Thank you iPhone Dev Team! The iUnlock works! Thank you Fredrik Grevstad over at Unlock.no for the detailed step-by-step guide which helped me unlocked my iPhone at last! Screenshots after the break.
The top left corner of my SpringBoard used to say No Service – now it shows my telco’s name instead. Of all 3 local telcos, only DiGi and Celcom works flawlessly. Maxis on the other hand can’t receive calls but every other feature works.
I’ve omited the telephone number but this is what you’ll see when you make a call with the iPhone. Your wallpaper will be seen in the background while the phone features such as mute, dial pad and rest are shown. The proximity sensor kicks in when you place your iPhone towards your ears as it will turn off the screen to conserve energy while you talk. A cool little feature I’ve finally get to see today.
Okay, now onto the unlocking process. Since I’ve already had iBrickr installed and files downloaded earlier today – I’ve managed to cut the time to unlock down to about 35 minutes. Since this was the first time I used PUTTY to communicate with the iPhone’s operating system – the process was slow and cautious. I checked and re-checked every line of code stated on the page especially when it comes to cap locks and numbers.
To those who are new to PUTTY, when the guide says key in the following commands, you’ll need to enter it line by line. Complete a line and press the ENTER key. Then continue with the next line and pressing ENTER again. Here are the codes that you’ll have to key in word for word and line by line:
cd /usr/bin/
chmod +x bbupdater
chmod +x iUnlock
chmod +x minicom
Thats the only part of the entire tutorial that I found unsure of. Initially, I thought I could copy and paste the entire blocks of text but PUTTY only able to take line by line just as you would at a command prompt on your pc.
In addition to the awesome guide prepared by Fredrik Grevstad over at Unlock.no – I’ve added some basic Q&As here for fellow noobies like me who will be attempting the iUnlock and those eager to get the iPhone working here in Malaysia. Enjoy.
September 2007 Update:
Deprecated info. Visit Unlock.no
for latest info.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Q: How do I get an iPhone?
A: Buy from Apple / AT&T store in US or via eBay
Q: Will I need to sign a 2 year contract with AT&T?
A: No, you don’t.
Q: You mean I can just walk into an Apple store and buy the phone alone?
A: Yes
Q: Really?
A: Yes. But you gotta pay taxes on top of $399 for the phone
Q: How much?
A: About US$31 (US$399 + US$31 for tax = US$430 / RM1,470)
Q: Do I need to buy a TurboSim to unlock the phone?
A: No. Use the free iUnlock widely available on the net.
Q: Which local telco supports the phone feature of the iPhone?
A: DiGi and Celcom works flawlessly. Maxis, no call in.
Q: Is there any way I can get Maxis working?
A: Call Maxis and try your luck.
Q: But someone mentioned Maxis works flawlessly.
A: Then ask him for a demo on video for ya.
Q: Are you sure?
A: Yes. Am using a 3G card for Maxis. It can’t receive calls.
Q: Will non 3G cards on Maxis work?
A: Just tried with a non 3G card – Nope, still doesn’t work.
Q: Are you using Prepaid or Postpaid on Maxis?
A: Prepaid. Both 3G and Non 3G prepaid cards.
Q: Maybe it works on Postpaid?
A: Good question. Maybe others here can confirm this?
Q: Will future updates from Apple re-lock my iPhone?
A: Most probably yes.
Q: How can I avoid that?
A: Do not update your firmware or iTunes
Q: Will YouTube works with iUnlock on the iPhone?
A: You gotta hack the iPhone feature on your own. iUnlock just unlocks the phone.
Q: How can I hack the YouTube feature?
A: Visit hacktheiphone.com for a step-by-step tutorial.
Q: But the iUnlock tutorial is so complicated.
A: Wait a few more days for a simpler GUI version.
Q: What’s a GUI version?
A: Basically, a version with buttons you click to unlock
Q: Cool! When will it be available?
A: Check gizmodo.com for updates
Q: Any advice before I decide to get the iPhone?
A: Just do it.
Being BigMacky 
Hi, Question to ask, if you don’t mind to answer, some basic Q&As i wish you will add it in soon.
Steps ( correct me if i’m wrong)
1. use jailbreak to activate iPhone, ( all works fine except calling function).
2. pop up the AT&T sim card.
3. setting up a SSH server on iPhone ( to copy and paste files into).
