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After playing with my kids iTouch’s it became clear to me how much the iTouch is lacking in functionality. Before buying one I considered it just an iPhone without the ability to make calls. The lack of camera was the biggest surprise, because I can’t figure out why they left it out. The GPS and Camera would have been really nice to have even if I can’t use it as a phone.
So would it still be better to buy an iPhone and use it just like an iTouch but with camera and GPS? I found a thread on one of the iPhone forums where a guy, who was going to college and couldn’t afford the $30.00 a month data plan, but wanted an iPhone anyway. He was on campus where they had a robust wifi connection all of the time and didn’t really need the data plan. He already had an AT&T cell phone (a Razor), and just wanted to get a used iPhone and put his SIM card into it.
After giving the guy a hard time, a good samaritan responded with a way to do just that. He pointed out a cool service offered by unlockit. It is an APN Changer for 3G iPhones. It lets you turn off the Edge and 3G data service on your iPhone. This lets you use an AT&T SIM card with your iPhone but lets you use it without adding the iPhone data plan.
To use this service do the following:
- Put the AT&T Sim card in the already activated iPhone.
- Make a wifi connection to a local wifi source.
- Navigate to this page. Click “Continue To The Next Page”.
- Click Disable Data (Fake APN). The Install Profile window appears.
- Click Install. Another Install Profile window will popup warning you that authenticity of this profile cannot be verified. Click Install on this window too.
- You should now see a message stating “Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.
You should now be able to make phone calls and be able to use wifi to access the internet. When you aren’t connected, you should get an error.
To remove the 3G/Edge block, simply go to your Network settings and removed the Fake APN profile.
This thread pointed out a really cool service.
It works on my 2g iphone as well! : ) thanks!
WOW thanks my friend had just switched from a i-phone to a palm centro and i took her i-phone but,i did not want to pay 30.00 a month for internet service and wifi data and i already had AT&T and wanted to just keep my normal sim-card and this worked absolutley wonderfully
Did the iphone still receive texts or is that blocked with the data?
Jimmy, I’m not sure, but if it worked with your previous AT&T phone it will probably still work with the iPhone. I’m not sure if AT&T makes you buy a data connection service to get Text messages.
Did you all have an already-activated iphone from AT&T? I bought an iphone through ebay, restored it, and hacked it using QuickPWN but it won’t let me use wifi, although I can use every other feature on the phone. PLEASE HELP!!! Nick
Did you all have an already-activated iphone from AT&T? I bought an iphone through ebay, restored it, and hacked it using QuickPWN but it won’t let me use wifi, although I can use every other feature on the phone. PLEASE HELP!!!
Nick,
Yes it has to be activated before you start. Do you have a friend that has an iphone that you could get help from? If so, i would borrow their sim card and get your phone working. Then take theirs out and put yours in and follow the instructions in the article.
Alicia
Yes, I do have a friendand I tried that….but when I reconnected it to the computer to unlock it and jailbreak it, iTunes said it was the wrong SIM card and wouldn’t let me do anything. I then used QuickPwn to jailbreak and unlock it. After that whole process was over, it still said in iTunes that it wasn’t the right sim card the phone was activated with, so I had to restore it and start all over…if you can help me in this process and give me instructions on exactly what to do I would appreciate it so much!!!!THANK YOU
Alicia
I have had this iPhone for like 6 months and haven’t had wifi on it ever…its so frustrating and I have been trying to find answers for that long for my problem. I might not have done that process correctly as you stated, so anything you can do for me I would appreciate so much. I first thought it was a hardware issue, but I figured the chance of a hardware wifi issue on the phone would be slim to none. Sometimes I can view wifi connections, connect to it for like 2 seconds then it boots me off, and then other times it won’t even pick up any wifi connections (same locations) at all. THANK YOU!!!!
Alicia, also, when I put my friend’s sim card from his legit AT&T iPhone after I have unlocked and jailbroken it, it still won’t let me use wifi even though he has a data plan…I do not have a data plan or anything, I just wanted to use the phone for wifi since I have access to wifi all day every day, so I don’t need a data plan. PLEASE HELP…thanks
Nick,
That’s a stupid question but it might be worth asking…. are you sure your wifi is ON in the phone settings???
Sebastien
Yes, lol, my wifi is on in the phone settings…but I appreciate all the input. I didn’t know if there was some special program or trick that you had to use to allow you to access wifi without data…but I just have no clue. Any input or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
We have a 4 phone ATT family plan, with 2 data plans for me and my wife who has a 3G iPhone. My daughter, currently using a razor has received a 2G older iPhone from my friend who upgraded to 3G. Now she wants to use this older iPhone instead of her razor, and I do not care to for a 3rd data plan. Do I understand this right, that I can take my wife’s activated SIM card from her 3G iphone, plug it in this 2G iPhone, run the task you outline above with “Disable Data (Fake APN)”, put my wife’s SIM back into her 3G (without damage to her SIM), and then take my daughters “razor” SIM and place it into the 2G iPhone resulting in a functional 2G iPhone with functional WiFi, but no need for a data plan to use it. Will this alteration prevent her from “accidently” connecting to “EDGE” or any other $$bites/min service?
It is funny but your family configuration sounds just like ours! I have not tried this on a 2G and I don’t know if you can use a 3G sim in a 2g phone but I don’t think it would hurt the sim, it just may not work. If the 2G has already been previously activated, then you probably don’t even need the 3G sim. Just put the Razor SIM in the 2G and try using my instructions. The worst that could happen is not work. This alteration is exactly to prevent her from accidentally connecting to data service. I had to do something very similar to my daughter’s blackberry because she wanted it as an organizer and it had a WIFI connection that she could use at home and at school, but i didn’t want to pay the connect charges for her to use it outside of WIFI.
greedy cell phone company whores….. arg just let us choose no data plan!
im still confused as to how this works, how does this prevent them from charging me an extra $30/month
Because you are using a sim from a non-iphone at&t plan. Normally with non-iphones you don’t pay the $30.00. With this hack, you get the ability to use your phone and the ability to browse the internet only using wifi.
really, i’d be careful with this. i got a $2000 at&t bill after i tried to remove my data plan on the iphone 3g and just use wifi. i haven’t tried this website because it’s pretty much too late for me. really, anything you can do to keep the monsters at at&t from getting all your money is probobly for the best.
Alicia,
I got a 2G used IPhone. I have activated it with at&t. I have data plan as of now. I plan to use your instructions and see if edge service can be disabled.I hope it works and I can continue to use Wifi and SMS text. I will let you know soon if it works.
Thanks,
Niel
Niel, please email me at d.michael.reed@gmail.com I would like to know how it worked out for you. My uncle has a 2G iphone that i would like to purchase but i dont want to pay for a data plan. yet i do have a text plan. please let me know asap!
Thanks man,
Dave
I tried using this with a 2G iPhone and it didn’t work on mine but luckily mine was unlocked and had installer. If you have installer, download BigBoss prefs and it allows you to turn off edge. I have been using only wifi and havent had any problems with at&t or anything.
Thanks for all this info. Just this morning, I am pondering these issues, and here you guys are talking about it.
I’m trying to decided whether to buy my son an I Phone or I Touch for Christmas. With the I Touch you know there’s no possibility of the extra charges. I am NOT paying $30 a month to access FREE WI-FI access points, especially the one I get in my house for WAY less than this *&%#.
I tried in my at&t activated IPhone,which has dataplan on it. But it when i click “Disable APN” to download the APN config file, in safari browser, I get a popup message saying “Safari can’t download this file”
One more thing I have firmware 2.1.. and it is 2G IPhone..I activated it with ITunes just a week ago.
Hey man…. So heres what happend to me. I bought an iphone from my uncle. Then i took my sim card and put it in the phone and plugged it into the computer and connected with itunes. Well, i then subscribed and all that and it supposidly changed my plan and added the Data plan and got rid of my old plan of unlimited text. I was like freaking out…. about how expensive it had got so i called atnt and told them that i didnt want the iphone if it had a data plan like that. They said you cannot have an iphone without a data plan. I have read many tags online that you can manage but no one ever tells the full aspects of it. Anyways so i had them take the data plan off of it and i told them i wanted to go back to my old motorolla v551 and they asked for the IEME number or whatever its called from the phone. so i told them that. They said that the data plan is now removed. and im ready to go on my v551 however, i found on the net this one site that is like unlockit.co.nz and you install this APN fake it thing so i installed it using my wifi connection from the house. It installed and i then turned off the fetch thing and set it to manual so i guess my updates will only occur when i want them too. My phone still works and i called back to make sure the data plan was not on there with another customer rep… they said that im on a motorolla V551 and i had my unlimited text once again.
So am i like free of any charges? does anyone have any additional info that i need to consider? I dont want to get like charged alot of money and get screwed. I know several people have had luck but they never fully explain it. I dont care about pic messages or stuff like that so i feel like im free from the data plan thing… i guess ill continue calling and asking later in the month… i thought they were able to know if your were using a apple iphone…???? or am i really tricking them . Please respond asap.
Thanks.
I have a iphone 2g with firmware 2.0 and I installed the fake APN by following the step above. However, when I insert the an att sim card from another phone (not iphone and no data plan) it asks me to unlock or activate the iphone. I thought by following the step above I dont have to activate my iphone with a data plan. Any suggestion?
the iphone needs to be activated i recommend that you get a friend who has an iphone, use their sim to activate the iphone, then put in your sim
So why wouldn’t this work:
1. Call AT&T and tell them you’re switching to an old phone (non-data).
2. Continue using iPhone 3G w/ data disabled.
Is there a way that AT&T network automatically detects/flags your iPhone then charges accordingly?
I just signed up with ATT because the service with T-Mobile sucked in the hospital where I work. However, they made me sign up for the data plan with my new Blackjack 2, much to my dismay. But I can remove it before my free 30 day trial period expires. I guess it is required for smartphones to download any needed upgraded software. I just want to use my unlocked and jailbroken 2G iphone for sms, phone calls, and WiFi if possible, without paying the pricey $30/month for data plan.
So my question is, should I call and have the data plan removed before performing this task of disabling the EDGE function on the iphone? Or should I activate the iphone with the data plan in place already and then removing it before my 30 days is up? If ATT detects that I’m using an iphone and says I need the data plan, then I can always tell them I’m going back to using my MOTO Razr.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I need help!
I just bought an iphone off of e-bay. its a 2g 8gb. However I DO NOT want to pay $30 worth of internet because I am a full-time college student and we have free WIFI on campus, and therefore I dont need it. I am already a at&t customer. PLEASE help me use my iphone. It says my account cannot be activated till I sign up for the data plan!
you can call ATT and have them mannually disable and block your data plan. That way you can’t use it, and you can’t accidentally log on either. You’ll just get an error message. WiFi should still work.
I called them today and begged them! and they said they cant do that! now is my only option to jailbreak and unlock my iphone? or is that a really bad idea?? PLEASE help me!
Lelani
Read through my article and the comments. You need to have the phone activated before using another aT&T SIM in it. Find a friend who has an iPhone, put in their SIM, activate it in iTunes, and then take theirs out, put in your own SIM and follow the instructions in this article. The whole purpose of the hack described in this article isn’t to activate the iPhone but to let you manually disable and block your data plan so that the non-Iphone SIM won’t be charged as an iPhone SIM.
You could also wait for the 3G unlock that is coming soon.
ok well i already did that, and what it did was it stopped me letting onto my iphone, then it began to stop at the screen where there is the i-tunes symbol and the U.S.B. cable. And so then I thought I should restore my i-phone, but that didnt work either. So I went to the nearest Apple store to me, and they gave me a brand new i-phone bc they said my old i-phone had something wrong with it. Then when I went to activate my new i-phone the people said I had to sign up for new 2 year contract with at&t!! I am soo confused now. So now I have given up and am sending my new i-phone to be jailbroken and unlocked by my friends friend because I DO NOT want to sign up for another 2 years…and also bc i’m on my parents plan. Was jailbreaking and unlocking a good idea? or is there still hope?? Should I get my i-phone back before it’s tampered with?? oh and this new i-phone won’t go past the i-tunes symbol either……PLEASE HELP AGAIN!!!
I recently wanted to test the new iphone 3g. So I borrowed my friends pre-activated iphone 3g and put my at&t sim card in. I already have at&t media unlimited plan. I was using my friends iphone 3g for 3-4 days, then I got a text message and email from at&t saying that my current data plan is not meant for iphone and I should contact them for avoiding unexpected data charges on my account. I called them and requested them to activate iphone data plan on my account. They said they cannot do that since I did not own a iphone from at&t. And they cannot activate the data plan on my account as I do not qualify for an upgrade at this time. This means if you buy an iphone 3g from off-ebay etc to use with your current at&t sim card, it is not a right choice. Now my concern is that I an due for an upgrade next week. I do not want to spend extra 30$ a month for iphone data plan. I have a better offer from my friend that if I get an iphone he will pay me a decent amount for that phone. However, if I get that, how can I get rid of the data plan from at&t? for example, if I tell them that I lost my iphone and I dont wat the data plan, would they remove the data plan? But I am willing to carry on with my extended 2 year contract. any advice? all inputs are welcome from similar experienced users. thanks!
Here is my situation….
I have an iPhone 3G that has been activate and fully functional from AT&T for 3 months now. I just bought a new 2G iPhone (the older model). I upgraded it to the 2.1 firmware and ran QuckPwn. The phone is now open to do anything, and iTunes can sync with it. However, when I put in my 3G SIM it doesn’t receive any ATT service bars at the top. I followed the steps above, installed the Fake APN, and put in another working ATT SIM from a LG phone, still no ATT service. Am I missing something? It is fully unlocked, but will not show any ATT service regardless the SIM.
Question! Does your sim card have to be with AT&T? can it be with Rogers or Fido or any other mobile company?
Ryan, Did you check if the 3G services is on? It might be put off and so you not getting the network… Also this has got nothing to do with your data plan…
For Others: One more thing that you can do is that access the above unlockit link from your PC. Once you are done with the above steps, your browser will ask you to download the mobileconfig file, juss download it. Then using your regular email account, just mail it to the mail account that you have setup on your iphone. Just clicking on the mail attachment will ask you to install the profile. This way you’ll have the config file as an attachment in your iphone mail. Next time you go out of your wifi network but urgently want to use internet, remove thr progile and use your data plan. Once you are done with browsing, go to your mailbox in ihpone and open that mobileconfig file in your attachment and Voila, your data plan is deactivated again!!! I live in Japan and have an Iphone here. I do pretty much this stuff all the while… This way i can keep a check easily on my cellular data usage… All we have this city wifi packages which are damn cheap and so we have wifi almost everywhere!!!
Sorry Ryan, read your 2G stuff juss now. See, basically its that you are using a 3G sim card on a 2G phone, be it IPhone or any other… It is not supposed to work as the sim card will search for a 3G phone and its not getting that… your phone is basically not capable of talking to the network…
Rash B…I just signed up with ATT and got the Samsung BlackJack II and it’s 3G. So from what you’re saying, I can’t use this SIM card, which is 3G, with my 2G iphone? That doesn’t make any sense. If the phone is unlocked, any SIM card should work with it. Can anyone attest to this or am I wrong?
To Max: you can use your 3G SIM card in your 2G phone (any kind) and it should work fine.
ok quick question im not quite understanding. How do u know if the iphone has been activated or not? I know the person im buying the iphone from was using it but got a diff phone. I also know its the 2g so i dont know if that helps.
To clarify, if I get an un-activated iPhone from a friend, I put their iPhone SIM card in the iPhone to activate it using iTunes. Once it’s activated, I take their SIM card out and put mine in. I then connect to a WiFi network and go through all the steps above. After that, I now have a functional iPhone with my own plan, but no data?
Also, would it keep working through updates and stuff?
Adam, the phone will work as normal if you put your SIM card into any pre-activated iphone. However, AT&T has a handset detection technology, no matter whether you subscribed to data plan or not, with the IMEI number, they will find out which handset you are using with your account. So ultimately, you will get a warning/alert to contact customer care.
I have personal experience with the IMEI detection technology of AT&T. Whenever, I change the handset to a different one, within few hours when you log on to AT&T “my account” the new handset make & Model is displayed under “my devices”. No matter from where you get these handsets from.
Hope this will clarify your question.
So will they get pissed? Will they change my plan? Or can I just keep using the iPhone?
They wont get pissed I guess. But they will not change your plan. I dont know what happes if you keep using the phone.
Jacob is right. I canceled my iPhone plan and got another AT&T plan with a low end Nokia phone. I pulled the sim out of the Nokia and placed it in my iPhone.
I loaded the fake APN program on my iPhone and now I can place calls on my iPhone and use wi-fi but not edge and 3G. When I switched to the Nokia, my AT&T account online was showing the Nokia phone as my handset, but has now switched over to the iPhone. I don’t know if they are going to now force me into a data plan again. We’ll see.
I have an already activated working iPhone 3G and a brand new, never activated iPhone 2G. Is there any way I can get this to work? I want to be able to keep using my iPhone 3G, legit, as usual, but want to be able to put ANY SIM into the iPhone 2G and have it work. I am desperate. All help is greatly appreciated! Thanks! – Ryan
Jim, please keep updated here if they catch you for using iPhone with another low-end plan.
Also, how did you got rid of the iphone data plan? Did you paid any penalty etc for doing that?
Ryan, check out youtube for unlocking iphone 2g and there are some ineresting videos showing how to activate, unlock iphone 2g.
Yeah…So I have now QuickPwn’d my iPhone 2G. All menus and apps are accessible. However, I STILL can not place any SIM into my phone. The SIM from my legit iPhone 3G doesn’t show “ATT” or the Service Bars, calls do not work. The same goes with an ATT SIM from another working LG phone. Any ideas? I feel like I am missing something very simple here. Thanks in advance…
Yesterday I bought my boyfriend a 16Gb 3G iPhone for his birthday.. off of craigslist. I myself already have an iPhone. It’s a 2G 8Gb. I have read every single comment on this site and I see a few different options as how to activate his phone without the data plan service from AT&T. I don’t want to try one of the options and then have it not work. Also, what difference would unlocking or jailbreaking it make? I don’t really understand what jailbreaking is in the first place. I just want him to be able to use the iPhone without subscribing to any rip off AT&T plan. Any help is much appreciated. TY
There is an app to simply turn EDGE off. This means browsing won’t use the SIM. The app is great as it also allows quick off/on control of wifi and bluetooth. It’s called Services.app. Google it.
