How to repair the 004999010640000 IMEI problem
Mac / Windows
I got my hands on a couple iPhones that were originally running 1.0.2 firmware and had been unlocked with a version of anySIM (prior to 1.1). The firmware was then upgraded to 1.1.1 for whatever reason, and shouldn't have been. What happened to them next? Well for starters they had the "lockdown" IMEI 004999010640000. What does that mean? It means the baseband was messed up and the iPhone no longer worked as a phone.
Restores, updates and repeated unlock attempts did nothing to solve the problem. They also displayed a pop up message saying: "Incorrect SIM. This iPhone must be used with an approved SIM." when the iPhone was first turned on.
The solution is a bit of a pain and will take you a good hour or two if you aren't proficient. You must use an outdated version of the Installer, iNdependence and iTunes. I only write about the OS X solution. Here is what must be done in brief:
- Remove your SIM.
- Downgrade firmware to 1.0.2
- Use iNdependence 1.2.5 to get iPhone out of recovery mode. Activate, jailbreak and install SSH.
- Install the Installer via SSH. Download a baseband downgrader and the baseband repair program.
- Install the Terminal via SSH. Execute the baseband downgrader and the repair program.
- Using the recent version of iTunes, DFU restore to 1.1.4 firmware.
- Use iLiberty+ or PwnageTool to jailbreak, activate and unlock again.
My iPhone modders' flowchart covers exactly how to do this. Read this portion, and read this portion.
I have to give all the thanks in the world to "Big Boss". It was because of his two guides and the scripts he wrote that heavily automated this process of cleaning up the baseband. It's really a very simple process once you can determine what needs to be done.
For additional information, this iPhone-formatted site has a lot of material not included here which could help you with alternate methods.
Keep in mind I offer a repair service if this seems too much for you. Just send me an email at:
