Hack the iPhone

So you bought an iPhone and don't know what to do next.

(Mac / Windows)

It's my hope to make this page as complete a guide as I can for anyone who has an iPhone and doesn't know what they can do with it. There are several different firmwares out there and there are many different options available to you. You can upgrade or downgrade the firmware and the modem baseband. You can unlock, lock, and viriginze the baseband. You can also add third party programs, files, themes and ringtones. I'll try to cover everything possible and give you a consolidated link list to the tutorials I have created. I welcome reader input on this as I'm so close to this material that I may inadvertently take some knowledge for granted.

First, determine what firmware is on your iPhone. With the iPhone on, press the Home button, press Settings, press General, and then press About. Look at the line that says Version. You should also scroll down the menu and note the line that says Modem Firmware.

Firmware 1.1.4

This firmware was released on February 26, 2008 and contained only bug fixes. This firmware is unlockable.

	Downgrade path: Not recommended.
	Upgrade path: N/A
	Restore path: 1.1.4 firmware.
	Unlockable: Yes (bootloader 3.9 and 4.6).
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: The best method for doing this is by using iLiberty+ for Mac and Windows.
	Unmodified: If you have never modified your iPhone then simply use iLiberty+ for Mac or Windows.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to restore 1.1.4 firmware, then simply restore it and rehack. You don't need to unlock again.
	Warning: If you restore to 1.1.4 you will not be relocked, you would need to follow my tutorials and just jailbreak again, and your SIMs will work as they did before.

Firmware 1.1.3

This firmware was released on January 15, 2008 and added a few features. This firmware is unlockable. It's best to just restore to 1.1.4 and unlock on that firmware.

	Downgrade path: 1.1.1 firmware (recommended), 1.0.2 firmware (if needed).
	Upgrade path: 1.1.4 firmware.
	Restore path: 1.1.3 firmware.
	Unlockable: Yes (bootloader 3.9 and 4.6). For 3.9 bootloaders you are only updating the firmware therefore no change is made to the baseband so your previous unlock will remain intact. For those on 4.6 bootloaders use my OS X tutorial here, or the Windows tutorial here. list.
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: The best method for peforming this (3.9 bootloaders) is to follow my OS X and Windows tutorial here, If you have the 4.6 bootloader, then follow my OS X tutorial here, or my Windows tutorial here.
	Unmodified: If you have never hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before then you must downgrade to 1.1.1 firmware and jailbreak it to install OktoPrep. You can then update to 1.1.2, and then jailbreak it, and then soft upgrade to 1.1.3. The you can use third party programs, and SSH to customize your iPhone. AppSnapp Installer is the best method to access third party programs.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to restore 1.1.3 firmware: You would have to repeat the lengthy process of downgrading to 1.1.1 firmware and working your way back up to 1.1.3 firmware again. You can run the GeoUnlock program a second time in a row, it will work.
	Warning: If you restore to 1.1.3 you will not be relocked, you would need to follow my tutorials and just jailbreak again, and your SIMs will work as they did before.

Firmware 1.1.2

This firmware introduced a new bootloader (but only if the iPhone was purchased new, and came with 1.1.2 firmware). It was released November 9th, 2007. This firmware is fully unlockable on both the original bootloader (3.9) and the new bootloader (4.6).

	Downgrade path: 1.1.1 firmware (recommended), 1.0.2 firmware (if needed).
	Upgrade path: "Soft upgrade" to 1.1.3 is currently the best method. This will mix 1.1.3 firmware with 1.1.2 baseband.
	Restore path: 1.1.2 firmware.
	Unlockable: Yes (bootloader 3.9 and 4.6). Use anySIM 1.2.1u (add my repository (http://hackthatphone.com/1.xml) to your Installer sources list.
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: The best method for peforming this is to follow my OS X Step 1 tutorial here, or my Windows Step 1 tutorial here.
	Unmodified: If you have never hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before then you must downgrade to 1.1.1 firmware to install OktoPrep and unlock. You can then update to 1.1.2, and then jailbreak, activate, and use third party programs, and SSH to customize your iPhone. AppSnapp Installer is the best method to access third party programs. The best method for peforming this is to follow my OS X Step 1 tutorial here, or my Windows Step 1 tutorial here.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to restore 1.1.2 firmware: I don't have a recommendation for this situation. There is no tool I know of that undoes what anySIM 1.2.1u does. Until I face a situation where I need to repair someone's iPhone that is unlocked and on 1.1.2 I don't have an opinion.
	Warning: If you restore to 1.1.2 I would ASSUME you will not be relocked, you would need to follow my Step 1 tutorial and just jailbreak again, and your SIMs will work as they did before.

