iUnlock released: the first free, open source iPhone SIM unlock software

It looks like the battle's officially over between iPhoneSIMfree and the numerous unique groups of open source hackers trying to software SIM unlock the iPhone. As we've been following in our previous post on the topic, earlier this afternoon iUnlock, the first free, open source iPhone SIM unlock app, was released to the underground just 74 days after the iPhone's release. Developed by the iPhone Dev Team, it's not (yet) for the faint of heart and it takes a little longer to do its magic than iPhoneSIMfree's method, but it works.

To pull this off you'll need iUnlock + nor + the .fls file, which is available in ZIPs all over. We've got the app here, but this package doesn't include all of the files necessary. Good list of links here, or try here, here, here, here, and here.

For the how-to, just hit up one of those guides down below. Naturally, we offer zero guarantees that any of this will work. (Read: don't whine to us if your iPhone gets bricked.) Big ups to the iphone.unlock crew, Draken, and, of course, the iPhone Dev Team. Let us know in comments if this technique works for you.

Update: We've confirmed the hack! Yes, it's fully restore-resistant, too, which is great news. We'll get you all the juicy proof in a few, but we have indeed managed to software unlock an iPhone with iUnlock. Also, HaRRo says the app should be out "very soon" to make this easier on the noobs.

Update 2: Depending on activation method, YouTube might not be working after the unlock -- ours isn't. This is, of course, expected behavior. There's a Windows script here that should hopefully fix you up (again, we don't make any guarantees), but Mac users will have to look elsewhere. Also, alongside the Mac GUI iUnlock app in the works, the iPhone Dev Team is prepping a Windows version, a simple bash script and an iPhone app -- and eventually an all-in-one app that can do everything from the Jailbreak to the unlock.

Update 3: We've posted our terminal output from using the hack after the break. Go ahead. Nerd out. Also, the graphical version isn't out quiet yet, but we've got the first image of it above. Check it out.

Update 5: Ok, the graphical unlock app still isn't yet out, but we've tested an early build, and it definitely works! Check it out here.

Read - Official unlock guide
Read - Unofficial unlock guide

Terminal session for iUnlock

-sh-3.2# cd /usr/bin
-sh-3.2# chmod +x iUnlock
-sh-3.2# chmod +x minicom
-sh-3.2# launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.CommCenter.plist
-sh-3.2# iUnlock ICE03.14.08_G.fls nor
iUnlock v42.PROPER -- Copyright 2007 The dev team


Credits: Daeken, Darkmen, guest184, gray, iZsh, pytey, roxfan, Sam, uns, Zappaz, Zf

* Leet Hax not for commercial uses
Punishment: Monkeys coming out of your ass Bruce Almighty style.

Sending Begin Secpack command
Sending Erase command
Waiting For Erase Completion...
Sending Write command
00%
05%
10%
15%
.
.
.
95%
Sending End Secpack command
Validating the write command
FW are equal!
Completed.
Enjoy!

-sh-3.2# pwd
/usr/bin
-sh-3.2# bbupdater -v
Resetting target...
pinging the baseband...
issuing +xgendata...
firmware: DEV_ICE_MODEM_03.14.08_G
eep version: EEP_VERSION:207
eep revision: EEP_REVISION:7
bootloader: BOOTLOADER_VERSION:3.9_M3S2
Done

-sh-3.2# minicom
"", line 2331, terminal 'hpansi': exit_am_mode but no enter_am_mode
"", line 2385, terminal 'iris-ansi': save_cursor but no restore_cursor
"", line 2403, terminal 'iris-ansi-ap': save_cursor but no restore_cursor
"", line 4359, terminal 'vi603': enter_insert_mode but no exit_insert_mode
"", line 8138, terminal 'dg+ccc': set_color_pair but no initialize_pair
"", line 8508, terminal 'd430c-dg-ccc': set_color_pair but no initialize_pair
"", line 9587, terminal 'hp+color': set_color_pair but no initialize_pair
"", line 9595, terminal 'hp2397a': set_color_pair but no initialize_pair


Welcome to minicom 2.2

OPTIONS:
Compiled on Jul 21 2007, 05:09:51.
Port /dev/tty.baseband

Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys

AT S7=45 S0=0 L1 V1 X4 &c1 E1 Q0
OK
AT
OK
AT+CLCK="PN",0,"00000000"
OK
AT+CLCK="PN",2
+CLCK: 0

OK

launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.CommCenter.plist

=END=

Put in the SIM and voila!

