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Download Custom iPhone 3G 3.0 Firmware ipsw Files to Activate, Jailbreak, Unlock iPhone 3G 3.0

20 June 2009 116 Comments

UPDATE : A new version of custom firmware 3.1 for iPhone 2G/3G/3GS is now available here!

Free your iPhone 3G 3.0 from Apple’s chain by jailbreaking your iPhone which provides you with various customization features and even unlock feature which Apple and your official carrier hate! There are various options available to achieve this level of customization on your iPhone such as download firmware files, bootloader files, jailbreak/unlock tools such as Redsn0w/Pwnage or QuickPwn.

iPhone 3.0 Jailbreak Unlock

If you are not the one to download all the various files and just want the ultimate result, these files are waiting for you to download! If you rather want to start from scratch, this guide is for you.

  • Caution #1 : Please proceed further only if you have an iPhone 3G. For all other devices, there is an other post in the works.
  • Caution #2 : Ultrasn0w (iPhone unlock s/w) is yet to be released (soon). If you are looking for iPhone 3G unlock, please hold off for a day or two. Proceed only if you have no carrier signal at the moment and want to activate and jailbreak your iPhone 3G. You may also proceed if you signed an official iPhone contract and need jalbreak stuff! Ultrasn0w is now released!
  • Caution #3 : A restore is going to wipe the iPhone clean. Hence, please make a backup of all the info using iTunes and then proceed.

Step 1) Download Files (Please read the following carefully)

OR


Step 2) Join the downloaded files

  • The files downloaded above have an extension .001 and .002. They need a special opensource (free) software HJSplit to join.
  • Download HJSplit to join both the files – Link for Windows Computers here and Macs here.

Step 3) Restore the firmware in iTunes  8.2

  • You should now have the respective firmware file with an extension .ipsw . Please follow the steps in order.
  • Launch iTunes and connect the iPhone to your Mac / Windows computer.
  • If you are aware of DFU mode, proceed further. If not, watch this quick video and pay close attention to the steps to achieve DFU mode.
  • Turn your iPhone off. Press and hold the Home button and the Power button at the same time for 10 seconds.
  • After exactly 10 seconds release the Power button. Continue holding the Home button until iTunes pops up a message saying that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.
  • The iPhone will show you a blank screen (black).
  • Click on ‘Ok’ to the prompt displayed and hold Option key on your Mac and then hit Restore button. For Windows, hold the shift key and then hit the restore button. In the dialog box that pops up, browse the downloaded custom firmware file.

Step 4)  Give it few minutes to perform the restore. Once the iPhone is up and running, proceed for software Unlock using Cydia. Follow this guide to install Ultrasn0w to software unlock your iPhone 3G.

You are now good to go! Please post a comment if you are stuck at any of the steps described above.

116 Comments »

  • ramsesobjio said:

    i dont think itunes 8.2 lets you do the restore usign the custom firmware it allwasy ask to download it from internet.. if it doesnt work for you chek that you are doing it with itunes 8.2 and using redsn0w to jailbrake
    how do you make itunes 8.2 restore from a firmware donwloaded on your hard drive?

    iphone 3g 3.0 jailbroken redsn0w, mac os 10.5.7 waitng for ultrasn0w

    # 23 June 2009 at 4:37 am
  • BlackE said:

    Hold down OPTION while clicking restore- allows itunes to select a firmware from your hard drive

    # 29 June 2010 at 5:00 pm
  • kiramek said:

    Sorry but I too am getting the 1600 error, even though I have followed the instructions precisely. And for those who don't know anything about DFU mode, watch that video linked above. It is MORE CORRECT that the text because the text doesn't tell you anything about holding down Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac) when you click the Restore button in iTunes. If you don't hold down that key when you click, iTunes will restore the iPhone to the stock condition, rather than use the "iPhone1,2_3.0_7A341_Custom_Restore.ipsw" file on your hard drive.