4. following the iUnlock Online Guide.
5. pop in the DIGI sim card.
6. Good to go.
Aren’t you using TurboSim with your DIGI card ?so before you unlock with the guide above, Do you swap with default AT&T sim card ?
And after complete the guide, you swap back with your DIGI sim card ?
Are you using DIGI prepaid or postpaid ? or it works both ?
kokyun
Answers:
1. If your phone is totally brand new or if you have just updated to firmware 1.0.2 – then use iBrickr to jailbreak. If you are like me, been using the iPhone without the phone feature for the longest time as an iPod and web surfing device, then NO jailbreak required.
2. In my case, the AT&T card was in my iPhone all the time.
3. To place files contained in iUnlock. I used iBrickr.
4. Yup. Follow unlock.no just to be safe.
5. Once completed. Remove AT&T card. Replace with Digi.
6. Yup. It will search for service provider. And tada!
7. Nope. I’ve ordered a bloody TurboSim, but still in bermuda.
8. Using DiGi pre-paid. New line. New card.
Well, hope that helps.
bro… those software u used to unlock is free?
and btw… lets say i bought the 8gb version at usd 399
if i coming back to msia and not using it in us anymore
how bout the 2 yrs contract?
Hi there,
nice write up. I am just curious on what if a user that wants to keep AT&T but still wanna use DiGi or Maxis when he/she get back in Malaysia for vacation or holiday. In other words, AT&T is still the main provider, but want to use DiGi anything Malaysian’s as secondary. What will be the best alternative? Will that be the iUnlock or thephonesimfree ? The main concern here is the AT&T is aint no Maxis prepaid. It’s either you go month-by-month basis from beginning, or just 2 years contract. The month-by-month are insanely expensive; unless one thinking of unlocking and use it in other countries, that is totally a different story.
hanping
I believe the newly added Q&A above answered your questions.
red
Am not familiar with how AT&T works in the US. But if I understand your question correctly, you want to use AT&T while in the US and to avoid roaming charges while on holiday in Malaysia – you wish to use DiGI?
If thats the case, using iUnlock or iphonesimfree is the same. The only difference, one is free while the other you gotta pay. Both will enable you to use any simcard from any Telco (well, almost any cuz Maxis doesn’t support CALL IN) that supports GSM network.
Hope that answers your question.
Ooh… I bet you’ve been getting loads of hit, you iPhone web celeb
Justy
Oh Shut Up! And get back to your DS! Nintendoboy!
You can get away by not paying tax by buying the iPhone in a US state that does not have sales tax. For example Oregon.
Tested with the maxis post paid. 3G card. 128k, still doesnt work.
My fren frm china bought me a Iphone. but quite disappointed to knw maxis din support Iphone. i need yr help on some question since i m new on this Iphone.
1) can i only use for Video/ ipod w/o sim card??
2) can i just buy a digi prepaid for this iphone??
Ryuk
Thanks for sharing that info.
Joe
Seems that Celcom 3G cards doesn’t work as well.
xw
1) Without a simcard, you can use it as an iPod Touch and Web Surfing. Bascially, everything except a phone.
2) Yes. You can. Am using one as well.
the us31 tax from kastam, when you paid? is kastam call you to paid for it or you know by yourselves?
vivid
Thats the sales tax imposed by the US government. Payable upon purchase of the phone at either an Apple or AT&T store.
Joe
Seems a work-around for Celcom 3G cards been discovered. You gotta put in an active non-3G card and wait till Celcom is displayed. Put iPhone to sleep mode by pressing the Power button. Remove working non-3G simcard. Insert Celcom 3G simcard. Press Power button and slide to unlock phone. Now your 3G card should be working fine.
Only downside, you gotta redo these steps if you choose to POWER OFF / SHUT DOWN your phone. Otherwise, putting it to sleep mode instead of complete shut-off is your best bet.
oh-kay, im soo jealous right now because it’s like everyone is owning iPhone! where can i get one??
blush
For a start, refer to Q&A number one above.
i just bought iphone 1.1.2…how do i crack (onlock the iphone)….
please advised me on this matter..
I’m got my unlock iphone 1.1.2 with x-sim oversea, I can use this iphone with du (dubai mobile operator) I am using Celcom 128k simcard, it seem like “No SIM” detected. Do you have any solution?
Hi.