[TJ @ Sep 11th 2007 9:40PM]

ALL HAIL OPEN SOURCE!

[C.K. @ Sep 11th 2007 11:15PM]

I bet these guys had the unlock this whole time. They were just waiting to release it when that other site started charging people for it.

[Paul @ Sep 11th 2007 11:39PM]

Now, what's the hack to turn the Touch's 16gb to 160gb?

[USGOVMT. @ Sep 14th 2007 12:28AM]

Sheewt, I am just awful at Computers. Id rather spend the extra 100 dollars!

[akijikan @ Sep 11th 2007 9:43PM]

Mother of God

[Jonathan @ Sep 11th 2007 9:47PM]

oo man that had to sucked some poor souls paid 100 bucks yesterday when it came out the next days its free, thats what i call a competetive price drop

[Loweded Wookie @ Sep 12th 2007 3:14AM]

Are you going to ask for a refund?

What's the bet you don't get one. :-P

[akijikan @ Sep 11th 2007 10:06PM]

inorite?

[John @ Sep 11th 2007 10:18PM]

maybe they'll get a gift card

[amrav @ Sep 11th 2007 9:44PM]

Does this work for windows users?

[akijikan @ Sep 11th 2007 10:31PM]

yeah see the "more information here" link:

http://iphone.unlock.no/

[Flalex @ Sep 11th 2007 9:46PM]

still not enough to convince me to buy an iphone

[Chino B @ Sep 11th 2007 9:48PM]

Nobody cares.

[foneguy2 @ Sep 12th 2007 7:43PM]

Question I haven't seen asked or answered...
If I put a SIM from another AT&T (non-iphone) phone into an unlocked iPhone, will visual voice mail and YouTube work?

Thanks

[C.K. @ Sep 11th 2007 11:17PM]

Jonathan, just call them "early adopters".

[bobmundo123 @ Sep 11th 2007 9:49PM]

now.. me need to buy an iphone

[Alex @ Sep 11th 2007 9:51PM]

Why don't you guys change the site's name to www.iPhoneWorshippers.com?! Honestly, I'm getting kind of sick about seeing the picture of the iPhone every 3rd feed. Especially, when it isn't even that good of a product.

[bboyskidz @ Sep 11th 2007 9:54PM]

use the apple free feeds ya tool.
stop your whining.
i'd like to see you make a better device...

[Ant @ Sep 11th 2007 9:55PM]

oh boo hoo.i dont own or want an iphone but you can do what i do most of the time and IGNORE IT!skimming over a picture and story wont kill you.

grats to the iPhone Dev Team always love when open source matches commercial products and tops it by being free.

[Dyer13 @ Sep 11th 2007 10:06PM]

Thank you. Now I know the product is innovative or whatever, but its not that special, and on a site all about tech news, it is annoying to see them so concentrated on one device, product, and brand.

[Alex @ Sep 11th 2007 10:21PM]

bboyrskids, you got me there. I honestly couldn't make a better device. Neither could you and the majority of the world. But you know who could? Microsoft. And they've been doing it for years before the iPhone and I don't see Engadget sucking up to them.

Now as far as the "Apple Free" feeds go, I simply don't like the layout of it. Why should we have to go to the modified original site? As far as I know, the iPhone sales haven't been doing that well that would merit Engadget to do all this publicity for them. It would be fair to have an optional "Uber-Apple" site instead.

Ant, I wouldn't own an iPhone if someone gave one to me. I'd sell it for $500 and buy a car with it or something. My Dash has been my loyal companion for over a year now and I wouldn't replace it for the world.

Dyer13, I totally agree with you pal. It isn't special at all, and it is quite annoying to see it stamped all over the site. I wish Engadget stopped taking bribes from Apple, but you know...

