While we’re expecting the release of iPhone 3G Unlock solution (code name “yellowsn0w”) on New Year Eve, the release was postponed. But it’s just released a couple hours ago. As iPhone Dev Team mentioned in its blog, there are many changes in the last 2 days for the release. One big change is the unlock solution is now only work with baseband 2.28.00 (the most recent baseband). That means the yellowsn0w 3G unlock solution is now for everyone!
The 3G unlock solution is now available via Cydia and Installer. You can download it by adding its Cydia source (http://apt9.yellowsn0w.com/) or Installer source (http://i.yellowsn0w.com/). The unlock application is actually a small program with no GUI that is launched on boot. It injects the payload at boot and also whenever there is a baseband reset. The process is automatic, so you won’t notice anything about it and you should expect the iPhone 3G is unlocked after reboot.
Before you can use the unlock solution, you should first jailbreak the iPhone 3G and upgrade to the latest baseband (2.28.00). That’s important. Otherwise, you will not be able to use the unlock. For more information about jailbreak firmware 2.2, you can check out this jailbreak guide.
Note: You should ensure you’re using baseband 2.28.00. You can check your baseband version by tapping “Settings” -> “General” -> “About” -> Modem Firmware
Quoted from iPhone Dev Blog, a few notes about the unlock application:
- There is a known issue with SIM cards that have STK (SIM Toolkit) application menus. These menus are usually items such as “top up” “get credit” “lotto numbers” etc. These menu items confuse the application sometimes. Removing and reinserting the SIM once after reboot (give it about 10 secs after you see the slide to unlock widget) fixes this issue. We’re working on a better fix.
- For those of you using SIM cards without STK menus, the application has some optional arguments that will make the unlock much faster for you. So either experiment on your own (use “yellowsn0w -h” for usage) or wait for a customization writeup.
- After you install yellowsn0w via Cydia, you should return to the Cydia main menu then reboot your iPhone with the 3rd party SIM installed. Wait for the slide to unlock screen, then wait 10 or 15 secs more. If you don’t see your carrier name pop up, then remove your SIM, reinsert it, and wait 10 secs more. This is the step we’ll be working on eliminating next.
You should aware that the unlock application is still in BETA. There is a chance that it may not work for some SIM cards and carriers. And a special note for T-Mobile User: To make your unlock a success, you should first turn off the 3G switch in Settings.
For details about the unlock instructions, please check out the official release note at iPhone Dev Blog. And do remember to leave comment and let us know if the unlock works or not!
Update #1: yellowsn0w is updated with v0.94 beta. You can download the update from cydia.
Update #2: To simply your iPhone 3G unlock, you can find the step-by-step guide here that details the procedures for the unlock.
Share with Your FriendsWhat's Next?
If you find the post is useful, subscribe to Simon Blog using RSS or Email to get free iPhone updates. Alternatively, you can follow me on Twitter or join us on Facebook.
Related Post you'll like:- How to Unlock iPhone 3G 2.2.1
- Ultrasn0w is just Released to Unlock iPhone 3G on iPhone OS 3.0
- Step by Step Guide to Unlock iPhone 3G using yellowsn0w
- iPhone Dev Team Says “Yes!”: Firmware 2.2.1 Jailbreak Available
- iPhone 3G Unlock Update: yellowsn0w 0.94 BETA is Released
Loading ...
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Simon, can I use the QuickPwn (For Windows) to jailbreak my iPhone 3G and then unlock it using the Yellowsn0w? Thanks.
cool! but: is there no other way to install it on the phone – I dont have Wifi access here
I thought the quickpwn for windows (2.2) had a problem thats why i am holding of for a bit,but i could be wrong.I cant even d/l the yellowsnow proggy either my cydia cant fin it.
andrew, you need to add the source in order for Cydia/Installer to find it.
* Cydia source: apt9.yellowsn0w.com
* Installer repo: i.yellowsn0w.com
my iphone 3g 2.2 is blocked as i bought it from someone who found it at my work, but i managed to jailbreak and unlock it using this guide, before when i put another sim i cant get into the iphone, now i can.. but when i put an o2 sim card it says no service and when i put t-mobile it just shows the dots…
anyway i can fix this with an imei change or something else?
yeah it doesnt work with mine neither – “no service”.
