Tutorial: iPhone 2G Unlock Using RedSn0w

By , Jun 20, 2009

This RedSn0w guide & tutorial will show you how to unlock your iPhone 2G using RedSn0w. This guide is to unlock the iPhone 2G only. If you want to unlock the iPhone 3G, you will have to jailbreak your iPhone first using this guide, then run UltraSn0w, the unlocking tool for iPhone 3G.

This tutorial was originally written for jailbreaking firmware 3.0 but it also works with firmware 3.0.1. I just updated this guide with the latest information.

Note that this RedSn0w tutorial is for Windows users but I assume the steps are similar on a Mac.

1. Before doing anything, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes and the latest firmware 3.0 3.0.1 installed on your iPhone 2G.

2. Create a new folder on your desktop. In this folder, download RedSn0w as well as the 3.0 firmware (not 3.0.1) for your iPhone 2G from our iPhone downloads page (make sure you pick the right firmware). Also download the following bootloader files: BL 3.9 and BL 4.6

3. Unzip and launch RedSn0w.

4. Click “browse” and select the 3.0 (not 3.0.1) firmware you downloaded in a folder in step 2.

5. Once the firmware has been successfully identified, click “next”.

6. Select “install Cydia” and “unlock”, then click “next”.

7. Browse for the bootloader files you downloaded in step 2, and click “next”.

8. Make sure your iPhone is plugged into the computer and that it is off. Click “next”.

9. RedSn0w will then guide you to put your iPhone into DFU mode. Hold down the power button for 2 seconds. Without releasing the power button, also hold down the home button for 10 seconds. Without releasing the home button, release the power button but keep holding the home button for 30 seconds.

10. If done correctly, your iPhone should reboot and the jailbreak process should start. This step may take up to 15-20 minutes so be patient.

11. Once this process is over, you will get a message saying that it is “done!”

12. Click the “finish” button and reboot your iPhone. The reboot may take up to 10 minutes so again, be patient.

13. Congratulations, you just jailbroke and unlocked your iPhone 3.0 3.0.1 with RedSn0w.

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  • kristina

    i have the iphone 2g. i unlocked and jailbroke it a few months ago. i stupidly decided to try and update it on my itunes (to get pic msg) etc. now the phone recognizes my tmobile network and sim card but will not let me get into the phone. it will only let me “slide for emergency” – so it is no longer jailbroken. i have tried to jail break again…and again and again with no success.

    any suggestions? what can i doooo??

  • dan

    hi guys, after running redsn0w it goes through the downloading jailbreak data screen and finishes and then the itunes logo appears with the usb and the symbol of the lock above it is still locked..should it not be unlocked by then…I’m trying to unlock my friends phone but its not working and when connecting to itunes it says “sim card is not supported, etc etc”…please help…I’ve used redsn0w before to unlock my iphone without any problems and I remember when doing mine that the little lock symbol was unlocked when I did it

  • Heather

    Clear and easy to follow instructions. I was lost until I found your page. I had to downgrade the 2G from 3.2.1 (accidental upgrade) to 3.0 first then used these instructions and links to jailbreak and unlock. Worked great. Thanks!

  • miguel

    I have successfully completed all the steps but the phone reads the t mobile sim, but the screen is still on the itunes and usb cord. any ideas what to do next.?

  • zarie c.

    nervous to lock up i-phone back to og settings
    and then perhaps I’ll be F••KT not having my unlocked freedoms I have become so acustomed to….. if anyone can help Re: (not a 3g)!!! Cheers mates…. Z

  • phillip

    does this work for the 3.1 firmware??
    by the way for the people who get the stupid itunes activation icon on their screens u need to find a way to by pass it and sync the iphone on itunes.. i found a program but i dont have the link its called iH8snow

  • playmatrix

    It says unable to recognize IPSW any ideas

  • Christopher

    Help,
    I followed ur instructions and when Redsn0w said finished a russian guy showed up and is saying something in russian. from then on it keeps rebooting !! heeelp

