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February 8, 2008, 11:39 am

How to unlock a 1.1.3 iPhone

geohot-abc.pngYou can’t just click a button and unlock a new Apple (AAPL) iPhone to run in any country or on any carrier’s network.

That would be too easy.

But the software unlock for 1.1.3 iPhones published early this morning by George Hotz, and widely publicized by Engadget and others, has now been translated out of geek-speak and into step-by-step procedures that ordinary mortals can follow. There are several versions on the Net, but the clearest one we’ve seen so far is at Pinky’s Brain Blog here. In addition to the four-step recipe, it provides screengrabs and all the necessary links. The usual caveats (risks, bricks, etc.) apply.

UPDATE: Pinky, who still hasn’t found time to complete his instructions, is now pointing visitors to iClarified’s tutorial here.

Hotz, you may recall, is the Glen Rock, New Jersey teenager who achieved national attention last summer when he helped unlock the original iPhone. A detailed account of his latest marathon feat of reverse programming — and a DONATE button you can click if you want to support him with a contribution — is available here.

Great article Phillip, a really good informative read.

To all YOU people negging this article, YES YOU, get a life. People like Hotz are the ones who should be encouraged and supported, they dig in and find out ways to work things outside the box. What have YOU done besides sitting on your fat asses and buying ATT/Apple stock?

Posted By Zhots, NY, NY : February 18, 2008 11:58 am

“Also report and contest this to this to the SEC for ivestigation.
Posted By New York : February 8, 2008 5:18 pm ”

I called the PAC-10 but they didn’t seem to care. Anyone get a hold of the Big 12 yet?

Posted By Randall, Provo, UT : February 15, 2008 11:40 am

Why all so negative? I thought that the American economy, way of life etc was built on 3 ideals: Freedom of Choice, Competition and “Let the Market Place Decide”. The ‘market’ is deciding – They obviously don’t agree with the AT&T deals, so they choose others. Overseas (I’m in Australia), hundreds of thousands of users have similarly decided and exercised their Freedom of Choice and hence competition. Apple and their stockholders can’t possibly complain – Apple has sold the ‘phones and to use those ‘phones people have to subscribe to a carrier of their choice.
Wonder what the complaining stockholders would be saying if the iPhones had not be sold and volume say went down by about 1,000,000? Get real you guys! Congrats to Fortune for publishing – That also their Freedom of Choice and the furthering of Competition, and seeing how the ‘Market Decides’

Posted By Xserve, Townsville, Australia : February 11, 2008 9:22 pm

Unlock guide for 1.1.3 is posted here. I am going to try it soon.
Let me know if it works.
http://www.myiphonehacks.info

Posted By Azim, Virginia : February 10, 2008 6:11 pm

A couple of imaginitve, curious kids who figured out how to unlock the iPhone are under legal assault from Apple!
Why do we let them get away with this type behavior? Strangling the creativity in our youth, inhibiting free trade and commerce. These bright young men should be applauded for their heroic efforts to give people choice. Why all of the legal machinations against the young and impressionable?
I for one don’t want to live in a world where Steve Jobs and the iGustapo can walk into the High School Science fair and start turning over tables screaming,

“No! No! That’s my idea! Don’t change our stuff you brats! I’ll sue your parents! Guards catch that one, beat him! Muahahahahaha!”

An old friend wrote me just yesterday;

“… My son Scotty looked up at me the other day and asked, ‘Mommy, can I make a better radio pretty please?’ – Steve, I was heartbroken but had to tell him, ‘No Scotty, I’m sorry but It might make Steve Jobs mad’. At that moment I saw the twinkle leave his eye and we both sobbed …”

People! For goodness sake, protect your children from these people. Let the children’s laughter remind us of how we used to be.

Posted By ballmer, Redmond, WA : February 10, 2008 2:28 am

I can not believe all the comments here. Where do you live, under a rock? I live in Canada, so the only way i can use an iphone is to ‘hack’ it into being an unlocked phone. I pay for the phone, and i pay for my phone service. I see no reason why anyone would have an issue with me doing this. It is news. its valid news. Don’t you have anything better to do than to look for things to bitch about? Equating this with uploading a virus is just stupid. Get a life and find something else to complain about. really. life’s too short. Welcome to the new world.

It is estimated that a third of the iphones sold are unlocked/hacked. How that hurts apple in any way is beyond me. You need to be more informed when posting comments.

so please, someone tell me how this hurts the public. how it hurts apple? please, tell me. cause i don’t have a clue.

as for bricking the phone..yeah, thats the risk. SO again, i’ll ask you…how the hell does this hurt you? the public? Apple?

hacking…please. Thats like saying if i buy a book and tear out a page its hacking. I bought the book, i’ll paint it or burn it or read it.

Undermining the business structure? Please…1/3 of their sales. Duh. you’ve got more education that intelligence. I’d say go back to school but sounds like you’ve already got too much of that. You need to get a life.

SG has it right. you are all suckers of propaganda from the mobile operators.

“You are enabling and propagating fraudulent actions. ”
Where should i start with that one.. oh, i know…how about this….”By believing the propaganda from the MONOPOLIES the cell phone companies have, you are an idiot. Service agreements are written by 100 lawyers to screw the consumer and maximize profits for the companies. Ever try to get out of a service agreement with a carrier? Ever received an incorrect invoice from a cell phone company? Ever had ANY problems and tried to rectify them with a cell phone carrier? You really believe they are looking out for YOUR best interest? You need to get a life and look around.” Clear enough?

Yes, I’m angry. Im angered by Ignorant people. And there seems to be a large amount with nothing better to do than post comments.

Posted By shawn, toronto, Canada : February 9, 2008 3:43 pm

To Everyone, leave PED alone.

He needs this job.

Posted By Jim, Rotterdam, Holland : February 9, 2008 1:49 pm

Look, if this is the best this guy can do… no wonder he’s blogging for some low profile internet page instead of holding down a real journalist gig. As for unlocking the iPhone, this isn’t breaking news. People do it. They SELL the thing unlocked in Europe. Problem is, if you unlock it here… the risks pretty much outweigh the rewards. ATT’s plans aren’t much worse than any other full data plan. You can get out of your cell contract for $200 or less if under contract. Some people just don’t think very logically.

Posted By Anonymous : February 8, 2008 8:03 pm

Gosh aint you people ever heard of the freedom of information act. He has a right to post this stuff for informational purposes only. What people do with this info.is not his fault.

Posted By macdisser,bronx,new york : February 8, 2008 6:02 pm

Anyone who thinks this article is inciteful, criminal, scandalous, shameful illegal or otherwise, write your comments to the editor of the magazine @:

Letters@fortune.com

Also report and contest this to this to the SEC for ivestigation.

Posted By New York : February 8, 2008 5:18 pm

Love the bright comment from the loon about Macbook air. I wonder how he felt when they dropped the floppy disc drive. You have seen the future and it scares you! Get with it.

Posted By LER Manasquan, NJ : February 8, 2008 4:10 pm

relax guys…
there is more to unlocking than this article leads onto. Furthermore, unlocked iPhones in countries which do not sell iPhones, in no way hurts Apple.

Posted By Mark, warsaw Poland : February 8, 2008 3:19 pm

He bought the iPhone and he can hack it or run it over if he chooses. Doing any of those things voids the warranty forever just like if you buy a new car and hack it’s software. I don’t see that written anywhere on this article. Maybe Phil forgot to tell people that they will be voiding their contract if they do hack the phone or maybe he left that part out “accidently”.

This site is promoting the hacking of the iPhone which is about as classless as it gets. If it is a little kids blog it’s one thing, but this is supposedly a reputable site. This site is part of Time Warner/CNN. Go to the CNN money section and look up aapl and you will get links to this site.

People aren’t complaining because they are bored. People are complaining because Phil is deliberately trying to hurt Apple and their stock holders in the name of Fortune/Time Warner/CNN/AOL for whatever his reasons or theirs are.

What a classy company.

Posted By Nodack PHX AZ : February 8, 2008 3:00 pm

Is this fortune.com or the National Enquirer? Giving links to hacks seems pretty irresponsible. Is the author selling Apple shares short in the stock market?

Posted By Gary O., North Merrick, NY : February 8, 2008 2:51 pm

Last I checked, this kid purchased an Iphone which makes it his legal property. So he can do with it as he pleases, whethere that’s unlocking it or running over it with a car. And Fortune can publish whatever they want – when you become their editor-in-chief or a majority stockholder you can make those decisions. Geez people, are you really that bored – of so, get a life.

Posted By Mike, Wauwatosa WI : February 8, 2008 2:11 pm

The media has gone down hill in recent years. They publish where the police set-up speed traps and alcohol check points. They make sure that the most evil and hanis crimes are broadcast nationwide. They report on how to make bombs or avoid taxes. Anything to sell a subscription or to get a viewer.

You have now stepped into the game yourselves. It’s shocking to me how many reporters and editors have no common sense as to what will hurt the public. As long as it sells, they’ll do it. Shame on you for this article.

