UltraSn0w Unlock Released For iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 Running iOS 5

By , Oct 14, 2011

As promised, the iPhone Dev Team released an update to the UltraSn0w unlock for iOS 5 today. This update allows users with unlockable basebands running iOS 5 to unlock their iPhone 3GS, or iPhone 4.

This version of UltraSn0w (1.2.4) doesn’t add any new basebands to the compatibility list, but if you’re running basebands 4.26.08, 05.11.07, 05.12.01, 05.13.04, or 06.15.00 on the iPhone 3GS, or baseband 01.59.00 on the iPhone 4, then you can unlock your device right now…

If you’ve yet to update to iOS 5, but you have one of the aforementioned qualifying basebands, then you can use our RedSn0w tutorial for Mac, or our Sn0wBreeze tutorial for Windows, to update your iPhone to iOS 5 without updating your baseband.

Again, you must use one of the preservation methods listed above in order to keep your baseband unlockable.

Here are the release notes from the Dev Team regarding 3GS owners, and possible baseband downgrades in some special situations:

Note: there’s a special “trick” that iPhone3GS owners with baseband 06.15 need for iOS5. During the new setup screens you see when you start iOS5 for the first time, you’ll be asked about Location Services. Be sure to select “Disable Location Services” when asked! Later on in the setup, you’ll have the chance to turn on Location Services again when asked if you want to use “Find my iPhone”. It’s fine to turn it back on at that point, if that’s your desire (or you can always go in and enable it in Settings.app).

Also, some iPhone3GS users with the 06.15 baseband may have tried to install iOS5 using a stock IPSW (even though you should never ever try to use a stock IPSW if you’re an ultrasn0w unlocker). If you did try this, your baseband is probably in an inconsistent state, and you’ll need to reflash the 06.15 baseband again (using redsn0w). Be very careful if you use redsn0w to reflash the iPad baseband — don’t interrupt the process! And please avoid using stock IPSWs in the future :) Unlockers should never go near stock IPSWs.

How to Unlock Your iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 Using UltraSn0w 1.2.4:

Step 1: Verify your baseband is compatible by checking above.

Step 2: Update to iOS 5 using our RedSn0w baseband preservation tutorial or Sn0wBreeze baseband preservation tutorial.

Step 3: If you haven’t already,jJailbreak your device (tethered only for all iPhone users except 3GS old bootrom).

Step 4: Download and install UltraSn0w 1.2.4 from Cydia. (Gevey SIM users, see yesterday’s Gevey SIM post)

Step 5: Test out your unlock by attempting to use a SIM differing from your carrier SIM.

As mentioned, this latest release of UltraSn0w does not add any additional basebands to the compatibility list, so if you’re not on one of the basebands listed above, you will not be able to unlock with UltraSn0w.

If you do happen to qualify, however, head over to Cydia; your package awaits you.

Have you preserved your baseband for unlock? If so, please chime in below…

  • Share:
  • Follow:

We Recommend

Newer Comments →
  • Vikram

    Hi, I have a 3GS and was on 4.2.1 and 06.15.00 baseband. I upgraded to iOS5 and couldn’t activate my device ever since. I tried JB with RedSn0w(0.9.9b4) and Sn0wBreeze (2.8b8) both gets stuck during the process. With RedSn0W it appears the JB was successful but it hangs while trying to reboot the phone. With Sn0wbreeze the custom firmware is being rejected by itunes during restore. Can someone please help?

    • charlie

      same problem to my 3gs with 4.2.1 and 06.15.00

      • Manoj

        Guys.. i have the same problem here. but i’m on 4.3.3 – BB 6.15.. Please help us…

      • Edgar

        Guys flash your phone using redsnow 0.9.9b4 and check pad baseband thing. It will work guys. Hope this will help you

      • Lily

        Edgar, what does it mean when you say “flash”?? I’ve read this everywhere. Does it mean to re-boot?

    • IGEEKNERD

      All y’all have to do is restore with stock iOS 5… Then install iPad baseband again.. Then restore with custom iOS 5 and it’ll be unlocked :) quite easy

    • Solid Snake

      So how where do I JailBreak my 3GS on 4.3.3? I don’t know if it’s an old bootrom or not. I’m on Baseband 5.16.02, and it works fine with my AT&T plan. Do I need to worry about my BB upgrading?