[flax @ Sep 11th 2007 10:23PM]

Engadget has predicted your anti-iPhone/Apple feelings and has provided links that show everything except iPhone/Apple related news. If you don't want to read about iPhone or Apple then just use one of those links. I believe they posted them a few days ago, so you might have to scroll through some news to find them.

[PK @ Sep 11th 2007 10:35PM]

Microsoft's been making media players/cell phones/internet communicators for years? I might be reading your comment wrong, but Microsoft has never made those devices. They make an OS that others combine with their hardware into devices that work well with Microsoft's enterprise email system and desktop OS, but which are also buggy, crash-prone, and not natively cross-platform. And if you search Engadget for phones that utilize Microsoft's mobile phone OS, I think you'll find plenty of coverage for them.

[Lachlan @ Sep 11th 2007 10:49PM]

I agree with PK.
Name one phone-based hardware device that microsoft has made and sold to the general public in the last... well... ever!?

There is plenty of coverage of anything that micro$oft makes sells and produces. Do a search for windows mobile 6.

You have been given a choice, use the apple-free feeds, or deal with it. No one wants to hear your whining.

[garrettwebb @ Sep 11th 2007 11:02PM]

Thanks PK for shooting down Alex, just another ungrateful guy that will knock down engadget for putting up current info. If engadget puts something up that I never intended on buying, it’s the knowledge that I gain from it. Ungrateful basterd.

[dj-kenpo @ Sep 11th 2007 11:03PM]

"I'm getting kind of sick about seeing the picture of the iPhone every 3rd feed" then go away.

engadget will survive without you. it's there site not yours, and they write what they want.

deal kid.

[brian welch @ Sep 11th 2007 11:13PM]

Lord. boo hoo I don't have an iphone so I don't care.

Dude, engadget puts tons of stuff out that i couldn't give a rip about. handheld gps units, goofy PMP speakers, etc etc etc.

And I don't post whining about it like a dork. You know what I do? Manage to hit the pagedown key or spacebar. Like I do with every other site when I don't see something I'm interested in.

Find another hobby besides whining about stuff you don't care about to people that do.

[Alex @ Sep 12th 2007 3:38AM]

Woah, woah, woah guys... I know you have to support your investment on the iPhone to the fullest and all, but c'mon now...

As far as the Microsoft remark goes, you know what I meant. Microsoft has been in the smartphone market for years and doing quite well on it. Name me one thing, aside from the 8GB "iPod" ability that the iPhone has over my Dash and I'll shut up. Hell, you guys can't even record video on this "multimedia" device.

Look, I am not saying that the iPhone is a complete P.O.S., but I am saying that it isn't all the big deal that you guys, and Engadget for that matter, claim it to be. Sure, it'll be awesome in the next generation or so, but as most 1G devices go, it's got some tweaks to overcome. Until then, save everyone the hassle of having to take an extra step to go to a "Apple-free" site. I mean, why do you think Engadget even made one? They even know that it might upset some folks (a lot of them) out there to even make the modified web site.

All in all, keep the replies coming... I completely understand that it can be quite frustrating to invest so much money on something that others put down... I feel your pain guys!

[Dean Croshere @ Sep 12th 2007 10:08AM]

People are defending Engadget, not the iPhone.

[BrainTrust @ Sep 12th 2007 3:12PM]

The iPhone coverage has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not the phone is a good product. The fact is, whether you like it or not, the iPhone is absolutely the most talked about phone on the market this summer; nothing even comes close. So why would you expect different from a major corporate Blog? They're just covering the news.

[Ryan Karolak @ Sep 11th 2007 9:54PM]

Excellent! All now that's needed is this to be easy to use in OS X, Windows, and Linux. Then people can unlock their iPhone for free and not have to pay $99, which is ridiculous.

That's assuming this works. Either way, it'll be available to the masses for free. It's just a matter of time.

[dagamer34 @ Sep 11th 2007 9:53PM]

Death Star destroyed!

[Tom @ Sep 11th 2007 10:24PM]

lol someone reads giz

[Brent @ Sep 11th 2007 9:55PM]

this is great.... wish I knew how the heck to do it. I barely know where to find out this exists much less how to use it. guess I'll wait for a "price drop" from iphone sim free?