  • http://... smile

    very important thing what is missing in this tutorial…(for me because i had restored iphone locked with unnamed firmware) is that you have to get your iphone into recovery mode (push home and power button for about20 sec maybe longer) and get shift+click on restore and find downloaded firmware 3.0 or 3.1 …i had issues, but after i realize this it worked…so i was succesfull…jupeeej :D

  • Arkie

    Redsn0w will not unlock my phone. I used blackra1n and did a jail break but I cannot complete the unlock because I get no signal from my sim.
    I need help please

  • Manzoor Ahmed

    IMPORTANT: ( for 2G on 3.2 onwards):

    I had problem unlocking using this procidure as my 2G phone was running on firmware 3.2.1;
    Later I downgraded my firmware to 3.0 and this procidure worked fine;

    For downgrading to any other firmware fire the iTunes and hold SHIFT and click update and update the firmware by pointing to a correct firmware (ipsw) file.

    Cheers :)

  • Tim

    I am trying to unlock an iphone 2G. When I switch it on it says that I need to put a SIM card in in order to activate the phone – and wont do anything else – which is preventing me from understanding the firmware version it has installed.

    The phone was originally purchased in late 2007.

    I just put the phone in dfu mode connected to itunes and restored it to factory settings.

    Suggestions on how to proceed now using the instructions above? which version of firmware should I use?

    Tim

  • Greg

    I’m having a little trouble with this. Can I please get some help? I have a 2G running 3.1.2. I’ve already upgraded to a 3GS so this one has no AT&T account (unless I swap sims) and doesn’t sync to iTunes. I’ve tried running the program, select the right ispw file (I believe), select the two bin files, and go through the DFU process. Things seem to start, and the iphone says “Downloading jailbreak data.” The software tells me it’s done after like 45 seconds. I select finish and wait for the iPhone to do its thing (usually another 5-10 minutes). After it reboots, there’s no sign of Cydia. It’s as if nothing has happened.

    Anyone have any ideas? I’m pretty novice at this sort of stuff and have been reading forum after forum trying to figure something out.

  • Manzoor Ahmed

    Greg,

    I had the same issue; see my comment above, let me know if that helps.

    Manzoor Ahmed

  • Tommo

    I have an unlocked 2g phone which I upgraded to firmware 3.1.2 by mistake.
    I tried blackrain to unlock it but it didn’t work.
    I finally unlocked it by downgrading to firmware 3.0, thereafter using redsnow and bootneuters 3.9 and 4.6.
    Initialy the Notes facility didn’t work but I corrected that by downloading Mobile Terminal, afterwhich I deleted the corrupted files.
    I tried a similar idea to rectify the problem of text messages that when replied to are returning to a new screen, preventing an on screen multiple text and reply conversation to take place.
    Is there a wizz kid out there that can resolve my problem?

  • jack

    OK, this is a good site but the instructions are not exactly correct. For the jailbreak and unlock to work (it worked for me on a first try) one has to do these EXACT steps (i figured if out by reading the above almost 200 comments):

    Upgrade to newest 9.0 itune on a XP PC.
    Download 3.0 ipsw, BL39, BL46, and redsn0w 0.7.2
    Connect iphone by USB and turn it off (note: there should be no SIM card).
    Do DFU restore (10s power/home+30s home).
    In itunes, when a window notifying about reset iphone pops up, click OK to close and then hold SHIFT KEY and hit RESTORE icon, then select the saved 3.0 ipsw.
    It will take a few minutes to load 3.0 FW to iphone, then turn it off (keep it connected all the time).
    Start the saved redsn0w and select the saved 3.0 ipsw.
    Check Cydia and Unlock boxes, select BL39, BL46 files when prompted.
    Do proper DFU restore when prompted by redsn0w, forget the onscreen instructions (wrong) use the 10s power/home+30s home routine.
    The redsn0w will finish in a few minutes, but iphone will keep loading files and restarting a few times. Dont touch anything or disconnect. I did not click finish in redsnow until it was all over (~20 min).
    When the iphone shows earth picture and No sim comment (but not the connect to itunes picture), the phone is unlocked.
    Turn it off and load your GSM SIM card.
    That’s it.