Jacob,
I simply got a low end plan for the Nokia. No data etc..
When I swapped the sim from my Nokia into my iPhone, it just worked.
With the Fake APN profile that I added, I’m only using wi-fi.
I lost my voice mail, though, visual and otherwise…no voice mail whatsoever.
My wife has done the same thing I did with her iPhone 2G. She still has voice mail, but no visual voice mail. I have a feeling they are hip to what we are doing and will simply re-instate our data plan. I’ll find out after Dec. 15th when our billing recycles.
No matter what, att still wants their $30 a month with an iphone 3g. I tried the steps, it works just fine…disabled edge and got everything working WiFi onlyn no edge, e-mail, texting, voice mail still working fine. Got an e-mail saying that I needed to call customer service because I did not have a qualified data plan.
Don’t forget…read the “legal” fine print on your iphone. It does mention the data plan must be used with phone.
Yeah, I read the legal. I think they’ll just reinstate the data plan.
It’s too bad, but I understand what they’re doing.
So using these steps, it disables not only the internet, but e-mail and texting?
Adam,
The data blocker only blocks Edge/3G. You can continue with wi-fi which will
still access your email. Texting is not part of the data package so it’s not effected either.
“Yeah, I read the legal. I think they’ll just reinstate the data plan.
It’s too bad, but I understand what they’re doing.”
If you had a iphone data plan before, yes probably they will reinstate the same. But if you are new ti iphone and you never had a iphone data plan, forget it! they will not activate the data plan – it happened with me. If you are eligible for an upgrade probably they will activate the data plan and extend your contract.
I just bought a 2G 8GB iphone and unlocked /jailbroke it with Quickpwn- i have a sim card that came with the phone- however it has been deactivated. I have at&t with no data plan- and whenever i exchange the sim card, it takes me to the activation menu on the iPhone and itunes. I tried this method of installing the block, but whenever i switch out the sim, it goes back to square one at the activate screen. What am I missing? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
Just wanted to add that the deactivated sim is recognized and allows me to continue using the functions on the phone- also the phone is recognized on itunes. The minute i swap out, it takes me to the plan upgrade page!
I purchased my friend’s old 2G iphone, and popped in my SIM (from the razr that i was using). Once I connected to itunes, it led me through steps and I activated using my sim. As of now I have the $20 data plan.
Can i still do the above steps and take the data off? Or did it HAVE to be done prior to activating with my sim?
only question, after doing all this does at&t still know u have an iphone?
like does iphone show on ur online “phones and devices”?
Yes Amit it will.
————————————————-
ATT se bachna mushkil hein …
Want to do what Tore did. Wondering how it worked out, since he posted in October. My wife and I both have activated iPhones with data (hers 3g, mine edge – no contract) I have another iPhone edge, that I would like to configure for my daughter without data. I want to add her to the family plan for the 9.95 a month. She is either at school or at home so she only needs WiFi.
My plan:
Update her iPhone with my sim.
Activate an old Razor with ATT
Put Razr sim in iPhone and deactivate edge/data with instructions above.
Can she still use the itunes on her mackbook to sync contacts / and get free apps for the iPhone. Or does hooking to iTunes have any effect on using it without the data plan.
Thanks for any tips – want to make sure it works before I embark on the efforts of replacing a cracked screen on this iPhone.
adding email notify – sorry
Is the link provided in the instructions still valid? I’ve tried a couple of times today with errors.
I bought hubby one off ebay, and have yet to insert sim card, and it connects with my home network fine, downloading apps from itunes as well. Will that change when I insert the sim card? BTW, he already has the blackjack II and we were not forced to get a data plan. We have all internet blocked on all of our phones.
Ok,
so let me get this straight. I have a 2G i-Phone. I need to get a friend’s sim card from his activated 2G or 3G i-Phone, correct? I activate my 2G phone with my friends 2G or 3G sim card, correct? This will not mess up my friend’s sim card, or give my friend additional billing charges, correct? FOllowing the instructions above, I can now use my AT&T non-data plan sim card in my 2G i-Phone and be able to use the phone feature as well as wi-fi, correct. Please let me know if I’m reading this right. If it’s all correct, Merry Christmas.Thanks
Jim,
I was wondering have you checked your bill? Did att reinstate the data plan or catch onto the trick?
Thanks in advance.
Just got my bill. They did not reinstate my data plan, which is not to say they won’t in the future. So at this point in time, I am using my iphone with the sim from my nokia phone and not paying for data. I have turned off edge/3G on my phone with a download to my iphone which stops all data usage. I can, however, still use wi-fi effectively. One note, my voice mail is no longer functioning. Not just visual voice mail, but voice mail entirely. My wife is doing the same thing on her 2nd generation iphone and still has voice mail.
No reason to believe they won’t retroactively ding me for data at some point in the future, but it’s an intersting experiment.
Having trouble. I have activated an edge iphone for my daughter with my sim from my edge iphone. I have a razor with an new activated sim for it. I took the razor sim and put it in the iphone and it gives me the screen “plug in to iTunes” or emergency call. If I plug into iTunes it wants me to activate the Razor sim – so I cancel. What am I doing wrong? Thanks
Should I downgrade to earlier iPhone software ? Does it matter?
I’m using 2.2
hello, i just got the old iphone and am currently a ATT customer. please could you advise on how to have it activated WITHOUT the data plan?
when i call ATT, they say i need to have the data plan activated. my cell phone is from work and i cannot make changes to the plan.
any guidance will be greatly appreciated. thanks a lot.
They are both 1st generation iPhones. Both have 2.2 software. I’ve now tried it with both iPhones. With mine on and working, I can pull out the sim card and it works like a touch, pop the original sim in works like an iPhone, pop in the Razor sim it immediately gives me the “plug into iTunes screen” to activate a new phone.
Both iphones work with MY iPhone sim. The Razor works and is activated. As soon as I put in the Razor sim into either iPhone the “plug into iTunes screen” comes on.
Any other hints?
My friend got the 3g for xmas. Im getting his 2g. Can i use my sim card and do this on wifi without it charging me? Or do I need to borrow a sim that is already set up with the data plan? im on my Dad’s buiss. plan and if it charges im screwed. Im only 14 and cant pay him back. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Zach
I took the above steps for my 2G, EVERYTHING worked out, thanks!
Only problem, how do you set up voicemailbox.
It asks me for the mailbox number, and when I put in my number, it says “not recognized, put in the mailbox number specified by your system manager”.
Can’t ask AT&T for help with this!
Amit,
Are you using 2.2 software? I’m having trouble getting my 2G to recognize the Razor sim.
Yea, I am
Lamrod,
how did you get your phone activated to begin with, without starting a data plan? I have an AT&T sim, old generation iphone, but it wont work and AT&T wont let me start it without the data plan.
Thank you.
I have 2 iPhones with data for myself and my wife. I am trying to activate a 3rd iPhone without data for my daughter. So I used my sim to activate my daughters iPhone. My sim will work in both. When I put the Razor sim in either, it won’t work, it wants me to activate again.
Anyone who has taken the above steps and setup their iphones…DOES YOUR VOICEMAIL WORK?
I have a 2G iphone and can’t get my voicemail setup. It asks for my mailbox number that is provided by the system manager, not quite sure what that is! I can’t call AT&T for help!
can u make calls without a wifi connection???
Sam, It’s a phone…. of course. You don’t make call’s with wifi…
Even after taking the above steps… AT&T can still detect your iphone
While talking to customer service, they said I had a RED FLAG on my account because the local cellphone towers detected calls being made from an iphone using my number…
I installed this fake apn because i bought an unlocked iphone and put my sim in it, but now i seem to be having a problem. i am connected to the wifi network in my house but when i try going on safari or using itunes, it says that safari is not connected to the internet. anyone else have this issue?
so the bottom line is after trying all the above things, ATT still detects that i am using Iphone 3G without a data plan and they will automatically add me a data plan???\Even though my Iphone is blocked all the way to using data by the above fake APN.
I am not really good at Iphone stuffs so much appreciate if anyone can help me
I am availble for either chatting or email
Yahoo Messenger at sunnykeira
mail at sunnykeira@yahoo.com
RE VOICEMAIL: I set up the voicemail on the original Razor phone first and then put the sim in the iPhone. The voicemail seems to currently work fine. No visual voicemail, but it sends alerts that someone has left a voicemail.
PS – my iphone only worked after unlocking it with the software listed on this website and then putting in the sim
After reading this post, and all the comments therein, I decided to see if I could pull this off with my recently acquired iPhone.
I got my 2G iPhone from a friend who upgraded to the 3G, so the phone was already activated, had his old SIM card and was all set-up in his info, wifi and all the features worked it just had no service to it.
First It unlocked/jailbroke my phone. iClarified has an article that works for PC and MAC users to Unlock/Jailbreak your iphone 2g or 3g over at http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=1880 ***Mac users be sure to use the Pwnage Tool and not Quickpwn. Quickpwn for mac doesn’t give you the same Unlock options as is does for PC.
Once this was done (with the original sim card in) I went to the nearest AT&T store and bought a $25 GO PHONE sim card and had him transfer my (Verizon) number to it. Popped the new sim card in, and VOILA!! My iPhone worked with go-phone plan. I then proceeded to the steps in this article to block the edge network. But being overly paranoid this fake APN might not be doing it’s job, I decided to also download (Boss Prefs) a system preference add-on available in Cydia (your jailbroken app store) and this has a preference to disable edge with a toggle.
Go-phone works great so-far for me today. I can send/receive calls, texts and everything (including voice mail) works. It even gives me a nice pop-up after each phone-call or text message how my balance is. Pretty cool. I’ll subscribe to the comments if anyone has any questions. Good luck all
Jones,
I experienced the following problem…
Even after taking the above steps… AT&T can still detect the iphone
While talking to customer service, they said I had a RED FLAG on my account because the local cellphone towers detected calls being made from an iphone using my number…
I have blocked data on the account, followed the above steps, AND installed bossprefs…
What do you think about this?
I think the more people that call ATT and ask them if this works, are creating an issue that will effect all of us.
@Amit
I wouldn’t worry about the flag, if they haven’t done anything yet, except tell you about it when you called in, they probably won’t. If Apple or an upper management decision is made to start doing something about this issue, we should likely hear about it on the popular apple/tech sites. The only ones really losing out is Apple because they get a cut of the subscription plans.
If you like you could disguise or block your IMEI number from them seeing it. I believe that is the only thing they can get from your hardware. It doesn’t matter if you make calls or not, just having the sim in and phone powered on they can see all the devices connected to each tower at all times.
So in conclusion, if you like you could potentially change your IMEI number using ziPhone, but you would have to change it to another IMEI that uses GSM (IE.. an old AT&T phone not being used)
Jones,
Thanks, I think I’ll stick with my current status, cuz changing IMEI is apparently a really big no no (legality wise). Are you experiencing the “red flag” issue? I would like to call at&t again to ask a question but I’m really hesitant. Don’t want it to stay like this the whole time we keep at&t!
@Amit
I actually just called AT&T tonight (From my iPhone) =P I was having problems with canceling my verizon account because ATT hadn’t finished the porting process. They cleared it all up and didn’t mention a thing about my phone I was using.
Keep me updated if you experience any problems, that way I can have fair warning! =)
Ok so a week ago i called at&t and told them i dont want to use my iphone anymore, so they asked me for another phones imei so i gave it to them. Then i went online and my iphone was back up there. how do i stop this from happening?
hi. I just got a 2g iPhone from my brother because he got the new 3g. My problem is I have sprint on my cell phone and I don’t think iPhone works with sprint. So rite now I have been using the iphone for Internet. I have att Internet and I was able to set the iPhone up wireless to the modem. I’m upset because I can’t get yahoo messenger. I really need slot of questions answered. Anyone with 2g iPhone smarts please email me at sxyrblktty@yahoo.com. Thanx.
Hello. I have been having my iphone 3g for a couple of months and I just dont want to have to pay the extra 30$ a month for the data plan. I am curious to know what steps I need to take in order to keep my iphone but get rid of the iphone data plan. If anyone with knowledge on how to make this happen, please email me at dwsjr04@yahoo.com. Thanks
i just got my friends old iPhone (the original one) and i wanted to follow these steps to use it without the $30 a month data plan but when i connect it to itunes it says iphone cannot be used because apple service device has not been started. i need helo to get around this so i can use it.
Success for a 2G iphone with no data plan!
I’ve been an AT&T customer for a long time and have been happy with my service. My brother had a 2G, then upgraded to a 3G so he sent me his old 2G phone. When I received the phone, itunes recognized his old cell number but the SIM did not register a wireless signal on the upper left. I have been using a Razr, so I figured I would just put the SIM into the iphone after unlocking the phone.
I followed Jones directions #89, and I was able to successfully use Qwickpwn to Jailbreak and unlock the phone… or so I thought. Things seemed to be OK. I downloaded BossPrefs from Cydia (you can do this after Jailbreak) to turn off the Edge. I also followed directions above to do the FakeAPN… all as a precaution to disable unwanted Edge access.
The problem I had was not really understanding what it means to be an activated phone. The phone was obviously previously activated because my brother used it for over a year. My wife also has a 3G phone. But when I tried to use my Razr SIM card or my wife’s 3G sim card, the phone would immediately say “Different SIM detected” and would prompt me to connect to Itunes to activate the phone. It wouldnt even let me into my home screen, so I couldnt use the phone as an ipod touch.
This “Different SIM detected” is a common problem…. read this entry…
http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/2008/11/23/unlock-your-iphone-2g-22-using-quickpwn/
Read comment #42 and follow it carefully… it worked for me as well as a host of other people trying to unlock their 2G iphone. I had upgraded my phone to 2.2.1, but I decided to restore back to 2.2… it works so I’m probably not going to fuss anymore.
As a final measure, I called ATT and asked them to disable all internet data access on my line… I claimed it was my daughter’s phone and she was just learning to play with the internet and i wanted it blocked.
Good luck to you all!
I just got it all working…. calls come in fine, my voicemail works… wifi connections at my home and office. I’m sure ATT will detect my
iPhone 2G success with no dataplan! Calls working (including voicemail) + data access through WIFI.
I thought I would post because it took me a while to get this done. I recently received my brothers iPhone2G… he upgraded to a 3G so he gave me his phone. I was already an ATT customer, with a RAZR, and just wanted to keep my very basic phone plan without adding ATT’s $20/month dataplan with a 2 year commitment.
When I first plugged the iphone in, the wireless icon on the upper left showed no signal… essentially the phone only worked as an ipod touch. I I proceeded to follow Jones #89 post, and used Quickpwn to unlock and jailbreak the phone. I followed directions and ended up upgrading firmware to 2.2.1. Jailbreaking worked, and I used Cydia to install Bosspref to turn off Edge access. I also followed the instructions to create a FakeAPN. Having the phone inadvertently ring up data charges per KB would be a disaster.
The problem was that as soon as I put my SIM card (or even my wife’s iPhone 3G sim, as suggested), the phone would detect this as the wrong card. I got the message that “Different SIM detected” and it prompts me to “connect to iTunes.” I couldnt get past this message, and the phone wont let you even get past the home screen to use as an ipod touch.
Read this post…. i ended up restoring my phone back to 2.2 (from 2.2.1… it would probably work with 2.2.1 but i didnt want to take any chances). http://www.iphonedownloadblog.com/2008/11/23/unlock-your-iphone-2g-22-using-quickpwn/
The relevant comments are #7, #11… but most importantly #42. #42 was the post that solved all the problems… and the comments after that suggest many people have had success following #42. I didnt bother with changing the lockdown folder as suggested in #11.
For good measure, I called ATT and had them remove all internet data access from my phone line. Good luck to you all!
Ed,
I’ve done all of the above with my 2G and it works fine.
Only concern, whenever I call AT&T, they “warn me” saying they know I’m using an iphone and that I have a “Red Flag” on my account. Also, an iphones shows under “my devices” in my online account. Any advice?
Is it illegal to unlock an Iphone and fake the apn? And can you still use itunes after you unlock it and fake the apn?
Thank you,
Hunter
I was previously on AT&T and it was time to renew our contract. I went out and got an iPhone 3G with the the data plan and haven’t had much problems, if any, with it so far.
After about two months of having mine I renewed my wife’s contract and got her a 3G iPhone as well. After using my wife’s iPhone for about 3-4 weeks I called AT&T and told them I was switching back to my old phone because the iPhone just isn’t working out for me and I will need the $30 data plan removed, and Internet blocked. I gave the rep my IMEI # from my old phone, she put it in their database, removed the iPhone data plan, switch my texting to the normal 200 messaging plan and put a block on Internet useage.
Now my wife’s phone still works for voice calls and wifi just fine. It no longer has the 3G or EDGE icons on the top and I can no longer connect to the Internet via the cellular network. I just made this change the other day, so we will see how the bills come out for the next few months.
If anyone has done what I’ve done and has had problems, then please let me know. I still need to check the voicemail to see if that still works or not. Thanks.
I have a friend who is with ATT. I am on T-Mobile w/ T-Zones. Can I as my friend to upgrade my to iphone. Then after 30 days, have him call ATT and tell them he doesnt like it. So then I will take his phone unlock it and use Tmobile on it. The question is… will ATT revert him back to his old plan pre Ipod (fyi. irealize he will now have a 2 yr commit. no probs with that) Thoughts?
@ Nicholas
You may change phone plans after you purchase an iPhone so your idea will work. You will need to wait 30 days or they will likely ask for the phone to be returned. All AT&T needs to know is that your friend no longer wishes to use the phone on their network. The two year contract with AT&T is not tied to an iPhone plan. I successfully switched to an old phone and cheaper plan after a few months of paying for the iPhone plan–I still have my iPhone 3G.
Okay I did the website thing…and when I insert the sim it just says connect to itunes…I dont want that…what do I need to do?…I dont have data…but a first gen. Iphone that I want to use for voice only…help help..The phone is still functional w/o the sim..its jailbroken too..
