Gizmodo
The free software iPhone unlock—the only one that counts— has been finally achieved by the iPhone Dev Team and it has been independently tested. Everyone can now unlock their iPhones for free. The unlock was not achieved by GeoHot, who was credited with the first hardware unlocks.
[UPDATE 11:01 PM EDT: The iPhone Dev Team has given Giz permission to host a mirror of the original file and the source code, as their servers are getting hammered.]
[UPDATED 7:43PM EST]
Gizmodo's software mirror: Download iUnlock here (this is the only original iUnlock file.)
Gizmodo's source code mirror: Download iUnlock Source here
Looking for the tutorial? Better wait for Erica's GUI installer
[Original article - Posted at 17:45PM EDT]
Details are thin at the moment, but the free unlock appears to have been achieved by the usual suspects according to some of their claims on IRC channels. Apparently some hackers are exploiting the same buffer bug that the iPhone Sim Free people used to achieve their unlocks, but it is their own independent and free unlock. Keep checking back for updates after the jump. And remember, no Death Star exploding until it gets fully confirmed. [Last update 6:49PM EST]
[Updated 6:35PM EDT]
So far, we know that GeoHot, of the hardware unlock fame, is claiming in IRC channels that he has unlocked the iPhone using the same method as iPhone Sim Free.
[Updated 6:47PM EDT]
At this time, GeoHot hasn't made public any details yet. Meanwhile, hackers from the iPhone Dev Team kept testing the way that Gray suggested. Be aware that it's still not clear if GeoHot's claims are true or not. Unless his claims are independently tested by the community, and the unlock proven to be his work —which hasn't been proved either— the Death Star won't explode.
[Updated 6:49PM EDT]
While all this is happening, another Dev Team group is currently testing another unlock software right now, which is also "similar to IPSF but works with patching a fls, not some strange bootloader code."
[Updated 7:10PM EDT - EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE]
The unlock has been achieved, but not by GeoHot. Meanwhile, the true iPhone Dev Team hackers were able to put it together, which is going to be available in Deadbeef shortly, according to them.
Update 8:10PM EDT
File is now available. See above.
[Final update 11:01PM EDT]
This has been fun. I'm still writing the tutorial for the unlock (it's coming, we just want to make it really easy for everyone) but I wanted to share the particular moment when the Giz witnessed how they tried the patch for the first time and succeeded. We were "watching" the events in real time:
1:05 AM ok i think we got it wait 10 min for vertify ok?me: ok
unlocking as we speak lets see
1:10 AM
man free unlock
me: YEAH!
wait for another vertification and we are set
The Giz has been following the unlocking effort for a very long time now. They hacked into it, activated it, created the tools to develop third-party apps and all the unlocks, including this one.
Now that the search for the unlock is over, they will keep working on more developments for the iPhone and future Apple devices, things like the iPod touch. That's why they are still asking for donations. If you think their work is worth it, they tell us you can send money to this PayPal address:
iphone.devteam@googlemail.com (yes, it's googlemail.com, not gmail.com)
IMPORTANT: as the subject of the transfer, don't mention the word "hack" or "hacking" as PayPal is very sensitive about these things. Use iPhone Development Team Donation as the subject so it can be clearly identified.
The names of the people responsible for it, all from the iPhone Dev Team, are (in alphabetical order): Daeken, Darkmen, guest184, gray, iZsh, pytey, roxfan, Sam, uns, Zappaz (who pointed out a missing thing that made the Dev Team realized they had a bug in previous code), Zf, plus Nightwatch for his iPhone toolchain.
Comments
YA HOO!!!! GREAT SHOT KID!!!!
hakint0sh has +7500 views on the thread, and +6800 views on another. Site is sloooooooow....
zomg!!
IPSF cracked in less than 24hours.
Oh YES!!!!
it should've always been free from the start!!!
woot!
Hear that noise?
It's the screams coming from the folks that had planned to make millions off this.
Suckers.
Congrats iPhone dev team!
The wait was worth my 99 bucks
If you have received the go ahead from your reseller and have been told that your IMEI is in the IPSF servers, but you have not yet unlocked your iPhone, please visit #ipsff on irc.osx86.hu
the faster this happens, the faster that the full deets and procedure and software can be released
Jesus: please update the post with this if you feel so inclined to do so
TFSU?... TFSU?... anyone?!
Silly rabbits... hackers do it for free
to all that paid to have their phone unlocked:
sorry. but if the internet has taught you anything it is that things that can be considered a 'hack' are going to end up free.
Mice graphic, but maybe needs AT&T subtly watermarked onto the DeathStar pipes.
@Windhawk: Um, that's "Nice" graphic...
-- when are we going to get that Digg-like comment engine anyway...?
Crap. I kept saying as soon as it was unlockable for free I'd buy one... Good thing I get paid on Friday...
anyone else get a sudden sense of shadiness and understanding as to why iphonsimfree decided to ONLY sell license at the last minute?
for instance consider this.
1. they steal free knowledge from dev team.
2.they only sold licenses to retailers in bulk.
