iPhone’s firmware is already upgrade to 2.2, but a lot of iPhone 2G users are still not upgrade yet, most of them are still using iPhone 1.1.4 firmware.
Why so many iPhone 2G users are not upgrading? The main reason that prevents iPhone 2G owners from upgrading to the latest iPhone firmware is, their iPhones are “unlock” version, when they buy their iPhone, it was at the time of iPhone 1.1.4 version. 1st of all, these iPhone 2G users are lazy, moreover, they also worry that after upgrading to iPhone 2.2, they have to unlock their iPhone again…. what if their is any problem, they may lose their beloved iPhone….. there is also chances that they may lose all data because of upgrading firmware…. all other reasons…..
Frankly, I am one of those lazy iPhone 2G owners…. When all my friends’ iPhone 3G upgraded to iPhone 2.0 / 2.1, I told myself that iPhone 2.0 / 2.1 is not stable yet, no need to upgrade… Although App Store is very attractive, but I am not ready to take the risk yet, did want to risk that may lose all data or even destory the iPhone …. However, when it comes to iPhone 2.2, most of the problems find on 2.0 / 2.1 are fixed, more stable, and most importantly, App Store is really really attractive…. so, iPhone 2G users cannot stand the temptation; let’s risk it all to upgrade to iPhone 2.2!
REMARK: The following iPhone 2G 2.2 upgrade / unlock tutorial was performed with an iPhone 2G 1.1.4 directly upgrade to iPhone 2.2 then unlock. If you are using iPhone 3G, please do NOT try this tutorial, because I didn’t test the proceduer with iPhone 3G.
iPhone 2.2 Upgrade
For those who buy their iPhone 2G / 3G from official channels, because their iPhone is activated “officially”, they can upgrade to iPhone 2.2 directly without any concern. However, for iPhone 2G / 3G users who buy their iPhone from “paralle importer” / unofficial channels, so their iPhone was unlocked, these iPhones need to unlock again after upgrade to iPhone 2.2.
Although the procedures for upgrade and unlock is not complicated, but it is still a bit scary for ordinary users….
Upgrade iPhone firmware procedures:
1. Backup iPhone data
This is a very important step! During upgrade, iPhone will be “format”, everything will be back to factory default settings. Some careless / anxious users forgot to backup before upgrade, the result is losing all data!
One problem with backup, iTunes’ backup feature is not 100% 1-to-1 backup, that is, software that you downloaded with “Installer” would still be lost….
iphone backup : right click then
iphone backing up, need a feel minutes
After backup finished, you can start upgrade, in iTunes’ iPhone page, click the upgrade buttom, it will start download and install iPhone firmware 2.2
iphone firmware download
The 2.2 version firmware is 245MB big, it take quite a while to download…. you can start upgrade right after download finish. This is a very important step, please make sure that your computer would not be disturbed during the whole upgrade process, your iPhone should also be totally undisturbed…. If their is any problem that prevents the upgrading process from complete successfully, your iPhone will be destoryed!!!
iphone upgrading firmware 2.2
Once the upgrade process started, there no return…. iPhone will reboot, you would see the above screen…. pray for your computer do not hang / power outage !!!
Great! if you are lucky, upgrade process would be finished in around 10 minutes, iPhone will reboot again …. after reboot, scary thing will happen!!!
iphone unlock sim card not support
If you are like me that 1st time upgrade your iPhone 2G…. when you see this screen, you would be shocked!! And you would find your iPhone is locked, cannot function normally…. O no ~~~
iPhone 2.2 Unlock
After upgrade to iPhone 2.2, you would find your beloved iPhone 2.2 is locked….. here comes the most important steps: “unlock”!!
You need a software called QuickPwn, I already prepared QuickPwn 2.2 for you.