I did the update on my 3G and called ATT today to cancel the data service. The are persistently asking for a new IMEI number and won’t cancel the data plan without a new IMEI. Can I give them an IMEI from my old unlocked Nokia and than just continue using the iPhone or it won’t work? Any other suggestions?
solo,
I gave AT&T my old IMEI # from my old Sony Ericsson for them to remove the data plan from my wife’s iPhone 3G. They did remove it, and I am still using the iPhone 3G with no data plan. I haven’t had any issues yet. An option you will lose is the visual voicemail, in case you like that feature. VM still does work on her phone, just not visual voicemail.
It’s been two weeks since I made the change to my wife’s account, so I will see if anything happens from here on out, and if I hear from AT&T or not about it.
Thanks Juester!
Allright here’s what I did with a 3G:
1) DO NOT UPGRADE TO 2.2.1 !!!!! You can only use the fake APN on 2.2 or lower
2) Installed the fake APN
3) Got an IMEI # from an old / broken GSM
4) Called ATT from a different number and told them I sold the iPhone, gave them the ‘new’ IMEI and let them block the data
5) Good to go – no data plan!
I dont have any access to my Voicemail though Im still figuring that one out…
I bought an iPhone (unlocked) from CL and I am able to make calls using it. I already had data blocked. However, my device shows I have an iPhone when I log into my account. Will that be a problem? TIA
I did what solo suggested and got it working thanks!!!! BUT I CANNOT GET VOICEMAIL????
Dinsy,
I don’t really know why in my AT&T account those phone models don’t change. I use an iPhone and on my phone # online it shows me still with my old Sony Ericsson phone. Even if I change it to an iPhone, it changes back to the Ericsson and I use the iPhone. My wife’s line she shows an iPhone, which she uses. If I switch it to an Ericsson phone (since I removed her data plan) it will switch back to the iPhone. So I don’t even know if the online site even picks it up correctly anyway. I haven’t had issues yet since I cancelled her data plan, but we will see.
Nate,
Visual Voicemail will no longer work. When I first removed the data plan, voicemail didn’t work at all. Any time I called the phone it would ring about 10 times then give me a message about the subscriber not being available. What I had to do to fix this problem was to call AT&T and tell them the following: “Can you reset my voicemail on my account because the voicemail stopped working since I switched phones on this account?” They will reset your voicemail account and from your iPhone hold down “1″ to call your voicemail and then you can re-setup your voicemail. Once that is done voicemail will work again. Again, you will not be able to do visual voicemail, but when a voicemail is received you should get a little indicator on the phone icon. You will just need to dial “1″ all the time again to check your voicemail.
Hope that helps.
Hey, out there to fix this problem you might want to try this technique it worked
for me.1st insert an active sim card with unlimited web browsing.
2nd jailbreak with Quickpwn(I used 2.2 version).
3rd. after jailbreaking the phone sync it as a new phone.All while having the active sim in the phone.When done you should be able to connect through wifi connection.
So what’s the deal with text messages then if you block the data plan,EDGE or 3G? I heard some people couldn’t receive text messages after doing that, anyone have success or problems with text messages?
Dario,
It has no effect on texting. Texting works fine, if you have a plan including texting…
Hi, I just bought a new 2G 4GB iPhone last night. It is unlocked and jailbroken as stated on the eBay webpage. If I use the iPhone without a data plan, can I still text people since I have a text plan? If I text people, will this alert AT&T that I have an iPhone?
So if we install this unlockit program which will disable EDGE, won’t AT&T continue to send the monthly bill? After you turn off the data plan, how would AT&T know that they should stop billing you? Wouldn’t it be pointless if the iPhone data plan was turned off, but AT&T continue to charge you?
SMS will still work even without a data plan. MMS won’t work, but the iPhone’s don’t support MMS anyway.
If you want AT&T to not charge you for the data plan, you will still need to call AT&T and make sure they remove the data package. In some cases, you can go to your account online and remove the data plan from your account.
Another good idea too is to just tell your provider to put a block on your data so that you can’t access the data network.
iPhone vmail doesn’t work:
OK, I’ve not been able to see one explanation to this question and hope someone can help me out please!! I canceled my data plan, blocked it and all, but now I CANNOT check voicemail, can’t check Visual Voicemail, dial 1 and have no activated voicemailbox. I called att to see if they could reinstall standard vmail until I sold my iphone, they said no, you’re not supposed to be using your iphone w/out data plan. My Q: is there any way around this to use voicemail without data plan? I’d given att a IMEA number for an old phone but kept using my iphone… should I put the SIM in the old phone a couple days then return to my Iphone? I just think it’s ROBBERY to pay $30 extra a month. I just want my phone/vmail/txt that’s it.. can wifi here and there not a big deal…
Appreciate if someone knows the reply to this.
Thanks.
JD,
Visual Voicemail will not work without a data plan, but voicemail could still work.
What you need to do is call AT&T and tell them that you are using your old phone. I’m assuming they already set your account to that old phone’s IMEI # in order for you to get off the data plan. Put your SIM card into that old phone and call AT&T and tell them that you need them to reset your voicemail because it stopped working. Just don’t tell them that you are planning on using the iPhone still. Once they reset your voicemail on their end you should be able to put your SIM back into your iPhone and call your own number, dial 1, or just go into the VM portion of the iPhone and click call voicemail or something. You should get prompted to setup a mailbox like how you would with any other cell phone.
Remember, visual voicemail will not work. When you receive a voicemail you should get a little indicator on the Phone icon stating you have a message. You’ll just need to call you VM box each time to check it.
I hope that helps.
121. Juester Says: Visual Voicemail will not work without a data plan…ou’ll just need to call you VM box each time to check it.–
GREAT, Juster, this is exactly what I needed to know, and I really appreciate the accurate info.. just put my sim in old phone and will be calling att shortly to have my vmail reactivated. I don’t care having to dial 1 to check vmail and not having visual voicemail, that’s just not worth $30 a month to me.
You rock, thanks!!
hi, i bought an iPhone from my friend who upgraded to the 3G, and there is NO sim card, could i put my already activated sim card, into his already activated iphone, navigate to the page and do the tricks, would that work?
So I have a data (unlimited) family plan and my wife’s old 2g iphone. I jailbroke it and installed my simcard from my Tilt. But can’t get “online” without WiFi. I know this is kinda out of topic… everyone wants to use iphone on WiFi but I only pay 10 dollars for the unlimited data package… Can I configure the Iphone so that I can get online via 2g?
Thanks
Does anyone hesitate calling customer service AT&T for any reason.
I have taken all of the above steps and have been using the iphone for a couple months. However, I have to call AT&T but am hesitant they might detect and question.
Okay REALLY IMPORTANT!!! —- i downloaded the fake apn and used the iPhone for almost 3 days until i realized i was using 2.2.1 instead of 2.2!! My monthly bill is about 10 days away, has this happened to anyone before, did you get charged?? and if so how much??
Right now im seeking to buy an Iphone 2G 8GB.
If i buy it off the internet, Can i just put my AT&T card in it?
Im not buying it off off AT&T Online, but off of some guy.
Is there any way to disable the Data plan an still be able to use my Iphone, or do i have to jail break it?
Hi, I have an LG phone from AT&T which is 3G. Can I simply buy an iPhone 3G from eBay and pop in the SIMM card without having to activate the iPhone?
Hi,
I recently purchased a 3G iphone from an individual. The individual was using at&t and I also have at&t, but I did not have a data plan on my old nokia phone, in fact the date was disabled, according to at&t. I assumed that when I put my sim card into the phone, the edge network and 3g would not work, but to my surprise it hooked-up to the edge network immediatly when I tried to browse with safari, then it occurred to me that they are probably going to charge me out the rear for the data. My question is, #1 Will they charge me out the rear for the data? or will it somehow use up minutes? #2 Can I disable edge network (currently the little E icon always shows up if the phone is on.) I do not want to pay the $30/mo. for a data plan, I just want to have Wi-Fi when it’s avalible. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
@jordon:
As far as I understand from your situation: you have blocked internet access on your nokia phone, not on your att account, such as disabling internet access in your account online or through a customer care executive. If so, poping your old SIM card in your iPhone 3G will not help from preventing internet access on your iPhone 3G. If you are able to access internet (Edge/3G) on your iPhone with your SIM card from your nokia phone, there is 100% chance that you will be billed for data access as per the current att pay as you go internet access charge which I beleive is 10cents per kb. Now answers to your questions:#1 YES/no they (infact no operator) would trade your minutes for data usage. #2. Like many others you are repeating the same question again and again. This whole discussion is about “How to use an iPhone Without the Data Plan” is to give fair idea how to disable EDGE/3G network on your iPhone. PLEASE SCROLL UP TO THE BEGGINING OF THIS PAGE and follow the instructions CAREFULY which will help you to disable EDGE/3G network on your iPhone.
There are many useful hits on this page how to override att’s IEME detection method. i.e. by using any att approved GSM phone on their network, it automatically detect which make/model handset you are using with your account. Please call them and let them manually enter an old phone (any make/model) IMEI number in their system and this will help from detecting your phone automatically by their syste, again scroll up and read almost all comments on this page and you will find yourself how to do it.
I am not being mean/rough on you or others, just requesting to read the thread fully before repeating the questions.
PS: This thread is not created/maintained by me, but I have subscribed to this thread and I am getting emails like many of you almost every day which contains the same borring repeated questions.
@Chase:
)
If you are unable to use internet (EDGE/3G) after installing fake APN, even if you are using 2.2.1, you will not be billed. If your case is different, may god help you with some miracle buddy
@Amit:
AT&T is not FBI lol. You are the customer and you should decide what you want to do. … jo dar gaya who mar ga ya!
Jacob/or Anyone else:
Do you know what the link to the APN CHANGER is? I tired http://unlockit.co.nz and it is not working. Thanks. I have a 3G iphone that I just ordered online from ATT website and I want to activate the phone and keep data plan for first month, but then cancel it next month. I understand that i need to use the APN Changer and then tell them that i am reverting to my old phone in order for them to cancel the data plan. Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
This worked for me without any problem. You do not need to have an iPhone SIM card–just an active AT&T SIM card.
My story: I got the iPhone and switched to AT&T not realizing that the $30/month data plan was mandatory. I got mad when I tried to disable the data plan and couldn’t and put it to AT&T to fix the problem. I created PDFs of the sign-up screens the Apple Store uses and the sign-up screens AT&T uses. The Apple sign-up process buries the mandatory $30/month data plan, the AT&T site actually makes it pretty clear. The Apple person who sold me the iPhone didn’t bother to clarify the plan to me. Apple really should think long and hard about what it means to play in the world of mobile to telephony. It ain’t no $.99 iTunes scenario.
In any case, I still put it to AT&T to sort out…as they are allowing Apple to resell their plans. This is the kind of thing the Office of the Attorney General is meant to sort out — not me, the unwitting consumer caught in the middle. After suggesting the OAG sort this out, my issue was escalated and a few days later I got a free, new Nokia 2600 (supposedly worth $149). So…I thought I would just switch to that to avoid the data plan.
My new Nokia came with a new SIM card and to get it to work and to get rid of the data plan on my account, I had to call AT&T. After I called AT&T and activated the new SIM card in my Nokia, the SIM card in my iPhone no longer worked.
I got frustrated with the Nokia in about 2 minutes (in part because Apple makes it pretty much impossible for you to transfer your contacts from the iPhone to anything but an iPhone…at least I couldn’t figure out how)…so I took the SIM card out of my Nokia and put back into my iPhone just to see what would happen–and it worked fine. According to the AT&T person I spoke with, the only way to get the SIM card working on my iPhone would be to call AT&T again and to switch the SIM card over to the iPhone. That’s not true.
As I have no interest in using the data plan, I followed the protocol given here, and as far as I can tell it works. And…as far as I can tell if you have an iPhone with a working SIM card…all you have to do is call AT&T and tell them you have a different phone–any phone other than the iPhone and then the data plan will be turned off. You don’t actually have to have another phone…just make sure AT&T actually supports the phone to pretend to have. So that you are not “stealing data” (not sure if that’s really even possible given what AT&T customer support told me…but who knows)…I would suggest following the protocol here to just turn the data feature off. My wifi always worked fine and still does.
Once you use the iPhone interface, I have to admit it’s pretty hard to switch to anything else…even though the iPhone as a piece of telephony hardware leaves a lot to be desired–speakerphone, camera, and call audio all pretty much suck…not surprising as the phone was made by Motorola.
To the person who was missing the camera on the iTouch…it’s worthless on the iPhone. That said, the iPhone 3G without a data plan is pretty awesome.
Sorry…I forgot about the need for the IEME to set up your “new phone”…as Jacob stated previously, get it off an old AT&T phone if you have one. The other thing you can do is just buy the cheapest AT&T phone out there (check out phone sites like Nokia for AT&T phones that go for $50 without a plan or upgrade…and are not shown on the AT&T site) and use the IEME from that. You should not give the phone away as the IEME is tied to your SIM card…and you need to keep it that way to use your iPhone as a cheap Nokia or whatever phone you are pretending to use.
And…if you’re up for it, you can go the route I did to get a new phone from AT&T at no cost and without any impact to your contract. I truly was duped. Call me stupid. But I periodically research mobile telephony for a living and this is the FIRST time I have ever encountered a mandatory data plan. I guess I was out of the loop with what the carriers were up to…or maybe it was Apple? That said…the iPhone does not allow for pay-as-you-go data usage…so there should be no worries on that front. Still, use the fix given above to make sure there is no chance that you will get charged for data usage.
will this work on rogers?
@Albert:
http://unlockit.co.nz is working. You should open this page from your iPhone. I think you were trying to open this site from a pc/mac?
@Richard
Technically it should work on rogers… if any “rogers” user in thread, please help Richard.
@Jacod
and ill give it a try what could it hurt lol
thanks
Hi All,
I got 2 iPhones on my wife’s name (opened brand new account) and signed up 2 yr service plan-yest 3/20/2009. We already have an AT&T family plan account on my name which just cleared its 2 yr service agreement. I popped my old 3G SIM from my old phone. (Old phone/plan did not have any data plan). I connected to my WIFI and followed instructions on this webpage. I then turned off WI FI to see what would happen if I try to connect to internet. As expected I got the error ‘Could not activate cellular data service”. I am imagining this is not connecting to data networks and expect no surprises on my old plan bill. If this works I will pay $175 per phone closing for the account on my wife’s name. I will then pop old SIM’s to iPhones and add data plan for my wife’s phone only. This will allow us to have iPhones with flexibility of one data plan and NO CONTRACT.
I work from home and don’t need data plan and need data plan for my wife. Wish me luck guys.
@Masti,
Did you find out from the AT&T store that if you decided to terminate your wifes account after 30 days, they will charge you only $175 as EFT? If I am right, you will need to pay another $200 for iphone as (assuming you bought 8GB) $199 you paid for the phone is with a 2 year contract, and since you break the 2 year contract you may need to pay the full price of the phone. If anybody else had the same situation please share your experience here.
Also you said your wife need data plan, how this will work if you decide to cancel your wife’s contract? AT&T wont activate iphone data plan on your account as your account technically doesnt have a iphone.
Otherwise, if things work out according to your plan, it sounds like a ‘PLAN” lol
Good luck bhai!
Information for all AT&T iPhone users whoever thinks that iPhone 3G is/will be covered unders “Insurance”. Following is the Fine Print from AT&T iPhone 3G 2 year contract agreement :
“Optional Wireless Phone Insurance Is Available
If not already enrolled, ask about optional Wireless
Phone Insurance. If eligible, you have 30 days from the
date of activation or upgrade to add it. Provided by
Asurion Protection Services, underwritten by CNA. See
brochure for complete terms and conditions. Key terms
include:
• Premium: $4.99/month
• Non-refundable Deductible: from $50-$125/per claim.
• Limits: Two claims per 12 months; maximum
replacement value of $1500/per claim.
• Replacements may be refurbished or different model.
• Cancel at any time for a prorated refund of the
monthly charge.
• iPhone is ineligible for the Insurance Feature and will
be removed from iPhone devices on your account.”
Information for iPhone users who bought iPhone off AT&T or anywhere then using with their AT&T account:
“AT&T is Apple’s exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the
United States. An eligible data plan for iPhone is required.
This data plan covers data usage in the United States and
does not cover international data usage and charges. If
AT&T determines that I am using an iPhone on my account
without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to
add an eligible data plan to my account and bill me the
appropriate monthly fee.”
However, almost 6 montha ago, when I was using an iPhone 3G I bought off from ebay and asked AT&T to activate iPhone data plan on my account so that I can legally use the phone on their network with data feature (ofcourse compelled and willing to pay extra $30 amonth), THEY REFUSED TO DO SO! Their response was after holding up the line for more than 10 minutes, “Sorry sir, our system doesn’t allow to add iPhone data plan to your account”, weiered isnt?
So is this actually working then? I followed this protocol and it worked (the part of nor getting internet w/o wi-fi) but when I log onto My Account on AT&T website, it says I’m using an iPhone. I called anyways to tell them I’m not and to block my data plan, they told me I would not be able to receive or send any MultiMedia Messages, I said that’s fine. Anyone receive their bill yet to confirm this? I just don’t want to be surprised when I receive my bill.
Please help. I’m have the first generation iphone jailbroken and i went to the website and tried to click on the disable data(fakeAPN) but i get an error that says safari unable to download file. How do I fix this???
Alicia, thanks for the outline above. I followed the instructions to unlockit.co.nz and everything seems to work fine after unlocking and jailbreaking a 2g I picked up the other day! Thank you. I guess I will see what happens when my AT&T bill comes in. Although, that being written, I press the weather icon et al and I get a message that I’m not on a data plan (which I have never been on with AT&T, but do have access to pay for data use which is what I’m trying to block) so hopefully my use via a wifi connection will be okay i.e. not cost anything.
I did have one question if anyone knows: can I set up my phone in its current state to “check mail” on wifi??? I get a message that the account and password are wrong or something. Not that big of a deal, I just then have to go online via wifi to yahoo where I can retrieve my e-mail like I might do when using another computer outside of my office.
Hello,
My friend is giving me her old iphone 2G
And right now I have a Sony Ericsson with no Internet at all
I was thinking if I put a friends sim card and disable edge, then put my sim in, then will it be disabled?
