AT&T's been feeding us a story that it'll offer
MMS on the iPhone only "once [it completes] some system upgrades that will ensure our customers have the best experience," but here's the thing: it seems that it works right now -- if you've got a build of OS 3.0 that'll let it. None of us have been able to get it going ourselves, but we've been sent screenshots from a tipster that seem to indicate that both MMS and tethering are in full effect on the network, so there doesn't seem to be a network restriction involved (we can't verify whether the build we see here was tweaked, so we're thinking there might be some hackery in play). The strategy for ultimately deploying the features to AT&T customers is unclear, but seeing how some folks in Europe running the exact same gold build of 3.0 have access to MMS and those of us stateside do not, it's got to be a software switch that can be triggered remotely. Some form of SMS provisioning, perhaps? Let us know what you've seen out in the field in comments.
[Thanks, Arnoldo]
Update: Turns out the secret to enabling MMS and tethering lies buried in the carrier settings file, which happens to be
the same black magic employed to roll out 3G MicroCell support a while back. Customer devices are at AT&T 4.0, but there's an AT&T 5.0 profile floating around the interwebs that turns the features on -- it's just a matter of finding it, installing it, and making sure that your account is provisioned for multimedia messaging. Thanks, everyone!
posted Jun 12th 2009 at 4:40PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Donders @ Jun 12th 2009 4:47PM
Well this could be very interesting. I am surprised it doesn't allow for an Ad-Hoc connection like my Android device does.
John @ Jul 20th 2009 1:04PM
Eh, isn't bluetooth faster than wifi? USB certainly is.
strictlymacin @ Jun 13th 2009 5:00PM
If you downloaded NetShare before they pulled it from the store it does support ad hoc connections. been tethering for a while now.
Rob @ Jun 12th 2009 5:14PM
MMS and tethering are switched on by an updated carrier file which will need to be provided by AT&T VIA ITunes. Some updated carrier files are floating around iPhone Forums that will enable the MMS and tethering functions.
AT&T needs to perform some type of function on the iPhone account to allow the MMS messages to go through. Back in March when 3.0 was intriduced, AT&T reps were nieve about this and fixed some accounts. My phone is also working with MMS, I have not tried tethering.
bill @ Jun 12th 2009 4:50PM
Its all about the carrier settings file. There have been many reports saying that if you upload the modded .ipcc file to the iPhone that MMS and tethering will work right now.
sean michaels @ Jun 12th 2009 5:06PM
This is my 1st howto hope it work for you
i'm using 3.0GM on a 3G test.You will need these 3 files
itune 8.20.13 below
http://www.rapidshare.com/files/2300...pwindows64.zip
itune 8.20.10 below
http://www.sendspace.com/file/wsxnps This is iTunes 8.2 for Windows
ATT_US.ipcc below
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=J84S5YPV link fix
1.install itune 8.20.13 reboot pc
2. run itune shift + restore find OS 3.0 GM Build: 7A341
sit back or go get a beer. when its done sync the iphone
3.Uninstalled itune 8.20.13 reboot pc.
4.install itune 8.20.10 reboot pc.
5. run itune shift+update find ATT_US.ipcc click ok.
reboot iphone
itunes 8.20.10 is a prerelease and can also be found via torrents. make sure you find the right one (mac, x86, x64) The reason you need that particular version is that the newer one doesn't allow the "shift-click" menu to change from .ipsw to .ipcc
MeCCaNiKaL @ Jun 12th 2009 5:11PM
yes, updating your att carrier settings to 5.0 is what makes all the difference. Your tethering will work when you enable it in settings with either bluetooth or USB (usb is faster) and will automatically connect when you plug in the iPhone.
The mms, however, will not work until you either call AT&T and tell them you're a dev to please remove the mms-opt out feature code or go to a store directly. Over the phone may be easier but I've read reports of reps getting a notice to NOT allow this per Apples request until the firmware is officially dropped.