    But again, I get the 1600 error. And I must say, my heart stopped when that happened because I thought my iPhone was dead. Thankfully, I pressed both buttons on the iPhone for 10s and then released them, and the iPhone rebooted just fine — proving that nothing had been written at all to the iPhone.

    iPhone 3G 3.0 / OS 10.5.7

    # 23 June 2009 at 9:03 am
  • kkiran said:

    When the iPhone is blank, that means that it entered the DFU mode successfully. I would suggest you to reboot your Mac, iPhone and try again.
    I will include that missing step, thank you!

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 23 June 2009 at 12:14 pm
  • KIRAMEK said:

    I rebooted my 2009 Intel iMac 3.06GHz more than once. Same situation. I then went home and tried it on my PPC Mac. Same situation. I then tried it on a PC. Same situation. In every case, I get the 1600 error.

    And yes, I entered DFU mode successfully.

    If you Google for the 1600 error, you will just be overwhelmed with all the reports of people who have the same problem as I do (and as sootbarn does). These are "common" problems, not sometime exclusive to just "a few people." Unfortunately, I am not able to Google up a simple solution, hence my posts here begging for help.

    # 24 June 2009 at 3:35 am
  • sootbarn said:

    I am having the same problem with 1600. I have followed step by step, rebooted everything. Tried it in a mac and pc. Restored again in itunes and started all over again. Are there any other possible solutions? Thank you so much

    # 24 June 2009 at 1:27 am
  • kkiran said:

    Did you put it in DFU mode? Did you try restoring it to official 3.0 via iTunes directly? Try it and then you can try redsn0w…

    # 24 June 2009 at 1:32 am
  • Software Unlock your iPhone 3G using Ultrasn0w – Quick and Easy! [Screenshots incl.] | iLikeMyiPhone said:

    […] Pwnage Tool (Download the Custom Firmware 3.0 if you want to Jailbreak directly without messing with other tools) […]

    # 23 June 2009 at 5:16 pm
  • kkiran said:

    This worked for someone sailing in the same boat as yours : \”Try to restore using the custom ispw in iTunes without being in DFU mode, this sometimes works. To kick theiPhoneout of DFU mode hold power and home for 20 seconds until it reboots.\”

    # 24 June 2009 at 3:41 am
  • Aamir said:

    error 1604 witout dfu mode!!..

    # 24 June 2009 at 9:00 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Did you try the redsn0w approach? Many users are experiencing 1600, 1604 error messages… A reboot of PC/MAC and your iPhone may help. Then put it in DFU mode and restore…

    # 24 June 2009 at 11:03 pm
  • Aamir said:

    when i use redsn0w it says processing then says cannot recognise specifoed IPSW..so even after i put the custom firmware which is styll not working il hav another prob of makin redsn0w work..:@

    # 25 June 2009 at 12:07 am
  • kkiran said:

    Well, it is actually either Custom Firmware or Redsn0w, not both since both are designed to do the same thing – Jailbreak iPhone 3G.

    Restore to iPhone 3.0 directly in iTunes (not a custom firmware). And then try either custom firmware or Redsn0w…. Hope it works…

    # 25 June 2009 at 12:16 am
  • kkiran said:

    You may also try jailbreaking at 2.2.1 and then restoring custom 3.0 … Please let me know if anything works.

    # 24 June 2009 at 3:42 am
  • Aamir said:

    i have an iphone 3g.. jus how upgraded thru itunes (official one) .. but how do i jailbreak it now wit redsn0w…???

    # 24 June 2009 at 2:02 pm
  • Aamir said:

    any way of jailbreaking witout the firmware … cos custom firmware arnt workin 4 any1!!!

    # 24 June 2009 at 8:57 pm
  • naeco said:

    Hi kkiran,

    Will there be custom fw with ultrasn0w already installed? That would be handy for those that do not have an official carrier.
    Keep up the good work man !

    # 24 June 2009 at 11:49 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Hi! I could try including Ultrasn0w in iPhone 3.0 Custom Firmware but it may be outdated soon. Cydia and Ultrasn0w will give us a fresh new unlock!

