Caution: iPad Baseband iPhone Unlock Disables GPS

A while back the iPhone Dev Team released the latest unlock for the iPhone 3G/3gs. This unlock had a unique workaround–use PwnageTool/redsn0w to inject the iPad’s baseband (which was unlockable) into the iPhone 3G/3GS. Then, use ultrasn0w via Cydia to do the rest.

Caution: iPad Baseband Causes GPS to Fail

Recent usage of this unlock has caused the GPS to fail. Therefore, only attempt this if you absolutely need to have your iPhone 3G/3GS unlocked. Remember, once you update to 06.15.00, you will be unable to downgrade your baseband.

Here’s the update posted on the Dev Team’s blog:

Update #5:  Unlockers have been reporting mixed results about GPS functionality at 06.15.00.  Until we can track down what differentiates those who retain GPS vs. those who lose it, be conservative and assume you’ll lose GPS at 06.15.00.  As we work on finding the cause (and possibly a fix), please report your personal findings in our comments section.  (Update: early indications are that while 06.15.00 is capable of GPS, it will require some further hacks.  But please still be conservative and assume you will lose GPS at 06.15, in case the hacks don’t work).

Here are a couple other updates regarding the iPhone 3G/3GS unlock:

Update #6:  Developer @sbingner (author of TetherMe) has made some excellent progress devising a new hactivation method that kills two birds with one stone for all you ultrasn0w unlockers.  His tool, “Subscriber Artificial Module (SAM)” tricks your iPhone and iTunes into creating legitimate activation tickets even though you’re unlocked with ultrasn0w.  This means you get the full benefit of push applications, and your battery life increases substantially.  If you’d like to try it out, check out http://www.bingner.com/SAM.html

To help make it easier to try out @sbingner’s tool, we’ve updated redsn0w to include a new “Deactivate” option for the 3G and 3GS.  Use this option *after* you’ve installed SAM…it will remove the normal patches made to lockdownd and let SAM take over.  (sbingner plans on making a button to do this within SAMPrefs too).  Great work, @sbingner!

The new redsn0w with the “Deactivate” option is at:

As always, use caution and due diligence when attempting any of these unlocks.

[iPhone Dev Team]

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