Pwnage/Blackra1n/BlackSn0w 3.1.2 Confusion

[Zythyr]

I have been doing alot of reading an I am a bit confused about hacktivating/unlocking/jailbreaking iPhone 2g, 3g, 3gs for 3.1.2

Based on my understand blackra1n + blacksn0w unlocks only 3g & 3gs. Also, I read something about it being a tethered unlock which means I can't restart my phone?

Is there an alternative to the blackra1n + blacksn0w unlock/jailbreak for 3.1.2? If I use Pwnage tool, will it still unlock the latest baseband? Since I am using a Windows, can I jailbreak using blackra1n then restore a custom ipsw file created using Pwnage tool?

What about iPhone 2G? Based on my research, it says that blacksn0w doesn't unlock OS 3.1.2. How do I unlock an iPhone 2G? I read something about using blackra1n to jailbreak then installing Bootneur, but can I use Pwnage tool to unlock 3.1.2 on iPhone 2G?

Another quick question, when they say "unlock" does it mean "unlocking the latest baseband" or does it mean "unlocking the latest firmware OS 3.1.3"?? I am guessing by "unlocking" an iPhone, I am unlocking the baseband, which basically allows me to use the iPhone for any GSM carriers????? Is my understanding correct?

Anyways, so can someone please help me clarify on how to unlock all iPhone: 2g, 3g, 3gs. I am especially interested in knowing if Pwnage tool will unlock the latest firmware/baseband for I don't want to use blackra1n/blacksn0w since it tethered...

[jomo25]

Why do people not understand the whole tethered JB thing? Repeat after me: Blackra1n is NOT a tethered JB for all devices except the Ipod Touch 3G, and iPhone 3GS's made in week 40 or later (sold in the last 2-3 weeks). ONLY FOR THOSE DEVICES is Blackra1n a tethered JB. THis is NOT a Blackra1n limitation only. NO OTHER JB CURRENTLY AVAILABLE GETS AROUND THIS ISSUE. Even PwnageTool cannot get around this.

So, Blackra1n does not require you to tether JB unless you have one of the few devices as above. And if you have one of those devices, nothing's going to get you around that now.

TO confirm if you have one of these "late model iPhone 3GS's" , go to Settings | General | About. Check your Serial number. THe 4th and 5th digits represent the week it was built. If it's 40 or higher, you have one of these devices that require a tether JB no matter what.

If you do not have one of those devices, then your best options are:
1. Use PwnageTool to create your own firmware using 3.1.2 OS and 4.26.01 baseband, and unlock via Ultrasn0w. It works well, except you will be missing a carrier name in your signal strength meter. This will NOT work if your phone is already at baseband 5.11
2. Use iTunes 9.0.2 to upgrade your phone to stock 3.1.2. Then use Blackra1n to JB, and Blacksn0w to unlock.

[Zythyr]

@jomo25
Wow that clears up a lot about blackra1n + blacksn0w. There are still few questions on my mind. Can I use blackra1n + blacksn0w to unlock baseband/jailbreak/hacktivate 2G iPhones???????

As for PwnageTool, you said create custom firmware and unlock via Ultrasn0w. But I thought that PwnageTool was an unlocking/jailbreaking/hackviating system, then why using Ultrasn0w?? You said PwnageTool doesn't work with baseband 5.11 am I correct? What if my iPhone is already updated to 5.11, is there a way to downgrade? Is there a way to check in my phone which baseband I have?

Also, instead of using Ultrasn0w, can't I just create a custom firmware for 3.1.2, then jailbreak my phone using blackra1n, then restore the custom firmware file onto iPhone 2g, 3g, 3gs, depending on whichever one I am unlocking?

[jomo25]

I believe the new version of Blackra1n does not support the 2G JB/UL. To unlock a 2G, you need to use BootNeuter. I don't know too much about it, but if you Google it, you should find some info on it. I beleive there is something in Cydia for it.

PwnageTool just creates custom firmware/baseband combos. And firmware/baseband itself cannot be "pre-unlocked". You'd create custom combo with the latest firmware (with all the latest features) and an older baseband which can be unlocked. Prior to blackra1n/sn0w, 4.26 baseband was the latest that could be unlocked. So, ppl created custom firmware/baseband combos of 3.1.2/4.26. But Blackra1n/sn0w works around this and just JBs 3.1.2 and unlocks 5.11. Now some have had some issues using the Blacksn0w for unlock, so I can't say its 100% reliable yet.