I dont want to be charged extra at all
I’m 15 and my dad is pretty strict and if he has to pay extra he’s going to get mad
If that method doesn’t work please tell me what I can do
I know some answers like this may have been answered but please help me
does anyone have a iphone 3g 8gb to sell for cheap?
Ok, so I had a 2G, already activated and unlocked, put my SIM in, it worked. On “My Account” with AT&T, it shows up. I had no data plan added, called them up from my old 3G Samsung Sync, and told them to block the data plan, they did it. Used this unlockit.co.nz and it was blocking cellular data (w/ 2.2.1).
Now, I just bought a 3G iPhone, I activated it with iTunes, just plugged it in and was activated, wasn’t unlocked or jailbroken, I did that myself. The data plan still wasn’t added and no internet access w/o wi-fi (since data package was stll blocked).
Ok, so the thing is I was erased everything, (no personal info, just songs and contacts) wiped it, restored it, etc. because I was going to sell it. Well i had to reactivate it in iTunes, and this time it DID ask me all my info (phone number, zip code, last 4 digits of SS) and I DID have to sign up for data package. So I did, and called them up to cancel the data package, told them i changed my mind. The girl said no problem, call back from any other phone (since I was using my old cell), take out SIM, and tell them to update info so they change what phone I had listed with them. So I did, the 2nd guy said he could block the data package, I gave him my IMEI number, came back and told me it can be done, BUT they were going to block the iPhone’s IMEI # and wouldn’t be able to use ANY iPhone for the next 24 months! I said, WHAT?!!! He said it’s their policy. I asked if there was any way around this, he asked me what iPhone I had, maybe it would be different for the 2G, I said “I have the 2G”. He put me on hold, came back, same thing, only way to now block data was blocking the iPhone’s IMEI #. So I told him I’d think about it. What do I do? The only bright side to this, is that I would only pay an extra $15 dollars for the data package, I looked in “My Account” and the iPhone data package (unlimited) is only $20 and comes with 200 messages, which I already had and was paying $5 a month, and that is automatically taken off.
Hi – this has been one heck of a topic, to say the least!
I’ve read all of the comments, but I’m a bit confused about the 30 day contract and the 2.2.1 firmware and the upcoming update to the 3G firmware.
I bought a 3G a month and a half ago. My wife got a 3G onto my family plan. She doesn’t want the data plan. What’s the significance of whether we go through the process before or after 30 days? Does the APN changer work with 2.2.1 or not (that’s what it came with)? Should she keep the data plan until the 3.0 firmware is released or can she update w/o a data plan (and will the APN changer work then)? Lastly, we have a T-Mobile Blackberry without a battery. Can we use the IMEI number off of that?
We REALLY appreciate the advice!
To answer your question about the APN changer does work on my 3G, I don’t see why it wouldn’t on everyone else’s.
D – thanks!
Does the phone need to be an AT&T phone (and in working condition) to give them the IMEI #?
When do I do all of this – after or before 30 days (and why)?
Thanks so much!
Can I use this feature with a Blackjack II that does not have a data plan? If so, will I be charged for Internet connection at all times?
I have a question. I’m wanting a iphone now now that it’s possible to get one without the data plan.
However, what I want to know is if it’s still possible to send and recieve picture message while the edge is disable. Please reply back…
@Kelly
It is not possible to get a iPhone without a Data Plan from AT&T directly. You may get a iPhone with data plan from AT&T and follow the procedure mentioned in this forum to get rid of data plan. Read carefully from the beggining to know more about how to do this.
At present, it is not possible to send and receive picture messages alias MMS using iPhone. However, next software version (3.0) which will be available in couple of months, will allow you to send and receive picture messages (MMS) using iPhone. However, it is not clear whether this feature will use MMS plan or Data Plan. i.e. once you get rid of the data plan afte the future software update to 3.0 you may or may not be able to send n receive MMS message using iPhone.
Other users, If I am wrong, please correct me… Thanks!
I’m buying an iphone 3g 8gb that is already activated and jailbroken but not unlocked. I currently have an LG shine with a 3g SIM….what exactly do I need to do in the correct order in order to switch to the iPhone without incurring the $30 data plan/ AT&T not finding out that i switched/ keeping my voicemail?
Hello people!
Thank you for your comments.
Of course Iphone is the best phone nowadays. But unfortunately the data plan is expensive. And we can do nothing with it. I’ve read many comments about how to remove or block the data plan, and it works temporary while AT&T catches you.
So there is no way to do with that? Why AT&T just can’t change the data plan price, let say change it to $15?!
I have a few questions to Jacob and Juester:
I’m planning to buy iphone 3G with 2yr contract ($200 for 8gb + $36+$70 = $306 – just for iphone) and after the first month call and cancel the data plan. But before calling I’m gonna switch sim into a cheap phone. The “Contract” says if the contract is canceled with in 30 days you must return the phone (if you bought from AT&T), but (if you bought from Apple store – that’s yours). So if you cancel after the 30 days you have to pay the ETF of $175 and keep the phone. So all together iphone will charge you $481. Approx full price for 8gb is $599. That’s $120 cheaper than the non-contract iphone. So what do you think about? – I see only this way how to get iphone for cheep price.
So and what the occlusion for data plane? – Is that possible to remove it or block it and keep paying different coast ($15) for your data plane and don’t have any problems with the At&T ??!!
Thank you in advance!
Good luck everybody!
Will you still be able to send texts? And if so, at 3g speeds?
Please help me. I have the same issue as #86. How do I fix this?
Jacob:
I know that non iPhone cells NEED to access the internet to get MMS, I had my data blocked by AT&T and was told I wasn’t going to be able to receive MMS, it’s included in the text plans (internet access for MMS) and has no extra charge. So I’m guessing iPhone will too when 3.0 is released.
Chris:
Yes you can send text, I don’t know if it’s 3G speed, but I don’t think it really matters for text. Non 3G cells receive SMS pretty fast.
Kelly and others:
I’m going to try “ZiPhone”. It can change your IMEI to a different one (your old cell) so AT&T will think you’re still using your old phone, so you won’t need the data plan. I’ll let you guys know what happens. Anyone else try ZiPhone?
Michael:
You cannot use their regular $15 data plan. The moment you start using iPhone with $15 data plan they will detect you are using iPhone and they will send you notices (email/text) etc. There is also a possibility that they may ban your iPhone IMEI from accessing their network. However, you may be able to continue using $15 data plan if you are able to change your IMEI number using ZiPhone. However, I have not done this and tell you this for sure. Changing your IMEI is totally risky and may raise sort of legal issues. Wait until D change his IMEI with ZiPhone and the results.
Christopher:
Are you using iPhone 2G or 3G. One of my friend has this issue on his 2G and what he did was restoring the original iPhone firmware from iTunes, then re-installed the fake APN. Worked for him.
D:
As far as the study I done on internet, it seems that iPhone 3.0 MMS will use the same data platform as its regular data platform, the same way it works for Visual VoiceMail. This is an issue that we should wait n see when 3.0 is released. Good luck!
Jacob:
I know that there may be some “trouble” in changing that certain number, but how would anyone really know unless they physically went up to me and checked my phone. I tried ZiPhone and haven’t been able to successfully change what I wanted to, I’ve started the process on ZiPhone and left it running, nothing seems to happens at all, but the directions does say I need to be using BootLoader 3.9, I don’t even know which one I’m using. I’ll keep trying and let you guys know.
Sorry guys (and girls), supposedly ZiPhone’s IMEI option only works on 1st gen iPhones. Guess I’ll have to wait for my contract to expire and go to T-Mobile.
Juester
You said you bought your iphone when you renewed your contract. I assume you paid less money for your iphone because of the 2 year extension. So when you called ATT to cancel the data plan a couple months later did they charge you an early termination fee? If so, do you think there is anyway around this such as reporting the phone lost or stolen? Any help would be appreciated…..
Juester
Nevermind, I called ATT and asked what would happen if I took the iphone off the data plan and basically as long as you keep the 2 year contract on your old phone, you will not be charged an ETF. ATT will just remove your $30 data plan.
My other question to you is if you installed ANYTHING on your iphone? to help hide the fact you switched phones…….
Vasil,
AT&T didn’t charge me anything when I called them to turn off my data plan. I didn’t cancel my account, so really there isn’t a reason why they can charge me for cancellation fee. I just basically told them that I wanted to use a different phone because the iPhone wasn’t working the way I had expected. I gave them the IMEI # of my old phone and put the SIM in. I then told them to put a block on the data so that I don’t accidentally use it. After I got off the phone with them I just put the SIM back into the iPhone and voila, no more data (unless I use wifi).
I’ve been without data for about 4-5 months now and I haven’t seen any problems or any contacts from AT&T about not having a data plan. Everything works fine except you can’t get visual voicemail, but regular voicemail works.
I didn’t have to install anything on my iPhone and so far so good. We still download apps through wifi without any problems.
I hope that helps.
Wow, 4-5 months and nothing from AT&T? Hopefully I can that long. If not I guess I’ll have to switch to T Mobile, any one know how good/bad T Mobile is in LA? Or hopefully they’ll come outvwith an IMEI hack for the 3G.
@D
T-Mobile works fine in Atlanta area, though some people complain when travel across US …
My boss has unlocked iPhone with T-Mobile. We all have BlackBerries, he has iPhone. Somehow it’s on our BlackBerry and Exchange servers so he gets everything – calendar appointments, tasks, MMS, SMS etc. And he says T-Mobile’s unlimited data plan is just $5 a month … I did not verify that myself but now thinking about getting iPhone too
KA:
Thanks for the info, but I think I’m stuck with AT&T for now, as I have bootloader 5.09 on my 3G and can’t unlock my iPhone. Maybe I’ll get lucky like Juester and they won’t tell me anything for awhile or wait till they come out with an unlock for BL 5.09
Juester,
Could you tell if on your at&t account webpage your phone is listed as “old” phone or iphone? And what iphone model you are using? I have iphone 2G with no data plan for about a year. But I was reading that AT&T is pushing only 3G iphone users to get data plan.
Den
I called AT&T from my old Nokia phone, asked them to put Nokia IMEI number on my account to make sure that it always shows Nokia. They told me that they did this. After the phone call I put my SIM into iPhone and in several minutes iPhone was shown as my phone on the account. What I’m doing wrong, why not Nokia, if I told them Nokia IMEI to be there permanently ?
I’ve read a lot about using the iphone without the data plan. I consulted with a good friend who works with AT&T and told me on the down-low that the iphone has a specific signal, and that’s how they track who is using what. However, there’s so many out there that it may take time for them to get to you, sort of like how the irs can’t audit everybody. The best way to avoid the data fee is to unlock it and use another service because then you’re not using ATT’s network and therefore, they can’t track you down. I’m sure there’s some success stories out there, but look at the number of those compared to the number of people having problems. I was going to switch, but I have an old plan left over from Cingular with nights starting at 7:00 pm and nobody can match that. Good luck to everybody.
Den:
You’re not doing anything wrong. AT&T are a bunch of commie bastards and have technology that tells them what phone you’re using. If you have the iPhone 2G, then might I suggest ZiPhone, which lets you change your IMEI sent to AT&T so they think you’re using another phone, doesn’t work for 3G, already tried it.
I was just wondering, you know how these jerks at AT&T “make” you have a data plan? What about the actual calling plan? Can you just have the data plan with no minutes (internet only)? I ask this because there is an App in the App Store called iCall which lets you make calls using internet, I tried it and it works. You activate it with your SIM, and when you call someone, it shows your cell number, after it’s activated, you don’t even need the SIM any more, and it still shows your cell number. I took out my SIM and put it in my old Samsung, called my own number using my iPhone, and it showed up on my Samsung with my own number! I even answered it to verify that it worked.
D,
That icall function sounds like a possibility, how long have you been able to do that? Are you getting voicemail on your iphone?
DS:
Thanks for the reply, the story about special signal makes sense because if I put my SIM into the old Nokia, they will change the phone on website immediately. If I use iphone on the same account the change will happen in 10-15 min. Maybe this signal is not sent from the phone constantly?
D:
I use 2G iphone. I know about Ziphone option. This, however, complicates updates to future firmware on iPhone because I’ll have to keep the same bootloader all the time. However, if there is a special signal, how a change of IMEI will prevent them from finding that I’m using an iPhone?
So far they did not ask me to add data plan and I use iphone on this account for more than a year. It seems like they only care about 3G iphones because they are subsidized and also use shitty AT&T 3G network. They do not care about 2G iphones because they were never subsidized (you could buy them from Apple Store, and avoid AT&T activation…). They also can not use 3G network…
But I was planning to add a line for my son without data plan and an iphone from eBay. It seems like the only option is iphone 2G…
(
@ Den, DS
There is nothing gained with the introduction of a ‘mysterious’ signal into the discussion. Every phone has an IMEI number which can identify the phone’s brand and model. Phone companies can log these numbers and search for phones not being used with a required plan. Thus far, AT&T has chosen to notify people who were using iPhones with non-iPhone data plans. I have not heard of a case where someone was contacted by AT&T after using an iPhone without a data plan. Even if your iPhone is displayed on your online AT&T account you will not automatically be charged for a data plan. AT&T does, however, reserve the right to impose the data plan on your account if they find you are using an iPhone without a data plan (read their Terms and Conditions). That’s all I will suffer to say right now.
Wow, I cant say how helpful this has been, especially some of the recent posts.
My situation:
I own the original V1 and will be passing it along to my sister who doesnt want the data plan. (Note: my sister is on another line of my family plan with no data plan attached to it)
But like Den (Post #174), I dont want to jailbreak/unlock because it hampers my ability to download new firmware, such as the 3.0 firmware.
So here is what I am going to do… if Den or anyone else could confirm this to be the right process, I would appreciate it.
1) Restore my iPhone to wipe music, photos, contacts, etc.
2) Pop in my sisters SIM card
3) Connect via wifi to the unlockit site and go through the motions
4) Woo! Use phone without data plan!
Hi Guys,
I am back after a break lol. I am getting my iPhone 3GS on Friday the 19th. Now I will have my 3G which I wants to get unlocked. I called ATT and asked them since I am paying full price for the 3GS, is there any way I can get this 3G unlocked, they said NO.
I asked what should I do with the 3G, they said they dont know….. crazy people at ATT!!! If it was not for the phone I would have said bye bye to ATT much before, because no matter what others say, I like my iPhone and there is no other phone in the market today to competete it. Only mistake Apple made was to make partnershipt with ATT.
If anybody else has the same experienc/situation like me let me know whats going on with you guys. So far I searched internet and the “so called” unlock websites does not respond to inquiries and some of them mentioned that 3G cannot be unlocked with software beyond the Modem Base Band version 2.28. Only way to use BB 2.30 and above with another network is to use Turbo SIM. I have ordered a turbo sim and will let you guys know how it works.
I will also disable internet on 3GS within next few weeks as there is no use paying for their data plan as they do not even let me listen to any any online radio station that uses more than 40kb streaming rate while on 3G network. As soon as you are on WiFi all the stations becomes available.
Any useful suggestions are welecome. Thanks!
E,
There is some confusion. There is nothing wrong with jailbreak and unlock. You still can update to a next version of firmware. I was saying that I don’t want to be stuck with one (old) bootloader version, because sometimes with update to a next firmware, bootloader will also be updated and then I’ll loose IMEI spoof if I do that. So every time when I update my firmware I’ll have to make a custom firmware which will not change bootloader.
Regarding your plan everything seems to be fine, if you your iPhone will not lock when you insert your sister’s SIM in. If it will, you can activate, jailbreak and unlock iphone 2G using Quickpwn.
But even if you follow this plan, AT&T will still know that you are using iPhone with a wrong plan. Based on my experience so far they do not care about Iphones 2G, only about 3G.
Jacob,
Please let us know if they will let you to disable a data plan with iphone 3GS… How you are going to do that?
“But even if you follow this plan, AT&T will still know that you are using iPhone with a wrong plan. Based on my experience so far they do not care about Iphones 2G, only about 3G.”
Thats what I’m banking on, so hopefully that goes well. If not, and they charge us for data, we can just pop her SIM back into her old one and take the 20 hit.
“if you your iPhone will not lock when you insert your sister’s SIM in. If it will, you can activate, jailbreak and unlock iphone 2G using Quickpwn.”
Den would you mind saying this again, I dont understand the first part, i think its a typo.
Den: You cannot upgrade the firmware once it is unlocked, when I say you cannot, it doesnt mean you cannot, but you might lock the phone again.
I am still thinking how to get rid of the data plan on 3GS. I guess I should follow the excuses made by others here in this forum
Will let you guys know
DS:
I just started using iCall, it’s from the App Store and it’s free, but you need Wi-Fi to use it, otherwise it’s no good, just started using it.
E:
If I remember correctly, if you “Restore” your phone to erase everything using iTunes, you may need to activate your phone again, this happened before I sold my 2G, and you will then be forced to pick a data plan through iTunes, unless you use a SIM that already is activated and legit with an iPhone (someone who actually has iPhone data plan, paying the full amount, and not doing what we’re doing). Just letting you know.
Jacob:
I don’t think the 3GS will be any different from other iPhones, I think they will force you to have a data plan, won’t they? Or have they said otherwise?
D:
Yeah, there wont be any difference and they will force me to have a data plan. Even though I was closely watching this thread for more than six months, I never tried to get rid of my data plan as I wanted to be online always. However, as I like listening to music, I learned that ATT doesnt allow to stream any good quality movie/music over 3G or otherwise with poor streaming performance, I dont see any use of paying $30 a month to just receive emails. At home and work, I have WiFi, so now I am seriouslyl considering to get rid of data plan. I wont mind paying money, if I get worthy service for my money.
I also read somewhere else that ATT would allow tethering soon with iPhone, but no idea about the additional charge for it. Some says it would be extra 10 bucks, some says it would be additional 30 bucks.So its a wait n watch scene. Ridiculously, after charging $30 a month, ATT will allow iPhone users to send n receive MMS only if they subscribed to bundled text service.
E:
What I tried to say was that after you restore your iphone and insert your sister’s SIM in it you might need to activate the phone again. If you do that through iTunes, you’ll have no choice but add a data plan to your sister’s plan. But if you want, you can use a software called QuickPwn to activate, jailbreak and unlock (if needed) your phone without adding data plan because AT&T will not be involved in this process.