3.retailers pay for the licenses.
4.app is relased.
5.app is hacked.
6.iphonesimfree still makes money, from wannabe exclusive retailers looking to nickle and dime the iphone users.
7.shafts the retailers.
own3d?
Why don't we ask that 16 year old kid that hacked the Australian firewall in 30 minutes?
haha I love the symbolic imagery of breaking out of the death star-should have used the at&t deathstar image blowing to chunks though.
I don't think we'll have to wait long before the unlocking process is so simple any user can do it, of course how long apple is going to take to implement protections and patches is a good question, especially if the advert for a t-mobile iphone was correct then they are looking to obviously expand and maybe they won't care about proliferation because it's going to happen on their own roadmap sooner than we thought?
But mahhhhhhhhhhhhh, I wanna see the Death Star explode.
So, if one does this - will you still be able to use it on AT&T, but then slip in a different SIM Card (ie local) in a different country to avoid the $5,400 roaming bill? And will this work with EDGE data from another provicer (assuming that you have a data plan from them)?
assuming the death star does explode and u live in the states, what are u going to do? switch to tmobile? unless you are foreign, i dont see what is so exciting about this iphone unlocking thing. especially because the ipod touch is coming out so soon
Yes.
[UPDATE 6:57PM]
Hold you breathes if you want the free unlocks. if let go then you will not qualify.
The count down for the deatth star has begun! (get it... de-att-h star?)
You can just feel the energy. That Death Star explosion is about to happen.
@AZNSMITH:
It's a good question, the "What's the big deal?" question, one that I've been trying to explain to my wife over the past few weeks.
I am a T-mobile customer, voice only, and out of contract, so I am on month to month with them. I get 1000 minutes/month for $39.95. So, right there, forgetting a data plan, I could use an iPhone for way cheaper than AT&T is charging for only 450 minutes per month. I can use wi-fi for web stuff.
Okay, now what about text and EDGE stuff? I believe T-mobile charges $5/month for 400 messages. So now, we're only at $46/month for messaging and 1000 minutes of voice (plus unlimited nights/weekends).
The last element, the non wi-fi web access, is a little unclear to me, but it looks like--after today's price reduction announcement--I will be able to have full internet access for an additional $20/month.
So, for $65/month, I get more than twice the voice minutes that AT&T offers, plus, I don't have to get locked in to a two year contract.
Sounds like for me, an unlock would be beneficial.
I'm only here for the cool progression of SW pictures.
The iPhone unlocking story is just a happy bonus for me.
ismote:
also no e.mail for you unless it's on wifi
@Windhawk: Does that one have the nested replies structure? Yeah. Seconded.
@jcy:
Not even if I purchase the $20 data plan through T-mobile?
I actually laughed out loud when the Millenium Falcon escape slide popped up. these graphics are awesome dude..
Someone here is just waiting for AT&T and/or Apple to release a update that breaks the unlock so they can post "The Empire Strikes Back".
Woot! Death star asplode!
Excellent job iPhone Dev Team...
-Steve
Any confirmation about whether or not this method has the same bug with the PIN lock on a SIM?
@iSmote: i'm not sure which $20 data plan that you're referring to, but this post on HoFo should clear things up:
[www.howardforums.com]
make sure to read a few posts back on how the lack of a proxy setting on the iphone limits the t-mobile data plan choices
@jcy:
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.
Congratulation guys!! Good job the Alliance!!!! What a crazy story this Iphone!! I guess this is the story of the year!! All the Buzz before his launch and since now all the buzz around his Hack!! What's next?
@jcy:
Just read the post.
If I understand it correctly, the 'T-mobile Zones" -- which is $6/month, will not work.
BUT, it looks like the "T-mobile Total Internet" will work, which is dropping in price (rumored) to $20/month.
I believe the "T-mobile Zones" service is a "watered down" internet, which I'm not really interested in anyway.
Again, thanks for the link.
YEBO YES! Shalalalalalala :-)
My company pays all of my T-Mobile expenses. I never ever see a bill. That is what all the excitement is about!! YEAH !!
Congratulations on a job exceptionally well done!
T
@iSmote: So, what's the difference then between the (newly) $20 "Tmobile Total Internet" and the newly $40? Is it just that one is Edge and the other actual Wi-Fi?
AT&T must be PISSED! There go their profit projections!! LOL @ AT&T!!
boom.™
the link not work???
@nelson714: scrutinize the link:
[www.deadbeef.cn]
one thing i dont understand about unlocking
do you have to sign up for the 2 years of at and t before you can unlock.
if so ouchhhhh
[www.deadbeef.cn]
not work either
@PhillyVu: commentard
@scarf: No, the unlock allows you to use other existing networks, such as Tmobile.
So, does this mean anything for the iPod Touch? Cause I won't buy it unless I can add calendar appointments without a computer.
It's fixed now. I forgot to put the HTTP with all the excitement.
^^That's supposed to be "So, what does this mean..."
Anyone know if a mirror is running? Looks like their server is slammed.
Can someone mirror/torrent this please?