      • iSeeYou

        If you have the old 4.3.3 firmware, just go to jailbreakme.com on your idevice and jailbreak it there. However if you want to upgrade, you’ll have to go through redsnow. No need to unlock if you have at&t :) goodluck!

      • DigitalRabbit

        You don’t need. People worry about BB because they want to use SIM other than AT&T

    • Jean Claude

      Hi Man, Put Your iPhone In Custom DFU Mode with redsn0w and when you update the sn0wbreeze CFW open iBooty that sn0wbreeze will put on your desktop and boot the iPhone ! hope that helped

  • DebTym

    i don’t have original carrier sim.>.<

    • Shallygojjra

      Hey you can jailbreak after update to any version

  • Macman

    cannot go throught activation process. stuck on activating iphone. no service.

  • John

    Sweet! UltraSn0w 1.2.4 fixes the 1 signal bar cosmetic glitch. It’s nice to see all 5 bars again.

  • Ed

    Does it still have a voicemail issue with AT&T? I am using ultrasn0w because I preserve the old basband (01.59.00) and need this to fix signal bar problem. But using ultrasn0w with AT&T causes new voice mails not to be prompted. It would be nice if iPhone Dev Team can fix this bug!

  • Zik

    It’s tethered or untetherd? help!

    • Jimmy

      You clearly shouldn’t be having anything to do with an unlock if you think it’s a jailbreak !! It unlocks your phone to use different networks, it has absolutely jack shit to do with a tethered or untethered jailbreak !!!

  • John

    @Zik this is an carrier unlock so you can use your phone on any GSM network such as T-Mobile, not a jailbreak.

    • Zik

      Thanks john!

  • shany

    Mine is stuck again on the carrier unlock, Anyone knows how to bypass it?

  • http://none The iOS guy

    Hey Jeff I need your help I downloaded iOS 5 from your download section and when I restore with it I get error 3194

  • adam cohen

    On my iphone 3gs 6.15 BB i keep disconnecting and connecting service it does this randomly, idk i followed all the steps even the location service thing

    • http://www.facebook.com/eminemmm2 Hassan Em

      me too adam this happens to me always, please friend inform me when you find a solution??

      e_mine_m@msn.com

    • TheHero

      I have the same. I noticed it only happens when I am connected to iTunes or after I open Maps. Did you find a solution?

    • TheHero

      Actually I just figured out the problem. It’s an issue of GPS not working and messing up the signal. Go to Location Services and disable any app that has an arrowhead next to it (such as Maps!) and it should work!

      • adam cohen

        yeah TheHero is right its more stable for me now.

  • srinath

    got struck in carrier unlock. unltrasnow installed successfully but no carrier visible. and facing a problem in restart of my phone. evrything i have to use just boot option from redsnow.

    • Manoj

      Use iBooty to restart ur phone.. And you need to sync ur phone atleast once with iTunes, so that you may get carrier signals.. Try this way…

  • srinath

    thx manoj. i have done the both steps u have said. but there is no use. i did not get the carrier. n startup issue was not rectified

    • Manoj

      Srinath.. Can u confirm your Baseband is in list given by Redsn0w above..? if your base band is not in those list.. then you cant unlock to GSM networks..

      • srinath

        yes. my baseband is 6.15.00. iphone 3gs.

  • John

    @Ed I’m on AT&T but use ultrasn0w to unlock my iPhone as a selling point for resale value. So far I’ve tested sending and receive MMS with my girlfriend’s phone and was able to send and receive. Also called my iPhone from the landline and left a voicemail. I received a voicemail notification and it showed up in my visual voicemail box. So it seems all the previous “bugs” have been ironed out.

  • MALdito

    Now all we need is a untethered jailbreak to go with the new ultrasnow and then I’ll do a complete upgrade.

  • marvelprince

    I was able to jb and unlock my 3gs with 6.15 bb, but now every few seconds my signal bars, cell data or wifi will cut out. They pop right back, but its impossible to talk on the phone or browse the web with it like that. Anyone else have that issue?

