How to Unlock Your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS iOS 4 with UltraSn0w

By , Aug 1, 2010

Now that the iOS 4 jailbreak has been released, those of you who were waiting for an unlock can unlock their iPhones with UltraSn0w. Before getting into the details, let me tell you more about who this is for and who this is not for.

The latest version of ultrasn0w will unlock the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS running iOS 3.1.2 or higher. As long as you are running iOS 3.1.2 or up to 4.0.1, you’re good.

This being said, ultrasn0w will not unlock the iPhone 4 at the time being. The Dev Team needs a little bit more of time to test out the iPhone 4 unlock before releasing it. I believe they will release the iPhone 4 unlock in the next few days, so stay tuned.

This guide and tutorial will show you how to unlock your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 3G running iOS 4 using ultrasn0w.

Step 1: Make sure your iPhone is backed up in iTunes.

Step 2: Jailbreak your iPhone using JailbreakMe (see instructions here).

Step 3: After the jailbreak process is done, go to Cydia and search for ultrasn0w.

Step 4: Install ultrasn0w and reboot your iPhone.

Step 5: Done!

You now have an unlocked iPhone 3G or 3GS.

  • Share:
  • Follow:

We Recommend

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    Quick question on step 1:

    I have an iPhone 3G (on the 4.0.1 OS) that is locked to the Telstra network here in Australia. I recently got an iPhone4 and my SIM has been transferred to that phone.

    I want to give my partner my 3G but it’s locked to Telstra and she is on Vodafone so I want to unlock the 3G so her SIM will work (Telstra charge $150 for SIM unlocking!).

    So my question is- do I do a complete ‘Restore’ on the 3G before I begin this process? I don’t care if I lose the data on the phone (as that’s all on my iPhone 4) as she’ll be installing her own stuff, but it’d be good to know the best ‘startup’ state for my 3G.

    Also: I assume I should instruct her iTunes to NOT automatically check for updates? I note that the 3G runs VERY poorly on iOS4 and am hoping they fix performance in the next update. To gani access to that update I assume I would need to:

    1. Restore the iPhone to the original settings (unjailbreak it)
    2. Wait for the latest jailbreak to be released
    3. Install the update.
    4. Rejailbreak

    Is that correct?

    Thanks,

  • Carlos

    Hi, it does not really matter if you do or do not do a full restore for a jailbreak. Do the restore only because you want your info deleted. Best regards

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    Another question- does this process work if you do it without a SIM inside the phone? Can the SIM be put in afterwards?

  • Vish

    Hey Buddy…….TON THANKS TO UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

    U R GREAT
    worked fine for me….

  • Chirag

    After slide to jailbreak nothing is coming only screen with wallpaper of ‘jailbreakme.com’ is left on screen. its not showing whether it is working or not.

  • dAAni

    aoow, what happened to the HACKTIVATION ? Sitting here with a connect to itunes screen :D

  • Chirag

    still nothing is happening on screen now what to do…..

  • Chirag

    Hey I have done it. Thanks to comix and Dev team

  • Matthew

    Brilliant! Many thanks!

  • Bhavin Gada

    the internet isnt working after the jailbreak and unlock.

  • Andrew

    So here’s my situation. I sold my old 3GS to a friend who wanted to get it unlocked for tmobile use in USA. there’s a place in the mall here that will unlock your iPhone for you for $25 we took the phone to them last week and they said it wasn’t possible yet because the iPhone had been upgraded to 4.0.1. So is this what I was waiting for? I’m now able to unlock a 3GS that is on ios 4.0.1 for tmobile use?? Thanks in advance, I’m new to the blog, but visit it daily now. Keep up the good work.

    Thanks from Texas

  • dan

    Confused and concerned? According to jailbreakmatrix.com, ultrasn0w will “not” work with:

    3Gs
    Firmware 4.0
    Baseband 5.12.04
    Boot loader 359.3.2 (this being the key deal breaker)

    Correct?

  • Jag757

    Followed the procedure and all seemed well. How can I know for certain the unlock worked?

    Thanks

  • Carl

    @Jag757. I presume the only way to test it is to actually put in a SIM card from a different provider than the one the phone was originally locked to.

  • http://www.gmbhnews.com iphone rss news reader

    This is a great news to get the best out of your iphone, thanks for sharing, I’d better wait for the iphone 4.1 and see.

  • Netmarketing

    Worked great for me!

    3GS
    3.1.3

    installed ultrasn0w .93 via Cydia
    EVERYTHING LOOKED THE SAME UNTIL I SHUTDOWN, INSTALLED ANOTHER SIM CARD AND TURNED THE PHONE BACK ON.

    When you put in a new sim you should be good to go.

    MAKE SURE TO TURN OFF 3G!
    Not all carriers support 3G, so if you are having problems turn it OFF and reboot/restart your iPhone.

  • Please Help

    Somebody please suggest, how can i get my first/second generation iPhone unlocked. It is currently running on iOS 4. Someone please suggest. Thanks.

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    Please Help: If you are running a 1st gen I don’t know that this helps. If you are running a 2nd gen (3G), then follow the procedure above and it will unlock your phone.