I use the mediamax unlimited plan ($10 because I also have family text) and my mms and tethering both work
Dylan @ Jun 12th 2009 5:29PM
Is 8.2.13 the latest version? I can't find torrents for that but I can find them for 8.2.10.
youngcalihottie @ Jun 12th 2009 7:53PM
if there actually is a mms block SOC then yes it will need to be removed as you've stated. but im thinking the regular mms SOC just is not provisioned for iphones. you kind of figured a workaround since u have a family messaging plan. because MMS is provisioned as part of that package at the group level. that automatically pushes it down to all subs. so if someone has a hard time getting a rep to add mms to their iphone, a workaround could possibly be to subscribe to the family messaging plan.
FrenchJo @ Jun 13th 2009 5:30PM
The link for 8.20.10 actually downloads 8.20.13 as well... looked on torrents and google for hours can't locate 8.20.10 64 bits.... any help welcome
MeCCaNiKaL @ Jun 13th 2009 6:58PM
x64 version of itunes 8.2.10 (the pre-release)
Good luck getting an invite
http://www.demonoid.com/files/details/1899218/38793640/
John Chapman @ Jun 12th 2009 5:06PM
On the Carrier listed on one of the screenshots it says At&t 5.0, my phone says At&t 4.0. Is that the difference?
david @ Jun 12th 2009 5:09PM
From the pics it looks like the Carrier is "AT&T 5.0".
Mine says "AT&T 4.0" and doesn't work.
tinyj316 @ Jun 12th 2009 5:44PM
Because I know this thread is probably going to turn into a shitstorm about how MMS should be available, and how they're going to rape everyone on tethering costs, etc, I'm going to do my best to diffuse as much of it as possible...
1) Upgrade costs - A lot of people are still bitching about not getting a discount for upgrading from 3G to 3GS.. The reason why iPhone 1.0 users got a price break switching to the 3G is because iPhone 1.0 was not subsidized (you paid full retail price and still signed a contract). Now that the 3G users want to upgrade to a 3GS, they're all up in arms about not getting a similar deal. Why should you? You didn't pay full retail price for the 3G and sign a 2 year, you got a subsidized price and a 2 year... The same thing goes if you bought any other phone on contract at a subsidized rate... At&t/Apple don't owe you shit. If you feel you're entitled to a discounted rate, go talk to a brick wall, because its not happening as far as I can tell. Besides, is video capture, voice dial, a lousy compass, and a moderate spec boost to the camera and processor worth it? Not in my opinion, but to each their own...
2) MMS availability - This one falls on both At&t and Apple. On iPhone 1.0 and 2.0, MMS was not allowed. Because of this fact, Apple made At&t provision all lines to block MMS... Now that the feature is being supported with 3.0, At&t has to play catch-up. This is the part where At&t dropped the ball.. They knew this was coming, and yes, they should have made sure it was all set up well in advance. The thing is, Apple is very protective about their product releases... All anyone (save for Apple designers and At&t bigwigs) knows about any iPhone release is what we hear through the rumor mill. Remember, when you're bitching and moaning to customer service, they know barely more than you do about Apple product releases. We haven't had tethering for the past 2 years, what's another couple weeks? *shrug*
3)Tethering - As for the supposed $70 price tag, I don't think that's going to fly... I would assume that for data + tethering it would be $60/month... just like every other smartphone...I could be wrong, as the iPhone does suck down data more than any other phone on the market, but this will end up being softcapped at 5GB, just like every other carrier. This is the biggest question mark in my book... Time will tell. Again, we haven't had tethering for the past 2 years, what's another couple weeks? *shrug*
4) Exclusivity - Apple will not, I REPEAT, will NOT be offering a CDMA version of the iPhone. Why would they? Sure, Verizon's network has more subscribers, but they use antiquated technology in their EVDO data that is capped at 1.8mbps... It would get bogged down worse that big blue's network... Also, no other country uses CDMA... it just wouldn't make any sense for them to make a separate US model... If anything, they'll wait til everyone has a well established LTE network, then jump ship... That means 2012 at the earliest...If you have an iPhone and want to keep it, and don't like how At&t is handling things, unlock/jailbreak and go someplace else...good luck to you...you'll be back... Otherwise, enjoy Verizon... you'll be dealing with a truckload of headaches once they start rolling out LTE (which is going to require a MAJOR network overhaul)
All the tech junkies seem to think they know EVERYTHING about this whole situation... The fact of the matter is, 90% of these iPhone posts is fanboy pipe dreams/frustration 10% is people trying to squelch the fanaticism and explain the situation to those who truly don't understand what's going on.