jailbroken iphone 3G, 2.2 with cydia – it dowloaded the tool as planned, but no reaction with 3rd party sims…
In general settings, it still shows my the default provider
Okay, it seems like even though my phone was blocked and i unlocked it, only a virgin sim card (from the uk) would work in the seance of the network name coming up and even the 3G logo… but obviously it’s blocked so i can’t make or receive calls but it’s weird that The Virgin Sim is the only one that works from the other 4 networks I tested (o2, T-mobile, Vodafone & Orange)
i dont know if its just by luck or what, but try installing the cydia source and installer source, i did that to my iphone and it works like charm, the long awaited “china mobile” appears. hope this helps.
ok my english is not good, what i mean is, try installing both, dont just install the one from cydia or from installer, try installing both, and restart your phone, mine also at first shows no service, but when i did install both, the signal is very strong, and didnt show the no service, hope this helps
@DC, you can now use QuickPwn to jailbreak iPhone 3G and unlock using yellowsn0w. The unlock application is now work with firmware 2.2.
@panic, you should have Wifi to use cydia.
@Freddy, there is a new version (0.94) of yellowsn0w. You can try to download the update from Cydia and unlock your iPhone 3G again. See if it works.
yeah, no I have it now – downloaded and installed the newest version 0.94 – still no network
hi simon, i have one last question, im currently using a 3G sim adapter does this yellowsnow solve the TMSI problem of the 2.28 firmware? because if not im getting that rebel sim adapter, thanks.
Thank’s simon, on the case! that was a quick update! haha…
Result:
o2 (contract & Pay&Go) – No Service
T-mobile (contract & Pay&Go) – Sim failure / Invalid SIM
Orange (Pay&Go) – Sim failure / Invalid SIM
Virgin (Pay&Go) – Now it’s not showing anymore, same error as above.
If anything this has made it worse for me.
Edison, i installed both installer and Cydia and added the source on both but how do i install it from installer? it’s there but i can’t click on anything???
Simon the Edge network is only comming up on my phone in certain parts of my city? I would still like to use the T-zones hack with my tzones to access the internet but ever since the new baseband release the Edge network has vanished. Also the yellowsn0w unlock has not worked for me my phone recieves a good signal but will not lock onto the network?
The new update of the Yellowsn0w worked for me today on Tmobile!!!! I still have not been able to get internet connectivity when I am away from a wifi connection. Is the Edge network gone for good? What are my options for getting on the net?
Unlock and everything seems to have worked just fine except now when I try to make a call out I loose my signal? I can not make any calls out I can only receive calls.
I’m not getting anything! No Service or Invalid Sim Card is all I’m blessed with! seems like the update made things worse for those who had a good start with the first release! Hope dev team can sort it out soon as I’m getting a few enquires regarding oversees purchases…
I gave up after trying the 0.9.1 for an hour, and the 0.9.4 for 10 minutes.
but its working just fine on my iphone, make sure if your using a sim adapter, your sim adapter is compatible with the 2.28 firmware, theres old sim adapter that wont work on 2.28. as i have mentioned, it workled like charm to me since i installed the cydia source and installer source, i heard they’re format is different, so u wont be installing same format, i dont know, but my phone really works now.
Edison, how do you install it through the installer source? i’m having troubles with that, i have added the source but can not do anything after that or don’t know where to go?? why do you need a Sim Adapter if the phone is unlocked?
@freddy, you may check out the step-by-step guide for unlocking iPhone 3G. Hope this help.
its not unlocked, pls read simon’s blog about the diff of unlocking and jailbreaking, jailbreaking means you can use third party apps but still requires sim adapter if your iphone is not the official unlocked version, unlock means you can use all the sim in the world without sim adapter, thats the major diff, for installer you can click on categories then installed package or recent package and go from there.
as of now my iphone hasnt drop a call or shows the “no service” nightmare. thanks simon for posting this blog!=)
Edison, When i put any other sim apart from o2 in my iphone from new it wouldn’t allow me to go past anything an will only let me use it as sos… but now after installing the patch, i can put any sim card in, i done did the same for a 2g iphone and my uncle is using it fine in Dubai without any adapter…
and simon thanks for the guide but i know how to do it through Cydia, it’s installer i’m quite confused about on installing it from there… oh after taking it out and in and playing with flight mode I finally got it to show the virgin / t-mobile network (without an adapter Edison)
I use IPhone, But when i try to use my camera, press on capture it show Error message” DC Operation Fail”, How can i fix and solve this problem by myself? I don’t want to spend for this to the repairing shop.
Hope will get some idea soon.
I did install everything and it shows anything just blank dots i tried to reinstall Cydia with no results. There is no error messages and it doesn’t want to pick up tmobile services. I enabled 3g and tried airplane mode too with no success. Please help!
hi..I just want to know if it is possible to jailbreak iphone 3g 2.2.1 with no loss of network.. softbank carrier here in japan..thanks