I thought only postpaid customers can enjoy integrated 3G service… or i.e., I never knew of any Maxis prepaid 3G SIM cards.
I’ll be very glad if somebody can direct me to the URL(s), not only Maxis, but preferably for DiGi and Celcom too, if any.
Thanks for sharing the iUnlock though, at least I know there’s a free solution when I may be using iPhone someday, 🙂
(well hopefully it’ll last forever, for real free)
By the way old_code, here’s the link should you still need it:
http://iphone.unlock.no/bootloader_downgrade.htm
Best regards,
Sally.
I just bought iphone and i use celcom prepaid. But my prepaid credit seems to be charged higher than regular phone. Does anybody know that .
Boss777
When you say regular phone, you are referring to landline or other prepaid, or postpaid? You question is very vague, can’t help you there. Kindly elaborate. Cheers.
Hi there Macky,
It has been a long time! How have you been? Hope everything is well.. just wanted to ask you if you are using Safari 3.1 for your iPhone? Do you think it is advisable to DL the new browser for the ‘crack’ iPhone?
Rgds,
Danny
Hey Danny
Nope. My iPhone has not been updated since the crack. I am in fact, still using the ancient 1.0.2 software. A friend has offered to help me update to the latest but I just couldn’t be bothered. Am officially out of touch with the iPhone scene. 🙂
Macky,
Thanks for the reply. I just got my hands on my iPhone, and something seems to be not right… The bluetooth is not able to pick up any other device…. I guess i have to go back to the manual and scrutinized it again!
Danny
The iPhone has its limitations when it comes to pairing with other bluetooth devices. You can only pair with handsfree earpieces and not anything else. In other words, you can’t transfer photos/ringtones to another mobile phone with bluetooth as what you could with other bluetooth enabled phones.
Thanks Mack… you are really a great help. Will buy you dinner next time we get to meet…
Danny
Danny
Free Dinner? April Fool. Hmmmmmmm …..
hahaha… I am really sincere! It not a april’s fool joke…
oh… another thing.. how do you forward sms from the phone?
Danny
That depends on which firmware you have. The older ones like mine is not able to do it. If not mistaken, only 1.1.4 has this feature. If you have older firmware like me, then you will also notice that you can’t send sms to multiple recipients. To check whats your firmware, do this:
Settings / General / About / Version
I was being stupid, I had my iphone unlocked on version 1.0.2 but yesterday I was try to transfer music files from itune and it totally lock it to 1.0.4! I have so many important business filesthere. Can you give me step by step guide if i can reverse or unlock it? Please help expert…
Thanks to Fredrik Grevstad and his team… i successfully unlocked my iphone… you guys rock!!!
guys…
i try with my celcom postpaid 3g
so far i cant make it works yet
any other suggestion?
pls advise
konpaku
Go with a non 3G card.
It will work flawlessly with Celcom or DiGi
Is the power adapter adaptible to our voltage in Malysia (240volts) without using a voltage reducer? Can the iPhone be charged via USB?
Noah
Yes. The iPhone can be charged via USB. It doesn’t come with an adapter.
Wow..it’s a shame i’m only beginning to get the craze for an iphone…i do realise how old is this thread. But just 2 questions macky, i am using DiGI as well, postpaid.
Are you able to use ALL the features? (internet <–most important, GPS <—2nd most, and all the others)
Secondly, if u’re able to use internet on your iphone, how do DiGi charge?
Andrew
You can use all features other than Voicemail. I am currently using firmware 2.2 (5G77). Surfing, GPS, YouTube, Maps, etc – all working fine. I would advice you to take up the Unlimited Data Package for RM66 a month from DiGi. That’s what I am currently using. Connection is alright, not exceptionally fast. Afterall, its EDGE and not 3G. Mine is the first generation iPhone. So, if you’re having a 3G model, the next cheapest would be RM99 a month from Maxis for 3G speed.
So, hope you’ll have fun with your iPhone. Feel free to drop by again should you have further questions. Enjoy. 🙂
Thanx.
i want to buy an iphone but i am worried that it will work… coz i am using a maxis prepaid sim card.
the advice on unlocking iphone… does it work on iphone with maxis sim card?
what do you mean by no call in?
please advise me on it.
i try to unlock iphone 3g
version 3.1.2(7D11)
model MB496J
firmware 05.11.07
no luck but it show “no service”
anyone know aboutt this?