Home » 3.1, 3GS, Custom Firmware, iPhone 3G S, jailbreak, Unlock 3.1

Download Custom Firmware to Jailbreak and Unlock iPhone 3GS 3.1 [Mac/Windows]

3 October 2009 77 Comments

iPhone3GS_iLikeMyiPhone

[img source : Apple.com]

iPhone 3GS users can now safely update to 3.1 firmware without updating the baseband (for 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, download Pwnage 3.1.3 tool for Mac.

  • Caution #1 : Please proceed further ONLY if you have an iPhone 3GS. iPhone 2G or 3G owners should follow this guide instead.
  • Caution #2 : A restore is going to wipe the iPhone clean. Hence, please backup your iPhone using iTunes and then proceed.
  • Caution #3 : Don’t install Winterboard just yet. There are some issues that need to be ironed out for 3.1 3GS iPhone.

More info about these custom firmware files :

  • Has factory boot logos (Apple and restore cable),
  • Only Cydia, No Icy,
  • 695 MB Root Partition.
Step 1a) Proceed to Step 1 only if you meet the following conditions
  • The following firmware works only with iPhone 3GS 3.0 or 3.0.1.
  • Make sure your iPhone 3GS is Pwned at 3.0 or 3.0.1 (Jailbroken – should have Cydia on it before following the rest of the guide). If not follow these guides first (very important)
  • iPhone 3GS 3.0
  • iPhone 3GS 3.0.1
  • iPhone 3GS 3.1 Out of the Box cannot be unlocked at the moment.

Step 1) Download Files for iPhone 3GS (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 9.1

  • 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
  • For a Mac : Hold Option key 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 3GS. iPhone 2G is already unlocked with this custom firmware!

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

[Pwnage Tool is developed by the Dev Team. This is just a custom firmware file created using that tool]

77 Comments »

  • Download Pwnage tool 3.1.3 for iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS 3.1 Firmware [Mac] | iLikeMyiPhone said:

    […] iPhone 3GS 3.1 […]

    # 3 October 2009 at 6:22 am
  • Download Custom Firmware ipsw files for iPhone 2G, 3G 3.1 [Windows/Mac] , Error 1600 Solution Updated | iLikeMyiPhone said:

    […] #1 : Please proceed further only if you have an iPhone 2G/3G. iPhone 3GS files can be downloaded […]

    # 3 October 2009 at 6:44 am
  • sidq said:

    Do I have to use Ultrasn0w for unlock or Purplesn0w will still work

    # 3 October 2009 at 11:59 am
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Only Ultrasn0w. purplera1n is not tested for 3.1 and is not recommended.

    # 3 October 2009 at 12:03 pm
  • Guest said:

    I had a 32GB 3GS version 3.0 jailbroken with Purplera1n. I used the custom ipsw listed on this page and it worked flawlessly. After restoring my phone I did not have the carrier logo as mentioned by several posts (you have the signal bars and wifi bars just no At&t logo. Just download "Make It Mine" from Cydia and put in whatever you want. If you want to save yourself a lot of time re-installing Cydia apps, download "AptBackup", not "AppBackup", from Cydia. Simply run it, select Backup (which takes about 2 seconds, then sync your phone with iTunes. It creates a list of all your JB apps and stores it within your iTunes backup. After restoring your phone with the custom ipsw file listed above, and restoring your files back through the normal sync process through iTunes, launch Cydia and download "AptBackup" again. Launch the app and select Restore. It will obtain all of your JB apps from Cydia and install them for you, mine kept most of my app settings as well! Have fun!

    # 5 October 2009 at 11:23 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Awesome! Those are the steps I generally follow. AptBackup is a hit or miss sometimes unless you do it right. Nice tip, thank you 🙂

    # 5 October 2009 at 11:27 pm
  • ilikemyiphone too said:

    is it possible to go back to 3.0.1 after the upgrade to 3.1?

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:00 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    I am yet to try that. Definitely not possible the Apple way since the firmware for 3GS should be signed but using Saurik's replay server, we may achieve it.

