch gen1 with 3.0 jailbroken and Youtube is working just fine... I can help you with that.

[kabbalah @ Jul 3rd 2009 9:25AM]

yeah, me too, i just tried

[Adam @ Jul 3rd 2009 3:52PM]

Same story here buddy, nothing wrong with the jailbreak, youtube is better than ever.

[Totalfixation @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:54AM]

This is totally off topic, but to the apple people. Please make a "recent list" available. Maybe under the spot light search bar when it's blank. This way i can load recent apps faster and not have to search for it in the following pages. Also we wouldnt need to type it out as well.

[shinrajp @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:07AM]

You should send apple about this in the feedback section.

[Totalfixation @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:12AM]

Well, if apple really cared what people want. I'm sure they would be on here reading this blog and making the recommendation themselves.

[Intrepid @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:08AM]

Haha, it's like Windows Mobile now...

[loocas @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:36AM]

Great testament to Windows Mobile, actually :)

[Haha @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:25AM]

I lol'd at the golf part. But I don't play golf so I have no idea what he is talking about.

[filip @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:57AM]

...and why are you laughing then?

[goingdeaf @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:03PM]

you just pwned yourself....

[adrian @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:30AM]

Actually, we have seen confirmation that ultrasn0w unlocks the iPhone 3G[s]. See http://blog.iphone-dev.org/post/134583728/3gs-ultrasn0w-style

[KG @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:46AM]

I just bought this 3GS and I think I'm getting bored quickly. Yeah apps...but still. It needs more umph! I might jailbreak and see what this does.

MS, you forced my hand! Hurry and release WM7!

[dj-kenpo @ Jul 3rd 2009 10:14AM]

umph like windows mobile?

like when you push the answer button and it doesn't answer? and your phone doesn't work becuase it runs windows mobile?

have you NEVER owned a windows mobile device???

[CaptCaveman @ Jul 3rd 2009 11:47AM]

@KG

Wait, you bought your phone to keep you entertained? Your going to be in for a pretty big letdown. I bought the phone because I could make phone calls on it, and I could get to my media without having to carry an additional device. I jumped on board before the app store, so everything else is just gravy at this point.

[Richard @ Jul 3rd 2009 3:44PM]

@Dj... what Winmo phones do people have all these issues on? I had a Touch Pro without any problems other than a little lag.

[WindowsFTW @ Jul 3rd 2009 5:16PM]

dj-kenpo

Apple would be proud.
You hit all of the fabricated troll talking points.

[4vo @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:46AM]

GEOHOT IS MY HERO!

[Miles @ Jul 3rd 2009 6:53AM]

This guy will be on many peoples unhappywith list if Apple patches this and he can't find a new hole.

[ProfessorDex @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:07AM]

Exactly!! Part of me wants to see this guy eat his words too!

[wrabbit @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:26AM]

If he can't find a hole, then the dev-team will and we still get a jailbroken 3gs, but we also have one now thanks to him and not the dev-team. And if they both can't find the new hole then we all loose anyway.
Any way you put he's right. It's stupid to be waiting for the next hole because there will always be a "next hole" - maybe dev-team should wait for os 4 before releasing 3gs jailbreak?

[eleazar @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:29AM]

The dev team has a completely different exploit than the one geohot used. So, it doesn't matter that geohot released this before 3.1. He sacrificed his exploit for the good of the existing 1 MILLION 3gs users. I will be singing his praises for quite some time.

[PiperSon @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:21AM]

@wrabbit you said "a hole"

[carballo @ Jul 3rd 2009 9:31AM]

i agree.... with geohot. even though i firmly believe tha guy's a tool. APPLE is ALWAYS gonna patch holes. if dev-team waits for 3.1 then apple will release a patch in 3.2. so whats the point of waiting, again?? heck let's just wait till after apple releases FW 5.0 to release the JB so that you can go a few upgrades with this hole.... that youre not using.... or do you actually believe that if the dev-team waits until after 3.1 then apple is just gonna lose interest in blocking JB's? really?