Posted By John D, OP, Kansas : February 8, 2008 1:55 pm

I hope Apple sues your ass! Why not publish how to imbed a virus in people’s computers while you’re at it!

What a classy publication!

Posted By Joel, Centennial, CO : February 8, 2008 1:50 pm

This is an illegal act against a patented and contracted product. By promoting this article you should be up for cyber-terrorism as the rest of the hackers are. What kind of morals do you people have? You are no better than those idiots that chase Brittney Spears trying to get photos of her privates!!
We’ll just have to change your name to Mis-Fortune!

Posted By Dean Moering, Lompoc, Ca. : February 8, 2008 1:44 pm

Nice classy article Phil.

I’m sure your parents would be proud.

Posted By Nodack PHX. AZ : February 8, 2008 1:43 pm

What is the motivation for Fortune to publish such a story ?

I thought this was a finance related publication….not a hacker’s blog to promote illegal activity. I read the terms of agreement when i purchased/activated my iphone…and is very clear. No where in this story do you state that you are voiding all support and warranty from the device manufacturer (other than making a joke about bricking your phone).

You sir, are a joke….and now so is Fortune.

Posted By G Smith, NYC : February 8, 2008 1:32 pm

The iPhone is pleasure to use, visually stunning and more versatile than any phone brought to market by any other company. Cheers to Apple for it’s research and development. Why undermine the business structure Apple deemed necessary for its successful release of the iPhone, when they are the ones with the most innovative and productive R&D department of any computer company in the world. Let them make their profits and we will all gain from new and progressive devices. Shame on Fortune.

Posted By L Lantrip, Sacramento, CA : February 8, 2008 1:31 pm

Those upset over this article have all been suckered in by the propaganda from the mobile operators. I, for one, want the ability to use my cell phone where I want. Especially when I pay a premium for it. The 700 Mhz action will open up consumer’s choice. So what’s so wrong with this? Anyone unlocking the phone is going to take all risks along with the portability anyway.

Posted By SG, Allentown, PA : February 8, 2008 1:02 pm

Who cares. iPhone is all HYPE. Apple probably paid for this `ad`. Like the new airHead laptop…Another useless device the world doesn’t need. No built in CD/DVD and it’s flimsy. Teens will be lined up at the parts store for new parts when they bust them up in record numbers. LOL.

Posted By Frank. Canada : February 8, 2008 12:31 pm

Any info on how to hack into Fortune’s web site?

Posted By me too, over-there ny : February 8, 2008 12:31 pm

Gimme a break, Iphone stolen because, Damage to shareholders,dirty bombs.
You girls need to read some Darwin

Posted By Michael,Anaheim : February 8, 2008 12:26 pm

You are enabling and propagating fraudulent actions. Whether you agree with the business arrangements or methods of the vendors or not is immaterial. Contractually, purchasers are not allowed to do this and you are helping them do so by providing links (albeit, otherwise readily available ones). Perhaps you should also post links to some step by step instruction on how to disable your website and take over your servers and wreak havoc in other ways just because someone with the know-how has published a way to do so. I expect more from Fortune. Reporting on this is one thing, but positioning it as a public service, ‘normal’ or acceptable behavior is irresponsible.

Posted By MJ, Livermore CA : February 8, 2008 12:25 pm

I would assume there is information on the web as to how to build a nuclear weapon or a dirty bomb. Don’t see you publishing those links, so why would you publish this iphone unlock information? Another case of biased reporting.

Posted By mrmt. Newark, NJ : February 8, 2008 12:12 pm

This wasn’t worth reading.
Why is this on fortune.com??

Posted By Mark, Portland : February 8, 2008 12:12 pm

I agree. Thanks to information like this my iphone was recently stolen, unlocked, and reconnected by another service provider. So I am just flat out of luck!

Posted By Pissed, Memphis, TN : February 8, 2008 12:10 pm

You do no good for Apple, it’s shareholders, ATT, or your readers by passing this along…

Posted By Jim, Richmond, VA : February 8, 2008 11:50 am
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Philip Elmer-DeWittSilicon Valley veterans like to joke that Steve Jobs must be surrounded by a reality distortion field; if you get too close to him, you start to believe what he's saying. Thanks to the success of the iPod, the launch of the iPhone and the renewed interest in the Mac, Apple has made believers out of millions of customers - and made a lot of investors rich. But Philip Elmer-DeWitt believes that an ounce of skepticism never hurts when writing about the company. He should know. He's been covering Apple - and watching Steve Jobs operate - since 1982, first for Time Magazine, then for Business 2.0, and now for Fortune.
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