Hackers release iOS 4.2.1 unlock for iPhone 3GS
Posted on Nov 29, 2010 5:37 pm by
Daniel Ionescu,
PC World
Editor’s Note: The following article is reprinted from PCWorld.com.
Hacking-happy users of
iPhone 3G and
3GS models can now unlock their phones to work with other carriers, thanks to a new hack. The iPhone Dev Team
released this weekend a new carrier unlock for the older iPhone models, which allows you to use any SIM card with the latest software update from Apple,
iOS 4.2.1.
Jailbreaking or hacking your iPhone
was deemed legal by the U.S. Copyright Office this summer, so this method is not likely to land you in any legal trouble. Apple is snubbing the practice: besides making hacking more difficult, it won't repair your phone for free even it's under warranty.
With disclaimers out of the way, this new iOS 4.2.1 redsn0w hack works with iPhone 3G and 3GS models (so far), allowing you to use, say, a T-Mobile SIM with your phone, instead of AT&T. This can be handy if you travel abroad and wish to avoid high roaming charges by using a local prepaid SIM instead.
The hackers came up with this workaround by borrowing the baseband 3G chip firmware from the iPad (which comes without a carrier lock), and integrating it with iOS 4.2.1 for iPhone 3G and 3GS.
Unlocking tools are available for both Windows and Mac OS X users, and your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 3G must already be jailbroken.
Be aware that if you unlock your iPhone this way there is no way to restore your iPhone to its original state. If something goes wrong with it and you take it to Apple for repairs, they will be able to tell that you have been tinkering with your phone. You warranty will be void, and repairs can be costly.
An unlock hack for iPhone 4 users with iOS 4.2.1 is expected sometime later this year. A
jailbreak for iOS 4.2.1 has already been released.
Follow
Daniel Ionescu and
Today@PCWorld on Twitter
