Owners of unlocked iPhones hosed by software update

Tom Krazit | Sep 28, 2007

Well, you can't say they didn't warn you.

Apple released an update for the iPhone on Thursday that brings the Wi-Fi Music Store to the device, as well as several security fixes and enhanced features. But, as expected, it also turns iPhones that were unlocked to run on cellular networks other than AT&T's into little more than emergency call boxes.

Macworld reported two iPhones in its office with SIM (subscriber identity module) hacks did not work after the update was installed. A message prompted the phone's owner to install "an unlocked and valid SIM card" before the phone could be completely activated. It's almost like the phone was in the same pre-activation limbo stage that frustrated many iPhone users waiting for activation the first weekend the device went on sale.

Gizmodo is reporting that both the original SIM cards as well as new SIM cards from AT&T won't work in iPhones that had been activated with the original SIM card, then unlocked from the network. That could present a huge problem for iPhone owners who thought they could get around the reactivation process by getting a new AT&T SIM card.

Other reports are trickling in of similar experiences. It appears that those who downloaded the "jailbreaking" software application that lets you install third-party software aren't running into the same problems if they are still using AT&T's network. However, they are reporting that their third-party applications have vanished upon reactivation.

Did you hack your iPhone, and have you had similar problems after installing the latest update? Let us know.

This post originally appeared on CNET News.com.

Filed under: Mobile Phones
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missy11

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missy11 says...
i've had the same problem after i installed the update. I didn't know that it could damage an unlocked phone because the update just came out, very few articles have been written about the update and what it does to an unlocked phone, and I JUST DIDN'T KNOW.

I never thought Apple would be capable of creating updates such at these that could potentially break their reputation. They are seriously going to piss off thousands of iPhone users around the globe and I can really say they are going to lose a big chunk of their market because of this.

My iPhone is now virtually useless and the worst part is I don't even have my at&t sim card. I now have to wait until the hackers find a way around this. I really hope they do.

Sep 29, 2007 02:48

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mman74

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mman74 says...
Apple didn't 'hose' anyone. The people running around with unlocked iPhones are the ones who 'hosed' Apple.
The deal was clear when they offered the phones. Buy the phone, and use AT&T who would give Apple a kickback. Those were the terms.
Fine you found someone to hack your machine. But for Pete's sake, don't go and upgrade it, like it's the same device still. I mean those people who chip their PS2s and Xboxes, or hack their PSPs to play 'backups', have the good sense not to update their machines, nor do they go crying to Sony or MS when the device invariably breaks-down. I mean it's not even like the hacking technology on the iPhone is stable like it is on those other machines.

Oct 08, 2007 15:51

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