    # 24 June 2009 at 11:54 pm
  • chmuzammil said:

    I have an iPhone 3G 8GB which is coming from UK and locked with carrier. I want unlock it and want to use in Pakistan. My iPhone OS version 2.2.1 (5H11) and Modem firmware 02.30.03. I also jailbreak with pwnage tool and installed the yellowsn0w but nothing done and now I install redsn0w still unable to unlock my iPhone. Please advice me what I can do now for this.
    If somebody can help me please reply here or sent email on muzammal@worldcall.net.pk
    Thanx.

    # 26 June 2009 at 5:24 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Hi! Please follow my iPhone 3G 3.0 unlock tutorial. It is a step by step guide.http://ilikemyiphone.com/wordpress/2009/06/23/unlock-yo…

    # 26 June 2009 at 8:06 pm
  • chmuzammil said:

    Dear thanx your reply I know this process but my question is custom firmware is best for me or offical from apple. If custom then please guide me this one is best
    "Download the following files ONLY if you have an Official iPhone contract with your cell carrier (ATT and others….)"
    OR
    Download the following files ONLY if you don’t have iPhone contract (T-Mobile and others…)
    Waiting your response
    Thanx

    # 1 July 2009 at 7:05 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Thanks a lot for the tip John! Generally Jailbroken iPhones need not do the DFU restore step. But some people had weird 1600 error messages recently. Yeah with iPhone 3.0, I would recommend not to try a lot of Cydia apps. Cycorder, SBSettings, Winterboard work fine though.

    # 29 June 2009 at 4:32 am
  • barry said:

    hi im tryin to jailbreak my iphone 3g with redsn0w but the problem is my iphone is stoke at the rebootin,its just show me ' waiting for reboot" anybody can help me please?

    # 30 June 2009 at 4:51 am
  • kkiran said:

    It should take few minutes for jailbreaking. If it continues to do that start off afresh by rebooting both your iPhone and mac/pc.

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 30 June 2009 at 11:54 am
  • liesaretrue said:

    what is the root partition?

    # 1 July 2009 at 9:14 pm
  • Turbo said:

    Will using the custom ipsw get push notification working as I understand the push notification will not work with ultrasnow unless u use valid carrier sim?

    # 4 July 2009 at 2:53 am
  • Mah said:

    Help.My iphone 3g unlocked by apple but no service signal is present.Also says waiting for activation.This might take a long time.Anybody ,help please

    # 4 July 2009 at 5:42 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Unlocked by Apple? Meaning? If officially unlocked, you don't have to unlock it again. No ultrasn0w is required.

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 4 July 2009 at 5:49 pm
  • Ric. said:

    Hey Guys,
    I got my iPhone 3G (2.2.1) in US and brought it to Brazil.
    From XP, I could sucessfully upgrade it to 3.0 (directly from iTunes 8.2) and jailbreak with redsn0w. Next step would be to connect to an wifi and thru Cydia unlock it. The problem is that there is NO way to get the network connected. It keeps saying "Unable to connect to the network". I googled the expression and tried many things suggested, but nothing really worked. Do you have any idea on how to move forward from here? Thanks!

    # 4 July 2009 at 11:35 pm
  • Kiran said:

    Looks like a wifi issue. Are you sure your wifi is shown on your iPhone while searching for available networks?you can try using cellular data if you have access to it…Sent from my iPhone

    # 4 July 2009 at 7:02 pm
  • dan said:

    I tried to upgrade my 2g iphone to 3.0 from 2.2 using this, but after i restore, my iphone is stuck in recovery mode. Ive tried to restore many times, with the same results.I should also add then i use tmobile and need it unlocked. What should I do?

    # 6 July 2009 at 5:50 pm
  • dan said:

    this is on vista 32 bit, i forgot to mention

    # 6 July 2009 at 5:52 pm
  • jessenag said:

    error 1601??? any suggestions guy?

    this happens when im restoring the custom firmware.

    in regular restore mode i get error 1604??? any sugesstion. same problem as andy im stuck on emergency mode. :(((

    my details

    ipod 3g, firmware 3.0. windows vista

    # 9 July 2009 at 1:50 pm
  • Miraclemaxx said:

    For anyone experiencing RedSn0w reboot problems, use version 0.7.2 rather than 0.8. I tried everything possible with 0.8 with joy but 0.7.2 worked straight away.