[Joseph @ Jul 3rd 2009 12:59PM]

the point is, 3.1 is coming fast because 3.0 has a ton of bugs. So waiting makes sense because the exploit wont be patched and 3.1 will be rushed out to fix some of the icon bugs and such.

[Matt @ Jul 3rd 2009 1:10PM]

@eleazar Your wrong on that point, the Dev team is using the iBoot exploit that Geohot give them. Don't get me wrong I have much respect for the dev team for their past glory, but Geohot pwned them, this go round.

[wickedpheonix @ Jul 4th 2009 11:28AM]

He will find a new hole to exploit.

The FIRST rule of computer security is that your system will have an UNLIMITED number of holes to exploit, because no matter how many times you patch a security hole, a new one will be found. In fact, you're an idiot if you think that any system is truly secure, no matter how many times security has been patched.

I suggest you guys read this, the Dev Team certainly should.
http://www.ne.anl.gov/capabilities/vat/pdfs/security_maxims.pdf

[sslapikas @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:20AM]

I am thinking.. maybe Apple intentionally leaves some "holes"? For those who "if I can't do what I want with iPhone I will buy MS device" :) Of course majority of us will not want to brick phone or void warranty...

[Orinjz @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:33AM]

Or perhaps, it's just sloppy coding.

Because, y'know, even the jesusphone isn't perfect.

[TechnoFreak @ Jul 3rd 2009 11:14AM]

I hope,

The only reason I bought PSP was because of the custom firmware,

I would NEVER buy a PSP if it didn't allow the custom firmware.

The same goes for iPhone, if Apple patch it, I will never buy their phone.

[huth.sebastian @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:31AM]

3GS jailbreak was necessary so we can find out which features can be ported to the 3G (and 2G), though I doubt video will work in any way.
Still, it'd suck if 3.1 can't be jailbroken now, because 3.0 seems to drain batteries pretty quickly, and it's likely they'll work on it in 3.1.

[Zachary Waldowski @ Jul 3rd 2009 8:59AM]

Two things:
- 3.1 and up will always be jailbreakable on devices other than the 3GS. The hole in the iBoot necessary to jailbreak is available on older platforms (always) no matter what. The 3GS, however, introduces new signing that allows Apple to stop signing an older iBoot at their own leisure; they might, they might not.
- The outlook for 3GS -> 3G/2G features is grim. I worked on it a little back when we could originally decrypt the 3GS firmware a couple of days ago. While all the "new" stuff is there in a couple of frameworks, .apps, and "Capabilities" in system configuration files, there's really bad news: for whatever reason, the 3GS uses a new executable format (like 32 -> 64-bit on regular computers) for all system binaries despite working with all App Store apps. These binaries don't work on an older device; at least, not for now. This means that drivers don't exist for the video camera hardware, etc., etc.

[SirMasterboy @ Jul 5th 2009 7:42PM]

If you actually read the Dev team blog or Geohot's blog you would see that the 3Gs is also jail broken for life on any firmware. As long as you have your ECID file and restore iBEC and iBSS files for your device saved for use later.

[Drew Green @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:34AM]

George just kind of seems like a dbag. IIRC he was kicked off of the dev team and now he's undermining their stance on "official" issues. He's always rubbed me the wrong way ever since I've been hearing about him for a few years. Maybe it's the fact that he had to make it known how old he was when he first came on the scene. Maybe it's just his picture... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:George_Hotz.jpg). I don't know.

[ricar @ Jul 3rd 2009 7:41AM]

I think it was Zibri of Ziphone who was booted from the Dev Team, not this guy. Dev Team imo are doing the right thing.

[andreww @ Jul 3rd 2009 9:10AM]

this guy is stupid, WTF, is he thinking

[larryryan0824 @ Jul 3rd 2009 9:16AM]

Don't jailbreak with this one. http://twitter.com/saurik it does the job but isn't done well.

[hi @ Jul 3rd 2009 9:37AM]

Good Job, Guess he only saw the 3rd star trek "the good of the few outweigh the good of the many". Now apple will surely patch it.