What the heck is “ECID SHSH”?

By RoryPiper on September 20th, 2009 29

Hey, RoryPiper here. This week, I thought I would take a minute to try and explain what the “ECID SHSH” is, and why it may be very important for future jailbreaking. Currently it only affects the iPhone 3GS, and the newest, 3rd gen iPod Touch, and will most likely affect every new version of the iPhone, and iPod Touch from here on.

So what exactly is it? Well “ECID” stands for Exclusive Chip ID. This is a unique chip identification that is different for every iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3g. When you restore your device, iTunes contacts the Apple servers, to generate signatures, just for your device. It is widely thought that this a new security feature, implemented to stop jailbreaking of future firmwares.

If you remember, just a few months ago, there were all kinds of blog posts going around the internet telling you to “…get your IBEC and IBSS now, before the next firmware, or you’ll never be able to jailbreak again!!”, or something like that. It sent all iPhone 3GS owners into panic mode, as we all quickly restored, and followed the tricky steps to grab the files we needed.

Saurik, a member of the iPhone Dev Team, and creator of Cydia, has built a server that will store your ECID SHSH, if you select this option in Cydia. The plan is to have Pwnage Tool contact Saurik’s server, while creating your new 3GS custom firmware, and imbed the ECID. Then, in theory, when you restore with your custom firmware, and iTunes contacts the Apple server, Apple will see a proper ECID, and generate the signatures.

If you updated Cydia, last week, just before the newest Pwnage Tool was released, you were given the option to store your ECID SHSH on Saurik’s server. If you did, your iPhone 3GS should look like this when you open Cydia:

IMG_0604

You’ll notice a message on the top saying “This Device has a 3.0 ECID SHSH on file”. If you did the update, but selected “NO”, there’s a trick to go through the process. On the main page of Cydia, at the bottom, there is a paragraph of text. Tap the word “developing” and you’ll be able to get your ECID SHSH saved.

If you tap on the “Upgrading to 3.1?” link, on an iPhone 3GS, you’ll get this important message:

IMG_0605

IMG_0606

IMG_0607

So, I hope that clears up some confusion. Again, this only affects iPhone 3GS and iPod Touch 3rd gen owners. At this point, there is no jailbreak for these devices on 3.1, and it is most likely due to this ECID issue. Bottom line: do not update your iPhone 3GS to an official firmware, or you may never be able to jailbreak again.

If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment below. I’ll do my best to answer them. You can also visit my blog “Green Candy“, for other iPhone related items, and you can follow me on Twitter: @rorypiper.

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  • Dusty

    I was able to grab my ECID when Geohotz said so a month back or so for 3.0FW iPhone 3GS
    Currently waiting in line with Cyida, need to try tomorrow.

    Some information on ECID @ the forums… http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/forums/showthread….

    Nice job RoryPiper on the blog post.

  • djelimon

    Iphone 3g not affected? Phew! Still I have taken this as a lesson to always keep an eye on what the dev team is doing because if I was 3gs I would have been caught with my pants down

  • rorypiper

    Thanks, Dusty. You can also find more info at the Dev Team's official blog. Look for the post titled “Future-proofing the 3GS jailbreak”.

  • 1His_Nibs1

    First of all: If saurik and all the others @ iphone dev team are working on a jailbreak for the iphone and apple's latest updates via itunes (when they're released) why can't the old software 3.0 be offered to those who might of accidentally went to itunes and had their phones hijacked & updated automatically? Can't the additions of code by apple be removed or reverted back to 3.0? Or couldn't the old files be offered from a “donor” file/phone/website/server to be re-installed on iphone 3gs owners phones who currently have 3.1? I ask because I've read the posts/blogs by saurik about how he feels that once the phone has been purchased owners should be free to do whatever they like to them and not be continually held hostage by apple. Also: How do I go about getting the info for future proofing my iphone 3gs and getting in the queue for the 3.1 ECID grab? My phone btw has the 3.1 update on it :( Thanks.

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca iphoneincanada

    My ECID is on Saurik's server. Hopefully the 3GS JB comes out soon! I've been patiently waiting too… ;)

  • Kally

    This morning I finally got the message that my ECID file is stored now my question is that it says my 3.1 ECID but my iphone is on the 3.01 version – why does it say 3.1 when I'm not on that version yet.

