iPhone update re-locking handsets, disabling 3rd-party apps?

by Evan Blass posted Sep 27th 2007 at 2:46PM

So as the first iPhone owners update their phones to firmware 1.1.1, we're getting reports in that not only do third-party applications no longer work, but a post-update reactivation requires a genuine AT&T SIM. In other words, it looks like Apple may have just disabled thousands of unlocked phones around the world. Stay tuned for more as we test this ourselves...

Filed under: Handsets, Software, ATT, Apple

Tags: 1.1.1, apple, iphone, unlock, update

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Alex @ Sep 27th 2007 2:57PM

DAMN YOU APPLE, DAMN YOU TO HELL!

Highest Ranked

ryan @ Sep 27th 2007 3:12PM

Anybody with a hacked phone should know better than to update their phone before the developers test it.

Neutral

Tom @ Sep 27th 2007 3:27PM

MMS Yet?

Neutral

happy? @ Sep 27th 2007 3:44PM

No MMS yet.
and anyone with an unlocked should know that you will have to wait a couple of days for an updated unlocking software before updating your phone but either way you'll have to restore it and erase everything you have on it.

Neutral

mikef @ Sep 27th 2007 4:42PM

ass

Neutral

mr mike @ Sep 27th 2007 4:44PM

sorry ass went to wrong person/ thats my bad~~~~

Neutral

DigitalCactus @ Sep 27th 2007 3:45PM

I really think you guys need to just make a separate iPhone blogging site. Seriously. 2 iPhone news articles in a row? Don't get me wrong the iPhone is cool-looking and all but it doesnt even do MMS and runs off a slow data network thats mediocre at best.

Neutral

mikef @ Sep 27th 2007 4:39PM

shhhhhhhh digital what ever that last part of our name is...i didnt really take long to look at it.....you must have taken the time to read those last to articles and involved yourself in some what by writing you little paragraph about what the iphone deosnt have and oh god all other phone have.
just move on to the next engadget article....cool cool

Neutral

noob @ Sep 28th 2007 11:26AM

da iphone thing its getting old next

Neutral

xj @ Sep 27th 2007 5:39PM

yet another reason not to own an Iphone. Apple wants to squeeze it's grip on consumers so tight it's eventually going to hurt them.

Highly Ranked

Jdog @ Sep 27th 2007 5:48PM

I'll take, "Things I saw coming from a mile away" for $500, Alex!

Neutral

jiimayy @ Sep 27th 2007 6:03PM

does this include users who only activated their phone and used an old AT&T SIM via iAsign?

Neutral

Mark Herman @ Sep 27th 2007 8:19PM

Well, I'm an AT&T subscriber, and I used iUnlock just to test it. The update bricked my phone, got the incorrect sim error. I put my wife's iPhone sim in it, still incorrect sim. They are both AT&T sims on valid iPhone accounts. I forced the iPhone into recovery mode, still no fix. Another change in the firmware from the update is: instead of the yellow triangle for recovery mode. It now shows the iPod/iPhone plug with an arrow to the iTunes logo. The same as the iPod Touch.

Neutral

Andrew Wise @ Sep 27th 2007 10:01PM

@mark

I'm having the same problem; I was interested to see if the anysim program, etc would work, and after using a new Cingular sim card, I can't get anything to work.

Hopefully somebody has a resolution to this soon...

Neutral

tr755 @ Sep 27th 2007 11:03PM

Here's a little secret for anyone that tried to upgrade their unlock iPhone and is now getting the activation required/invalid SIM message.

First off, Apple changed the IMEI on your iPhone to a special one that identifies your phone was unlocked by third party software. If you take your phone to a Genius Bar or call Apple Support, they will ask for the IMEI number. If it's this special IMEI, they will stop and not help you any further.

HOWEVER...

There is an unconfirmed bug that the 1.1.1 update is causing the same IMEI activation message on AT&T GoPhone (prepaid) accounts. If you tell the person at the Genius Bar that this is a GoPhone account, they will replace your iPhone right then and there with no further questions. You must have an AT&T SIM card in the phone, but the Apple employees have no way of verifying whether or not it is a GoPhone account or not.

Highly Ranked

NuShrike @ Sep 27th 2007 11:34PM

Makes you wonder why people enjoy playing the "jump the hoop" game with Apple so much.

Kaiser.

Neutral

keithwwalker @ Sep 28th 2007 1:02AM

Man, I am SO glad that I didn't go for the iPhone and it's glossy interface, underneath you are just locked down by DA MAN = Steve Jobs = Evil = Phone Company

These are the guys who tracked down and murdered Dr. Johnny Fever...