    • noddy967

      Exactly the same issue here.

  • Darth Vader

    With my iPhone 4 on iOS 4.3.3 with baseband 1.59.00 and I went through my Cydia updating a couple things and noticed the Ultrasnow update and followed through. Well I have no signals and no network What to do??

    I was going to update to iOS 5 via preservation mode but ultrasnow seems to be failing.

  • dtsm

    I actually have a legal unlocked 4 from Taiwan. Can I just upgrade to iOS 5 and continue to use TMO as my carrier?

  • dksannn

    Great , no unlock for newer basebands…good job devteam, continue to lie people about that new unlock

  • Diddyo

    Possible bug, after installing ultrasn0w 1.2.4 on my 1.59 bb ip4 running iOS5, itunes doesn’t show my t-mobile phone number, and inside settings.app > Phone > My Number: Unknown. If i put my AT&T dead sim in the at&t phone number displays fine. Anyone else getting this?

    • pedro

      same here

  • louie

    HELP! i did everything but i get a “no service instead” of my tmobile at the top of the screen..what did i do wrong?

    • TheHero

      Did you use an AT&T Sim card to activate it and then unlock with ultrasn0w? What phone and BB do you have?

      • louie

        i did not use a AT&T sim and i have a 3GS base band 06.15.00

      • TheHero

        Ok I have the same phone and BB so you have to activate it with an original AT&T Sim then install ultrasn0w (after jaibreaking the phone) and you should get T-mobile signal.

  • louie

    thank you! so should i delete ultrasn0w first then activate with an at&t sim then after thats done download ultrasn0w again and pop my t mobile sim in ?

    • TheHero

      I am not sure how you were able to install ultrasn0w before activating with at&t sim. Once you jailbreak and upgrade to ios5, as soon as you are in the initial setup process of ios 5 (where you have to disable Location Services!) it should tell you that you need an original sim card in it, you put it in, activate, install ultrasn0w, reboot, and you’re good to go.
      I also noticed that all location services that have the arrowhead next to them will mess up iphone 3gs 6.15 so make sure to disable those location services (such as for maps).

  • Eyal

    Got 3gs ios5 with old firmware what do I need to do to jailbreak it? I had cydia bfor I did the update…no longer:(

  • Eyal

    Got 3gs ios5 with old firmware what do I need to do to jailbreak it? I had cydia bfor I did the update…no longer

    • TheHero

      Reuse Sn0wbreeze and do simple mode – it will preserve the baseband and jailbreak it at the same time.

      • Eyal

        I already did the custom firmware and after I restored the cydia disappered (my iPhone was jailbreak before all this) now how can I jailbreak it?

      • Eyal

        I already did the custom firmware and after I restored the cydia disappered (my iPhone was jailbreak before all this) now how can I jailbreak it? And I don’t find simple mode in smowbreeze

      • TheHero

        If you only did Baseband Preservation Mode in Sn0wbreeze, that does NOT jailbreak your phone (no cydia). It doesn’t matter if you were jailbroken before, you have to redo it.
        Do you have the latest version of Sn0wbreeze (b8)? Because it has 3 options: Baseband Preservation Mode, Simple Mode, Expert Mode. You need Simple Mode. That is of course after you drag the iOS 5 IPSW onto Sn0wbreeze.

      • Eyal

        Eyal
        October 15, 2011 – 10:22 am Reply
        One more question. If I will do the simple mode. Is it will upgrade my bb?

      • TheHero

        No it preserves the baseband.

  • Iph0neinsider

    Anyone having issues with imessage on tmobile? I did sign in and added email but it still wouldn’t deliver my imsg

    • Eyal

      Tnx alot I will try again

    • Eyal

      One more question. If I will do the simple mode. Is it will upgrade my bb?

  • Max

    05.16.05. Will you make a update for that please?

  • Niko

    Can i preserve my baseband if i dont have original sim card

  • dude

    for all you jailbreakers use green poison

    • Manoj

      Can you pass on relevant green poison links plz..?

