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How to get a SIM-unlocked iPhone 3G and still get Apple updates

By robinallenson

I am well on my way to getting myself a SIM-unlock iPhone 3G, fully legal and still get Apple updates. This is how to do it.

First up, get yourself an iPhone 3G. Here are some hints:

  • Choose a country in which you are allowed to purchase one where the new iPhone 3G total cost of ownership is the cheapest
  • Choose a white one. These are both gorgeous and less popular than the black ones and therefore more easily obtainable

Next, request a SIM unlock from your operator, who will in turn request this from Apple. Expect to need to wait at least two weeks and probably a few more. You will get charged a fee dependent on how far into your subscription you request the unlock. Depending on your country, there may be some ways to get out of the fee.

One, rather large, disadvantage: it costs a bomb. In the Netherlands, where I live, you’re looking at about €160, plus €26 connection costs, plus €30 a month fixed for 2 years, plus €120 for the unlock. That’s a total of … €1025. Ouch. This may seem like a rather large amount of money for a mobile phone for which you’re not actually going to use the subscription. This is not really true. It’s actually an AWFULLY LARGE AMOUNT of money.

At the time of writing, I am three weeks in to my request for an unlock and still waiting…

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This entry was posted on August 8, 2008 at 2:12 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “How to get a SIM-unlocked iPhone 3G and still get Apple updates”

  1. kaleisha Says:
    April 2, 2009 at 9:59 am | Reply

    Iphone 3G unlock(Downloads and Jailbreak)
    iPhone 3G – Downloads
    Download the 2.2.1 firmware file from here

    Windows users: Quickpwn 2.2.5 Download here

    Windows users: iTunes 8.0 Download here

    Windows users: .NET Framework version 2.0 Download here

    iPhone 3G – Jailbreak 2.2.1

    Notes：
    1．Before beginning: You must have iTunes 8 installed and you must be on firmware 2.1, if you are not, be sure to update via iTunes.
    Also make sure to go into the task manager and disable ANYTHING Apple or iTunes related.
    2. WindowsXP user must download the NET Framework version 2.0 （Click to download）
    3. WindowsXP user should be sure” Control Panel ” －> ” Administrative Tools ” －> “Ｔelnet ,messenger ,terminal services” (Be sure three services are turned on)

    4.Download Firmware 2.2.1 (3G) （Click to download）

    Step 1

    Make a folder on your desktop & name it Pwnage.Download the Firmware 2.2.1 & Pwnage tool 2.2.5 & place them in Pwnage folder you just created on your desktop:Unzip/Unrar the QuickPwn2.2.5-2.zip file inside the Pwnage folder.

    Step 2

    Launch iTunes and connect your iPhone 3G to the computer via USB cable.

    Select your iPhone from the list of devices on the left side navigation bar. Now hold down shift while clicking the Restore button.

    Navigate to the Pwnage folder you created on your desktop and select the 2.1 firmware ipsw file. Double click the ipsw file or select it and click the Open button to proceed.

    Step 3

    Once iTunes has finished upgrading your iPhone 3G to the 2.2.1 firmware you may launch QuickPwn 2.2.5 from the Pwnage folder you created on your desktop.

    Step 4

    Make sure you iPhone 3G is still connected to the computer via USB cable then click the blue arrow to proceed.

    Step 5

    Click the Browse button to locate your iPhone 3G firmware.

    Step 6

    QuickPwn will check to verify that the ipsw file is valid. After completetion of the verification, click the blue arrow button to proceed.

    Step 7

    Selecting（Add Cydia）
    This step allows you select what you’d like installed on your iPhone. You have the ability to select Cydia, Installer, and replace boot logos. Once you have made your selections click the blue arrow to continue on. If you want a full jailbreaking experience, installing Cydia and Installer is highly recommended

    Step 8

    QuickPwn will now ask you to confirm your iPhone 3G is still connected via USB cable before it continues. Click the blue arrow button to proceed.

    Step 9

    QuickPwn will now automatically put your iPhone into recovery mode. Once its in recovery mode you will be prompted to: Hold the Home button for 5 seconds, Hold the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds, then release the Power button and continuing holding the Home button until your iPhone is in DFU mode.

    Step 10

    Once QuickPwn detects your iPhone 3G in DFU mode it will begin the jailbreaking process.

    Step 11

    Once jailbreaking is complete QuickPwn will inform you that it was successfull.

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