    You will notice the Unlock checkbox is not present on 0.7.2 but it doesn't matter, just download Ultrasn0w in Cydia and this will unlock the Iphone.

    # 24 July 2009 at 6:33 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Well, it really depends on the kind of error in Redsn0w …

    If it is Waiting for reboot, simply unplug the usb cable and plug it back in! It will work…

    # 24 July 2009 at 6:59 pm
  • Miraclemaxx said:

    Tried that quite a few times, and on different PCs, and it didn't work for me.

    # 25 July 2009 at 8:23 am
  • Kiran K. said:

    Help! I followed the guide just like you instructed and on my mac it said firmware file is corrupt and an error # 1600
    Thanks in advance!

    # 5 August 2009 at 6:41 pm
  • kkiran said:

    Most likely, you didn't join the two parts for the firmware. You have to download them and join them as instructed and then use the custom firmware which ends with .ipsw. Is your 3G iPhone previously jailbroken?

    # 5 August 2009 at 6:51 pm
  • Kiran K. said:

    I joined them with a different program called Split&Concat and then followed all the steps you wrote. And no, I have tried to jailbreak my iPhone 3G many times, but they have all failed

    # 6 August 2009 at 12:43 am
  • kkiran said:

    What is the final file size and the extension of the resulting file? I can walk you through the process if you want. Trust me, it is easy and straightforward…

    # 6 August 2009 at 1:03 am
  • MarvC said:

    You're the man Kkiran! This was my first time doing anything this technical with my phone. I just followed what you said, I didn't have to go to "DFU" mode or anything, I just followed it the same way John did it. I have a 3G iphone with 2.2.1, with baseband 2.30, well now that's upgarded to a 3.0, LOL. Well anyway, thanks a bunch and you Are a Life Saver.

    # 7 August 2009 at 2:49 pm
  • Brian said:

    i cant downgrade i get error 1604 plz let me know what to do im trying to get from 3.0.1 back to 3.0 please email me at punkrocker62107@yahoo.com thank you so much oh btw its a 3g

    # 14 September 2009 at 6:32 am
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    May I know the reason you are trying to downgrade from 3.0.1? It is the safest stable firmware to date.

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 14 September 2009 at 11:58 am
  • lost in snow said:

    Hello
    I have 3g os 2.1 on Tmobile, using a turbo sim. I'm having problems with losing connection etc and want to upgrade. Itunes does not recognise my sim, and I don't want to go to 3.1 yet anyway. Should I jailbreak using matching firmware (2.1) or can I somehow upgrade directly to 3.0/3.0.1? Assuming I can jailbreak it which is the best coloured sw0w to unlock it? I have access to xp and os 10.5.8
    Thanks

    # 14 September 2009 at 9:02 pm
  • Mster said:

    Hi, I have a 3G Iphone on 4.1.2. I have used redsn0w v 9 and installed cydia. I have installed Ultrasn0w. The device is an att with an orange att go phone card. All tasks appeared to have succeeded per all docs I could find, EXCEPT, the phone says no service, and in the settings under carrier, it says unable to unable to load carrier list. Occasionally the carrier list will load after a hard reboot, but even when att is selected, it still says no service. I have removed the sim card, and put it back in several times, confirming that it does work by putting it in another device.

    Thoughts- does the Iphone require a blue sim specifically for it?
    Does it require data?
    Do I need another unlock tool for the most recent firmware for the 3g phone?

    Any bold souls who can blurt out ideas are welcome……

    M

    # 3 January 2011 at 10:12 pm
  • iPhone 2G 3.1 Custom Firmware 7C144 § Code Retard said:

    […] Download Custom iPhone 3G 3.0 Firmware ipsw Files to Activate … […]

    # 20 September 2009 at 3:20 pm

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