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Difference between revisions of "Hacktivation"
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(adding more information (based on http://www.jailbreakqa.com/faq#33267 ), removing outdated method) |
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| − | Hacktivation is the process of circumventing the standard Apple [[activation]] process with [[iTunes]]. Hacktivation is required when using an [[iPhone]] without an authorized carrier. |
+ | '''Hacktivation''' is the process of circumventing the standard Apple [[activation]] process with [[iTunes]]. Hacktivation is required when using an [[iPhone]] without an authorized carrier. |
| + | The relevant information about activation is that when an iPhone is booted up for the first time or freshly after a full restore, the phone's serial number and IMEI are checked against a database in Apple to make sure it's allowed to work with that SIM card inserted (this also activates push notifications to the iPhone). Apple intends for locked iPhones to only activate when a SIM card from the providing carrier is inserted - this doesn't have to be the iPhone's original SIM card and it doesn't have to be a SIM with active service, it just has to be a SIM that is valid for that iPhone. Hacktivation bypasses having to insert an eligible SIM card (for example if one is not available). |
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| − | Hacktivation can be performed by most jailbreak tools that break the boot chain. Userland jailbreaks such as [[Spirit]] and [[Star]] cannot hacktivate, as they require interaction with programs that can only be used post-activation. |
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| + | Hacktivation can be performed by most jailbreak tools that break the boot chain. [[Userland]] jailbreaks such as [[Spirit]] and [[Star]] cannot hacktivate, as they require interaction with programs that can only be used post-activation. |
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| − | ==Methods== |
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| − | # Using [[redsn0w]] and not selecting any of the options. (This will work on any [[iPhone]] compatible with the version of redsn0w used but not A5+) |
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| + | Hacktivation can be done on an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and original iPhone, because they all have [[bootrom]] exploits available. There is no way to hacktivate an iPhone 4S, 5, 5s, or 5c, because they do not have bootrom exploits available. |
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| + | A hacktivated device has some downsides: push notifications, iMessage, and FaceTime don't work. The device also drains some battery and data while it tries to look for the certificates that allow a normal device to use those services. |
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| + | ==Hacktivation methods== |
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| + | # Using [[redsn0w]] and not selecting any of the options. (This will work on any [[iPhone]] compatible with that version of redsn0w, but not on devices with A5+ chips.) |
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# If the iPhone is on 3.1 or 3.1.2, you can use [[blackra1n]]. (If you have an [[N88ap|iPhone 3GS]] with the [[Bootrom 359.3.2|new bootrom]] it will be [[tethered jailbreak|tethered]].) |
# If the iPhone is on 3.1 or 3.1.2, you can use [[blackra1n]]. (If you have an [[N88ap|iPhone 3GS]] with the [[Bootrom 359.3.2|new bootrom]] it will be [[tethered jailbreak|tethered]].) |
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# Restore using a custom [[IPSW File Format|IPSW]]. |
# Restore using a custom [[IPSW File Format|IPSW]]. |
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| − | # By using a phonebook SIM card and connecting to [[iTunes]] and syncing the phone. (Note you must sync your phone for the activation token to be signed. If you put the phonebook SIM card in and take it out of the phone without syncing to iTunes, then it will go to the "Connect to iTunes/Emergency Call" screen. |
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| + | == Properly activating a hacktivated device == |
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| + | Ways to "un-hacktivate" a device, or in other words, properly activate it: |
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| + | Official activation using redsn0w: Insert a valid SIM card from the phone's official carrier. Then open redsn0w, click "Jailbreak", and click the "deactivate" checkbox that will be presented during the jailbreaking process. Open up iTunes, and it should properly activate the phone. You can then remove that SIM card. |
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| + | Official activation using SAM: This is similar to the redsn0w method above - obtain a valid SIM from the phone's official carrier, and put that SIM in your phone. Add the repository http://repo.bingner.com/ to Cydia, install [http://www.bingner.com/SAM.html SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module)], choose "Revert Lockdownd to Stock", and choose "deactivate". Then plug the device into your computer, open iTunes, and it should properly activate your phone. You can then remove that SIM card. |
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| + | Simulated activation using SAM: This method does not require having an official SIM card. You can use [http://www.bingner.com/SAM.html SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module)] to obtain correct activation certificates for a phone, because SAM simulates an official SIM card ID (ICCID) and IMSI. See [http://www.jailbreakqa.com/faq#33270 "How to use SAM to get proper activation of my iPhone?"] for instructions. |
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Revision as of 09:19, 6 November 2013
Hacktivation is the process of circumventing the standard Apple activation process with iTunes. Hacktivation is required when using an iPhone without an authorized carrier.
The relevant information about activation is that when an iPhone is booted up for the first time or freshly after a full restore, the phone's serial number and IMEI are checked against a database in Apple to make sure it's allowed to work with that SIM card inserted (this also activates push notifications to the iPhone). Apple intends for locked iPhones to only activate when a SIM card from the providing carrier is inserted - this doesn't have to be the iPhone's original SIM card and it doesn't have to be a SIM with active service, it just has to be a SIM that is valid for that iPhone. Hacktivation bypasses having to insert an eligible SIM card (for example if one is not available).
Hacktivation can be performed by most jailbreak tools that break the boot chain. Userland jailbreaks such as Spirit and Star cannot hacktivate, as they require interaction with programs that can only be used post-activation.
Hacktivation can be done on an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and original iPhone, because they all have bootrom exploits available. There is no way to hacktivate an iPhone 4S, 5, 5s, or 5c, because they do not have bootrom exploits available.
A hacktivated device has some downsides: push notifications, iMessage, and FaceTime don't work. The device also drains some battery and data while it tries to look for the certificates that allow a normal device to use those services.
Hacktivation methods
- Using redsn0w and not selecting any of the options. (This will work on any iPhone compatible with that version of redsn0w, but not on devices with A5+ chips.)
- If the iPhone is on 3.1 or 3.1.2, you can use blackra1n. (If you have an iPhone 3GS with the new bootrom it will be tethered.)
- Restore using a custom IPSW.
Properly activating a hacktivated device
Ways to "un-hacktivate" a device, or in other words, properly activate it:
Official activation using redsn0w: Insert a valid SIM card from the phone's official carrier. Then open redsn0w, click "Jailbreak", and click the "deactivate" checkbox that will be presented during the jailbreaking process. Open up iTunes, and it should properly activate the phone. You can then remove that SIM card.
Official activation using SAM: This is similar to the redsn0w method above - obtain a valid SIM from the phone's official carrier, and put that SIM in your phone. Add the repository http://repo.bingner.com/ to Cydia, install SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module), choose "Revert Lockdownd to Stock", and choose "deactivate". Then plug the device into your computer, open iTunes, and it should properly activate your phone. You can then remove that SIM card.
Simulated activation using SAM: This method does not require having an official SIM card. You can use SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module) to obtain correct activation certificates for a phone, because SAM simulates an official SIM card ID (ICCID) and IMSI. See "How to use SAM to get proper activation of my iPhone?" for instructions.
