Anonymous Programmers Reveal iPhone Unlocking Software

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

Anonymous Programmers Reveal iPhone Unlocking Software

7:00 am on September 2, 2007 | Category: Mobile Devices, Wireless, Cell Phones, Law, Software

An anonymous group of software developers say they will soon begin selling a program to totally unlock the Apple iPhone, allowing it to function on GSM-based wireless networks around the world.

The iPhone device, released to American customers in late June, was engineered to work only on AT&T’s wireless network for the first two years, due to an exclusive agreement between Apple and AT&T.

Los Angeles-based software consultant, Brett Schulte, who is not affiliated with the developers, demonstrated the new unlocking

“It’s completely software hacked,” Schulte explained. “There’s no case opening required. It’s not required to do any kind of disassembly.”

The iPhone hack was created by a core group of six programmers from three continents, who worked to unlock the phone as a hobby. Two of the programmers, who identified themselves only as “John” and “Liu” told CNN over the phone that they would begin selling the software as soon as they had set up their online payment and customer service systems and confirmed some additional details with their lawyers.

AT&T spokesman, Mark Siegel, said that could not speculate on the legality of hacking the iPhone, but hastened to remind users that by purchasing the device, they become contractually obliged to AT&T.

“When people buy the iPhone it’s clear from our materials it’s designed to operate exclusively on AT&T,” Siegel said. “When you sign up, you’re signing a two-year contract. You’re obligated to pay the bill.”

7 Comments »

RSS feed for comments on this post.

It is sad that Apple released such a good product with such a limited distribution channel (at&t/cingular).

You can expect that if you buy this phone, with a 2 year contract, that at&t WILL play hardball and enforce the contract.

In my opinion it is one thing if you are getting a discount on a phone, ok then perhaps the carrier needs to lock the phone. I don’t see that the I-phone is being sold at any discount,
so the carrier lock is just there to force you to use their network.

Based on at&t poor customer service, and poor quality of service, I will never use their network again.

Listen up Apple…..you have made a great advance in this product. You made a stupid choice to team up with one single carrier. Give your customers options and you will sell millions of units.

I for one will not hack a phone to get away from at&t…..assuming they dont enforce the contract
terms on you!

waiting for the Iphone 2 (without at&t)….or the next generation products from Motorola or Nokia that will build on what the Iphone has started.

Comment by Rick — September 2, 2007 #
The iPhone can be purchased from an Apple Store retail location without any obligation or service contract with AT&T. I’m sure Mark Siegel would like you to forget this fact.

Keep in mind, though, some of the iPhone’s features, most specifically its Push Voicemail system, will not work on any carrier but AT&T.

Comment by Allen — September 2, 2007 #
if you do your research, the iphone was only CONTRACTED through at&t to start with, NOT designed for service only through at&t. after that contract runs out, it will be up for grabs from other service providers. not to mention that at&t’s customer service is lacking as far as not taking responsibility for the services they are supposed to provide!! for example, it is the phone company’s responsibility to assist customers with setting up voice mail…but what has at&t been doing? referring people to call apple, who only makes the phone and supports the music/video features on the phone, the phone hardware, and setting up itunes. that’s it. nothing dealing with activating the service, setting up voice mail, or anything to do with the contact information, etc. but what has at&t been doing? referring people to apple for issues dealing with their service.

Comment by crystal — September 2, 2007 #
The phones can be purchased from Apple with no service contract, and refurbished 8GB versions can be purchased for $400.

The unlocking program would be sold to the owner of the phone, and the OWNER would be the actual unlocker of their own property.

It’s a gray area, but would not violate the DMA, as they would not be gaining profit from the actual act of unlocking the phone, but the providing of the key necessary to perform the function. I could be wrong, but I beleive the DMA specifies one cannot unlock a handset for financial gain, but is QUITE SPECIFIC in those terms, meaning if they PHYSICALLY had a phone, unlocked it, and sold it, they would be in violation.

Providing the unlock for someone elses phone for profit…..like I said, GRAY AREA.

AT&T has NO case AT ALL.

That having been said, the Visual voicemail function would not work and the owner would pay about $30 for the added unlimited data plan with, less say, T-Mobile, thus adding that to thier plan charges, but aside from that and You Tube, it all morks just fine….

Comment by Harleigh Quinn — September 2, 2007 #
While I love the idea of the iphone being unlocked (as I live abroad) it appears that the price of the device IS in fact discounted thanks to AT&T which does put some things into perspective… see the following excerpt from ‘Apple expected to polish iPod line’, by AFP.

“The 599 dollar price of an iPhone is at a discount due to a 200-dollar subsidy from telecom giant AT&T, which is the sole mobile telephone service provider for the devices.

“If you take out the subsidy, an iPhone is an 800-dollar device,” Enderle said.”

Makes you think twice about the reasoning behind that contract deal…

Comment by Karen — September 3, 2007 #
I was wondering so if i buy the iphone from apple for 399… can I unlock it using you tube’s unlocking process and not have ot bother with at&t? and just take my t-mobile sim card and plug it in? if anyone has the answer to this please notify me thank you. And if I do this is there any positives or negatives that I should be aware of?

Comment by ben — December 5, 2007 #
Hi

THanks for this article. I am also search the master code for my nokia 3120 mobile & I found the code in unlock free for free

Comment by anurdh65 — July 31, 2009 #