Has anybody tried this fix with the 3.0 firmware? I have 2 1st gen iphones ready to be handed over to me as soon my friends get their 3GS’s and I am wondering if they should hold off on upgrading from 2.2.1.
Brett:
Keep waiting, supposedly Cydia or Saurik or whoever (correct me if I’m wrong here) had a fix for 3.0 OS but it’s not out yet, they said to wait, so it’d be wise to wait if your iPhone is jailbroken, if not then go right ahead.
D: Thanks for your answer. To the best of my knowledge, one of the phones isn’t jailbroken and the other has been 3 or 4 times but then restored. I guess I will have the one that’s totally legit go ahead and do the upgrade and wait on the other. Right now I’m more interested in making sure I can use it without the data charge on wifi only, anyhow. I’ll worry about the rest once the 3.0 guide has been released. Thanks again!
No problem, Brett.
Check this out:
http://www.iphonehacks.com/2009/06/iphone-dev-team-to-release-tools-to-jailbreak-and-unlock-iphone-os-30.html
It says Dev Team will soon release (I think by this Friday) a new unlock AND jailbreak for OS 3.0, AND will be able to unlock ALL iPhone 3G, even if you have BB 2.30.00.
Niceee
Hey im getting and iphone 3g but dnt want the data plan, im already a att custumer so im upgrading to the 3g and already order the phone but without a data plan, and i know att got the right to place a plan without any concern, but my question is if i do this using unlockit will my data plan still be there or will it be gone, or will its just be hiding there and me using wifi while still get charged for the data plan. thanksss
If you bought an iPhone from AT&T, then you will be forced to get a data plan, no way to take it off. What most people do, me included, was buying the iPhone from someone else and have it already activated, that way you can just put in your SIM and start using it right away. Then just use the link above to disable internet so you don’t “pay per use” for internet.
Edwin:
What you going to do with unlockit… is simply replacing APN (information needed to connect to internet from your iphone – in other words – network service settings) with a fake one. Once you entered the fake APN your iphone will not be connected to internet via 3G/Edge. However, you can still connect to internet using WiFi.
But, changing your APN with a fake one DOES NOT deactivate the data plan that you have in your account. ATT should remove it (if they will
) from their end. Hope this clears yours concern.
Like “D” said most of the people getting iPhone from off ATT to use without a data plan. However, there are people who got iPhone from ATT and deactivated data plan by calling them. Read this thread completely to find out how
So today since I got the 3GS I tried this with my old phone.
Took out my SIM, popped in my sisters.
Immediately was prompted to plug into iTunes so I didnt.
I assume this means I will have to jailbreak/unlock now?
As a sidenote: when I took my sisters SIM back out and put my SIM back in, it says no service, whereas before I took it out the first time I still had service.
Does this mean my phone is deactivated since my new one just got activated?
E:
you need to activate ur new 3Gs via itune to get service. Igot mine too in the morning however as I had to rush to work I could not activate it yet. But I’m sure that se one will comment their experience with 3Gs before the evening
as soon as I activate mine I will call ATT/Apple to find out if there is any way I can unlock my present 3g model. If anybody do this before me pls post ur experience here. Thanks!
You must have misread.
When I activated my 3GS this morning, my old phone lost service within a few minutes.
My bad. U had small typo there “so I didnt”. Well now Im scared! Does that means when u activate my 3gs, my 3g get bricked? It’s not fair
So it’s Friday, and I’m still waiting on UltraSn0w!
Badddd news!!!! Ijust hang up from apple support at ATT. Once you activate your 3GS ur 3G will be bucked!!! U can only use that phone to call 911 or 611. AT&T n Apple sucks!!!!! I need to wait until jailbreak n unlock thus phone before I activate 3GS. What a pain !!!
Well PwnageTool 3.0 is out, but no QuickPwn! And no UltraSn0w yet. I don’t know anyone with a Mac!
yeah D: eagerly waiting for quickpwn n ultrasn0w to be relased as I cant wait to activate my 3GS. But I dont wanna brick my 3G after that.
E:
Any luck so far?
Well it seemed that ATT support guy I talked to was a dumba**. I just activated my 3GS and on my 3G it said no service. I took out my wifes SIM card from her phone and put it in my 3G, voila… it is working like a charm!
So I finally got my friend’s 1st gen 2G iphone today but when I went to place the fake apn it is requiring me to activate. Since I don’t want to make the 45 minute drive to get him to activate it with his SIM, will the unlock/jailbreak guide using redsn0w on the front page work to activate this phone? I went ahead and installed the fake apn for the future so now I need to get the activation part done.
If tl;dr cliff notes:
Will unlock activate phone?
Hey everyone! I just bought a 3G iPhone from AT&T for $80. It is coming but in the mean time…
I want to know if I do the APN change thing and then cancel my data plan, AT&T won’t know I am using an iPhone and won’t automatically add a data plan right?
I am just worried about doing this process and having AT&T force me into a data plan again. All I need is data and voice on my iPhone 3G.
Chris:
Yes AT&T will know if you’re using an iPhone, the APN change is not so they don’t know what phone you’re using, that would be an IMEI change, and only works on 2G’s. A few people on here are using 3G with AT&T but with data plan because we just swap in our SIM to an iPhone and hope they don’t tell us anything.
So even if I do the APN change and have my data plan removed, AT&T can always just automatically put the data plan back on and charge me?
Chris:
So installing a fake APN wont help you from hiding the fact to ATT that you are using an iPhone. It is clearly detecting the IMEI number of the phone once the phone is logged on the the cell network.
Here is what I did. I got my 3GS yesterday. After that my 3G said “no service”. I put my wife’s ATT sim into my 3G, it is back to normal. I installed fake APN on it. After 10 minutes I logged into ATT my account. On my line it says 3GS and her line it says 3G
As far as data plan: Since she was using a Sony Ericsson phone before, she did not have a data plan. However, now on her line it gives option to add “iPhone Data Plan” . So ultimately ATT may force us to have data plan on her line. Its a wait n watch scene.
Brett:
Technically the unlock process should enable skipping activation process. However, I have no personal experience with 1st gen iPhone. Hope somebody will answer you soon!
Hey, I have read all the comments and i just have a question. we have just switched to ATT and my mom and dad have iphone 3G’s. I would like to buy an iphone 3G but my dad wont let me get one unless you dont have to carry data. I showed him this and he said that i could do it. But my question is how do i activate the iphone when i get it?i have a regular samsung phone with a 3G SIM by the way. If someone could please answer it would be appreciated. Thanks
Just letting you all know that i ran the new redsn0w guide to unlock/jailbreak/activate my new (to me) 2G iphone as well has the fake apn changer. Everything worked like a charm on the first try. I love this blog.
Peyton:
Use one of your parent’s SIM in your iPhone to activate it, that’s the best way.
I have JB my 3G with redsn0w and its a very easy process. So great work by developers. Just waiting for ultrasn0w to unlock it.
Peyton:
If you are buying your 3G from Apple/ATT there is no way that you can avoid monthly data charges. If you are buying it from somewhere else provided that the phone is already activated, simply insert your sim and follow the steps mentioned in the beggining of this thread.
Peyton:
D is right!
Jacob:
Did you use iTunes 8.2? I have 8.1, I need to use 8.2 right?
Jacob: Is there a reason to use ultrasn0w to unlock rather than redsn0w?
D:
I have updated my firmware using iTunes 8.2. For using redsn0w, I am not sure but I think you need 8.2. There is no harm using 8.2 as far as my experience is concerned.
Ok, thanks, am going to try right now with my 3G.
Brett:
As per the developers blog, redsn0w wont unlock 3G, it will unlock only 1st gen 2G. So if you want to unlock 3G with firmware 3.0 you need to wait until the release of ultrasn0w. Now, ultrasnow wont be realease as a stand alone package. It will be released as a cydia package within the jailbroken platform. So you need to jailbreak 3G before you can use ulstrasn0w. You can use redsn0w to jailbreak 3G though. and it will take very less time than actual firmware upgrade via itunes.
Jacob:
Ah ok i must have not seen the part where you were waiting due to your iphone being 3G. I picked up a 2G today from a buddy who got the 3GS and was able to use redsn0w for everything (and then the Fake APN afterwards). my bad lol
Just restored my 3G and used RedSn0W without a hitch! Just need to set it up again…
Well, just finished restoring my iPhone with all the Apps I had before, and they ALL synced onto my iPhone, even all my old settings for phone and games are still there! So how do I send MMS?
D:
mms is not yet supported by ATT. It mat be availabe by the end of summer. Once mms is activated by AT&T u will be able to download settings from iTunes or cydia.
ok i just bought an unlocked 2g iphone off craigslist…he restored everything to the factory settings so it needs to be activated again..i know if i unlock it that will activate it as well but i have a question..
i currenty have at&t on a family plan right now with no data or anything just minutes and unlimited text..if i got it unlocked they would just add the data plan on there right?? and would this method above work with it..
or am i basically just screwed if im using at&t and not wanting a data plan and my best bet pick up a sim card pay as you go with tmoble?
Chay:
Did you put your att sim card in to the phone you just bought? or u still wating for the phone? Probably when you put your att sim card in it, it should work without any problem
Otherwise, download redsn0w and install it, which will unlock n jailbreak your 2g phone.
I just changed my nickname and you guys can follow me at http://twitter.com/iPhoNerd
my friend gave me his iphone, and i restored it. is it possible if i can use my other phone and use my friends iphone just for the wifi without the sim inside of the iphone
@matt: Yes you can
I have an iPhone 3g without data plan (that waiting to see what at&t will do about it is sort of stressful) and with the fake APN. Does the fake APN work with the 3.0 software already? I keep looking at the website and I’m having a hard time figuring out what’s going on there.
@Jonathan: Yes it will.
Quick question: The APN changer doesn’t actually turn 2G/Edge off, does it? All it does is redirect the phone’s data traffic to an invalid address? The reason why I ask is because after throwing in another person’s SIM that has a cheap data plan on it the Edge icon still appears on the phone. However, after turning off wifi i checked to make sure I still get the connection error message from the top of the page and it still will not connect (which is the whole point lol). I was wondering how the iphone still sees the Edge network if it can’t receive data from it and can’t send data to it?
@Brett: You are correct. It doesnt turn off the Edge network. But it prevents the phone from accessing the network. Seeing the network and accessing the network is two different things. It is simple as you seeing a precious jewel in a crystal clear box which is locked, though you cannot access it as it is locked. lol I guess I made my point right?
@iPhoNerd: Gotcha. Thanks for answering. Guess I was being a little paranoid but better safe than sorry, amirite? I’d hate to be that guy on youtube with the bill phone over 9000.
Well, UltraSn0w is out!
http://blog.iphone-dev.org/
I already did it yesterday, went smooth, too bad I don’t have a T-Mobile SIM I could try it on.
I did it today and put my friends Tmobile sim in there. It took a while to catch the signal and finally tmobile came up. I was able to make n receive calls. However, inbetween it searching for the signal. As soon as I activated 3G on the phone it said no service. So probably unlocked phones are not going to work with tmobile 3g network. I’m still digging. Will keep u guys updated.
I am currently with T-mobile but i am switching to AT&T because T-mobile sucks and i want to the the new iphone 3G S. I will be in college next year and will have access to free wifi just about all the time. I was wondering if anyone knows how to get the new iphone without a data plan so i can just use the wifi at my college campus. Please help me.
-Thanks
can someone contact me at gtalk “dorkyray” or ym “xxdjrayxx” … iphonerd can you instant message. Thanks.
@R: Check your ym
It says at the top:
1.Put the AT&T Sim card in the already activated iPhone
So, how does one who doesn’t already own an operational (activated) iPhone do this?
Not trying to be funny – I mean, if I want to buy an iPhone, get it activated and NOT pay for the data plan, what do I do?
I believe you have buy iphone on the secondary market. Then unlock and jailbreak. Then use app to change apn. someone please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks.
I am acquiring my friends 2G iPhone (he is upgrading to the 3G S). I have a regular AT&T phone, with only the minimum amount of texts as the only add-on to my plan. I want to do whatever is necessary so that I can use my sim in his 2G iPhone, only pick-up wifi, and won’t be charged for the data plan. So I have a few questions…
1. If I change the APA settings as directed by this site, will AT&T still know that I’m using an iPhone?
2. If the answer to #1 is yes, then how do I trick AT&T into thinking I’m still using a regular (non-iPhone) phone? I ask this because from what I understand, as soon as AT&T finds out that you have an iPhone, you will then be charged the data plan.
3. Will I be able to turn his 2G iPhone on and keep it functioning even once he takes his sim out? (As either an ipod, or as my phone?)
4. What settings do I need to change in order for my phone to not automatically update? (especially firmware updates, because those are the ones that can mess your iphone up if you’re not a valid iPhone owner, right?)
5. If he hasn’t updated the phone to OS 3.0, will I be able to? If so, how?
6. Does it matter that I will be using/connecting the 2G iphone to the most updated version of itunes?
7. Do I need to tell AT&T to block all internet data, so that I avoid any accidental charges and/or to avoid the data plan?
8. Lastly, if I change the APA settings as directed by this site, do I still have to jailbreak and/or unlock and/or perform “redsn0w” on the iphone? If so why and how do I do this, and what are the benefits of applying some or all of these tasks?
Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
Liam:
1. Yes.
2. Maybe possilble with ZiPhone (google it) but may be tricky cause I think you need to downgrade baseband or bootloader or something.
I wish people would read the other posts before asking a question on here, this has been asked a few times already. I guess it’s partly my fault too because I keep answering these people.
If I do this, will it adversely affect my SIM card or plan or anything if I take the card out of the iPhone and put it back into my LG Vu?
Will I still be able to send texts and recieve them?
My questions pertain to my particular situation, so I will ask these questions again…
I am acquiring my friends 2G iPhone (he is upgrading to the 3G S). I have a regular AT&T phone, with only the minimum amount of texts as the only add-on to my plan. I want to do whatever is necessary so that I can use my sim in his 2G iPhone, only pick-up wifi, and won’t be charged for the data plan. So I have a few questions…
4. What settings do I need to change in order for my phone to not automatically update? (especially firmware updates, because those are the ones that can mess your iphone up if you’re not a valid iPhone owner, right?)
5. If he hasn’t updated the phone to OS 3.0, will I be able to? If so, how?
6. Does it matter that I will be using/connecting the 2G iphone to the most updated version of itunes?
7. Do I need to tell AT&T to block all internet data, so that I avoid any accidental charges and/or to avoid the data plan?
8. Lastly, if I change the APA settings as directed by this site, do I still have to jailbreak and/or unlock and/or perform “redsn0w” on the iphone? If so why and how do I do this, and what are the benefits of applying some or all of these tasks?
Any help would be much appreciated, thanks.
@Liam
lol, most of the questions you asked is not just your paticular situation, these situations has been answered by various experienced users in this forum already. Now for your sake, I will try my best to “repeat” them.
To use your friends 2G with your account, you can simply insert your SIM card and install the software from unlockit.co.nz as mentioned in the beggining of this forum. However, I have no experience with 2G and I think as soon as you insert a different SIM card than the one with the 2G is activated, it will will as you to connect to itunes for activation. Do not do that, in that case ATT will add iphone data plan to your account. Contact “R” as he has better experience with 2G activation.
If that is the case, ask your friend to install OS 3.0 and jailbreak it and install ultrasn0w before giving this phone to you. If he did this, you will not have any problem using your SIM card with this 2G.
You can also tell ATT to block internet access from your account before you start using this 2G. Lastly to change APA settings you need not to jailbreak/unlock 2G. However, it is better to do it before you insert your sim card in it.
@Ant:
No and Yes. lol
ok, here’s the deal.
a new iphone is on it’s way to me. i am an att customer currently, with a sim card, and an LG phone. after reading the instruction i have a few questions.
1. can i be the one to activate it with my sim card? can i activate it, then call to say i’m switching back, then put the card back in the iphone and quickly go to the site and disable the edge settings? or do i have to activate it with someone else’s account first?
2. do i have to jailbreak the phone prior going to the website to disable edge? an do i have to unlock it? i will be using it with an att acct…
thanks
Hey I’ve done this APN changer before when my iphone 3g had the 2.1 software. Now I still have the Apn changer under the general settings in my iphone. But when I try to connect to the internet is uses edge, while it stills say I have to Apn changer enabled. So i went back to the website using wifi and it directs me to the same page when I use my PC. Why is this going on?
The AT&T 30USD data plan is too expensive. Any where we can buy iphone without a data plan?
no love for my previous question???
so will this work with the 3gs 3.0 firmware?
once at&t finds out that you have an iphone, they will automaticlly add the data plan on to ur account. this has happen to me twice already.
I just have one question. If we do install this software on a iPhone 3G with warranty. Will the iPhone warranty be voided?
Is this like a jailbreak or just a program where you run to turn off certain things?
I ask because I have bought a used iPhone 3G (8GB) From eBay.com
After reading all the post I still dont understand how to do it..
What are the step by step, Should I call ATT to first block all my data,
(2.) then give them a IMEI of a old phone?
(3.) Then go through this site with WIFI internet? & install it?
An more steps would be great. I read it but just dont get it.. If anyone would take the time out of their busy day, Would be gret.
Thanks anyways for reading…
M Eko
Hello
I have few questions on this program/software.
My brother has a ATT Plan with the iPhone 3G (8GB) & Is paying $30.00 Dollars a month.
What does he need to do first? I gave him these steps…
1. Call ATT & Tell them that he sold the iPhone. Give them a old IMEI – Phone.
2. Tell them to block my Data.
3. Turn off my 3G option in the setting of the iPhone.
4. Go to your site install this program/software.
But the iPhone 3G has no APN.
Under the setting of > Network It has this thing VPN. Not APN… Can it still work?
Also if we do install this software/Program does it void the warranty of the iPhone? He has had it for only 2months.. So if we do this is it void? It says on this site does not jailbreak it. Because if the phone gets messed up will Apple help me?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Other question I have is I got a used 10month old iPhone 3G (NOT jailbroken or Unlocked)
I right now have a ATT Plan with a 3G Sim Card (It says 3G on the Sim) Do I just my Sim card or , Put a (iPhone 3G Sim card)? How do I activate the iPhone?