  • Please Help

    Thanks destructor for your try !
    But even after the following the steps above my phone did not get unlocked…and as far as I know, there is no 2nd generation…people use 1st and 2nd interchangably…but the original generation is the 1st generation.

    Please advise if somebody knows how can I unlock my phone for T-mobile prepaid. Appreciate everyone’s help.

  • khaled hab alrumman

    Hi All

    I have 3gs , os 4.0.1, i jealbreaked the phone using jailbreakme.com and installed cydia, but when i tried to add http://repo666.ultrasn0w/com/ I got the below error

    the indicated repository could not be found . this could be because you are trying to add a legacy installer repository( these are not supported)also this interfaceis only capable of working with exact repository URLs

    Please help me

  • jaz

    hi all,

    I have a 3g running iOS4.0, i ran the jailbreakme.com and the ultrasn0w,and i can insert a TMobile sim fine.. here’s the problem.. when i insert the Tmobile sim, i get the “Plug into iTunes” logo, with the message “Different SIM detected”. When i plug into iTunes, i get the white screen “Sim you are using is not supported.

    Does anyone know a work around for this? THANKS!!!!!!

    • tatthanh

      I have the same problem as you had. Has ur problem been solved yet?

  • Dan

    Hello! I know I am not the first person to have this problem. I have my roommate’s old iphone and AT&T service… I don’t want to pay for a data plan because well, $15 is $15… Plus, their attitude toward me on the phone really made me feel like i was a rape victim… So, basically, I want to use it like any other phone and not pay for the data plan. Is unlocking my iPhone what I need to do?? Or is it fruitless…

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    Yes. Unlock the phone and install ultrasnow using the instructions above and you can use a any provider.

    • Dan

      Problem is that I want to use AT&T still… I think I’m under contract still

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    Oooh… I see what you’re saying. It’s really not a good idea. If you want a regular phone that doesn’t use data, an iPhone is not for you. It’s a mobile device. It constantly utilizes data. Having one without a data plan is just a really bad idea. You’d be better off getting an iPod Touch, which is basically all it would be. Just pony up for the data and take it like a man, Dan.

  • Dan

    Hahahaha I know… But I really am strapped for cash… so $15 a month is worth mentioning… Plus, think about the college kids who literally spend there entire life in a wifi hotspot… there is literally no reason to ever use the 3G data… dont get me wrong, i use my phone as a phone… but i have no issues with not using data outside of a wifi zone… lets be honest, the majority of the time that im not in one, i am driving… so i dont really need to be able to access facebook or what have you… i really feel like cell providers are raping everyone on this… i bet there are literally thousands, maybe even tens of thousands of people who if offered the choice between having a data plan and not having one would decline it based on the same reasonings i have presented here…

  • chintan

    i have iphone 3g.i m from india

    i want to upgrade in 4.0.1

    so what should i do

    give me some simple method of upgrade, jailbreak and unlock

    my method is correct or wrong

    1st i have to upgrade itunes(i use v.9)

    2nd upgrade os from itunes

    then jailbreak

    ????????????

    please give me some clue

    i m new to iphone

    thanks

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    The steps you’ve described are correct. Once you’ve jailbroken, open the ‘Cydia’ app, then run a search for ‘Ultrasn0w’, then install it. Your phone will be unlocked.

  • Chintan

    hi Destructor

    thank for help

    but i have one query

    in my state the shopkeeper say that dont upgrade os.if u upgrade u r phone will be locked

    and also

    firstly i m upgrade itunes
    then upgrade offcial ipsw from itunes
    then how to jailbreak

    can u have any link or video tutorial

  • http://znaddanz.com Destructor

    This is correct- do NOT upgrade your OS when jailbroken. This may temporarily or permanently brick your iPhone. What you need to do is:

    A. Turn off your automatic upgrading in iTunes.
    B. When the new upgrade comes out, WAIT until it has been re-hacked by the good hackers out there.
    C. Restore your iPhone (I’ve never done this step so instruction from more experienced users would be helpful).
    D. Re-jailbreak & unlock following the instructions above.

    And no I’m not going to post instructions on how to jailbreak your phone- just follow the link at the top of the page!

  • sdey

    @Distructor: What do you mean by do not upgrade your OS when Jailbroken? I am really new to iphone. An i have similar problem with Chintan too.

    M using 3GS OS 3.0.1 (unlocked already). I want to upgrade to ios 4.0.1. Regarding to this i have some question?

    1. By upgrading to ios 4.0.1 it mean that i need to re jailbreak and re unlock?
    2. To unlock do we need to have an original sim card (AT&T Sim card)

    Regarding to the process of upgrade and unlock:

    1. Restore iphone through iTune?
    2. Upgrade to iso 4.0.1. (Yet m confusing with wat you said don not upgrade your OS when jailbroken)
    3. Jailbreak with jailbreakMe
    4. Unlock the iphone using ultrasn0w (Do we need orginal sim card)?

