Jailbreak and Unlock Non-Activated iPhone 3GS in India
Posted by Vikas Hazrati on Sunday, August 16, 2009
All right! So i got this shiny new iPhone 3GS from a friend of mine who wanted to know if it would work with a local carrier in India. There were a couple of problems
- 3GS is newer in India, though it is also quite new in the US
- The phone was not activated with the original AT&T carrier.
First, I did not understand what is the difference between Jailbreak and Unlock. So I googled and this is what I found. Jailbreak is when you would want to install external applications on the iPhone. Hence when you want to install Cydia on your iPhone then you need to Jailbreak it first. Unlock is the second step where you want to make the iPhone work with any carrier.
I followed the following steps in the order mentioned below.
Most of the steps that I followed were from this original post
- Updated the software version on the existing iPhone 3GS from 3.0 to 3.0.1 – Plugin your iPhone to the computer which has iTunes. iTunes would detect the iPhone and would tell you that there is a new version of software available and if you would like to upgrade. Upgrade!
- Next, download the 3.0 IPSW file, 3.0.0 (3GS): iPhone2,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw and save it to your desktop. Remember to download this with either FireFox or Chrome. IE converts it to a zip file which redsn0w fails to accept.
- Download redsn0w to jailbreak the software. http://blog.iphone-dev.org/post/1269…edsn0w-in-june. redsn0w would be available at the link below, follow the instructions and download the torrent for your OS. Next, use redsn0w to jailbreak it.The version of redsn0w is 0.8. Point redsn0w to the firmware that you have downloaded in the above step. Once it recognizes the firmware it would give you an option to install Cydia. Install Cydia.
- Follow the steps as shown by redsn0w.
- Once Jailbroken, we have to install ultrasn0w to unlock it. For installing ultrasn0w you have to go to Cydia which is installed on your iPhone now. We have to add a new repository to Cydia. For that visit the bottom icons and click “manage” then click “sources” then click “edit” on the right top, then hit “add” on the left top. Now, add the following repository http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com and install ultrasn0w. More information here http://blog.iphone-dev.org/post/128573459/ultras-now
- Once it has downoaded, hit reboot device.
- Plugin the new SIM and it should work!
I should be able to post some pics for the process soon. Till then I am sure you would be able to figure that out with the steps.
ebin said
Hello
Thanks for the post.
I am planning to get the 3GS from abroad and wants to unlock it in India. Its seems Airtel will not launch it soon. Anyways…I have a doubt in your tutorial.
“Now, add the following repository http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com and install ultrasn0w.”
Where is being downloaded from ? From the Internet ? or from the PC ? Do I need to have internet connection on the fone before I go ahead with this ?
Please advice !
vikashazrati said
Good question. You would have to connect your iPhone to the internet via wifi. Once you jailbreak it you would have cydia installed. Now for adding the repo get onto wifi and install.
raj said
I unlocked my iphone 3gs using make it rain and running it on vodafone India. but I am having frequent signal drop problem. How to resolve the problem.
kkd said
i got an unlocked iphone 3gs.. it works fine with vodafone and airtel but it is giving me trouble while usingloop mobile.. are there any carrier issues with loop or is there a solution to this..any help would be great.. thanks
ebin said
I am still waiting for my iPhone. I am getting it unlocked from abroad and getting it here. So I cannot comment on this unless I get to use one.
raghav said
@kkd you need to make a new custom carrier file which will be imported to your phone through itunes. search it in google. if you have problems, mail me it raghavkalra@gmail.com
Modak Nishant said
I am using a 3 GS in USA on ATT. Soon after my return to India .. I would like to unlock it.. and use on vodafone. would these steps work then?
thanks
vikashazrati said
Worked for me! and I am on Vodafone too.
Rajeev Awasthi said
Hello Sir,
I have I pHone 3gs from Uk Pack box then i open in India and switch on then not work with our local airtel sim so please can u help me for Unlock ? Rajeev – 9314999963
vikashazrati said
Hi Rajeev, just switching it on would not make it work with the local carrier. You would have to follow the instructions mentioned on this page.
Gureet said
Hey I have a problem. I unlocked my 3gs nd running idea netwok. But I have problem with battery stand by. Pls help
vikashazrati said
What is the problem?
Gureet said
Look I charge iPhone for 2hours nd then it shows 100% battery but it drain battery in 15-30 minutes to 10 or 15% it means no standby of battery. Nd my phone turns off
Gureet said
Nd I have turnd offf brightness notification nd wifi 3g also. U can call me on. 9855663335 if u r unable to understand my problem pls help meeee
Gureet said
it also shows pug sign when i charge it without being full charged
Gureet said
plug sign sometimes in place of current sign
bala said
I am getting an iphone 3gs from the US. If its unlocked in the US, is it unlocked in India? i.e, if its unlocked there will i be able to use airtel or vodafone in India?
vikashazrati said
Hi Bala, Yes it would work! Please share your experience once you are back.
Tarun said
will this work with activated 3gs phones also?
vikashazrati said
should work! Let us know if you give it a try
karthik.kk said
hey dere vikas…kartik here… m getting a iphone 3gs from US…. how do i unlock it in US?? do i hv to pay extra??? and once i m done with unlocking will it work in INDIA?? or do i have to spend some more on unlocking sim as well as all features available on dat phone!!!!!
Vikas Hazrati said
just unlock and get it or unlock it here!
Sonith said
Hi, I sent Iphone 3gs from US to a friend of mine in Bangalore, India and he is having trouble unlocking the phone. Do you know if any person could help unlock this phone. I would really appreciate if someone can send me the contact information in Bangalore to my e-mail sonith_29@yahoo.com. Thanks for ur help!
kiran USA said
Hi Sonith,
Go to ebay.com and search for unlock iphone .
Rafay said
hi! I m planning 2 get an iphone 3gs but I hve a dough. Will I be able 2 use the downloaded applications from itunes without jailbreaking the iphone. unlocking is not a problem i’m getting it unlocked. please help with this.
Vikas Hazrati said
For doing a software based unlock you need to Jailbreak the phone. Jailbreak means that you would be able to install external apps( read cydia) on your iPhone. And yes you would be able to install apps from iTunes in any case.