So I just first tell ATT disable my data? Then I connect to internet by WIFI then go to this site install it.
Thanks
Ok, after reading this website, I took the courage to get the iphone 3G (8GB) upgrade and try out the steps as in the original posting by Alicia. I did exactly as written. So, to recap this is what I did
Assumptions (as in my case):
1. You upgraded your at&t phone to iphone
2. You have your AT&T SIM card available from your old at&t phone (I had a $20 nokia that I was using with AT&T plan)
3. You DO NOT want the data plan (a BIG No to $30/month)
4. You still want to be able to access the internet using FREE WI-FI in your home, office etc.
5. You have a ready access to FREE WI-FI as you perform these steps below
Advice: Make sure you identify your old and new sim card – write their last 4 nos for identification somewhere or else you might end up forgetting which sim is of which phone
Now STEPS (Exclusive and Exhaustive):
1. Open the Box, take out the iphone and turn it on
2. take out the sim card slot with the pin given with the box
3. Put the NEW sim card that came with the Iphone in the slot
4. It should now show that you need to connect the iphone with itunes
5. Connect the USB cable to activate and the iphone should be seen in your itunes interface
6. If asked for an update (iphone software 3.0), please click on updating
7. Once updated (and perhaps activated), from itunes eject the iphone and turn the iphone off
8. Now, replace the NEW Sim with your OLD AT&T Sim in the already activated iphone
9. Turn it on. Click on “Setting”
10. Underneath Setting, you see WI-FI and click on that. Choose a network that is available to you and put password (if your wi-fi needs a pswrd). You should be connected to the internet now through your wi-fi (To verify see on the top left of your screen – you should see the AT& bars, ATT and the signal sign)
11. Go to Home and Click on Safari (to launch internet browser)
12. Open http://www.unlockit.co.nz/ from your iphone safari browser (It will say welcome n dadaddaa)
13. Click “Continue To The Next Page”.
14. Click Disable Data (Fake APN). The Install Profile window appears.
15. Click Install. Another Install Profile window will popup warning you that authenticity of this profile cannot be verified. Click Install on this window too.
16. You should now see a message stating “Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.
17. To Verify this whole process, turn off your Wifi (Setting->Wi-Fi-OFF)
18. Try connecting through internet once again, you SHOULD NOT be getting connected through 3G or Edge whatever as 3G symbol wont’ appear now on top left of the screen.
19. Viola!
20. Turn back your wi-fi (from setting) to access the free internet at your place
I hope this steps helps.
Thanks Alicia for your original wonderful post.
PS: Having done all this, I am not sure though if this will automatically keep my bill to just $39.99 plan. This I can confirm only after a month OR if someone else can shed some light on that, please let us know. After all, keeping the bill without data plan is the objective of users here I believe. Do we have to call the AT&T now and say what?
Ok I did all the steps shown.
Trust me I read carefully & I contacted the person from http://www.unlockit.co.nz
Everything went well.
I bought a iPhone 3G (8GB) From eBay.com.
1. First I called ATT to disabled my Data from my Sim card. Reason I said was that on my current phone – Samsung Blackjack 2 sometimes it goes to the internet , Dont want to get charged. Nor no Data coming in or out.
2. They already have the IMEI # of my phone so why should I changed it.
Put my 3G Sim card in the iPhone plug into iTunes. Everything worked well their.
3. I turned off anything to do with 3G or Data. Went into Settings to turn off 3G.
4. Got a WIFI. & went to the website to install this file. Everything went well. I did some testing. Turned my WIFI off went to the internet , It didnt go because all Data was disabled..
5. Now comes a part where does anyone get this? When I loged into my Account of ATT.com
My phone/device was the iPhone 3G. How did they know? I did all the steps from them finding out.
So what happend? Does anyone get this? I’m been checking my ATT account & will do so in the coming months. But if ATT does not say anything. Then its all good.
thanks
Have you been billed? Did it work?
Thanks.
Alright I picked up a 3g 16gb and I wanna use it with my normal At&t plan with unlimited texting. I’ve read through and I’m not sure if its safe. Can someone that did it 100% succesuflly email me?
o my emails gotrice92@yahoo.com
I’m having the same issue with the AT&T website still showing the iPhone 2G instead of my old Nokia 6555, I have seen other posts that say theirs have been like this a while & AT&T does not say anything or charge for data, my iPhone is not jailbroken or unlocked, I activated the iPhone then called the next day & had them cancel my data service by telling them I’m going back to my old Nokia & that I don’t need data on that phone. Then I put my SIM back in the iPhone & voila, it works, no audio alert for voicemail but texting tones work. If AT&T calls you out on it then switch back to your old phone & jailbreak your iPhone & spoof the IMEI from your old phone & then AT&T should see your old phone, no more issues.
OK … Here is it reporting back. I called the AT&T guys and they said even if I go back to my old phone they can take the data plan off BUT if/when I revert back to Apple iphone, the system will automatically detect it (they do something called system sweep every other day to detect iphone used without data plan) and put the data plan back on my account. (I am not going into jailbreaking and unlocking stuff as I really didn’t find iphone to be that worth doing all that jazz)
As I figured out, it is not in the rep’s or their manager’s hands to allow me to use the Iphone without officially having the data plan.
Its like if I have a $39.99 plan for a 450 min plan, even I don’t make or receive a single call, I am still legally bind to the monthly payment as part of the contract. I cannot claim that I didn’t do any calling so I won’t pay $39.99. That said, data plan is a legal contract with AT&T on iphone and I just didn’t feel comfortable tricking the company. Also like I said there is no guarantee either that what will be next month bill and I simply cannot check every other hour to see if the website detected my system or not and/or live under that worry always until next 2 years – simply not worth.
So guys, I returned the Apple iphone back to the store. Luckily they didn’t charge me 10% restocking fee which I was expecting:).
My core requirement was a touch screen+smart phone which I believe is most of your choice trying to get hands on iphone. If I get wi-fi on it thats like bonus!
Lg-Dare, Vu, Samsung Eternity, are only touch screens with optional data plans BUT not smart phones (which means you cannot sync them with your outlook etc.). BB Storm is a parallel of Iphone but with verizon and again a mandatory data plan.
Well so, I ended up ordering LG INCITE – a touch screen+smartphone+ no imposed data plan + free wi-fi
Check for more details http://www.incitebylg.com/
I won’t say the lg-incite will be as great as iphone but it should work just well keeping myself legally and ethically correct and fulfilling my requirement
and yea btw guys it was not a discourse on correct usage but just my few cents. Take it or leave it.
I am going to feel ethically ‘much better’ using the incite and cannot wait to receive it!!!
Hey guys,
Ok so alot of people have asked this question before but i would really appreciate if someone could explain this to me.
I am currently on a regular Fido plan and using an internet-less phone. But i am planning on buying the 3gs from the Apple Store.
I don’t want to get the data plan. Is it possible to use to the iphone with my current sim?
Thanks!
=)
Lots of great info here, but I think my questions is abit different. A buddy just bought a the brand new iphone and has given me his old one, purchased a little over a year ago. I don’t even care about the net or wifi. I just want to use the phone and it’s fnctions like the calendar, alarm clock, etc. The apps don’t interest me at all. If I plug in my SIM card, can I just use the phone as a phone?
@Zahra and @ Mark
1- YES, you can use the iphone with your old sim.
2- Yes, you can block the 3G or Edge data with the unlock and can still use wi-fi
3- Yes, the rep can also block the data plan from your iphone if/when you tell them that you are not using iphone anymore and are good on any other phone
4- BUT as long as your sim is in the iphone, when you put it back in the iphone and the “system sweep” finds it from your account … your monthly bill will put back the data cost on you ($30/month) as per the contract and as per my conversation with the rep.
I hope this helps.
On a sidenote … LG Incite is an excellent phone, am loving it and actually it is addictive!!! Being a windows mobile you can fiddle with it soo much. You can end up having a slide to unlock feature, iphone contact interface, other apps and what not which works just so amazing. With being little more of techno .. you can get into registry to play around it more and get most out of it. Oh yea did I say that it comes with no data plan and you still get wi-fi. hurray!
ps: its not an advt. for lg incite but to share my experience as I at once did get an iphone and then ended up returning it for I could not live under the shadow of having $30 imposed back on me anytime. read my other comments above to know more.
I have a 2g Iphone form a friend. I upgraded it to 3.0 from 1.1.1 firmware and it bricked. I need to know how to Unlock it so he can use it with T mobile again. He wanted the plan with no data and i dont want to pay extra. i was going to unlock it in the 30 day trial before the contract starts will that work.
He wanted to keep iphone with an at&t plan but with no data. Is this garenteed to work before i waste all of my money on it. You can reach me as Sflames6 on youtube and my email. I need help fast. Is there a way to unlock 3.0 firmware I phone 2g 8gb while the brick. i have tried ziphone and a bunch of software.
Please help.
Sincerly,
Sflames6
Forget the Iphone. Just get a WM6.1 phone with WiFi and no need to worrry
APPLE SUCKS
Wait does this work with the 3gs? Please hurry and answer!
Hey Alicia.
I’m already an AT&T customer. My friend just sold me his old 3G iPhone and I wonder if I can keep my regular phone plan and still use the iPhone. I know it’s useless without the data plan. But I just like some of the cool apps there.
My friend has already unlocked his iPhone.
Do I still need to jailbreak it then?
Thank you a lot. I am going to try what you said in your post but I am still confused about the jailbreaking process.
no jailbreak comes with the unlock. You can tell if it is jailbroken if the following software is on ur phone.
Cydia
Icy
Installous
Installer(.app)
And if u are so confused that its just that u rather redo it then update to 3.0 NOTE: it will brick. then find the dev teams blog and download Redsn0w and 3.0 update, dont forget bin files they will tell u on redsn0w app or the blog then rejailbreak it. install cydia and unlock is what u need to check k. and if u want free apps then go into cydia. in source type cydia.hackulo.us and install INSTALLOUS, Note: this is illegal but of course free apps will be. then go into installous and get wat u want. plus i suggest to download from 4shared.com u will no wat im talkin about when u go into installous. SCROLL to the BOTTOM
i recently bought an iphone 2g from a friend. well when i put my sim card in and tried using the internet it wouldnt let me. it said something bout a data plan. but i already had a data plan on my old phone! what can i do?!?!
hellpppp me!!!!
I finally figuired out how to unlock it. Get Redsn0w from the dev teams site and find Bin files 46 and 32 then follow the instructions on screen the thing is i want a 3gs without contract for a cheap price. Apparenty the carrier Att has been smart enough to block everyway. I guess ill get the contract. But look at the dev teams blog for info on jailbreaking and unlock. Redsn0w will also work on Bricked phones and Ipod touches. Plus find the firmware too. My suggestion upgrade to 3.0 not 3.01 but 3.0 and do it.
I think this is a great solution to fixing your iphone and saving yourself from purchasing the 30.00 data plan from at&t. I have a few questions about this solution.
1. I got my iphone from a friend after he upgraded to the new 3G s when i first got it i put my sim card in it from my blackberry curve do i need my friends sim card in my phone to preform the steps on my iphone or can i use my sim card to do the steps above?
2. when you disable the data (fake apn) are you jailbreaking your iphone ?
3. this does work on the iphone 3g with the os 3.0 right?
if anyone could get back to me and answer my questions i would really appreciate it thanks for the alternative to this 30 dollar rip off from at&t
thanks taylor
isn’t there an app yet for jail broken iphones to block transmission of the imei number and blick the data vpn/apn??? why has no one made this yet??
Greetings:
I have an unlocked and jailbroken iPhone 2G with the 3.0 OS running using my T Mobile SIM card. Currently is just a cel phone with a sweet touch screen, as I am not paying for T Mobile’s data plan. (They know I have my SIM in an iPhone, it shows up on their computers, but they are fine with it).
I can’t get online, even in a wifi zone.
Does this hack work for T Mobile? Alternately, does anyone know of a different way?
Regards
Rolf
this worked beautifully on my 2g. Thanks!
thomas, there is, it’s called ziphone. it “masks” the imei from at&t so they don’t detect it but that’s illegal. i am trying to find a way that isn’t illegal…
i am currently buying a 2g iphone. it says it’s unlocked and jailbroken. how can i verify that it really is unlocked and jailbroken so that i don’t accidently go on edge?
Answer to *Tiffany*, Unlock & Jailbroken are *2* different things…
Unlocking – Is that your phone can be with any sim card – Wireless company. Also works if you travel outside of the US.
Jailbroken – Is where you can use many of the Apps (Apple) Does not offer.
This is what I did but if you are SERIOUS in owning any iPhone I strongly advise you to read 273 Comments BEFORE ME…
Or at least the people who know what they are talking about.
This is how it worked for me. & for the past 3months (ATT) has not once said anything to me yet!
Got a iPhone 3G (8GB) from eBay.com.
– Not Jailbroken or Unlocked. I first installed this exe file – software on my iPhone. In all the steps of making a WIFI & etc…
Next added my ATT Sim card in. & pluged in my PC…
& Thats it! i get WIFI. & if its off, When I go to *Safari icon – Tab it says
* CANNOT OPEN PAGE – SAFARI CANNOT OPEN PAGE BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.
& When I log into my account on ATT.COM it says im using a iPhone 3G. but im not getting calls or emails from them yet. This is been for the past 3months. – 3 Bill cycles…
Now tell where did you hear this Ziphone thingy? Any links? Hey I know alot of people who wouldnt mind doing that also. They dont care if its illegal…
thanks…
You can verify by putting any Sim card in your iPhone 2G. & if its Jailbroken then you will see many App’s that Apple does not allow…
thanks mr.m but “this exe file” is not very descriptive for me. it’s ok, i’ll figure out a way.
coming sept 14, att might have a new policy of adding a data plan if they detect you are using an iphone. nothing is sure yet but they do have the right to do so as stated on their contract. either that or they disable your service until you get a data plan. i really don’t know.
just google “ziphone imei”. there are a few good links on iclarified with full instructions. i am not responsible for anything as changing your imei is highly illegal. i am really against this but if att is going to start adding new plans, people really have no other choice.
Att has been sending me txt msgs to call customer care to add on a data plan by sept 14th. I have data disabled, do you think they will just add on the data plan by the 14th?
i don’t care if it’s illegal or not. att can go to hell. i paid out of pocket for my 3gs, they have NO right to tell me how to use it.
and to anyone trying unlocki.nz, ziphone…etc… please report your experience here. i’m going to try this with my 3gs and i will too. the internet community needs to get together on this! there’s so much conflicting info out there about how to block data plans and block att from seeing your iphone.
Why dont u all listen? If u want to jailbreak then listen. Ziphone is a peice of crap. It wont help. Quickfreedom is a virus. Quickpwn didnt work.
THE ONLY ONE THAT IS EASY AND THE BEST TO USE IS DEV TEAMS REDSNOW.72
I jailbroke 2 apple items with it. It works for all
and then use Ultrasn0w for 3g or 3gs to use on a sim besides att.
It is so easy even a caveman could do it.
just follow the instructions.
If anyone wants to know more on how to do it THE EASY WAY. then EMAIL NOT COMMENT ME and I will be more than happy to tell u EXACLY WHERE TO GET THE FILES AND HOW TO DO IT FOR FREE. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED. I also show u how to Use jailbreak apps including Cydia, and Installous I have NOT done Icy and not planning to. IF U HAVE CYDIA OR INSTALLER THEN U ARE WAY AHEAD. THIS CAN BE DONE IN 5 MIN. – Less.
- Sflames6
Sukri_shah@msn.com
http://www.sflames6onyoutube.tk
http://www.sflames6.tk
http://www.youtube.com/sflames6
CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFO ON HOW TO DO IT EASYILY.
FOR BUISNESS ONLY (others have this email) Sflames6@hotmail.com
I check this one 1 a week
FOR PERSONAL ONLY Sukri_shah@msn.com
IF U WANT TO JAILBREAK UNLOCK THEN DONT WASTE UR TIME SEARCHING ON CRAP WHEN U CAN ASK ME, I HAVE DONE IT AND STUDYED THIS TOPIC FOR MONTHS. IF U REALY WANT A ANSWER THEN STOP DOING COMMENTS AND EMAIL ME. WRITE DOWN WAT U WANT IN THE EMAIL AND WAIT LIKE 1 OR 2 DAYS FOR A ANSWER. I CAN DO IT IN 5 MIN. U CAN SEARCH 3 WEEKS BUT JUST EMAIL ME FOR REAL ANSWERS AND ZIPHONE DOES NOT WORK. PLUS U GET THE 3.0 UPDATE W/ JAILBREAK IF U DO IT RIGHT.AND I KNOW THE RIGHT WAY. PLUS ILL POST THE FILES ONLINE SO U WONT HAVE TO SEARCH I HAVE TREND MICRO INTERNET SECURITY PRO THAT SCANNED THEM. SO CHILL AND DO IT EASILY IF U R GOING TO EMAIL DONT BOTHER READING THE REST.
Why dont u all listen? If u want to jailbreak then listen. Ziphone is a peice of crap. It wont help. Quickfreedom is a virus. Quickpwn didnt work.
THE ONLY ONE THAT IS EASY AND THE BEST TO USE IS DEV TEAMS REDSNOW.72
I jailbroke 2 apple items with it. It works for all
and then use Ultrasn0w for 3g or 3gs to use on a sim besides att.
It is so easy even a caveman could do it.
just follow the instructions.
If anyone wants to know more on how to do it THE EASY WAY. then EMAIL NOT COMMENT ME and I will be more than happy to tell u EXACLY WHERE TO GET THE FILES AND HOW TO DO IT FOR FREE. NO PAYMENT REQUIRED. I also show u how to Use jailbreak apps including Cydia, and Installous I have NOT done Icy and not planning to. IF U HAVE CYDIA OR INSTALLER THEN U ARE WAY AHEAD. THIS CAN BE DONE IN 5 MIN. – Less.
rattletrap:
I’ve been using my 3G and haven’t had AT&T tell me anything yet, it’s been a like 3 or 4 months already.
Dear friends,
I got an i phone 3GS as a my birthday present last week. Honestly, I was never a huge i phone fan but now after using it for a week I love it.