  • http://ultra Brian

    I NEED HELP! i download ios5 and i cant install my 3gs iphone. Itunes said that i dont have a sim card. I try to unlock my iphone again but it doesnt work. What should i do?

  • Andrew

    What does this mean in step 3: Jailbreak your device (tethered only for all iPhone users except 3GS old bootrom). I have a 3GS with old bootrom (I think). Does this mean the jailbreak process doesn’t work correctly for 3gs iphones with old bootroms?

  • Andrew

    never mind, it works. I had to make sure I had to reflash the bb since I’d originally upgraded via itunes (stock ipsw). Super Thanks!!!

  • Jens

    wont unlock my iphone 3gs baseband 06.15.00 with ultrasnow 1.2.4. can anybody help me?

  • Leo

    Help please! I upgraded my phone using stock IPSW to 5.0, did the tethered JB, installed Ultrasn0w and it still wont show my carrier. I didn’t activate my phone with any carrier just jailbroke it directly and tried to unlock it so i could use my at&t simcard here in the US. Im using an Iphone 3GS with 06.15.00 Baseband. i tried flashing my BB 2 more times but it gets stuck saying something like couldn’t download firmware after 60000ms, giving up…

    Please help me!

  • Ryan

    i cant get my 3gs unlocked. i did everything with the not using a stock restore, disabling location services, using redsn0w 0.9.9b5 ive tried many ways and it won’t work.

  • cahyo

    it seems happen to me..that my iphone 3gs SU ipad baseband 06.15.00… I upgraded my phone use stock IPSW to 5.0,did tehtered JB then installed Ultrasn0w and it still wont show my carrier…and there is one single bar on it…. how it can be? any solution please….

  • Louie

    What are the apn settings for tmobile? I have an iPhone 3GS baseband 05.16.00 and I’m still not getting no service..I’m stuck!!!!

  • Vinten Chai

    my baseband is 6.15.00. iphone 3gs. unlocked. but GPS doesn’t work. :( when will this can be solved?

  • shoaib

    hello can someone tell me if i can unlock my i phone 3g?it got locked when i updated to ios 5.the new redsnow dpes not support my baseband.what can i do?wait till a new one comes out?

  • king

    good thanks!!!!!!!

  • orLyjandro

    Hello, I’m using an iPhone 3GS. I updated my device for a week already to iOS 5. Ever since, the signal is DEAD. Anyone, please help me on how to restore my signal. I have installed Ultrasnow 1.2.4 and re-insert my sim card numerous times already but still “No Service” for the Carrier. I even downgraded it to 4.3 but still, No Service. Help Me guys! Thank you

    • orLyjandro

      Lastly, I forgot to preserve my baseband before the actual restoration/updating. Will there be any solution for my problem? Thank you again.

  • Msofe

    Guysss!! Work it out How long are going to stuck on baseband 04.11.08??
    Good for those listed enjoy the new iOS.

  • http://kirtaniyas.com VJK

    same problem w/ me. seems so many people on this thread have. i have a 3gs, upgraded to ios5 without saving BB. now have no signal. i dont mind downgrading, ill do whatever it takes to just be able to use my damn fone again!

  • Filming Orang£

    Hello, I have an iPhone 3GS, BB 6.15.00, Fixed Bootrom, iOS 5.0, Ultrasn0w 1.2.4, and I am experiencing random signal drops when ever i use a Data constricted app such as Safari, Facebook, Twitter, …ect. and this never happened until i came to ios 5.0 and Ultrasn0w 1.2.4 .
    Any help, because its very annoying when i use the Map app and i suddenly loose my signal strength even though im in a 5 bar area, but it eventually comes back after a few seconds but it is still annoying.

  • HashAshe

    This is a shot in the dark but I have been scouring the net for a solution to my signal bar issue.

    Iphone 4 with IOS 5.0 & BB Preserved @ 1.59.00. I followed the instructions above with a dead At&t sim card as well as the post made by “TheHero” and unlocked with Ultrasn0w without issue. I’m with T-Mobile and when I insert my SIM card I only get one signal bar and like Diddyo mentioned before my T-Mo phone number comes up as unknown in the settings. I have an iPhone 3GS unlocked and have no problems with my SIM card obtaining 4-5 bars in the same area. I read disabling 3G mode in the settings prior to installing Ultrasn0w alleviates the signal bar issue but that did not help with my situation. I’m at my wit’s end anyone with a working solution to this problem??