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:03 pm
  • ilikemyiphone too said:

    thanks. i'll wait for the newer firmware then. i've heard about battery life problems in 3.1 and i don't want to risk it. please let us know here if you've made it with the downgrade. cheers.

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:32 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Sure will do! I prefer 3.0.1 for the tethering option!

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:35 pm
  • Wckd said:

    If not needing an unlock, using ATT service, will you still need to install ultrasnow with this method?

    # 3 October 2009 at 8:14 am
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Nope, you don't have to use ultrasn0w if you are using AT&T.

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:18 pm
  • Wckd said:

    Thank you very much. I was using a custom ISPW from a UK user and was not getting any service. Used your file and working great now! thank you again.

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:47 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Awesome! Please don't install winterboard yet. It is messing the 3GS..

    Do you see the carrier? Everything works right?

    # 3 October 2009 at 1:50 pm
  • Carlos said:

    thanks for the custom IPSW, I have a question, my 3gs is jailbreaked by redsn0w, can I still use the custom ISPW with the shift+restore in iTunes?

    # 3 October 2009 at 4:13 pm
  • Kiran said:

    Yep, you are all set to use this custom firmware.

    # 3 October 2009 at 11:17 am
  • AchillesPDX said:

    If anyone runs in to restore error 1600, try restoring in Recovery mode not DFU mode. If you're in DFU mode, hold both the home and power buttons down until the apple logo appears and then let go and let the phone boot back up. Turn off your phone and hold the home button while plugging the sync cable in to get into recovery mode and then restore with the shift (or option) key.

    # 3 October 2009 at 7:12 pm
  • Ryan said:

    Just tried it on an iphone 3gs running 3.0.1 with jailbreak and unlock. I don't need the unlock and I am an official at&t carrier. I have windows vista and use firefox. I did all the steps above and came up with an unknown error occurred (1601 could not restore in itunes), any ideas of what went wrong and what I can do to get it back. I know I can restore through apple but want to keep my jailbreak or revert back to 3.0.1.
    Thanks for all the help if you can answer this question.

    # 3 October 2009 at 8:10 pm
  • Ryan said:

    Just tried again and got error 1602???

    # 3 October 2009 at 8:16 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Please try restore mode or DFU mode and try again.

    # 3 October 2009 at 10:27 pm
  • Ryan said:

    Well I just took my iphone 3gs off the usb on my windows computer and held the home button and the on/off button for 10 seconds. The apple logo popped up and it was back to the way it was before I tried anything above, So is 3.1 really worth the headache at this point? i would like to have it to arrange my apps and get some new picture apps with zoom. Any ideas? Isnt DFU mode also if you hold both buttons down for 10 seconds unplugged from the usb port, then let go of the home button while plugging in the usb to the phone and you get the picture of the usb connecting and you jailbreak from there. Is that the same as explained above?

    # 3 October 2009 at 8:43 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Watch the DFU mode video linked in the article. With DFU mode, you won't see any cable logo on the screen.

    Was your iPhone 3GS pwned before (At 3.0 or 3.0.1)?

    # 3 October 2009 at 10:22 pm
  • teknikad said:

    hey. thanks for putting this up. I've used two other ipsws and had "no service" problems so I'm hoping this one will solve that. any way someone can put the two parts for the non-iphone contract ipsws up on a different hosting site other than rapidfire? mediafire would be amazing. or help overcoming the no service problem would also be great! i'm running iphone 3gs, custom 3.1, unactivated ipsw but getting no service or wifi. i've tried everything obvious like reset network settings and switch on/off airplane mode etc.

    # 4 October 2009 at 3:14 am
  • Husam said:

    Hi kiran.
    i hv one Q.
    Have u used this custom firmware?
    If yes, how is it working?

    # 4 October 2009 at 12:30 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Yes, it is working just like any other custom firmware!

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 4 October 2009 at 4:38 pm
  • Monster1985 said:

    hi, i have iphone 3gs JB with redsnow on 3.0…. but unfortunatly it crashes next time i did the JB for some reason and i couln't start my phone so far, it starts looping with the apple screen …

    but i'm pretty sure i was PWned before coz i worked with it while it was JB for sometimes.my question is, my phone now is died but pwned can i be able to use this method for upgrading using the new pwnage tool for jb 3.1?

    # 4 October 2009 at 4:40 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Yes, you can definitely use this method!

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 4 October 2009 at 4:44 pm
  • Paul Sun said:

    Thank you for the download. I installed the Activated version (t-mobile and etc) but my carrier log is gone. The "network" under "about" shows unavailable. Now, I would like try the Non-Activated version since I do have an AT&T contract as well.

    1. Does the non-activated version update the baseband ?
    2. Can re-rejailbreak the phone with 3.1 Custom FW again if I am currently on 3.1 pwned FW?
    3. If the network shows unavailable under " about" page, can I use the tethering option if my oversea carrier didn't block it? I was on 3.01 without the tethering hack, tethering option is available when I put my oversea simcard inside.

    Many thanks in advance

    # 4 October 2009 at 8:07 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    1. Custom firmware has the old baseband, be it activated or nonactivated.

    2. Yes!

    3. 3.1 doesn't do tether… Only 3.0.1 so far. Not sure about other carriers…

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 4 October 2009 at 9:26 pm
  • R.L.T. said:

    I used This method but had to do it via restore mode method! Everythings back except I have no voice mail! I called AT&T and voicemail is turned on and I can retrieve voice mail from a land line but nothing on the Iphone! All New apps that require 3.1 install and work fine and all Jailbreak apps are fine also! Any Ideas on the Voice mail problem?? Thanks!!

    # 5 October 2009 at 12:20 am
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Not sure about Voicemail problem. Did ATT fix it?

    # 5 October 2009 at 2:38 pm
  • R.L.T. said:

    No! It is a problem with the Iphone I have tried to change the carrier file! I have tried several ver's of the carrier file and before I did your update I could change the Voicemail APN but now I can only edit the Cellular Data and MMS APN settings! For some reason the Voicemail APN is gone! Also I have no AT&T logo on my status bar anymore and unders Settings, About, the first line = Network, now says Not Available! IPHONE 3Gs jailbroke on 3.0.1 then applied your firmware via Restore, as Update method always gave me 1600 error! I tried everthing to get it to work and finally did the Restore! Help!! Rod—

    # 5 October 2009 at 2:51 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    You are able to make and receive calls right? I heard about this issue before too, will keep you posted.

    # 5 October 2009 at 2:55 pm
  • R.L.T. said:

    Yep Every Thing Works just fine on the Iphone with the exception of Voicemail I can retrieve voice mail from land line or by pressing and holding 1 on the iphone key pad but it gives no notification of a new voice mail and I cannot play the saved voicemail messages from the voice mail screen on the Ipone! AT&T Tells me that I am using What they call Visual voice mail But that is the way it came when I got the phone & rate plan, two months ago! Thanks for your Help!!! Rod

    # 5 October 2009 at 3:11 pm
  • R.L.T. said:

    http://blog.teqlab.com/2009/08/at-iphone-tetherin…
    This Fixed My Problem! I will provide you with any info that might help others if Needed!! Thanks for the Great Upgrade!!!!!! I Now have a fully functional 3GS with Jailbreak and use of new apps that are 3.1 only!! Rod–

    # 5 October 2009 at 5:26 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Thanks a lot for the feedback buddy!

    # 5 October 2009 at 8:40 pm
  • MMT said:

    I have a UK Pay as You Go (O2 SIM) phone. Which firmware should I download : Activated or Not Activated ?
    Thanks

    # 5 October 2009 at 7:58 am
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Does O2 sell iPhones in UK? If yes, then Not Activated. If not, then Activated.

    # 5 October 2009 at 2:39 pm
  • MMT said:

    Thanks a lot. O2 do sell Iphones in the UK both under contract and as Pay as You Go. I bought mine direct from Apple and it was locked to an O2 SIM card(on a Pay as You Go Basis).

    # 5 October 2009 at 3:05 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Use the not activated one!

    Sent from my iPhone

    # 5 October 2009 at 3:08 pm
  • Nick said:

    hi kiran, i was wondering if you could please help me??
    im in australia and have 3gs 3.0 whitch was bought from optus and i am using optus sim. im running win xp and itunes 9.0.2.25.
    i used blackra1n to jailbreak 3.0, but it didnt work, and now im stuck in recovery mode.
    i tried to restore using 3.0, 3.0.1, 3.1.2 ipsw files in both dfu and recovory modes, and itunes says that, "this iphone could not be restored, this device isnt eligable for the requested build". I havent tried 3.1 ipsw though. What should i do to fix this problem? could someone plz give me a hand with a step by step process. plz thankyou.

    # 4 February 2010 at 3:24 pm
  • amart said:

    Hey Kiran its amart again here! Hope everything has been well.

    Going to my question…

    I just jailbroke iPhone 3G on firmware 3.0.1 and used redsn0w to do the deed with success.

    My problem is that when I go to settings and wifi, I let the iPhone scan for Wi-Fi with nothing on the radar. I use my blackberry to search/ scan for Wi-Fi and its finds about 10 people. Pretty much the Wi-Fi isnt working at all. Doesn't find anything. I tried re-restoring and still no success. Please tell me what your verdict or at least a hypothesis is.

    Thanks a million in advance Kiran,

    amart

    # 5 October 2009 at 8:34 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Hey! You may try resetting all network settings …

    Turn bluetooth off if it is on (Heard conflicting reports on wifi/bluetooth)…

    Hope your iPhone is in warranty, Apple will replace it for free!

    # 5 October 2009 at 8:42 pm
  • brikz said:

    so if i already had to update to 3.1, (i was stuck in a recovery loop and only way to get out of it was to update to 3.1. ) ,which i assume updated my baseband…..i am still out of luck on a jailbreak with windows…?

    3gs, 3.1 xp sp3

    Thanks in advance..

    # 5 October 2009 at 9:06 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Try the DFU / Recovery mode install of this custom firmware. Since the baseband is already updated, it doesn't hurt to try!

    # 5 October 2009 at 9:10 pm
  • mordani_kunal said:

    hey kiran my 3gs 3.0 is stuck in logo screen after i removed winterboard. im using vodafone india but my fone is origninally frm at&t us so shud i use activated or non activated

    # 7 October 2009 at 1:01 am
  • Kiran said:

    It would be activated since the carrier you are using with is not AT&T but Vodafone.

    # 28 September 2012 at 10:20 am
  • mordani_kunal said:

    hey kiran my 3gs 3.0 is stuck in logo screen after i removed winterboard. im using vodafone india (they sell iphones in india ) but my fone is origninally frm at&t us so shud i use activated or non activated &

    # 7 October 2009 at 6:02 am
  • mordani_kunal said:

    hey by mistake i used the un activated 1 now can i still use the activated 1 again thru itunes

    # 7 October 2009 at 3:18 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Yep, you can always use one or the other as long your iPhone is pwned!

    # 7 October 2009 at 3:23 pm
  • bill said:

    when I tried to restore, and it said firmware not compatible
    please help ( I am with T-mobile and download from activated 1)

    # 7 October 2009 at 10:56 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    What firmware is on your 3GS right now?

    # 7 October 2009 at 10:59 pm
  • bill said:

    when I tried to restore, and it said firmware not compatible
    please help ( I am with T-mobile and download from activated 1) my 3gs 3.0.1 with jailbreak

    # 7 October 2009 at 10:58 pm
  • iLikeMyiPhone said:

    Did you put it in DFU mode or Restore mode?

    # 7 October 2009 at 11:01 pm
  • mordani_kunal said:

    worked like a charm thnx

    # 8 October 2009 at 5:56 am

Leave your response!

You must be logged in to post a comment.