How do I unlock or jailbreak an Apple iPhone?

So I want an iPhone but AT&T’s service is just too expensive! There must be a better way! I have a Windows PC not a Mac, by the way. Do I need a Mac running Mac OS X to unlock my phone?

Dave's Answer:

Disclaimer: While Apple and AT&T want you to stay locked into the AT&T service, since you own your Apple iPhone it's not clear to me whether "jailbreaking" or unlocking your phone is actually legal or illegal. I will simply say that I have many friends with unlocked iPhones but that mine is still a stock Apple setup. If you opt to read through the following, it's all at your own risk and I can't be responsible for any success or failure you may have. Good luck.

Luckily, you can unlock (or "jailbreak") your iPhone or iPhone 3G, so that you can use it with any GSM cellphone service provider (a carrier that has a SIM card). This is a very simple task.

First things first, make sure that you have the latest version of iTunes, and the .NET framework on your PC, and, yes, you'll do fine unlocking your iPhone on your Windows XP system, you definitely do not need an Apple Macintosh!

Once you're ready, start by downloading a program called WinPwn 2.5. You can get it at http://www.winpwn.com.

Next, Create a folder on your desktop. Name it "iPhone Unlock". Put the program "WinPwn 2.5", which you just downloaded, into the folder.

Go back online and download two more files called "bl39.bin", and "bl46.bin". Save them in the "iPhone Unlock" folder.

The next step is where we get into a bit of a gray area: you need a copy of iPhone's firmware on your computer to perform the jailbreak. The firmware always ends in ".ipsw", no matter which version of iPhone it is being used for.

If you are jailbreaking a regular iPhone, click on the link to download the firmware:

Apple iPhone firmware, first generation phone (non-3G)

If you are jailbreaking an iPhone 3G, Click on this link below to download the correct firmware.

Apple iPhone firmware, second generation phone (3G)

Next, open "WinPwn 2.5"

Apple iPhone unlock/jailbreak WinXP winpwn

Then, turn "Expert Mode" on by simply clicking it.

Click on the iPhone. The next screen will show you different versions of firmware.

Click on "2.0.2", and then click "next"

After that, "WinPwn 2.5" will ask you if you want to "Unlock the iPhone". If you would like to use a different carrier besides AT&T, click the green thumbs up button.

The program will then ask you if you would like to delete "BootNeuter". Click the green thumbs up button.

The answer to the next question, "Do you want to activate the iPhone" is yes. Click the green thumbs up button.

If you are using a different carrier than AT&T, you will want to click the green thumbs up button when you are asked if you want to install "YouTube Activation".

Yes, you want to install "Cydia". Click the green thumbs up button.

Yes, you want to install "Installer 4". Click the green thumbs up button.

Yes, you want to "Resize the root partition". Click the green thumbs up button.

If you want to delete all of the data that was previously on you iPhone, then click the green thumbs up button when asked "Do you want to wipe data". If not click the red thumbs down. *Note: The restore of your iPhone will take longer.

If you would like to use your own customized boot/restore logos, click the green thumbs up button when asked so. Otherwise, click the red thumbs down button.

Now, you will be asked to choose a "Root partition size". Replace the "500" that is in the box with "800". Click Next.

"WinPwn 2.5" is now putting together a custom ".ipsw" file for you.

A window will pop up, asking where to save the custom ".ipsw". Save it in the folder that you made in the beginning "iPhone Unlock".

Next, the program will ask you if your iPhone is turned off and connected to USB.

This next step is CRUCIAL! Double check that your iPhone is turned off and connected to USB, then click the green thumbs up button.

Now the program says "Ready to start pwnage!"

When you click ok, you will have to hold down the buttons on your iPhone in a certain order. This is CRUCIAL! All you need to do is follow the on-screen instructions, but the timing must be right.

Let's practice!

"WinPwn 2.5" will first ask you to hold down the on/off button on the top of your iPhone.

Next, you will be asked to press the home button simultaneously.

After that, you will be asked to let go of the on/off button. Be sure not to let go of the home button even for a second.

Ok, please press OK and perform that step.

Now the program is done and your iPhone is in "Recovery Mode".

Normally the program will freeze and a Windows error report box will open. Click "Don't Send", and/or close the box.

Close "WinPwn 2.5" if it is still open.

Open iTunes

A window will pop up saying "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes":

Click OK

Now, hold down "shift" and click "restore"

A box will pop up. Locate the custom ".ipsw" that you created before. It should be in the folder that you named "iPhone Unlock". It should read something like:

"Custom-iPhone1,1_2.0.2_5C1_Restore"

Click Open

Wait for your iPhone to restore using the custom ".ipsw", and put in whichever sim card you like!