  • http://twitter.com/Zayd_Zaytuun Zayd Zaytuun

    Oh yessss, this worked like a charm. I was on 4.1 jb/unlocked. Did a sn0wbreeze baseband preservation update to 5.0 then jailbroke with redsn0w and unlocked with Ultrasn0w. Now running t-mobile unlocked and jb’d.

  • http://twitter.com/fillofit Donald

    hi folk, should i expect the unlock for 4s will be released sooner or later, say 2 months?

    • http://www.iDownloadBlog.com Sebastien

      I’d say later rather than sooner. No ETA though

      • http://www.simunlockiphone.com Unlock iPhone 5.0.1

        There is still no ETA on the jailbreak for 4S and iPad 2

      • http://applebitzjailbreak.com/ esemchoy

        Does this unlock process also work for iOS 5.0.1?

  • Anonymous

    I cannot use my iphone 4 as a phone after updating on iOS 5.My iphone version is 5.0 (9A334 ) & Modem Firmware is 04.11.08 & Model is MC319LL. Please guide me how can I use it as a phone . At present I am in India. Please reply me on my e-mail address.

    Thanks & Regards,

    Nayan Shah

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NM6GFXXDPXOGUJKB5CRIC7WX3A danukam

      Dude,

      Didnt u read da post???? for the moment only iphone 4 BB 1.59.00 can be unlocked,
      it z mentioned on the above post, and for the moment u are out of luck.

  • Emmanuel Nyitambe

    I have upgraded my 3GS (BB 06.15.00) to IOS5, boot tether it and unlocked it with Ultrasnow 1.2.4 via WIFI, but i still can’t get the network for my local sim-card, please help with any further instructions

    • Emmanuel Nyitambe

      worked, i re-flash the baseband and it worked this time, i’m enjoying ios5(semi-thethered) on an unofficial sim-card.
      So many thanx to you iPhone Dev Team and Co

      • http://www.facebook.com/ice.brok3n Suon Virak Panha

        How can I Reflash Baseband? Can you tell me?

    • Bing Hanson

      me freaking too amen to what u said except i have ios 5.0.1

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000410517879 Pharaoh Nech Nebuchadnezzar

    i got this iphone 3gs from a client that has a 4.3.5os with 6.15BB FW. I thought it was jailbroken because cydia was there. But when i clicked on cydia, it wont work. So i tried and tried to go back to 4.3.3 so that i can properly JB the device. But ive got no blobs saved. Finally, I decided to went up to IOS 5, thinkin I could properly JB it there (even though its tethered for now). When I got to IOS 5 using Snowbreeze, everything worked except for cydia. Its just there but wont work. I cannot get the phone to ultrasn0w without proper cydia. any suggestions? i tried using redsnow but it stops at some eroor message during verbose flashing. I also tried reflashing the Ipad BB with redsnow. still nothing. the phone works, its just not vulnerable to jailbreak. any suggestions?

    • Emmanuel Nyitambe

      did u consider NOT USING THE STOCK FIRMWARE, only use customs ones created through Snowbreeze or u can download them(googling), and ensure you UNCHECKED install Cydia during the jailbreak? and if you have a good Internet speed, u should re-flash ua Baseband(remember not to interrupt it). I hope i was of help

  • http://twitter.com/renanjazz Renan de Almeida Cas

    any ETA for 5.0.1 unlock?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000916115441 Andrei Robert

    I have a 3GS with iOS 5.0.1,updated via iTunes and tethered Jb’ed.
    What can I do to unlock it?

    • Shea Stehm

      Cant do it unless you changed your baseband to one of the preferred ones above. To change baseband you will need to downgrade your ios and preserve your baseband to 6.15.00 then update back to ios 5. Alot of work I say. Or just want until Team Dev releases a new update which hopefully is soon but who knows.

Newer Comments →