QuickPwn is a simple software, all you need to do is just clicking “Next”, but there is a step that is quite scary… you need to make your iPhone boot into a so called Debug Mode (DFU mode)…. You would see how scary it is soon.
iphone 2.2 unlock 1
Start QuickPwn, connect iPhone to your computer, then click “next”.
iphone 2.2 unlock 1 select firmware
You need to select iPhone 2.2 firmware file, by default QuickPwn would choose the right file for you, you can also click “browse” to find the right file, but normally QuickPwn would choose the right firmware file for you.
REMARK: There quite many people asked in the comments that they cannot find the IPSW / firmware file, so I added a section at the end of this tutorial / how to.
iphone 2.2 unlock 2
Remember to click “Unlock iPhone” , then click “next”.
iphone 2.2 unlock 3
You need to choose the boot loader files, just choose the same files for boot loader as shown here.
iphone 2.2 unlock 4
QuickPwn would remind you to connect iPhone to computer, click “next” again.
Here comes the scary “DFU mode”… You need to follow the screen instructions to press the buttons on iPhone; somehow like playing games…. When I see this screen the 1st time, I was concentrated on reading the text…. And I was shocked to see the time is counting down… so I made a mess with the buttons…. the result was a total failure!!! After that I got a error message says “Fail to boot into the correct mode”….. It was so scary…. well, I retry a few times, but still not success….. then I thought, o no… I destoryed my iPhone!!
iphone 2.2 unlock 5
Finally, I retried a few times and notice the words “Do not let go of home” …. the main point is, you need to press and hold the HOME button! Finally I was successed!!
iphone 2.2 unlock 5
So my iPhone start loading for a while, and then reboot for a few times…. after that it start installing Boot loader …. then reboot and reboot …. finally, iPhone 2.2 is successfully unlocked!
iPhone Restore
If you are lucky enough to complete the upgrade + unlock process, it is time to restore you data…. interestingly, when the unlocked iPhone connect to iTunes, it will automatically start the restore process.
iphone restoring
It would take a few minutes to restore….. after restore, everything will be finished!
iPhone 2.2 firmware file location
Some friends reported that they cannot find the iPhone 2.2 firmware / IPSW file.
The iPhone 2.2 firmware / IPSW file location is “C:\Documents and Settings\administrator\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates\iPhone1,1_2.2_5G77_Restore.ipsw”; where “administrator” is username, if your username is “abc” then the location would become “C:\Documents and Settings\abc\Application Data\…”
iPhone 2.2 firmware / IPSW file location
However, by default “Application Data” is a hidden folder. In order to see hidden folders, you need to set “folder option” to see hidden folders.
My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View, select “Show hidden files and folders” and un-check “Hide extensions for known file types”.
iPhone 2.2 firmware / IPSW file location, folder option
iPhone Upgrade Conclusion
Important Notice: Please be clear that, although the upgrade + unlock process is not difficult, but there is certain risk; and I will NOT be responsible for anything or any lost…. so please think carefully before you upgrade / unlock you iPhone!
Well, the 1st thing I do was connect to App Store and look for great iPhone apps. I was looking for Google Earth….
Download QuickPwn 2.2 with Boot loader: QuickPwn 2.2 + Boot loader
December 21st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Many thanks for your clear instructions. This works great. Like you say, it takes patience, but works great!
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Danke Senor, those were nice, step-by-step instructions. Thanks for the download links, too. I think I might write a song about this.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
great work
and very nice
thanks a lot
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Fantastic post. I got at the first time. Thank you very much indeed
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Thanks so much. Your step by step breakdown was flawless!!!
December 24th, 2008 at 12:08 am
Thanks very much for your appreciation! I am really happy to know that this post is helpful for you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
December 24th, 2008 at 6:41 am
fnx alooooooooooooooooooooooooooottt man…mwwwaahhhx to yew..
u rock..
December 24th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Than you very much, merry xmas and Happy New Year!
December 24th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
thanks dud…..
it worked……….
but still some features r misssing……….
December 25th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Thank you very much, merry xmas and Happy New Year!