I cannot afford the $30 at&t plan and therefore I stopped using the i phone. Soon I realized that I can disconnect the 3G/Edge network by following the above steps. I believe I did follow every single step and now I cannot access any website when wifi is OFF. But, I still see the 3G sign on the top left corner of the phone. Does that mean that my i phone is still trying to recieve network?
I m sorry if you have answered my question already but reading all of the above confuses me.
Kindly let me know.
Thank you very much
@Joshua
So long as you have the fake APN installed and you cannot access the internet from safari you are not using the data side of your network. 3G and Edge can both be used safely without a data plan.
Thank you very much, Humble Rat.
I had one more question regarding this issue.
I have blocked my 3G/Edge network by calling at&t and asking them to do so. I have also installed the fake APN. Now I wonder how is all this going to prevent me from automatically getting into the date plan (when I start using my i phone).
AT&T will get to know that I use an i phone. Therefore they will directly enroll me in the data plan even though I have called them and asked them to block it and I have the fake APN.
So my question is, is it a sure thing that fake APN always works or it depends on luck too?
Kindly let me know.
the fake APN says verified ?!?!?
Is that a problem?
I just buy an iphone without an contract in bestbuy and i connected it with itunes on computer. i had a sim card of at&t before and it is not the iphone’s. then i just put this sim card into the iphone and turn off the 3g setting. i can use wifi now. would atnt figure out i am using iphone and charge me the fee of data plan?
Thank you!
Um…..
You should now see a message stating “Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.
^^thiss?? yea, it nvr happened
but… waait. when i stick the sim card in it will only let me make emergency calls and tells me to connect to itunes. then when i do it trys to get me to activate the iphone. also, does it matter that im using a blank sim card when trying to turn off the data??
i did not see any message. i just put my card in it my it works. i can use the iphone as other phones. i just want to know weather at&t will figure out i am using iphone and charge me the $30 fee per month? by the way can i use wifi, is it will influence something?
So if I have a jailbroken iPhone and I go into the sbsettings and turn off edge and 3g, then put my sim card in the iphone from my sony Ericsson will AT&T be able to know if I’m using the iPhone? And can they make my bill bigger? And would I be able to use my texting and calling like I do on my Sony Ericsson plus the wifi on the iPhone?
Thanks,
Seems to me that a bunch of iPhone owners ought to be calling and writing their Congressperson and complaining that AT&T is forcing consumers to buy services (the data plan) that the consumer does not necessarily want, just so that they can use a particular brand of phone on the AT&T network. An enterprising lawyer ought to be able to make a case out of this.
how come when i first got an iphone 3g (used) it worked for a couple of days and now it says cant read sim but i put my sim into my bros iphone 3 g and it works and my bro put his sim into my iphone and it worked how come my iphone doesnt read my sim?????????
ps i dont have the data plan
So How do you know if you got a voicemail? No visual voicemail but no indicator on the phone that you have a voicemail!
Just curious can you still get texts and calls when you are not connected to wifi or will it say error?
Oh yeah and I’m not with AT&t does this make a difference?
So I didn’t want to read all the comments because I’M SO EXCITED, so I know this has been asked.
If I have a 3G SIM card, with no data plan, and insert it into a jailbroken iPhone that has wifi access, basically an iTouch with a cam, and follow these instructions. I will have a FULLY WORKING iPhone with the same contract?
I have a 1st generation iPhone and a LG phone with a 3G SIM card. I have jailbroken and unlocked the iPhone. My LG is on ATT, and has no data plan.
All I want to know is if AT&T will automatically start charging me $30/month if I use the SIM from my LG in my first generation iPhone? And, if so, what can I do to prevent this?
will it work on 1st generation iphones
Hello everyone. So heres my issue. I got my 1st gen iphone stollen and i dont feel like or have the money to buy a new one. So I am wondering if anyone has one that they arent using that I could grab off you. I would really appreciate it. I feel so lost without mine *cries* lol. Thank you ever so much!
I have done this and no charges from ATT. When I check my account on line it shows that I have an iphone (1st gen) but no data plan. MAKE sure that your data is OFF or you WILL get charged pay per use! You can check if data is OFF by turning off wi-fi and then trying to use Safari if you get web sites you DO NOT HAVE DATA TURNEDOFF! If you get a message that says no data ou know for sure it is off.
It’s called a fucking iPod touch, not an iTouch, get it through your goddamn motherfucking mind.
Wow Lots of anger because some people call it itouch, did your mother give YOU a bad nickname or something? Does swearing like that make you FEEL better? Get over it, lifes got more important things in it than you…
This may sound like an incredibly stupid question, but I’m new to this. Once you disable the data plan on the iPhone, are you still charged for it, or does ATT essentially forget about it? If I can’t find anyone with an iPhone to borrow their sim card from, would it be possible to buy 1 month of data plan from ATT for $20.00, disable the data plan as shown in the link, and then cancel the plan with ATT?
You HAVE to tell ATT that you are not going to use the iphone, when you do this thye will ask you waht phone you going to use and ask you to read the imei number from it, so you need to get and old phone and basically let them think that the phone you are going to use. After you do this THEN you switch the sim back into the iphone. Their system will recognise that you are using an iphone BUT since you turned off data they will not charge you for it. You WILL lose visual voice mail, but everyhting else seems to work fine!
To *Rebecca* If you want to buy a mint iPhone 3G with this software. Give me your email so I can send you photos of it. & Maybe you can purchase it through ebay.com
Safe & trusted on the buyer & seller…
Its only 6months old with extended warranty on it.
To *M guy*: My email is sxyrblktty@yahoo.com. And I dont know anything about ebay lol. My brother does so I could talk to him about it. But yes please email me with any photos and information you can give me. Thank you so much.
Hello, I just have a question for anybody who just bought the iphone 3gs RECENTLY. Does your 3gs initially have the firmware OS 3.1 installed or OS 3.0/OS 3.0.1 then update to 3.1 thru iTune yourself ?
Because I want to get the 3gs and have it unlocked, and I know that i can’t do that with the new baseband from OS 3.1.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
di
I have the 3g v3.1 and i did what this web site tells me to do. but i check online and it shows that im currently using the iphone, but the data plan is not selected so is it like that or are they not suppose to detect that i have the iphone.
Read my post 4 post up! They recognise that you have an iphone they just dont force the data plan! They may in the future! They have not caught up with me in months!
My brother just upgraded to a Iphone 3gs and he gave me his old Iphone 3g. When I insert my sim into the phone it doesn’t say anything but I get almost no service or just 1 bar. What would I need to do to make it work? We’re both on AT&T. The phone is jailbroken and I have downloaded the Sbsettings which has a fake apn setting to it.
soo, text’s & calls work, but do pictures?!
i am currently an At&t costumer but I want the iphone. If I buy a 3g iphone off ebay what steps do I need to follow in order still be able to text and use itunes without the added data plan? I’m very confused by the needed processes all help is greatly appreciated
Very interesting thread.
I have a 1st gen. iphone which I use with wifi only. I make calls with a Sony Ericsson w760. So, I can follow the 6 steps above and not get charged the iphone data plan. Perfect.
I seldom text anyone. I think I know the answers but would like confirmation.
My question: I now have a limited data plan. (400 txt and picture messages)
Can I still use that or is it best to have it deactivated first?
will voice mail still work?
Can I still get text and picture messages if I want to pay per message?
NICE THREAD Y’ALL
yOU DONT HAVE A data PLAN YOU HAVE A TEXTING PLAN. This will not be affected by not having a data plan. Voice mail works fine just not VISUAL VOICE MAIL. Picture messages (MMS) does NOT work on the 1st (2g) iphone.
Ok so if i buy a jailbroken/ unlocked iphone 3g and download the thing the gets rid of edge and put my sim card in it they won’t be able to tell its an iphone? theres no way my parents would get me the data plan even if i paid for it..
Has anyone tried to unlock the iphone 3g and lied to ATT saying that you are no longer using it? Of course you would really still be using it
Does anyone know if i can get away with it?
I had a LG Vu, and a buddy of mine was upgrading to the iPhone 3Gs gave me a iPhone 2G and a iPhone 3G both 8 GIG.
I took the sim chip from my LG Vu cell phone and just put into a jailbroken/unlocked iPhone
BAMMM, called the iPhone from my home lan line and it worked.
So you all that want to use a iPhone, go for it they can’t charge you because they never charged me, and if they every try to, just keep a old AT&T cell phone around put your sim chip back in it, call AT&T on it, and say this is the cell phone that i have and am using, THE HELL WITH THEM.
I jailbroken/unlocked both of them and they both work really good, i love having a iPhone
there is so much you can do with it.
you can not use pic msg unless you have a data plan, voicemail/calls/text msgging all works just fine, now if you want to get online with your iPhone and its jailbroken/unlocked you have to use WiFi thats it, no big deal.
iPhone = Data PLAN, UNLESS you have no iPhone DATA PLAN and the iPhone is jailbroken/unlocked.
Any questions or comments Email me @ Brent@mobilepccare.com
Information Technology is my life.
I bought an Iphone 3g brand new from the company I work for, who purchases phones from At&T. I have a pay as you go plan from ATT (no contract which means I CANT purchase the data plan) . Similar to the Go phone only a set amount is drafted from my account every month. I simply took my simcard out of my old blackjack and put it in my new 3g. Works great, and I use wifi for internet and just link to my home wireless service. My phone bill is 69 dollars a month and I have unlimited texts and plenty of minutes, plus mobile to mobile. I went to the ATT store for another issue and the guy there told me I would not be able to use the Iphone without the data plan. I told him I had been using it for months! He was surprised but didn’t seem alarmed. I honestly think they tell their employees this! Since I don’t have a contract, they can’t add anything to my bill. To me, this is the best way to use an Iphone. No contracts, no expensive data plans and no surprises!
Just remember to BLOCK data usage . ATT has a clause that says they REQUIRE a data plan with iphone usage whether you buy the phone from them or not. So if you do NOT block the data usage (you need to jailbreak and use an APN blocker read the previous posts that explain how to do this) it WILL use data and you WILL get a large bill from them!! Just remember a month to month plan is STILL a contract it is just not a long term contract.
okay. ive read atleast 100 comments by now and im still confused. my mom has and iphone 3G running 3.1. she wants to upgrade to a Iphone 3GS, and give me her 3G. i DO NOT have data plan. do i need to jailbreak or anything or just used apn blocker? what im afraid of is that att will start billing me for data plan after i start to use it. HELP!!(nicely)
OK Just read my post directly above yours! Thats all there is to know!
Hi everyone. Im sure this has been asked many times but I have a Bold with texting planning. I was in consideration of trading my Bold with an Iphone. Based on what I read, you must first inactivate some stuff using a Iphone sim card, then when its unactivated I can put my own sim in and use the Iphone without a data plan and start texting?
I just dont want a fat bill of god knows what If i do all this process.
Thanks alot for your time.
Hi all, I have an issue..my friend upgraded her contract to be able to purchase the new 3GS for $299, which she did for me so I can use it. So after I obtained the 3GS, I put her sim card back into her old phone (sony ericsson), called ATT customer care from her phone (pretending to be her) and told them that I decided not to use the iPhone and stick to my old Sony Ericsson. The lady from customer care then tells me that I have no choice but to pay for the iPhone data plan even though I am not using it!! How unreasonable is that, I paid $300+ for that damn iphone, its not like i got it for free..so now I dont know what to do, my friend is, as of now, stuck w/the data plan still even tho she’s using her sony ericsson..ne one know a way around this? I still think its ridiculous even if she did INDEED buy that iphone for herself, then decided to sell it..can they do this?
Hey G,
You and your friend obviously didn’t read the contract and the requirements involved in purchasing an iphone. Despite the fact she ‘bought’ the iphone, she got it for a reduced rate. The iphone by itself sells for $500-$900 (depending on model and gig size). Her getting it at $299 is an agreement with ATT that she is agreeing to pay a ‘data’ plan for 3 years.
If a person can ‘cancel’ the data plan at any time, tons of people would be doing what you two did, and getting the iphone for $299. It doesn’t make sense for ATT to offer the iphone for that price… otherwise, they would just sell it for the regular price.
Your only option is to get your friend to return the phone within 15 days of purchasing it. It’s my understanding you’ll get a full refund minus the activation fee. Otherwise… your stuck with that data plan.
Your options G are to return the phone I believe you have 30 days OR cancell your contract and pay the early termination fee of $179. REMEMBER you signed a CONTRACT! You should read and understand contracts that you sign! BUY on off of ebay and that way you are not signing a contract.
This is purely hypothetical and for educational purposes.
So I have read through this forum and dozens of others and here’s what I’ve got:
I have a 1st generation iPhone that is jailbroken and unlocked with Pwnage. The iPhone works perfectly with my SIM card and I used the site on this page to block data so no ridiculous bill from AT&T.
I’ve read from many people that AT&T will read my iPhone’s IMEI# and automatically add the unlimited data plan to my number. I’m a student and can’t afford the extra $30/month. Is there a way to prevent AT&T from adding the data plan automatically?
read my posts 304 and 320 that should answer your questions
Thanks Dranon. I had actually read those posts before and found them very helpful. I plan on calling att to have them turn off data usage on my number later today.
The problem is that I don’t have a Pay as You Go Plan, so ATT can theoretically add a data plan to my bill at any time. While I understand that calling them and manually giving them my old phone’s IMEI# can delay them from figuring out that I’m using an iPhone, I’m looking for a more permanent solution.
Right now there is no permanent solution. I have a family plan with 5 phones on it. # are iphones, only 1 has a data plan. When I check on their website it shows the other iphones because their system reads the imei # BUT they do not force nme to use a data plan for 6 months now. There is a way to spoof the imei # on 1st gen iphones with 2.2 software but it is actually illegal in this country and you can get arrested for it! Any of these jailbreaaking things are just violating there terms of service not illegal. I think the doj should get involved in them forcing data plans on us that we dont want!
Let me get this straight:
So, I have a refurbished iPhone 3G on the way. If I take my existing SIM card, and stick it in the iPhone 3G, activate through iTunes, Sync, and then perform this thing here. THEN, switch SIM back,call ATT, have data blocked on my other phone, switch back.
I can make calls, send text, use WIFI. But not get on without WiFi, or send/receive MMS.
Correct? And will I receive the annoying ATT text demanding I add a data plan? Or does this also fool that?
I’m sure this has been discussed already in the thousands of comments on here, but I’m going to ask again..
Here is my situation.
I am a college student on my sister’s AT&T plan. My dad also has a separate AT&T plan in which he is eligible for upgrading. I want to get an iPhone.. not really too picky whether its 3G or 3Gs.. I don’t want a data plan. Is it possible for my dad to pretend to get the iphone, sign up for the data plan.. give it to me after 2 days.. and call AT&T and say he’s not using it anymore and take off the data plan then? In which case.. would I be able to use the iPhone? without paying for the data plan??
Thank you in advance for the help!
i recently just bought an iphone 3g from a friend. i don’t have the money to use a data plan. i figured since i have wifi that i could simply just connect to it. but the wifi button was gray. if i borrow a sim card from my friends activated iphone and put it in mine, can i go online with it and download the apn changer?
Hi! I just signed the 2 year contract, am I allowed to cancel the data plan before the contract ends? I wouldn’t mind saving $30 on my 3g
Hello, I dont quite understand the steps, is this how it goes?
1.activate iphone with data plan
2.browse to the page using wifi and install the “fake apn”
3.cancel the contract
Is this it? My data plan wont be reinstated correct?
Im just wondering. If i get an iphone for my birthday can i still use all the apps and games and everything else except text and phone? also wifi is free right? plz reply soon.
thx
@Jeff “games and everything else except text and phone” – then why should you buy an i”phone”, settle with an i”pod” touch lol.
Well as far as I understand, if you are not an AT&T customer, yes you can!. If you are an existing AT&T customer, you can still you the phone for text and “phone”
If you do not want to pay $30 data charges per month, just install fake APN. Thats it 
well i would use the phone sometimes just not every month
and no im not at&t costomer
btw how would you do that
and installing a fake apn would be legal?
????????????
does it take the data plan out of your bill, and if so. how?
SO IF I GOT A 2G IPHONE AND PUT IN MY REGULAR ATT SIM, AND FOLLOWED THE STEPS THAT ARE POSTED, I WONT HAVE TO PAY FOR DATA????
I want an iphone 3G, but im curious of how to use it. I’ve read a lot about unlocking and jailbreaking the iphone. If I was to do so to my new iphone, would I still be charged for a data plan? I am not buying through my company, but through ebay. If it’s a used 3G iphone, would I still have to unlock it and change the settings so it doesn’t charge me for data?
If you read the prior posts ALL AYOUR QUESTIONHJS ARE CLEARLY!!!!! ANSWERED. How to do it exactly what to do etc. it seeems to me soem of you are just not bothering to READ the posts!
If you sign a contract with ATT for the phone you cannot “just cancel” the data . You signed a contract and are obligated. However you can pay a termination fee to get out of your contract early of $175. Then you get ANOTHER ATT service plan sim and follow the directions or fake APN etc.
If you get your iphone from another source i.e ebay, friend family ou just put your sim in from another phone make sure you use APN blocker and now you are using your iphone without a data plan!
Hi Nick,
So do I have to go into at&t and purchase and activate a phone. Then does this trick you talk about above stop at&t from charging you the $30.00 or what?
Thanks
Yes they dont charge you! But I’m Wondering, i just bought an iphone off ebay and I got a at&t sim card and i just blocked the data on it. Now do I have to find a friends sim with the unlimited data to do the APN block or can i just do it with my card? Thanks. this post will be helpful to everyone!
ALSO THIS WORKS WITH THE 2G Model RIGHT?
And I wont have to Unlock or Jailbreak this phone to do this will I?
i have a razor with unlimited txt and internet use, if i put my sim card into a 2g iphone will i still need to follow your outlined steps ?
From my understanting yes. because iphone has there own data plan that includes other things like visual voice mail and etc..
Ok I got my iphone and had to activate it through itunes witch said i had to add the data plan so i did. Then I followed the steps above. WILL I STILL GET CHARGED???
yes you will unless u call up att and tell them to cancel ur data plan, but u need to put ur sim into another fone so they can verify ur not using the iphone.