  • sdey

    successfull with jailbreak and unlock. Can insert any sim with service. And we can make an in coming call. The problem is that i can’t access to home screen and it show only emergency call screen…

    Any suggestion? please help

  • Brittany

    okay, so is there anyway someone can let me know when the unlock for 4.0.2 comes out? I keep looking at this page, but im scared im going to miss it. I didn;t mean to update it to 4.0.2…and i tried to downgrade it…and it didnt work…sooo i guess i shall just wait? Help?

    Thank you,
    Brittany

  • Nishant

    hi i have recently bought an iphone 3gs ios 4.o.1 which is carrier unlock by orange.can anyone. i am in india right now. can anyone help how can i see icons on scrren as it just give a message that no sim card installed. insert a valid sim with no pin lock.

  • sdey

    @Jaz: i think ya have the same problem as me. N i can get rich of that. Try pushfix. Just install it from Cydia…

  • sdey

    For unlocked iphone that purchased from Apple online store, do we need to unlocked it after upgrade to higher version firmware?

  • Rahul

    I did this on 3.1.2 and I was able to Jail Break and unlock my 3G. but I am getting lot of SPAM which takes the whole screen. I don’t have any applications open at this point of time. Has anyone else faced this?

  • altromonto

    hi i have unlocked iphone 3g upgraded to 4.0 and the problem is the phone is to slow it takes eternity to launch applications so i think about downgrading it to 3.1.3 the question is is gonna be still unlock? and i got this phone already running 4.0 i really dont know if 4.0 is the reason its so slow im here undecided what to do any suggestions?

  • thomflash

    Hi all,

    I unlocked my 3GS (OS 4.0.1) with Ultrasnow and have a problem abroad: in my own country (Belgium) the service/reception is good, but in other countries I keep getting “no service”. It is not a SIM-problem or something with my operator, as I didn’t have this problem at all with my previous “normal” phone, using this very same SIM.

    Also: operator selection is always automatic, I can’t switch to manual selection.

    Info anyone?

    Thanks

  • Henry

    I have jailbroken and unlocked Iphone 3GS 4.0.2. using Cydia and Ulstrasn0w.

    But some/(frequently) times i am not able to receive the calls in the iphone…..(when it try from some other phone its not at all received)…..How to resolve this…Pls help…

    Other inof;
    # Using Tmobile sim and signal strenth shows as good.

  • Doe

    Someone save me!!!! I had some tech difficulties with my 3GS so I brought it to apple n they gave me a new 1 witch came with 4.0.2, I rely on an unlock so I was pissd ( at the time their was no unlock or jb ) so my girl has my phone I jump in shower come out n it’s upgraded to 4.1 so now even more mad. My Device is currently jb but ultraslow doesn’t support bb yet for some reason. ? So basically I have to ride it out? or can anyone save me?

  • Mandeep Singh

    Unlocked 3G v 4.2.1 with redsn0w….

    now Cydia doesnt show ultrasnow.. the new sim is not workig how to install ultrasn0w

  • Tellio2

    Jailbroke and then unlock w/ Ultrasn0w. Emergency calls only??

    3.1.3/ 5.12.01

  • altromonto

    us at&t sim card to activate ur iphone with itunes

  • looserakias

    hi there!!
    I have an iphone 3g running on 3.1 firmware
    i have unlocked and jailbroke it using blackrain in the past.
    I want to upgrade on OS 4 and unlock it and jailbreak it!!
    Any ideas what should i do??
    Thnx

  • raj

    guys….i have iphone 3G…..i wanna upgrade it to 4 or up os…..n wanna ulock it….will i need a at&t sim???
    plz temme asap

  • savvasmpar

    paidia ola ksekolane k ola ta i phone kseklidonontai… ftanei kapoios na psaxti me ta frimwre… egw evala xthes 4.1 se i phne 3g k doulepse kanonika… to mono pou meni twra k psaxnw einai na piasei sima cosmote stin ellada…

    ta arxeia k ta programata einai mesa stin selida aytin. gia kapoia aporia i vithia pes te mou… edw tha eimai…. :)

    an kerei kapoios estw k stin theoria pws ginete me to sima as mou pei, eyxaristw….!!!! :)

  • gees

    Hey I need help badly, I currently deployed in Afghanistan and I have an iphone 3gs. I am trying to unlock it over here but Im having so much trouble. The version says 4.1(8B117) and the modem firmware says 05.14.02 is there anyway that I could unlock this phone and if so how do I do it. Pls, pls, pls help I have 9 months of the deployment left and need this phone unlocked,

    • Tim

      Did you find a solution?

  • Woodogg

    Followed steps on my 3gs ios 4.0.0. It worked like a charm, took me about 30 minutes while I was at work. Thank You.

  • Michael Weeks

    Hi,

    My step dad just gave me his old iPhone 3G, but he jail broke it on a downgraded firmware and installed ultrasn0w for me, but at the moment I’m on a Blackberry £15 a month contract sim with Virgin Mobile. The package includes 500 texts, 100 minutes and 1GB of mobile data. I was wondering that if I put my sim in it if I could still use Safari Browser when roaming?? Responses asap would be good please :)