Bloobie @ Jun 13th 2009 1:57AM
While I agree with your points #1, 3, and 4, I have to disagree with you on #2 regarding MMS. AT&T, and the rest of the world, knew 3 months ago that MMS was coming in iPhone 3.0. Telling your loyal customers, most of which were the first in the world to even have the iPhone, that they're going to have to wait until "late summer" to be able to do something other iPhone users around the world will be able to do as of next Wednesday is completely unacceptable. Is AT&T that incompetent and inferior compared to the other 22 carriers around the globe that will be able to support MMS next Wednesday? It doesn't take a genius to see the suppressed disgust in Scott Forstall's face during WWDC when he had to add to his speech that AT&T will be ready by late summer. AT&T's complete absence from WWDC was yet another clue.
Sahil @ Jun 13th 2009 10:35PM
You seem to talk like you know everything
Dave @ Jun 12th 2009 6:11PM
I went in to an AT&T store today and the store manager explained the MMS ordeal to me that they "checked a box on everyone's account to block MMS since it wasn't available to the iPhone and now that it will be available they are having to go in and manually uncheck all those boxes."
Not sure how much water that story holds, but I figured I'd share.
Justin @ Jun 14th 2009 10:01AM
There is not a chance that this is the case. There is no way that a corporation like AT&T has a system that runs their entire cellular network and they have go into every single account and click a checkbox. No matter how old and antiquated your system might be, it can do batch updates.
TheBasslineFiend @ Jun 12th 2009 6:13PM
I can send in the exact same screenshots if you like. But MMS will only work for me if I SIM swap to another, officially MMS capable phone, then back to my iPhone running 3.0, then it'll stop working after a few hrs. Tethering is 100% of the time though.
SaNcTuS @ Jun 12th 2009 6:16PM
Hmm, I just had a look at my dad's phone and I noticed the MMS icon is no longer there. He has the gold version of 3.0 and tethering and MMS doesn't work. I remember when I first installed the 3.0 beta 3 or 4, the MMS icon was there at the SMS screens(as well as a subject line) but now it's not. Is that normal for everyone in the States or just me? :O
Yes, I do know MMS won't work anyway but I just figured it was weird that the icon wasn't even there.
thebasa @ Jun 12th 2009 6:24PM
censorship blows, and so does AT&T.
what?? @ Jun 15th 2009 6:39AM
all that , just to do MMS... crap
DeeKay @ Jun 12th 2009 6:52PM
I'm running the exact same version of the GM, and are succesfully using both MMS and Tethering... Because i'm not using the Danish iPhone Carrier, I have to tell iPhone the settings manually, but I can live with that... No problem at all... Just got the danish settings from a site with the files (and because the newest iTunes doesn't allow carrier setting - voila - just mail the damn thing to the phone ;-)
Must say - two pretty common features, but my god they are beautifully done here on the iPhone 3.0 (That by the way also loads Engadget.com hell of a lot faster)....
Brian @ Jun 12th 2009 9:03PM
on my iphone 3G tethering has always worked with gizmodo's work-around and MMS is still down for me. I can take the picture and attach it to a text but i get an error when i send it. I dont want to call ATT to argue with the rep for him or her to take it the mms block off. I will just wait it out and see if mine gets activated before the summer. i dont use MMS really at all. I do find myself using tethering when im at a friends house and i cant connect to their wifi because they dont know its password. I dont plan on paying for it no matter what price, i will only use it in emergencies and ATT probably wont charge me once the official plan is hammered out.
vindicated @ Jun 12th 2009 9:22PM
My iPhone 3G (with the 3.0GM installed) and carrier update from 9to5mac has brought me to AT&T 4.9.
Tethering worked but there was no option for MMS until I went into the network settings and manually added the MMS information for AT&T.