[Pimpzilla @ Sep 13th 2007 9:16AM]

And this, in a nutshell, is the market for the iphone. I won't go so far as to say it's the smart phone for stupid people, but it is the smart phone for people that don't know that a two year old Windows Mobile device is far more capable (3g anyone?), and far more open.

[blisster @ Sep 13th 2007 11:56AM]

@Pimpzilla: "...a two year old Windows Mobile device is far more capable (3g anyone?), and far more open."

With the exception that it's a "Windows Mobile device". I can't stand Windows Mobile as a platform, personally; it's too much like...well, Windows Desktop. I don't like the way that it operates, but that's just my personal preference. The fact that I'd prefer Apple's interface and UI/browser over microsoft's is in no way, however, a reflection on whether I'm an intelligent user or not. Quite the contrary, I'm fully capable of making an informed, technical decision, and I'll happily choose the iPhone because it fits my lifestyle in ways that are leagues apart from what Windows Mobile can provide.

Broad, sweeping generalizations FTL?

[will @ Sep 11th 2007 10:00PM]

@Alex, why don't you go suck it!!

[Moises Ganem @ Sep 11th 2007 9:58PM]

i just hope that IPSF just gives up selling its method and helps the comunity

[ryan @ Sep 11th 2007 9:57PM]

lol @ "Quick and dirty guide to getting iUnlock running"

followed shortly by

"do not consider this a guide"

classic.

[John @ Sep 11th 2007 10:19PM]

From what I can tell, the iPhoneSimFree unlock is based off of a lot of stuff that people have been passing around, and there was just one detail that they hadn't been sharing back, so once people got that last piece of the puzzle it all fit into place.

[Shaka @ Sep 11th 2007 9:57PM]

Wow! The hackers are faster than I thought. When I saw the prices for Simfree's stuff I balked. I knew a free solution was coming but I never imagined it would be this fast.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: God Bless those hackers.

[angelsvairwaves1 @ Sep 11th 2007 10:21PM]

and god bless america!

[Miraa @ Sep 11th 2007 10:41PM]

And God bless us, everyone!

[Nushio (Honorary NDF Member) @ Sep 11th 2007 11:00PM]

We shall all remember 9/11 as the day that hackers opened up the iPhone for free.

[John B @ Sep 11th 2007 11:36PM]

...with razzleberry dressing.

[Ron @ Sep 11th 2007 10:03PM]

Wow...
I'm amazed at the speed of the open source community yet again

Now the real question is...if you have enough dough to spend on an iphone..would you still want to show of your haz0r skills or take the safe route and spend a little more for peace of mind?

[Gopi Flaherty @ Sep 11th 2007 10:05PM]

I keep seeing references to things like,
"If you have firmware 1.01 or later you can go to Settings → General → Netword → EDGE to configure EDGE. Check your provider's website for settings."

I know that the preferences panel exists on my iPhone, but I don't know how to enable it. I unlocked and rebooted in case that was what I needed to do; no luck.

(The main reason I want this setting, actually, is to turn *off* EDGE when I am roaming on AT&T. I want to use WiFi and voice only instead of $$$,$$$ in roaming.)

[MARSHAK @ Sep 12th 2007 1:09AM]

don't bother! I suggest getting a 2nd sim card. if you get charged roaming within the USA (I'm canadian btw) get a prepaid AT&T sim card. you can get $100 worth of prepaid on at&t or t-mobile usa and it doesn't expire for a whole year. I do this once a year with my cellphone and I don't use in a year what rogers would charge me in one weekend in roaming fees. the prepaid stuff doesn't get charged long distance or roaming. If you're frequently visiting another country get a prepaid sim card from local providers. wave goodbye to roaming fees.

[Mark @ Sep 11th 2007 10:07PM]

*yawn* call me when the iphone can play snes, like my touch can(or be used as a gps navigator for my car, or copy-paste, or use mp3's as ringtones, or make word documents, or make excel documents, or watch powerpoint presentations , or install programs to do just about anything I want them to do).

[djczar @ Sep 11th 2007 10:24PM]

your "touch" can do all this?