1.1.3 OTB - Unlocking the phone function is not possible… yet. (Updated!)

A number of people I have spoken to don’t seem to realise that unlocking the 1.1.3 OTB iPhone is simply not possible yet. You can get into it without going through the official Activation process, but essentially it becomes no more than a glorified ‘iPod touch’. Will it happen the future? Maybe - but I suspect it may be a while…

As per my previous article, the newer iPhones are simply harder to hack. Doesn’t mean it won’t be done eventually - it’s just that’s it may take quite a bit of effort on the part of the army of ‘unlockers’ around the world.

In the meantime, what can you do if you have just bought a new 1.1.3 OTB iPhone intending to unlock it? Or if you have a 1.1.2 OTB that was accidentally upgraded to 1.1.3 via iTunes?

Here are your (somewhat limited) options:

(1) Meticulously follow the unlock process documented here. This will get you to your ‘Glorified iPod touch’.
(2) If you are feeling incredibly brave (or just plain crazy), you can pull your iPhone apart and attempt to downgrade the Bootloader to the older, hackable version.
(3) Wait until a software-based unlock solution for 1.1.3 OTB is found.

I wish I could offer better news, but at this stage that is the hard reality. I have seen a few un-substantiated claims (uTube videos) that its been done - but so far nothing credible.

My advice? Sit tight and at least enjoy your fancy iPod.

Update 9 Feb 2008: George Hotz has apparently cracked it! I haven’t tried it yet but you can find out more here.