    • Herman

      i love you

  • sanjeev

    I have accidentally upgraded iphone 2G 3.1.2. Now I am not able to make calls due to “No Service”.

    However, my phone is unlock and jailbrack. Everything is working fine except call service.

    Guys, please help?

  • Manzoor Ahmed

    Sanjeev,

    I suggest you downgrade to 3.0

  • Abraham

    I have an unlocked 2g phone which I upgraded to firmware 3.1.2 by mistake.
    the thing is the is lock and unlocked!!!! it says only emergency calls but I called any number and talk without problem. the problem is that I can’t see the menu neither get access to anything. It shows to plug the iPhone with iTune like it’s not unlocked. I tried this process three times in the correct way (I jailbrok many times the iPhone coz I have like two years now) and the result like nothing happening.
    I didn’t try yet any other method so far but thought may be somebody had experience something similar.

  • Manzoor Ahmed

    Abraham,

    I faced same problem; downgrading the firmware to 3.0 fixed the problem;

  • Sanjeev

    Thanks for response Manzoor

    I tried but its to downgrade however its still displaying the same issue ‘No Service’

    Please help..

    I will appreciate….

    Regards,

  • Sanjeev

    I think, I’m in a serious problem as I tried all the possible ways but this “No Service” issue is still there in my device.

    Guys, please suggest.

    Regards,

  • Luis

    I have followed all the instruction and yet I cannot use my SIM. I am here in Saudi Arabia. Please let me know how to use my iphone. I cant call and send messages. Thanks

  • http://sansign.info/blog sanjeev

    Please try to use some other SIM card in your iPhone

  • http://www.security-exchange.net pks

    Hello,
    I have iPhone 2G with 2.2.1 firmware.

    I want to upgrade to 3.0 with redsn0w for windows.

    Will I loose all my softwares already installed, sms, and phone numbers with this procedure???

    Thanks

  • http://buyflowersncakes.com Buy Flowers N Cakes

    Backup your iPhone with the help of iTune before starting this process. Post iPhone firmware installation restore the iPhone backup simple.

    Regards,
    Buy Flowers N Cakes

  • GORI

    Hi im having issues with this. ive done this like three times already
    andd imm scared imma ruin myy iphonee
    if ii havnt alreadyy.. how doo youu restore?
    .. because ii think thas what i need to doo.. and this is getting frustrating

  • Manzoor Ahmed

    GORI,

    You should be able to do this; its pretty straight forward; i suggest you read thro all the comment and responses in this page ( thats what i did ) before starting :)

  • James

    The best comment on here.

    http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/2009/06/20/tutorial-iphone-30-unlock-redsn0w/#comment-26720

    After spending all night on the problem, that was the only thing that helped.
    Thanks, Jack!

  • nonsense

    Help please. I do all exactly, but i cant unlock my 2g 3.0 iphone. I tried with redsn0w 0.80, 0.72 but nothing. it reboots and shows itunes and cable (slide to emergency) maybe somebody can help? thank you

  • Jonny

    I have an Iphone 2 g and i have tried this process and completed it but my phone still says no service. Please tell me what i can do!

  • http://buyflowersncakes.com/ Buy Flowers N Cakes

    Try to use any other SIM card of any other service provide and see the result.

    Thank you,
    Buy Flowers N Cakes

  • Jonny

    Same result even with ATt

  • Jonny

    How do i down grade the firm ware to 3.0 from 3.1.2? This is my wifes iphone and i screwed it up. I dont want to try the dog house

  • Jonny

    When i hold the shift down and hit restore it only asks me to update and restore it does not open a window. I am using a mac.

  • Jay

    I’ve just finished everything up to Step 11 and on the iphone it say “DOWNLOADING DATA”, do i have to wait??? Also in Step 12 where it says “reboot your iPhone” does that mean restore it on itunes or just turn it on and off???