December 25th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I did everything, it said it was succesful but when it goes to itunes it will restore and update but after the restore it goes right back to the screen with the USB and itunes sign saying slide for emergency. So i still can not get into my phone. Can anyone pleease help i just got it and my parents are going to kill me if they knew i broke it already! =(
December 26th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Hi Mackenzie, may I ask you 2 questions?
1st, which iTunes version are you using?
2nd, after “unlock”, be4 restore, did you check if your iPhone unlocked successfully? (To make sure that unlock OK or the restore “lock” the iPhone again)
December 26th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Thnx mate the thing jus works fyn….
December 26th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
yo help when do i put my tmoblesim card in it tell me deffernt sim ans connect 2 i tunes i did qick pwn already
December 27th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Hey man, I am stuck on the ipsw step, it won’t browes
December 27th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I go through the unlocking process and then I don’t have a bootloader file….help
Thank you
December 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Hi,
thank you for your instruction.
After running QuickPwn, the Iphone can detect Tmobile sim card, but it still clock the iphone.
What should I do next?
thank you very much
December 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I mean how to unclock the menu table. Now, only the number table show up for dial with Tmobile sim card. So, I can not go on internet by home wireless system.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Hi Jane,
Sorry that I didn’t mention it the tutorial, the bootloader files are in the Zip file already. You can find them by search for their filename.
December 29th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Hi saif,
The QuickPwn should have the default location of the file. If you are not able to find the file, you can find it by searching for the filename “*.ipsw”, it should be in your “c:\Documents and Settings” directory
December 29th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Hi there! Can I try this with a 2g iphone that was previously unlocked to 2.0.2? Thanks!
December 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Thank you so much for holding my hand lol. I felt very comfident in everything apple till it came to this and the post was VERY helpful and made me feel better about my insecurities……thank you so much, great help I will be telling evreybody i see how easy and helpful you were!
December 31st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Guys,
my windowns vista doesn’t open the quickpwn, i downloaded from different websites, I cleaned my cache, and I still can’t run the zip file, the windows vista tells me it could not extract all the files, so it can not run the application.
what do you I do? there’s anything with the antivirus?
December 31st, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hi michelle,
I think you need a software like WinZip or WinRAR, both are free for trail.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hi Robby,
Thanks very much! Happy New Year!
January 1st, 2009 at 12:25 am
I’m about to buy a iPhone 2G what are my limits when i unlock it? i.e itunes like transferring music over , downloading and installing apps from the itunes Apps store ….ect?
thanks
January 1st, 2009 at 9:43 am
Hi Newbie,
Happy New Year! If your iPhone 2G is unlock + jail break correctly, there should not be any limitation; it would work as normal as officially activated iPhones
January 1st, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Thank you so much. It has been taking a while for the last step of “Waiting for activation” on my phone. Is it because I took the sim card out? Also, I want to clear my phone from contacts, pictures and such, can I still do it and keep the phone unlocked?
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Used quickpwn 2.2 . Updated throught itunes to 2.2 version, using itunes 8.0.
Completed just fine. Inserted my t-mobile sim card phone says please connect to itunes. When i do no sim card detected. I’ve have retried all steps several times, have read everthing i can. I can make phone calls but can not get past the emergency phone pad. Please help
January 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
ummmm when i get to browse for firmware step no file name pops up.
and when i browse i dont know where to look for it
where do i look for it???
January 4th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Thank you so much. Best tutorial ever…worked flawlessly for me.
January 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
i solved my previous problem, and i finished the whole unlocking program.
but now when i put my sim card in it says “different sim card – please connect to itunes”
wat do i do???
January 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
My progress stops at the second arrow when it ask what ispw im using i need help please
January 7th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Hi Carlos,
If you cannot find the IPSW / firmware file, I guess the cause is “Hidden Folder”.
The IPSW / firmware file is located inside “C:\Documents and Settings\administrator\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates\iPhone1,1_2.2_5G77_Restore.ipsw”. However, by default “Application Data” is a hidden folder.
In order to see hidden folders, you need to set folder option to see hidden folders.
In My Computer, Tools > Folder Options > View, select “Show hidden files and folders” and un-check “Hide extensions for known file types”.