Firmware 1.1.1

This was the first significant update to the iPhone and included numerous features including: improved audio, iTunes Music Store, better Bluetooth audio support, video output (if the Apple branded cable is purchased), et cetera. It was released September 27, 2007.

	Downgrade path: 1.0.2 firmware (if needed).
	Upgrade path: Directly to 1.1.2.
	Restore path: 1.1.1 firmware.
	Unlockable: Yes. Use anySIM 1.1. Will be relocked when upgrading to 1.1.2. If you restore to 1.1.1 you will not have to unlock again, just activate to get into the iPhone.
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: The best method for doing all three of these things, and it doesn't even require a computer, just a Wi-Fi signal, is with the AppSnapp Installer. This is handled at the http://www.jailbreakme.com website on your iPhone only.
	Unmodified: If you have never hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before (or you have virginized to restore it to factory state) you have two choices: Stay on 1.1.1 firmware. You can jailbreak, activate, unlock and use third party programs, and SSH to customize your iPhone. AppSnapp Installer is the best method to access third party programs. I recommend reading this tutorial for this firmware here. Upgrade to newer firmware. I can't recommend this yet until methods have improved.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to restore 1.1.1 firmware there are two options: If you used anySIM prior to version 1.1, or used the hardware unlock method, or use iUnlocker (probably because you downgraded the firmware to 1.0.2), then you must first downgrade the 04 series baseband to 03 by reading this tutorial (Mac users), or by reading this tutorial (Windows users). Then you must virginize the baseband firmware before upgrading. Read this tutorial for how to do this. Note, there are virginizing scripts on Installer as well. If you used anySIM version 1.1 to unlock (and did not downgrade to 1.0.2 firmware) then you do not need to worry about virginizing your baseband prior to upgrading to 1.1.1
	Warning: If unlocked with anySIM prior to version 1.1, you will be relocked when restoring to 1.1.1 firmware. Make sure you downgrade and virginize the baseband if you used anySIM prior to version 1.1 or used a hardware unlock method or iUnlocker.

Firmware 1.0.2

This was another minor big fix update. It was released on August 21, 2007.

	Downgrade path: 1.0.1 firmware (not recommended), and 1.0 firmware (not recommended).
	Upgrade path: Directly to either 1.1.1 (recommended), or 1.1.2.
	Restore path: 1.0.2 firmware.
	Unlockable: Yes. Use anySIM 1.1. Will be relocked when upgrading to 1.1.1 or 1.1.2. If you restore to 1.0.2 you will not have to unlock again, just activate to get into the iPhone.
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: For Mac users, the program iNdependence will jailbreak, activate and install programs via SSH that you download on your own. iNdependence can be found here. The best method for adding programs is with the AppTapp program (not to be confused with the newer AppSnapp program) which can be found here. For Windows users, the PACAY program or the wiNstaller program will jailbreak and activate the iPhone. The best method for adding programs is with the AppTapp program (not to be confused with the newer AppSnapp program) which can be found here.
	Unmodified: If you have never hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before (or you have virginized to restore it to factory state) you have two choices: Stay on 1.0.2 firmware. You can jailbreak, activate, unlock and use third party programs, and SSH to customize your iPhone. AppTapp Installer is the best method to access third party programs. There is a Mac and Windows version available here. I recommend reading tutorials for this firmware starting at this page. Upgrade to newer firmware. After upgrading to 1.1.1 the next step is to visit the tutorial here to jailbreak, activate and unlock and use third party applications.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to upgrade to 1.1.1 firmware there are two options: If you used anySIM prior to version 1.1, or used the hardware unlock method, or use iUnlocker, then you must first virginize the baseband firmware before upgrading. Mac users read this tutorial for how to do this. Windows users read this tutorial for how to do this. Don't worry about the tutorial stating you must have 1.0.2 firmware on the iPhone. Note, there are virginizing scripts on Installer as well. If you used anySIM version 1.1 to unlock then you do not need to worry about virginizing your baseband prior to upgrading to 1.1.1
	Warning: If unlocked you will be relocked when updating to 1.1.1 firmware. Make sure you virginize the baseband if you used anySIM prior to version 1.1 or used a hardware unlock method or iUnlocker. If you blindly update an unlocked iPhone to 1.1.1 you may get a corrupted iPhone, and as a result have this IMEI 004999010640000 set. Read this guide to fix this IMEI problem.