Now the 'ability' to send MMS is there but I get errors each time.
versionII @ Jun 12th 2009 10:52PM
Tethering works, MMS doesn't cannot find the ON switch for it?
There is some MMS info under "cellular data" but I don't know it, also I don't have the camera icon like the first picture.
Anyone know what "visual voicemail" is? Is this for the 3GS phones?
kentawilson @ Jun 13th 2009 1:48PM
The camera icon you see is for MMS. To either take a photo or choose one from your phone. Visual Voicemail was on the first iphone I believe. Instead of listening to how many every voicemails you have in a row, it lets you pick and choose which in any order how you want to listen to them.
Anybody have the settings to make it work, In beta 3 it was just a on switch that I turned on and it was working. Now I have all these settings and don't have anything to put there.
Doug @ Jun 13th 2009 12:23AM
I think tethering should be free, but capped at 5GB. Although, I also think we should be able to raise our limit by paying more. It's absolutely unacceptable that nobody can use more than a measly 5GB a month, no matter how much cash they have.
Knowing Apple, they'll force AT&T to do this so they can advertise effortless tethering. :D
Dallas P @ Jun 13th 2009 1:26AM
Make sure when you DL the 3.0 upgrade you get the right model 1,1 is original iphone 1,2 is 3g.
Antman @ Jun 13th 2009 5:36AM
my computer isn't 64 bit only 32. Is there a 32 bit version of itunes 8.20.13??
mrencinas @ Jun 13th 2009 3:56PM
Also looking for this and 32 bit 8.20.10
ECJ @ Jun 13th 2009 4:42PM
Ok, I've got MMS working without calling ATT and without switching SIM cards with a non-iphone device. I've also done this on two iphones, and it works on both. Here are the steps that I took.
Next Step if MMS still isn’t working
1. On your iPhone go to Settings>General>Network>Cellular Data Network and use these settings for MMS
APN: wap.cingular
Username: [email]wap@cingulargprs.com[/email]
Password: CINGULAR1
MMSC: mmsc.cingular.com
MMS Proxy: 66.209.11.32
MMS Max Message Size: [leave blank]
MMS UA Prof URL: [leave blank]
2. Try sending a MMS, it should fail. Once it fails reboot your phone.
3. Now go into Settings>General>Network>Cellular Data Network and the username and password that you just entered before the reboot, should be blank. Leave them blank.
4. RE-APPLY the same ATT_US.ipcc file to your phone.
5. You should be ready to go.
Notes: I tried this on my two iPhones, and this worked to get MMS on both working. Here are the details.
Details: We have two iPhone 3G on a family plan, with the $30 per month feature “Messaging Unlimited for Families“. I made NO calls to ATT to get them to switch anything. I didn’t swap my SIM card into any other phone. I did this same process on both phones, and it worked on both. Your milage may vary. Good luck.
I was tired of looking everywhere for links and such, so I complied all the links and instructions for Mac and Windows for the 3.0 Firmware updating, and MMS/Tethering enabling on on my site [URL="http://cli.gs/ZGvbWe"]here[/URL].
ECJ @ Jun 13th 2009 4:44PM
Here is the correct username for the MMS setting.
Username: wap@cingulargprs.com
Jared @ Jun 18th 2009 9:31AM
Thanks for all the tips!
So far, I've been able to enable and use tethering flawlessly. Quite an easy process really.
But the MMS is still not working. After updating the carrier setting to 5.0, there wasn't even an option to turn MMS on/off, but after entering the username/password info as recommended by EJC and rebooting, MMS is now an option, but still error's out when sending.
I'm pretty confident that this is a setting that is disabled on ATT's end, and when they're ready, they'll turn it on. Wonder if they'll send out a new carrier setting to allow for this? I don't want to lose my free tethering!
Cheers!
Zach @ Jun 18th 2009 12:50PM
after i reboot the info is still there. I reboot by pressing the hoe and sleep button at the same time right?
please help?
