If you've updated your iPhone 3GS to iOS 5 or 5.0.1 and lost your unlock we can help you get it back. The actual jailbreak will be tethered but you'll still be able to unlock and continue using your device in the mean time until an untethered jailbreak solution is released. iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S users should steer clear of this as it will not work.
Devices supported
- iPhone 3GS
What you'll need
- RedSn0w 0.9.9b5 or later, we recommend the most current version which is RedSn0w 0.9.9b8 - Mac Link, Windows Link
- A working SIM card (doesn't matter what carrier as long as it's activated and working)
Jailbreak with RedSn0w and Install the iPad baseband
You'll follow the same steps are you would to jailbreak via Redsn0w except for one difference. Instead of just checking Install Cydia you'll need to check off Install iPad baseband. RedSn0w will warn you that this can not be undone. Agree and continue the jailbreak process.
Boot Tethered
After jailbreaking you'll need to perform one tethered boot before unlocking. Simply launch RedSn0w again and click Extras. Check the box for Just boot tethered right now. You'll be walked through DFU mode and your phone should reboot.
Install UltraSn0w
After your phone reboots you'll need to perform the following steps to unlock it:
Known Issues
A few users have seen issues where their phone will not obtain service after using ultrasn0w on iOS 5 or iOS 5.0.1. If you have this issue, launch RedSn0w once more and choose jailbreak again. Instead of going through the whole process this time, you only want to check Deactivate. Do one more tethered boot and you should be good to go!
If you need more help, visit our TiPb jailbreak & unlock forums for answers to many common questions and to ask your own!
Update: Some users are pointing out that using RedSn0w 0.9.9b8 is breaking GPS functionality again but using RedSn0w 0.9
Reader comments
How to unlock iPhone 3GS on iOS 5 and 5.0.1
if you guys want to unlock anything locked to ATT, you can check out attiphoneunlocking, its a great site, i have been using it for years
Great information here - i did exactly as described update my iPhone 3gs that was happily running my giffgaff sim :) ......these instructions look straight forward unlike the many other 1000's out there!
Thanks
How do I upgrade ios to 6.1.2 after this process.
Hi ! I'm writing here to share my unlock experience : I've done it with Solar Mecano. My Iphone was unlocked in a few days. The service is fast and reliable. Don't hesitate if you have any questions.
can you unlock a 3gs on 6.0.1 with firmware 05.16.07??
c u unlocka 3gs on 6.0.1..firmware 05.16.07??
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does this work to any iphone 3gs serial number?
will this work to any iphone 3gs serial number?
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i updated my iphone 3gs to version 5.o.1 via ituens unknownly. Now its nt activating. Can anyone help me to recover back or unlock the phone???????
Does my iPhone need to be not in derive when I try to jailbreak/unlock it to go to another service provider?
Cydia
Damn I want to do this offline at the moment... No wi-fi!!!!
Please I will like to know if this HACTIVATES as well? Thanks
Ive gone to follow the instructions and it warns me that baseband is not compatible with week 35 of 2011 or newer. And that i should not proceed. My unit is newer so will this not work or can i ignore it?
Did anyone ever reply to this? I also have the new Iphone 3GS with 3rd, 4th, and 5th serial number > 135. So... would this work?
Thanks everyone!
Hi actually I did all the steps but my iPhone 3GS stopped working when I made just reboot from redsnow it' seems damaged with no service. Then when I chose the second option on the redsnow to put it in the dfu mode to connect it to iTunes and make restore it gave me a message that said there is unknown error and the restoring could not be complete error no -1 then my iPhone doesn't work. What should I do ?
Thanks for the share. I unlocked my iPhone through Remote unlock system from Classicunlocking.com at affordable cost. I got easy step by step instructions on unlocking process.
So does this work at all ? Cause i dont want to be updating my iPhone and find out the sources are not working .. Please reply back asap .. Thanks :)
i have a 3GS with 05.16.05 BB and has a new bootrom, problem is, it does not have any service at all, i've read from forums that having a new bootrom is a deciding factor on getting the ipad BB, which in my case, they say is not recommended, please help!
before i forget, i've already jailbroken this using redsnow
Now that the new red snow came out with the untethered jailbreak is there a way to do this with the untethered jailbreak?
My iphone 3gs is unlocked can i update ios 5. But now i'm using my ios 4.1..
Can u solve it..
how to jailbrake my iphone3gs in sony vaio ???
Hi
I tried but got an error sayin something that i probaly missunderstood the instructions or something. I think I did as instructed bu now my phone is dead. Won't start or anything. Is there anything I can do or is my loss?
I got up and running but says that my firm ware is not supported. I have 5.0.1 (9A405)
Now that there is an untethered jailbreak on redsnow for 5.0.1, can I just go into redsnow and choose the ipad baseband and then follow these instructions to unlock my 3gs on baseband 05.16.05?