January 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Well done. followed you instructions and worked a treat.You are the man.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Your article is exactly what I needed. You have rejuvenated my iPhone. Great work and effort. Thanks a lot.
January 10th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
I have one problem with my iphone everything i did was run smooth and with any errors buth now when i power up my iphone i don’t have network on it…..can someone plzzz help. I did it on my other iphone this and everything was OK. Some sugestions???
January 10th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
AWESOME!!! worked on the 1st try. if you were right next to me i’d give you a fat kiss. I HAVE 2.2 NOWWWW YAYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 11th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
ABSOLUTELY fantastic tutorial. Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!
January 16th, 2009 at 6:54 am
whenever i try updating it it will always have the same error over and over again….my connection should be connected and active etc(which it already is) its so annoying pls help me!
January 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Hi ML,
What is the error message? Do you mean your iPhone 2G cannot update firmware?
January 18th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Woooo, it worked!!!! =D At first it was stuck in recovery mode and would’nt let me continue, but I just uninstalled it and redownloaded it, then had absolutely no problems whatsoever!!! My camera app dissapeared afer installing an app from Installer called Kate. NEVER, AND I MEAN NEVER INSTALL AN APP CALLED KATE!!!!! It completely messed up my phone and almost destroyed it!
Many many thanks thanks thanks again!!!! =DDD
January 18th, 2009 at 9:37 am
thanks a lot for the great instructions.. after suffering among useless applications,luckily enough i met this site before destroying my iphone..absolutely awesome !!!…
January 19th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Great…..
I tried every other way but didn’t get any luck…. Thanks a lot for this post…
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 am
hi,
anyone, please let me know, should i do the aove process with SIM card in place? or without SIM card?. Thanks much.
January 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Many thanks to you and iPhone Dev team – worked great!
For those who may have been a little hasty to upgrade (after waiting so long initially to take the jump to 2.2), and upgraded to 2.2.1 follow the instructions on http://www.quickpwn.com/ on how to downgrade to 2.2, and then just follow the above instructions. Very simple.
Thanks again – cheers, Rick
February 1st, 2009 at 11:12 am
Cheers dude, ur very useful
February 1st, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Great tutorial. I do have a question or two… Some sounds dont work on certain applicagtions now and also In staller crashes. Any tips?
February 1st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Help I restored to orginal setting by accident. What do I do now?
February 1st, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Hey
Thank you so much for a great help. The description is so effective that I did not need face even a single obstacle and now am a proud owner of 2.2.1 Iphone 2G
. Thanks
February 1st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
hey, great instructions. i had done the same procedure to upgrade to 2.1
so when i found this blog i thought it was going to be very easy, and YES it was.
But something weird happened, i when ahead with the first step, which is upgrade to 2.2, so the process was going great, and it finish excellent, so good that it was not even blocked. When the upgrade process finished it was unlocked already, BUT the main concern is that installer and cydia is not there anymore.
So i was wondering if you know any blog to install the installer and cydia, i guess what i need to do is jailbroken, or im not really sure, so any help you can give me, i will really apreciate.
Thanks a lot
February 6th, 2009 at 6:13 am
I tried opening QuickPwn exe file and it says “The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click on OK to terminate the application.” Can anyone help? Does someone has the exe file? tahan92 at hotmail dot com
February 13th, 2009 at 10:01 am
will this work with 2.2.1 firmware plz let me know :S
February 13th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
hey man!
i recently update my iphone from 1.1.4 to 2.2….. and i already restore and update my iphone on itunes.
when i used the done using the software it says success, jaillbreak is working fine with installer and cydia install….. only problem i have no signal on my iphone… so what should i do??? i watch videso’s on youtube the guy is adding the source on 3g iphone using cydia yellowsn0w for 3g but can u do it 2nd generation iphone…
plz help me
thx alot
March 6th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
hi thank you for that program but i have a problem with firmware error sting what i can do thank you
March 8th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
thanks very much……….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 14th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
may i know how things can get messed up to lead to the destruction of my iphone…because im too scared to screw things up and i dont want to lose my iphone…please help
March 14th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
thanks a million great instructions
March 15th, 2009 at 7:53 am
Don’t be scared, screw things up is part of learning process… I burn my computers be4, that is how I learn how to build my own PC with computer parts. If you are really really scared, you should not try to upgrade the firmware.