Firmware 1.0.1

This was a minor big fix update. It was released on July 31, 2007.

	Downgrade path: 1.0 (not recommended). 1.0 firmware here.
	Upgrade path: Directly to either 1.0.2 (not recommended), 1.1.1 (recommended), or 1.1.2 (not recommended at this time).
	Restore path: 1.0.1 firmware.
	Unlockable: Yes. Use anySIM 1.1. Will be relocked when upgrading to 1.1.1 or 1.1.2. If you restore to 1.0.1 you will not have to unlock again, just activate to get into the iPhone.
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: For Mac users, the program iNdependence will jailbreak, activate and install programs via SSH that you download on your own. iNdependence can be found here. The best method for adding programs is with the AppTapp program (not to be confused with the newer AppSnapp program) which can be found here. For Windows users, the PACAY program or the wiNstaller program will jailbreak and activate the iPhone. The best method for adding programs is with the AppTapp program (not to be confused with the newer AppSnapp program) which can be found here.
	Unmodified: If you have never hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before (or you have virginized to restore it to factory state) you have two choices: Stay on 1.0.1 firmware. You can jailbreak, activate, unlock and use third party programs, and SSH to customize your iPhone. AppTapp Installer is the best method to access third party programs. There is a Mac and Windows version available here. I recommend reading tutorials for this firmware starting at this page. Upgrade to newer firmware. After upgrading to 1.1.1 the next step is to visit the tutorial here to jailbreak, activate and unlock and use third party applications.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to upgrade to 1.1.1 firmware there are two options: If you used anySIM prior to version 1.1, or used the hardware unlock method, or use iUnlocker, then you must first virginize the baseband firmware before upgrading. Read this tutorial for how to do this. Don't worry about the tutorial stating you must have 1.0.2 firmware on the iPhone. Note, there are virginizing scripts on Installer as well. If you used anySIM version 1.1 to unlock then you do not need to worry about virginizing your baseband prior to upgrading to 1.1.1
	Warning: If unlocked you will be relocked when updating to 1.1.1 firmware. Make sure you virginize the baseband if you used anySIM prior to version 1.1 or used a hardware unlock method or iUnlocker.

Firmware 1.0

This was the original firmware installed on iPhones when they first went on sale June 29th, 2007.

	Downgrade path: NONE.
	Upgrade path: Directly to either 1.0.1 (not recommended), 1.0.2 (not recommended), 1.1.1 (recommended), or 1.1.2 (not recommended at this time).
	Restore path: Original firmware here.
	Unlockable: Yes. Use anySIM 1.1. Will be relocked when upgrading to 1.1.1 or 1.1.2. If you restore to 1.0 you will not have to unlock again, just activate to get into the iPhone.
	Jailbreak/activation/3rd party applications: For Mac users, the program iNdependence will jailbreak, activate and install programs via SSH that you download on your own. iNdependence can be found here. The best method for adding programs is with the AppTapp program (not to be confused with the newer AppSnapp program) which can be found here. For Windows users, the PACAY program or the wiNstaller program will jailbreak and activate the iPhone. The best method for adding programs is with the AppTapp program (not to be confused with the newer AppSnapp program) which can be found here.
	Unmodified: If you have never hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before (or you have virginized to restore it to factory state) you have two choices: Stay on 1.0 firmware. You can jailbreak, activate, unlock and use third party programs, and SSH to customize your iPhone. AppTapp Installer is the best method to access third party programs. There is a Mac and Windows version available here. I recommend reading tutorials for this firmware starting at this page. Upgrade to newer firmware. After upgrading to 1.1.1 the next step is to visit the tutorial here to jailbreak, activate and unlock and use third party applications.
	Modified: If you have hacked/modified or unlocked the iPhone before and want to upgrade to 1.1.1 firmware there are two options: If you used anySIM prior to version 1.1, or used the hardware unlock method, or use iUnlocker, then you must first virginize the baseband firmware before upgrading. Read this tutorial for how to do this. Don't worry about the tutorial stating you must have 1.0.2 firmware on the iPhone. Note, there are virginizing scripts on Installer as well. If you used anySIM version 1.1 to unlock then you do not need to worry about virginizing your baseband prior to upgrading to 1.1.1
	Warning: If unlocked you will be relocked when updating to 1.1.1 firmware. Make sure you virginize the baseband if you used anySIM prior to version 1.1 or used a hardware unlock method or iUnlocker.