You are a diamond!!! Was stuck with no service for days after a failed attempt. Restored through iTunes using standard method NOT custom ipsw and followed these instructions. And i used redsnow 0.9.9b3 Works an absolute treat!!! 3gs
Hi,some question I wan to ask~ my 3GS with BB 5.13.04~ and now stay on iOS 4 with unlock now~ should I update my BB to iPad BB? Or I just need to custom the ipsw then update to ios5.0.1 without update my baseband?@@" need help here plz.....
Just make sure the baseband you have is supported by ultrasn0w
You guys are awsome, Its Genius's like you that make the world a better place, I uploaded my software here in Costa Rica and no one or place said they could set it to work with the carrier here, i followed your instructions promptly and vuola. Thanks again. Greatly apreciate this.
So i take it. its not possible to jailbreak or unlock the iphone 3g on ios 5 ?
its possible to jailbreak or unlock iphone 3gs ios 5 version ?
awesome it works!!!
I did all the steps but when I open cydia I have problems with repo666 that said fetch faile what can I do
pece of shit when i download ultras0w is ses imposible tofind some shit
I jailbroke and unlocked my 3gs (old bottom) from 5.0 and it was working. I mistakenly upgraded to 5.01 and lost my unlock. All attempts to re-break and unlock fail (using redsn0w 0.9.9b8) with the message:
"Unrecognized build. Fingerprint: 38b5..........."
What do I do now? Thanks.
i follow the steps and it was ok until jailbroken is installed and now my device stuck on restart screen after the apple logo and i cant do a thing :-( help please....
I have the same problem. Stuck on Apple Logo
Put it on DUF mode and sync to iTunes and it will restore it. You will have to jailbreak again though.
I did the Deactivate step ... now it's stuck on "Activating your iPhone" and it won't activate with my old (inactive) AT&T sim or with a new SIM. Meanwhile, my iPhone can't even be used in Airplane mode like before. Any tips on how to get it past the activation step (just to use it in Airplane)?
i keep getting 6000 error on my iPhone not on redsn0w.
Try going back to your old firmware and then try again. So basicly downgrade then upgrade.
It's not working for me. I installed the iPad baseband (it shows 06.15.00 in About -> Modem Firmware), booted, installed ultrasnow, booted again, put in SIM but it didn't work. Then I tried Deactivate, which guided me to the iOS setup screens (I had to put in my old AT&T SIM to get past this step since the new one wouldn't activate) ... then I booted again, but I still see No Service. Any ideas? What else can I try?
I have a new bootroom 3GS running 5.0.1 I have installed redsnow 0.9.9b8 and the 5.0 and 5.0.1 ipsws. When I try to jailbreak it gives me " ipsw not supported by redsnow". I have also tried snow breeze and get the same thing. I am leaving AT&T for t mobile and need to get jailbroken ASAP! I have tried everything I can think of, please help!
Hello,
It looks like you may be dragging the wrong IPSW file into Redsn0w. Or perhaps attempting to load back into it, an IPSW file that it already created. I would suggest that you re-download the orignial file, and load it into Redsnow when prompted.
Will this work on an IPhone 3GS with a SIM card that has already been deactivated? I've upgraded to a new phone but want to unlock the old one to sell.
I have baseband 05.16.05. I wish to unlock so it can be used on T-mobile. Thanks!
I also have IOS 5.0 (9A334)
worked like a charm! thanks a lot guys.
Will this jailbreak also hactivate my 3gs?
p.s. i did the deactivate thing and it set me to the ios5 on phone setup thing and i couldnt activate
mine just says no service...
Is it compatible with firmware version 05.16.05 for iOS 5 on 3GS ?
Does it works with ios5 05.16.05?
It was upgraded from iOS 4 and now carrier is locked.
this doesnt work!!!!
I've used this guide and it worked for me you just got to fallow every step and make sure u have downloaded the right ipsw.
The link to the original JB guide is broken...
Does the iPad baseband still cause issues with GPS or has that been resolved? Any other functionality issues?
I'm currently on 5.0.1 jailbroken and untethered on my old bootrom 3GS. Do I just run redsn0w and only select the iPad baseband function, I assume?
I'm traveling internationally next month, so an unlock would be great!
I think it's on a per-device basis. Personally my 3GS (new bootrom) has no problems with iPad basebands.
What's your experience with using the Semi-Tethered package from Cydia? It seems to allow you to boot the device back into a functioning without tethering, even though Cydia and some other things don't work. Has anyone tried this?
works like a charm
Work with MC model?? Thaks
The latest supported firmware for the 3G is 4.2.1.
What does that have to do with a 3Gs?
2 hrs ago the post read "3G and 3GS". Looks like they removed the 3G reference without noting the update.