March 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Hi, thanks for this simple and clear tutorial. I will surely give it a try. My only concern is that my iPhone was unlocked to work with Telcel carrier (Mexico). Now Telcel IS the official carrier here. Could it be possible to update the firmware and forget about unlocking because now the carrier has Apple’s permission to use iPhones?
Thanks again! Greetings from Mexico,
Eduardo
March 26th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Thanks for you reply!
Well, it depends on if your carrier requires new iPhones be activated or not… if YES, then may be you can activate the iPhone with the official carrier’s server… but there is chance that their server filter out the old iPhone model…
You can try to update and activate 1st, if unable to activate officially, then you can still unlock it anyway.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
My freind just got a iphone and unlock it. but the t-mobile sim card is asking for a pin code. Do you know the step from there.
Thanks,
Carlos
March 27th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Hi Carlos,
Do you or your friends have other sim card for testing? It could be t-mobile’s sim card problem…. because I seldom hear that people need to enter any pin code for iPhone
March 31st, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Thanks dude!!! upgrade n unlock succesful altough i upgraded to 2.2.1 instead of 2.2 and the pwnage wasn’t supportin d nu software but i downloded d latest version of pwnage and follwed d same steps n it worked thanks a tonn!!!
April 1st, 2009 at 7:42 am
Thanks for your comment! Good to hear that!
In fact, the procedure of upgrading and unlocking the iPhone OS would always be very similar…
April 27th, 2009 at 7:49 am
I have a problem – i exactly followed all the steps – it finally said the iphone is unlocked and started re-booting.. But it is still trying to reboot (since last 4 hours) with new settings and also vibrating some times.. What all i can see on the screen is just apple symbol…
Can any one help what is happened to this??
April 28th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Hi
looks like a really good guide, just two questions:
Does it matter which iTunes version I have?
Will I lose the contacts in my phonebook?
Thank you!
May 10th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I wished I found this page before, I read and followed the steps on iclarified after I mistakenly restored my already jailbroken iPhone to factory settings …:-( and got all these error messages and finally at 9 am after getting through almost all the steps I got the message .Net Framework missing I was exhausted after trying since 9pm that I just brought my iPhone to a store that unlocks phones and paid 100 bucks to get it done!
May 16th, 2009 at 8:13 am
When i upload the firmware, the message show ‘Firmware error string’. How can i fix it? Thanks
May 18th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Hey I have the same Problem Winnie has When i come to upload the Firmware I have this message “‘Firmware error string” How can i fix it please help??
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:32 am
hi I done exactly as you mantioned but i can’t find bootloader my iphone 2 g stuck now pls somwone help me
June 15th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I have the same problem with Winnie.
When i upload the firmware, the message show ‘Firmware error string’.
What’s next? What should i do?
Pls help.
July 7th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Just awesome. Love you…upgraded and unlocked my iPhone in a breeze..never forget to backup…and be very very patient during the entire process and follow instructions precisely
July 16th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Thx u r dam good just keep it up
July 16th, 2009 at 8:57 am
I have the same problem of firmware error string please help
July 26th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
i too need the bootloader files
i looked in the zip folder and all thats there is a readme and the quickpwn file
i also searched my computer and couldn’t find it
July 26th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
i got everything fine but when i get to the step where you have to press the home, then the home and power, then the home, i hear the beeps my computer makes when i plug stuff in from a usb, but the screen just stays black on the iphone and the quickpwn screen says preparing your device
its stayed like this for quite a while
any suggestions?
November 9th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
hey i tryed it but i can not put 2.2 on my iphone it is gaveing my errors