You cannot downgrade a baseband for 3G/3G as far as I know. (Again I don't know much about the 2G since I never had one) So, it you are already on 5.11, your only hope would be to use blackra1n/sn0w. You cannot use a PwnageTool-created combo with 4.26. It won't downgrade. If you are on a 3G/3GS with 5.11, I'd go with blackra1n/sn0w. But only install it with an official carrier SIM (i.e. AT&T in the US). Then, after its all installed, then put your non-official SIM in if you are trying to use it on another carrier (i.e. TMo in the US).

For details on doing this, I'd follow the guides on iclarified(dot)com. (Search blacksn0w).

[pbateman420]

pwnage tool is for mac only.. and it does not unlock 5.11.07.. only Jailbreaks 3.1.2.. as far as i know, being mac only... lol..

Blackra1n will JB AND unlock 3.1.2 FW and 5.11.07 baseband which is the current release.. ultrasnow was the unlocking method for the older basebands so if you are on 5.11.07 already, its useless and outdated.. there is no way to downgrade the baseband, only firmware..

hope that helps..

[Zythyr]

Just to confirm my understanding...

1) I think I should have asked this question before, but how is the baseband updated? If I update my iPhone using iTunes, Apple will automatically update my baseband right? So is it possible to have baseband 4.26 and still be running 3.1.2?? If the latest baseband is 5.11, and I am running an unlocked baseband 4.26, can I still use the iPhone for a different carrier other than AT&T?

2) How do I know which baseband I currently have on my iPhone?

3) If the iPhone is not already been updated to the 5.11 baseband, I can still jailbreak iPhone 2g, 3g, 3gs using blackra1n then restore custom 3.1.2 firmware built from Pwnage Tool.

4) Unlocking iPhone 3g, 3gs on baseband 5.11, I would have to use blackra1n + blacksn0w.

5) Unlocking iPhone 2g on baseband 5.11, I would have to use blackra1n to jailbreak then use Bootneutrn to unlock?

[jomo25]

1. if you used iTunes to update with the normal 3.1.2 update, it updates your baseband to 5.11. It is possible to be running 3.1.2 with 4.26 BB, but only if you installed a custom IPSW update file that was created with PwnageTool. Both 4.26 and 5.11 can be unlocked as of today. 4.26 is unlocked by ultrasn0w and has been out for a couple months. 5.11 is unlocked by blacksn0w which has been out for a few days. To use the phone on a carrier other than AT&T for a US bought iPhone, you must unlock it.

2. Settings | General | About on your iPhone. The Modem firmware item is your basebasnd version.

3. If you are not on 5.11 and aren't already JB'd, then you have 2 options to JB. Either update to official 3.1.2 and use BR/BS to JB/UL. Or, use a custom IPSW with 4.26 BB in it to JB and use Ultrasn0w to unlock.

4. Yes.

5. I never owned a 2G, and do not care about 2Gs, so I cannot help you there.

[Zythyr]

I unlocked my iPhone 2G using iTunes to 3.1.2, but the I changed the Modem Firmware and it says 04.05.04_G, why is it not 5.11?

[sprak74]

iphone 2g BB does not get update with 3.1.2.

[Zythyr]

iphone 2g BB does not get update with 3.1.2.

Since iPhone 2G baaseband is not updated with 3.1.2, is it safest method to jail break with blackra1n and then restore custom firmware made using pwnagetool?

[sprak74]

if you have a mac just make a custom firmware, but you don't need to do both because both is jailbreaking.

[PeteyCrack]

all of you with iPhone 2G's do not have to worry about baseband updates because apple stopped updating them. they dont care about the 2G anymore so dont worry about unlocking it, all you have to do is jailbreak and use bootneuter.

[leftfooter]

So, PeteyCrack.....you're saying that if you have an unlocked 2G, all you have to do is upgrade the firmware to 3.1.2 via iTunes and it will remain unlocked?
Have you successfully tried this?

MY current config:
iPhone 2g 8GB
Version 2.2.1 (5H11)
Modem Firmware (baseband) 04.05.04_G
Phone unlocked & Jailbroken

[Zythyr]

For unlocking iPhone 2G with Bootneuter, do I uninstall Bootneuterafter I am done flashing?