    Thanks

  • Dusty

    I got my message this morning too about my device has a 3.1 ECID SHSH on file.

    The reason it says 3.1 is because Saurik was grabbing 3.1 ECID this time, I take it u missed out on the time when he was grabbing 3.0 ECID? I dunno what this means now about being on a different FW then 3.1….

    I don't check Cydia always, prob not for a week almost and thats why I missed the time when he was grabbing 3.0 ECID SHSH :(

    Until a JB comes out for 3.1, im happy to stay at 3.0 :)

  • Dusty

    RoryPiper explains it above.
    Load Cydia (iPhone needs to be jailbroken) and the home screen will show what is posted above in the pictures. Click yes or w/e and then the top of your iPhone will say queue if busy or your file is saved.

  • 1His_Nibs1

    So basically you can't jailbreak your 3.1 version until that jailbreak has been released by the dev team which also means you can't download Cydia and do the 3.1 ECID grab on saurik's server? Right?

  • rorypiper

    Correct. You're kinda stuck, for now.

  • 1His_Nibs1

    Thanks rorypiper. Not exactly the news I wanted to hear but what ya gonna do? I do have a question though regarding Cydia and the ability to download free apps. Where does one find the info on google for Cydia? Would anyone be kind enough to provide a link? What about Installuos? Is that bundled into Cydia? Is it available at appSafari? I take it there is a complete bundle that one must download that includes Cydia, installer app, etcetera. Thanks for your replies.

  • rorypiper

    Well, Cydia was created by Saurik, so you can check Saurik.com. Cydia is included, when you jailbreak, so don't have to worry about downloading it after. As for “free” apps, anything from Hackulous, is not included. You have to add the source, and download the apps yourself. Check out my blog, grncndy.com, for my info.

  • zeeshanjs

    I have “this device has a 3.1 ECID SHSH on file” on my Cydia now, and I am on firmware 3.0 on my iphone 3GS, I also directed my itunes server to saurik's server. My question is if any thing happens wrong with my iphone now, will I be able to restore my iphone 3GS back to 3.0 safely and jailbreak and unlock it again? thanks

  • I9charm

    Hey mine says ” this device has saved 3.1 ECID SHSH saved”
    why is it 3.1 not the 3.0? I am on 3.0.1 now. I need to get my iPhone exchanged and it will probably on 3.1 then can I get back to 3.0?

  • oneuptick

    I have a iPhone 3GS came with OS 3.0.1 installed and I have NOT jailbroken it. Can anyone offer some steps or helpful insights on jailbreaking?

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  • Tom

    i bought my 3Gs with 3.1 already on it. i tried to jailbreak it with several different programs, but i later learned i have the new bootrom. ih8sn0w's f0recast told me i could jailbreak it if i have the SHSH. i don't have it now, so it there a way i could get it? is there any hope of me jailbreaking?

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  • adrianamkh

    I bought an iPhone in 12/2009, which came factory installed with 3.1 (7c144) 5.11.07. I was able to jailbreak it a week ago with Blackra1n. Now it will not discover/connect to any wifi account. All of this scares me. Do you have any suggestions for me to 1.) protect my ability to maintain my jailbreak and unlock, and 2.) to address my wifi problem? Thanks so much. -adriana

  • adrianamkh

    I have another iPhone, 3.1.2 (7D11) Model MB716LL Firmware 05.11.07. Last night I plugged in to iTunes, canceled the upgrade to 3.1.3, right clicked on my device and selected back up. Today when in Cydia, I noticed it reads “This device has SHSHs on file for iPhone OS: 3.1.3. Why is that when my device is 3.1.2? Thanks again.
    -adriana

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  • Zeke2d

    At times like these, I'm glad I own a 2nd Gen iPod Touch so I don't have to worry about unlocks and stuff

  • Zeke2d

    At times like these, I'm glad I own a 2nd Gen iPod Touch so I don't have to worry about unlocks and stuff

  • Tony

    Is that possible to activate 3GS 3.1.3 (7E18) baseband 05.12.01 without valid SIM card?

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  • Jefnavia

    I want to updgrade to 4.0 but apple won’t allow me. my iPod is 3rd gen, MC, running 3.1.2.. the latest ios is 4.0.2 but it has no jailbreak, how to upgrade to 4.0?

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