Bro @ Jun 14th 2009 4:52AM
Was able to get tethering to work but not MMS. MMS messages look like they want to send but hang for about 2 minutes and then just quit trying. Tethering was pretty painless. What is interesting though... once I turned off the 3g while tethering... it went to EDGE and continued tethering. Obviously it wasn't as fast as 3G was, but it was surprisingly tolerable. (wifi was off so I know it wasn't that).
Laptop blue-screened when disabling tethering on the phone before disconnecting! If I disconnect the USB cable first before disabling tethering then that hasn't happened so far.
Also had tethering working, turned it to off (as well as 3G to save battery). Came back later and the tethering option was not even there. It came back after reloading the ipcc file. So now I've enabled tethering and just left it on. It starts tethering every time I plug in the USB cable and stops as soon as I unplug the cable. Hope that tethering option mysteriously disappearing doesn't become a trend. Wonder if leaving tethering enabled when not using it would affect battery life at all?
Thing @ Jun 14th 2009 7:29AM
Just how nuts is the American phone market? MMS has been standard on all phones in Europe, on all networks for as long as I can remember (for as long as phones have had cameras anyway).
If the TV networks were telling you NOW that they 'might' be thinking about introducing digital TV sometime in the future, but only for one model of TV - they'ed all have their asses handed to them. Ditto, if the telcos were telling you that mayby in a couple of years you might get unmetered broadband internet.
The lag between TV or internet technology (where the US is right up there) and cellphone technology (where you are looking distinctly 2nd world) is just embarresing. With the iPhone and the Pre nobody could deny that the US is a world leader in handset technology (Moto excepted) but in terms of networks and services?
For your own good you guys need to give AT&T, Verizon et al a sharp kick in the balls... and soon.
Antman @ Jun 15th 2009 10:48AM
I'm lost I only remember apple putting out one version of the itunes beta 4 and that was version 8.20.10 which is now the latest version that everybody is using I can't find the 8.20.13 version in a 32 bit to use with my computer. If I go back to 2.2.1 and use a earlier version of itunes can I upload the file then????
amayers13@gmail.com @ Jun 15th 2009 1:11PM
Anyone get this to work on a first gen phone? I applied the carrier patch but nothing has changed.
AshDizzle @ Jun 20th 2009 10:43PM
Every other phone in the US does MMS. If you recall, MMS was unavailable on the iPhone across the world until now. AT&T just happens to be behind, so the "American phone market" is nuts?
Nick @ Jun 28th 2009 4:25AM
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/06/17/enable-tethering-in-iphone-30/
They have the iPhone carrier update that you need
Nick @ Jun 28th 2009 4:28AM
help.benm.at has the carrier settings for almost all the carriers
Jim @ Jul 18th 2009 2:46AM
Does anyone know whether tethering only works on those computers with ITunes installed or can you use it on any computer you plug your phone into? I have two computers, and it only seems to work on the one with my 8.20.10 itunes and AT&T IPCC file. Also, my MMS was working and then, out of nowhere, it failed today. I did not update to 3.1 firmware or change any settings. I have no idea why it doesn't work. I am even on the MMS plan as I got someone at AT&T to switch me over. What am I doing wrong?
chase @ Jul 28th 2009 5:35AM
IS ANYBODY GOING TO FIND THE iTunes 8.20.10 32 bit!!!????
silver @ Aug 2nd 2009 5:06AM
epic fail to most of you. AT&T is blaming Apple, Apple is blaming AT&T and all us iPhone users blame them both. The reality is, AT&T is concerned that a sudden increase in data (tethering/mms) will send their network into a free-fall. Lets remember that its not just "us" iPhone users on AT&T's network. Ever wonder why AT&T hasnt offered these yet? GOOGLE IT...AT&T has more iphone users than any other carrier and iphone users eat up 400 mb a month compared to the average 40-80 mb for other smartphones. AT&T's contract with Apple will be up in 2010 and with Apple still not saying that they have agreed to extend it till 2011 we might see the iphone go multi-carrier. And just as a side note to you guys yelling and screaming about Verizon being better, you need to kick them right in the bum. Apple offered the iphone to them first and they declined...lmfao!!!!