This article was written by Internet entrepreneur Josh St. Germain. Please read my disclaimer at the beginning about jailbreaking your iPhone before you proceed, please. Thanks.

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Comments

Go Dave! You've clearly shown to PWN your iPhone... so E.T. can finally Phone home without AT&T's A-OK!

Posted by: Brett Borders at November 25, 2008 9:17 AM

I believe you can jailbreak all iPhones, but the iPhone 3g can not be unlocked for use with other carriers.

I have a friend who unlocked his older iPhone and hooked it up to T-Mobile and he doesn't get to use hardly any of the features that the iPhone offers. If you want to get the most out of the phone, stick with AT&T and only Jailbreak the phone for custom apps.

Posted by: Alex Juel at November 25, 2008 10:03 AM

I've seen these on eBay so this could be a great business idea for someone. Great advice!

Posted by: Greig at December 6, 2008 11:15 PM

can this void my warranty if I jailbreak my iphone?

Posted by: kil0-T at December 9, 2008 6:52 AM

Kil0-T, from what I can ascertain, the consensus is that yes, jailbreaking your iPhone will void its warranty, but that it's so easy to restore the phone to the stock Apple operating system that it's not much of a risk: if you have a hardware problem, simply restore the phone before you take it in to Apple to get it fixed.

As usual, use this advice at your own risk, yadda yadda.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at December 9, 2008 7:03 AM

ok, thanks for the reply :)

Posted by: kil0-T at December 9, 2008 7:22 AM

Hi Dave thanks for the instructions
i have an iphone 1.1.1 and it was unclocked a year ago. I plugged it in and accidentaly updated it so I believe it locked again. Can i use these instructions and will it save my contacts an data
thanks

Posted by: ayeshah at January 5, 2009 7:03 AM

Okay, so basically i have a iphone (1st generation) and the day I got it, I had to unlock it, to use it with my rogers sim card. Now i would like to jailbreak the iphone will it lock my phone again so that i cant use my rogers sim card?

Posted by: Harmeet Dhillon at January 27, 2009 8:07 PM

Sorry for asking you this nub question!!

Why after i hold down the shift button, the pop up doesn't work! It says upgrade to 2.2.1 not pop up the dialog box i've been created~

Posted by: welly at January 29, 2009 7:44 PM

Is it true when you jailbreak the lifespan of the Iphone diminishes,and it can crush.

Posted by: bashir at May 13, 2009 2:57 AM

Bashir, I can't possibly imagine how that could be true. Well, the only thing I can envision is if the jailbroken phone bypasses the standard heat sensors, etc., in the hardware and if you then theoretically ran extra hot a LOT you could shorten the lifespan of the phone. Maybe.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at May 13, 2009 8:02 PM

i did all the abouve steps and i still can't unlock my phone. itunes says that its the wrong ipsw and cannot procced. what can i do?

Posted by: George at June 12, 2009 11:53 AM

The Youtube on my unlocked iphone 2G keeps asking for a password. I have put in the password and it still does not work. Please help without video this thing is not nearly as fun.

Posted by: Phelan at July 3, 2009 12:54 PM

plz email - can you hook up an unlocked phone to any service provider in CANADA such as telus??

Posted by: aimee at August 21, 2009 11:38 AM

rockthablog.blogspot.com for easy to follow step by step instructions for jaibreaking/unlocking the iphone 3g hope it helps!

Posted by: Jimmy at August 23, 2009 11:39 AM

how do u put in a sim in a ipone

Posted by: jason at September 17, 2009 1:53 AM

Dave
I have been talking with a company in china that claims to have original apple iphones. Some companies will tell you they are copies. Do you know anything about them. They say they are unlocked and jailbreak? My other question, an apples sales person said to make sure they are unbrick, what does that mean?

Posted by: Beth at September 23, 2009 9:59 PM

Do Unlocked and jailbroken iPhones support testing for the Appstore app submission..???

or Do they lack any features when compared to normal iPhones.

Posted by: pramod at December 14, 2009 8:10 AM

Gday guys just want to know after following all these steps i cant get i-tunes to pop out window for the custom ipsw file...
just keeps going to do a restore?

Posted by: AJ at June 10, 2010 4:57 AM

hey dave, i have an IPhone 3Gs. Will this work for the 3Gs?

Posted by: "E" at July 24, 2010 5:53 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!