  • http://buyflowersncakes.com/ Buy Flowers N Cakes

    Jonny said:
    How do i down grade the firm ware to 3.0 from 3.1.2? This is my wifes iphone and i screwed it up. I dont want to try the dog house

    It’s not possible Jonny

  • Rusty

    You’re all a bunch of noobs and alot of the information is wrong!

    1. Im using Windows Vist 64x

    2. Save some time and put your phone into DFU mode before you start.

    3. Have all your files in one spot ready to go.

    4. Start Redsnow

    5. Select firware (2g 3.0 which you will have downloaded before hand)

    6. Select both corresponding boot loaders (also downloaded before hand)

    7. Upon clicking next it shall skip the DFU mode tutorial as it will recognize your phone in DFU mode immediately.

    If you dont know what DFU mode is, GTS! (Google That Shit)

    @ Buy Flowers N Cakes:

    Why begin a task without knowing what you’re doing. Reasearch it. If you want to save your misses phone. Put into DFU mode, open itunes, goto iphone, hold shift (Windows) or command (MAC) and click restore. Then surf to the firmware you downloaded (3.0) and start again.

    The level of stupidity most people asking questions here can be solved with a quick search on google. F**kin lay abouts, sometimes you actually have to do the work yourself. Go figure.

  • http://buyflowersncakes.com/ Buy Flowers N Cakes

    Hey Great work “RUSTY”

    Well done!

  • Manzoor Ahmed

    Buy Flowers N Cakes –

    Steps to down-grade!

    1. Download the correct firmware i.e ipsw file from the internet to your desktop
    2.Fire the iTunes and hold SHIFT and click update and update the firmware by pointing the downloded firmware (ipsw) file

    I didn’t have to put my phone to DFU mode to downgrade.

  • mac n cheeze

    Me thinks its Rustys time of the month

    or is he just someones dad ????

  • http://cinemek.com Houser

    I’ve read every comment and am still stuck as a few others have been.

    2g phone. I’m not sure what firmware is on it, but everything seems to point to 3.0. I’ve done everything and it gets me to the HD with the arrow and Downloading Jailbreak Data… with the spinning wheel then I wait 20 mins and it re-boots but puts my phone into the Itunes logo with the USB plug but no “slide to unlock” Just the logo and USB. Any suggestions?

  • Rusty

    Nope, i aint someones dad thankfully, just a 24 year old with a passion.

    @ Houser:

    Dude, how can you tell if you cant get past itunes logo. Forget what you think it has and put 3.0 on in DFU mode.
    Then start the steps for redsnow…

  • thosspot

    Kill me now with nasty but clever put downs but this makes no sense to me: “download RedSn0w as well as the 3.0 firmware (not 3.0.1) for your iPhone 2G from our iPhone downloads page (make sure you pick the right firmware).” Confusing because at the beginnng of the post, it says this jailbreak works for 3.0.1 on a 2G phone; to add to the confusion, 3.0.1 firmware is made available on the download page. So what to do? Am I downgrading from 3.0.1 to 3.0 to make this work? I have and old iPhone with version 3.0.1. Perhaps I’m mixing up firmware, versions, whatever, but aint crystal clear.

  • Craig

    @ Jack Comment #195 December 5th, 2009 at 4:49 pm Thanks man ur post really helped to the point. I read almost every post and couldn’t make sense of anything that was being said. Happy Iphoning

  • HELL

    IT DIDNT WORK!!!

  • soccer lover

    Hi my 2G iphone is currently jailbroken, my sim card reads on the phone.
    However after I factory reset the phone, my phone is now bricked ( has the connect to itunes sign).

    Must I jailbreak my phone again, or is there some way to just allow the phone to be recognised to itunes and the software installed in the phone.

    Your help would be greatly appreciated :)

  • jake

    hey does the version of iTunes matter? im un able to command click on my mac when im trying to downgrade to 3.0. when i command click its just like im clicking the button normally.

    any help thanks

  • brian

    My ipod touch keeps getting stuck on uploading exploit even though the loading bar is full. help?

  • cupak

    i’v finish with this tuto, but my iphone still lock, itunes say ” the sim card inserted in this iphone does not appear to be supported”, what can i do? please

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