“A developer (via Chronic) has apparently discovered how to unlock the iPhone 4S (reportedly AT&T version only) without any software or hardware tweaking,” Jake Smith reports for 9to5Mac.
“The unlock will assist you in using your iPhone 4S on T-Mobile’s network as long as you have a T-Mobile SIM card,” Smith reports. “Before you get started, go ahead and cut down your T-Mobile SIM card to match your AT&T SIM card’s size.”
Smith reports, “We’re working to confirm this works, but go ahead and give the following directions a try.”
Complete directions in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Lynn Weiler” for the heads up.]
I bet this will be patched in one of the upcoming patches, battery etc.
Does this still only use t-mobiles edge network?
There is no AT&T version of the 4S. It’s a universal phone, and there aren’t different models for different carriers anymore.
Yes, but it probably has its “baseband” locked so that it works with AT&T and not T-Mobile. So there is, in effect (from a typical customer’s perspective), an “AT&T version” of iPhone 4S, even if its hardware is identical to other carriers’ iPhone 4S.
This procedure is probably just unlocking the baseband.
But if the baseband is unlocked then I would assume the phone could be unlocked. I wish someone knew for sure as I have just ordered an unlocked 4s so that I can use it while traveling back and forth to Europe. I am an AT&T customer but it’s so much cheaper using an unlocked version; sim card are so cheap over there. I wish someone would post further information.
as far as hardware you are correct, but as ken1w points out, the baseband IS different…
I assume that someday we will hear of a Unlock that allows any 4S to be switched to any carrier. Jailbreak or paid somewhere.
@lynnw
You are better off getting that unlocked 4S.
there has always been ways to “unlock” iPhones, but most of the ways involved Jailbreaking the iPhone.
there are/were ways to get your “locked” iPhone unlocked, but you had to pay to get it unlocked. AT&T can do it, but they say they do not… Some claimed no problem talking AT&T into doing it, others said it was a nightmare but they eventually did.
I never used one myself, but I have read of sites that can unlock your iPhone also, for a fee…
“Unlocking” the baseband changes a setting to allow the iPhone work with alternate GSM-based wireless services. “Jail-breaking” adds a method that allows software that is not from Apple’s App Store to be installed. They are separate functions, so you should be able to do one and not the other.
A third item is bypassing “activation.” If you “restore” an iPhone using iTunes (to wipe it and reinstall its software), or buy a used iPhone that has been restored by the previous owner, the first thing you need to do is enter a phone number of a valid wireless carrier account to activate the iPhone. If you don’t have such an account (because you want to use it with an unsupported service), the iPhone is a “brick.”
you can’t Software “unlock” without Jailbreaking… you NEED the iPhone Jailbroken first.
Two different things yes, but Unlock needs jailbreak.
http://blog.iphone-dev.org/
Notice the Unlock inside Cydia.
i’m 99% sure there is no way to software unlock without first the jailbreak.
Possibly restoring to someone else’s already unlocked backup like you said. All I have heard is it’s not hard to Brick an iPhone with unlocks.
which really you can “fix” though.. just not easy, it’s why people wait for an “official” dev-team unlock.
The unlocking of the Sim Via Carrier etc, is different. and I believe permanent.
The 3rd way you mention, installing a custom firmware is very similar to the software unlock. they install a custom baseband already unlocked/hacked.
I personally have never done any unlock via any method. Only Jailbroke every iPhone I have ever owned.. and restored to a previous iOS version. (which apple says you can’t… A Lie) Similar to what you posted.
but regardless, it’s not worth arguing/discussing really. We really are talking the same thing, just in different ways.
If you need your iPhone unlocked, the best way is to order one unlocked or Pay the carrier to unlock it for you. the second way is not always easy… After all you are asking one carrier (say AT&T) to allow you to use another Carrier (T-Mobile) Even if it’s for overseas use on a Vacation etc, AT&T etc wants it still locked… Roaming charges. And they do try and sell you on the overseas “plans” they have as well. just do NOT go over unless you like heart attacks.
I used PwnageTool. It makes “adjustments” to the standard restoration process. One of the options (within PwnageTool) is to unlock the baseband. Another is to install Cydia. Another is to bypass activation. So you can do any or all of those things. You may be able to unlock from within Cydia too, after installing Cydia, but it’s just a setting in the iPhone’s software. It can be changed during the restore process.
But my iPhone is the original iPhone, so perhaps it is different with recent models.
> All I have heard is it’s not hard to Brick an iPhone with unlocks.
I didn’t say unlocking would brick an iPhone. If you do a standard restore using iTunes, the iPhone gets restored to its default state (like it was new). When you connect it with a docking cable, iTunes asks for information about your active and valid wireless account (a phone number). If you don’t have such an account, because you plan to use it with something like a pre-paid GoPhone account (me), iTunes will not let you proceed any further. It offers to sign you up for a two-year iPhone contract (no thanks). And it’s not possible to even use the iPhone like an iPod touch. It’s a nice-looking brick.
I used PwnageTool to bypass that “activation” process. (Again, with my 1st get iPhone). Bypassing activation and unlocking are totally different things.
With a used iPhone, the two-year contract is over, so there is no legal issue with unlocking it or bypassing the activation process. AT&T already got re-paid for the subsidy by my iPhone’s previous owner.
yeah, it’s different for all models.
the iPhones Prior to 3GS are easier to unlock. Each iPhone model has certain “tools” that can work, and iOS versions as well. see you still have iOS3 i think?
about the bricking the iPhone, I meant when people try to unlock it.. Thats where people have problems if they don’t pay attention to what they have to do.
which you are correct, most times you can just restore the iPhone.
(many times people panic and blame anyone but themselves)
With Jailbreaking, many people still don’t understand that at any point you CAN go back to a factory iPhone. it’s not like you jailbreak, and you can never be non-jailbroken ever again. I never understood the people that can’t figure that part out.
Wow…
After all the Yellow Sn0w, Black Ra1n, Purple Ic3, etc, etc, this is fairly amusing.
I’m surprised it’s so simple.
This is just “unlocking” it for use with an alternate service. It’s completely different from “jail-breaking,” which is allowing third-party software from outside Apple’s App Store to be installed. That’s why it’s possible “without any hardware or software changes.” I think this procedure is somehow just changing the iPhone’s baseband setting, so that it works with T-Mobile.
Yeah, spend all that money so you are stuck on edge.
I seriously hate people like all of you! If you didn’t test it or have any useful information then stfu! People are trying to find solutions and we don’t want to read nonsense. If you didn’t try it shut up! As for it working that would be the only thing anyone cares about. All that other stuff shows you guys seriously need lives.
doesn’t seem to work with my 3gs, but i also don’t have an active at&t sim card. so there is still a possibility it will work.