Neil
Now you have to get another phone and tell ATT that you switched phones and do not want to use the iphone or its data plan. They will ask you for EIN number of the other phone. Once you give them that they will turn off the iphone data plan. Then MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE APN block working, then switch the sim back to the iphone and you are good to go! You DO NOT NEED SOMEONE ELSES SIM card! Remember you will lose visual voicemail and have to use voice mail like any other pphone.
I did that and it all seems to be working…
Thank you guys for being so informative. I do have one question though. My regular contract with ATT is up and I can upgrade to an iphone over the website for cheap. So I can order it over the website??? and then activate it through itunes, and then turn off APN and then switch sim cards and call them? Thanks. I just want to make sure that I can order my new iphone this way over the internet. And also, does it work for the 3GS?
(The ATT website upgrading service I mean.)
Get iphone, activate it. install the APN, switch cards with a regular phone, call at&t tell them u barrowed a friends iphone to try out and u want the data off your plan cause ur back on the regular phone, put sim back in iphone with the APN on and WAL-A! DONE! thats all i did
Matt read post 349 and 358 I really dont know HOW to make that any clearer! If you buy your phone from att at the discounted contract price you are signing a contract for 2 years for the data plan! If you want a NEW phone like this ge t new contract and new phone number and KEEP you old phone active then you will have to PAY the early termination fee of $175. (this is still cheaper than buying a new iphone off of ebay!) THEN get your old sim from your previous phone and put it in your new iphone and install the APN blocker.
So let me get this correct? I downloaded this and everything works and even on the usage window it hasnt sent anything through the connection data plan and remains at 0. I followed the process and I noticed the IMEI changed, does that mean they pinged my phone to check if im still on an iphone, Oh i even switched back to my old nokia and thats when the IMEI NCK changed.. So is it stuck on the old phones IMEI or has it pinged and recognized that I am still on the (Iphone 3g 3.0).
Well ill soon find out because somebody i kno works for “that” company..
O and yes i reset my usage and recieved texts and was connected to wifi from my verizon fios.
also i am on a family plan with a 3g sim but purchased n an old biscit phone.
Paul,
Is there anything out there yet for getting the data plan for free?
Sorry about that I accidentally typed your name
You cant get data for free! IF you could THAT would be stealing… I do NOT advocate theft! I only believe that if you do not use a service you should NOT have to pay for it.
Only called stealing if you get caught. I’d do it
Ya I just want to Block the data Plan and keep my Wifi cause i have internet at home. I thought The Unlockihz Blocks it with the Iphone 3g Aswell but im not sure and i dont really want to risk it.
But i read something that said they ping your IMEI number and they kno you are using a 3g but it can be blocked in Iphone 2g. So i downloaded the program and looked for a 3g disable feature it only would let you swith to 3g or Edge. than i did something and it just says my service provider rather than 3g or E. Also i dont have access to the account its under my moms name in the family plan so im trying to get the password.
Ok it blocked my safari from connecting through 3g and still let me use my wifi , no data sent or recieved through data service. . But im still wondering about that IMEI number
Its still called stealing whether you get caught or not! At least if your going to be a thief admit it to yourself and dont justify it because you did not get caught… as for the imei yes they can read it and there is not a current way to block it. The 2g one had a way to block it on 2.2 and prior versions but there is no way since but that is also illegal anyway. Remember blocking data and not paying for a data plan is NOT ILLEGAL OR STEALING it is just a violation of their contract terms whic are onerous anyway. THe worst that can happen is cancelling your service or forcing the data plan on you. Stealing is a crime just because you are stealing services or digital goods does not make it less of a crime. If you are stealing dont fool yourself into thinking it is OK because you did not get caught, just think about if someone steals something from you…
so you guys use wifi? but thats so limited… not a lot of places have wifi.. how does that work.. yeah you save an extra 30.. but its either data or no data… iphone isn’t fun unless you have the internet
I have wi-fi just about anywhere that I am unless I am traveling in the car. I dont need data in the car. I have never had a time when I wished I had the data plan. Of course that is not for everybody i.e. you! Thats OK my wife uses the data plan all the time, I dont. I use it at the office, at home a few other places and the university. All these places have wifi! Even most of the bars or retaurants I go to have wifi!!!!
So…..since you guys have found something for internet what about text msging? lol ANY FREE way to get that?
I have an awesome plan with sprint…..im just tired of my blackberry and really want an iphone (… the truth came out) so im trying to find cheap ways around it… I just don’t want to pay anything extra on top of what they charge for a monthly fee… but please do let me know if you people have any ways for SMS!
If you have a data plan you can get unlimited texting for free download “textfree” there are also a couple of other programs out there. Texting uses the actual phone frquencies NOT the data frequencies so the only way to get around it is redirect it to the data frequencies that is how “textfree” works. SOOOOO you either pay for data or you pay for texts or just pay for both and fill AT&T wallet full of your money! YAY!
I meant WITHOUT having data (we are all here to talk about how we shouldnt have to pay for data) so i wanted to see if you there was any way to send texts too/without having a plan for that too
There is no way to get texts for free…
I did what you said, BUT alas— the data plan for my wife’s 2G and my 3G has been tacked back on. Everytime I switch SIMS they know what phone I’m on. Yes, data is blocked, but no they are not letting me escape the pointless (for me) data plan.
Their computer picks up the ein number that your phone broadcasts and so their computer system “knows” what phone you are using HOWEVER it does not automatically put the data plan on UNLESS you are under contract for the data plan! If your contract has expired and you are on month to month billing You need to get another phone put your sim in in it and call them that you are not using your phone and do not want the data plan. They will ask you to read them the ein number off of the non-iphone phone and at that time they will turn the data plan billing off. IF you have done al that and they switch the billing for the data plan back on, it means that soemone at ATT is watching your account!!! I would try just using the non-iphone for a couple of weeks so that they stop looking at your account.
The only way att can know wat phone you are using is wen you place a call the imei (serial #) of the phone is sent. Obvious answer is to. Change your serial to a lo end phone. A quick google search for “change iphone imei” reveals http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=657
Somebody try it and post results.
Voicemail issue; put your sim in a regular pone and navigate to voicemail setup in phone menu. You should be able to find out your voicemail access number. It is not your phone number.each market uses 5-10 phone numbers for voicemail – eveyone dials the same number and the computer knows what voicemailbox to connect you to by your “caller I’d number” hope that helps. Post results. I worked in an att/cingular store for 5 years but never had an iphone so I can’t try out te imei solution. Good luck.
Someonr
This imei changer only works for 1st generation iphones with 4.6 bootloader. It will not work on later versions and later bootloader versions which menas you cannot keep your iphone updated through itunes. Changing the imei in the US is illegal. Do it at your own risk.
Jason is correct about the voicemail. You lose visual voicemail and just use voicemail like any other cell phone OR you can get ringcentral, google voice or other voip applications whic give you visual voicemail on your iphone in an app! I use google voice, I have my voice number on my A-list and ALL calls incoming and outgoing are FREE! This is only available for the 1400 minute plan and above. BUT if you use lots of minutes or are on a family plan and use at least that amount of minutes you can talk unlimited for free!
can someone tell me forsure if this service worked. cause i am planning to switch from my balckjack to an iphone and using this service so i dont have to pay the $30 a month.
Get iphone, activate it. install the APN, switch cards with a regular phone, call at&t tell them u barrowed a friends iphone to try out and u want the data off your plan cause ur back on the regular phone, put sim back in iphone with the APN on and WAL-A! DONE! thats all i did
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS THIS IS ALL YOU DO!
Neil.
Have you been charged yet for the iphone data.. or did it work?
Never been charged this actually works.
To add to what Neil said. IF YOU BUY AN IPHONE FROM ATT UNDER CONTRACT YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY EARLY TERMINATION FEE. THE CONTRACT STATES YOU MUST KEEP THE DATA PLAN FOR THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT. So you should get a used iphone from someone or buy one off of ebay etc.
ok.. this is what i am going to do. i have an iphone already activated and it has the fake apn istalled on it. someone please tell me if im doing this right.. i am going to turn the fake apn on and put the sim card from my non iphone phone into the iphone. is this it?
Yeah Cesar thats all you do I guess you cant read OR follow step by step directions huh? Of course remember that you have to tell ATT to turn OFF data as stated in many many posts above. Read 384 and 387 again and again and………………….again
They might ask if you had an iphone or it says ur using one, just tell them you tryed out one of your friends to buy and you decided different.
ok thank you. im not very good at the electronics so i need help. and yes i know how to read. one more thing…. so theyre going to turn the data iphone plan on and i have to call them and tell them i was just trying the iphone
Cesar where did you get this iphone? Did you buy it from apple or att? Did you get it used from someone else? IF you got it used from someone else just put the APN blocker on stick in your sim card from your other phone and thats it! If it needs to be “activated” then borrow another iphones sim to activate it OR just jailbreak it. IF you got it from ATT or Apple then you probably signed a contract and you are stuck unless you pay the early termination fee.
a friend let me have it. so i think i got it thanks
Ok I had the old original iphone 8g, I upgraded to the new iphone 3gs. I want my son to use my old iphone so I signed up with At&t on a basic add a line 9.99 plan no data but it does have texting. thinking I could put that sim in the iphone. I told at&t I am using it for a samsung phone. IT DOES NOT work. I gave the at&t guy my serial & the other numbers off the sim card. But to my suprize when I popped the sim in the iphone it will not work. How do I unlock that sim card to work in the iphone & not just the samsung without at&t knowing and being charged for the fees?
So I got everything to work and I have been using it for about two months now with no data charges thanks. But now when I try to text it says the “Could not activate cellular data network”. I have been looking for a blocker of some kind but can’t find anything please help.
can you text while using this
Ya, everything works. But I just want to get rid of that warning message.
KLC does the sim work in the samsung phone?? Was the old iphone working with your old sim? Take the sim out of your new 3g phone and pop it in the old iphone and see if it works. You should be able to put ANY ATT sim in the iphone and it should work. I have done this dozens of times and had no problems. DID you restore the old iphone to factory settings? IF you did thenjust pop your new iphone sim into the old phone plug it into itunes and activate it (or you can just jilbreak it using blackra1n) once it is activated put the APN blocker on and then swap sims again it should worlk fine!
Do you have to use a AT&T sim card? Can I use a T-mobil one?
excuse me with my non-technical question. .OK, back to initial question, may I use the iphone features without the phone service? Do i need a sim card to “turn on” the phone? If so, may i use a “fake” sim card to turn on the phone? if so, is there any difference between the fake sim cards? e.g. sim card from t-mobile service. Thanks you very much.
Do I need a internet plan to be able to use the internet on the iPhone? Or does it comes with it? Also, please answer Berry because I have the same questions, too.
BOB to use a T-mobile sim and their service you need to UNLOCK the phone. Google unlocjk iphone and then use BLACKRA1N. If you do not want to use a cell phone service for internet you can use wi-fi on the phone with no service! You will not need to put a sim in the phone if you just want to use it as an ipod touch i.e no phone service.
BERRY you need toi activate the phone somehow. You can do it with blackra1n with no sim card OR you can borrow a sim just to activate the phone.
Dranon,
what do you mean exactly “to activate” the phone? If I want to use iphone like a itouch, I still need a provider to “activate” the phone? I do have a fake T-mobile not-valid sim card, would that work? Can’t I just get a unlocked iphone and turn the power on?
Because of its language support, I though it would be a good idea to use itouch as my PDA; however, since iphone has more features. .that is way I am thinking to use iphone as my PDA without its phone function. (at this time).
Your thoughts? Thanks.
berry
The phone needs to activated, what else can I say! When you just turn it on it will not do anything until you activate it by connecting it to a computer with itunes and activating it. OR you can “activate” it with blackr1ain and just use cydia, icy or any other jailbreak depository. Just the fact that you dont know about “activation” I would caution you to spend some time learning aout the device.
I will.
The reason I ask about “activate” is because that I use one of my old cell as alarm clock. The settings remains but I can not change the settings without a sim card. I got hold of a “fake” sim card, which can be use to change all the settings, just can not make a phone call.
I have another cell phone that I can use all the features, except making a phone call, without a sim card. I like the iphone features, but I don’t want to use it as a phone. I am hoping the iphone work as my other cell phone.
i put my sim card into my friends i phone, followed the directions, but i can still not send messages or make calls…why is that?
I have another att phone with a data plan that i would like to get working on my iphone.
the phone works well but the data doesnt work since it is not an att iphone data plan.
is there a hack or anyway to get the 3g data to work on the iphone? since it works on my nokia?
the phone is unlocked and jail broken.
thank you
Hello,
I have had AT&T, and recently got an iphone 3GS. I activated the phone with blackra1n so it can turn on. I went to unlockit.co.nz and downloaded the Fake APN, which is the current profile. Before I got the iphone, I called AT&T and told them to block all data access, which currently is in place because I cannot connect to internet with an old non-iphone.
When my AT&T SIM card is in the old phone, the icon that appears when I log on to ATT wireless (att.com) is a picture of the old phone. However, when I put that same SIM card in the iphone and make a call or open Safari, the icon changes to a picture of the iphone 3GS, so ATT knows that I am using the iphone.
Is there a way to make it so that ATT does not know I am using the iphone? Will ATT charge me the data because they know I am using iphone?
Thanks so much in advance for any help.
Anyone got an iPhone to sell me.. I got a 2G and lookin to upgrade to 3G thanks!
I believe iphone is “activated” when you order via apple store. what is “SIM eject tool”? Thanks for any help.
Mike There is no way around this. The phone broadcasts its ein number to ATT that is how their system knows you are using the iphone. I have 2 iphones without data plan and have been using them this way for 1 year now. They have not tried to charge me the data plan. There is no current way to change or spoof the ein #. THat is also illegal in the U.S. There is an ein spoof out there for 1st gen iphones running 2.1 but that hole was closed up.
BERRY the sim removal tool is a small tool about the size of a paper clip that you push into the small hole on top of the iphone to pop the sim holder tray out of the phone. A small paper clip works just fine. The 1st gen iphone did not come with one but the 3g and 3gs do.
Berry. I am not sure if it is activated or not at the iphone store. It is NOT when you buy it from ATT (unless they changed over the last year) To activate the i[phone you must hook it up to a computer running itunes and connected to the internet and their server will activate the phone. The hpone can be activated with any ATT sim in it so you borrow someone elses iphone sim to activate the phone. The iphone can aslo be activated without itunes by jailbreak i.e blackra1n.
Thanks so much for your reply, dranon, I really appreciate it. So I take it that in your case, the iphone icon appears as well, but ATT does NOT charge you the data plan each month?
This thread and your responses, along with many others, have been probably the most helpful out of the dozens of websites I have browsed trying to figure all of this out. Thanks again!
Yes the icon and the phone description shows up on their website as iphones for all 3 phones. 1 is 1st gen iphone, no data plan, another is 3gs no data plan and the third is my wifes 3g WITH a data plan. Hers is under contract and she wants the data plan.
I have an 3G At&t sim from my LG phone. From many of the comments I read, it is possible to put any At&t sim card in the iphone. It is also possible, from the main article and many of the comments, to disable 3G/Edge.
Now I am a little confused so I am sorry if I sound like a broken record but my questions are, does the iphone need to be unlocked (is it recommended)? Or could I go to the apple store right now, buy a phone, use my friends sim card to activate it? Which method is easier? Which one is better? The trick is I am a college student so I’m on a family plan and I have no data plan.
I also want to ask, if this will affect my unlimited texting?
I really want to thank everyone for this page and please lend me your undying wisdom.
Nathalie I do not think you can go into an apple store and buy an iphone with no ATT contract. Even IF you could the phone will cost you $500-$750. YOU DO NOT NEED to unlock. Unlocking means that the phone can be used on another carrier thats all, since you want to use on ATT- no need to unlock!
When you buy an iphone new from ATT or Apple store they activate it right there and you sign a contract that you will be obligated for 2 years on the data plan. What you can do is go in and buy one, THEN cancel the contract and pay an early termination fee of $175. NOW you have an iphone that cost you $275 ($99 for iphone 3G 8gb or up to $475 for 3GS 32gb).
NOW you put your old LG sim in the new phone (it is already activated) make sure you install the APN blocker so you do not get charged for data.
This does NOT affect texting you can text all you want if you have an unlimited texting.
OK, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
I spent an hour trying to go through all the comments. It starts to blur together after a while.
Let me know how it works out for you!
Dranon,
Thanks a lot for the really good info you provided. I’ve been researching this topic for days, and really glad to have found this. I’ve got the instruction down, but I am unclear about one thing. The clarification I am looking for is…
1. The non-iPhone does not need to have a sim card in it, but it can be any old or cheap phone, and it can even be a non-smart phone, as long as it has a slot to stick in the iPhone 3G sim card, the process documented on this thread will work, correct?
2. Wondering if you have tried this scenario… doubt it would work, but worth checking into anyways… My friend has a non-AT&T phone, and has a slot where my iPhone 3G Sim card will fit in. Will I be able to perform this procedure and at the end she will be able to stick her own sim card back into her phone and use it on the Verizon Network without any issues?
Thank you,
Andy
Andy
1. No It needs to be a GSM phone that has a sim card
2. No this will NOT work as Verizon is NOT GSM they are CDMA and DO NOT USE SIM CARDS so she must NOT have a Verizon network phone. These are very different technologies!
Sorry point 1 needs more clarification. It does NOT need to be a smart phone, it does need to be a GSM phone that you can put a sim card in. Otherwise the answer is YES.
2. Is completely no as verizon does not use sim cards.
I have read the instructions on how to do this and also read EVERY comment on here, but its a little confusing to see which responses go to which questions so I figured I’d ask myself.
I would like to get an iPhone and just like some others, I have zero use for the data plan ((I am almost always in a place that has wifi and since everything on the iPhone works with wifi OR the data plan, I dont see the need for both)).
Does my iPhone need to be jailbroken in order for this to work?? If for some reason the above instructions do not work or something goes wrong during the process, whats the worst that could happen and would it be something I could fix myself?? And if I am able to get this to work .. what are the chances that I will end up getting charged for the iPhone plan anyways??
My SIM is currently registered to a blackberry with a full data plan, so its not a HUGE deal, but saving $30 to eliminate an EXTRA means of internet connection definitely seems like it should be viable.
Sarah
You do not need to jailbreak. NOTHING can go wrong and even if it did you just retore the phone through itunes. The only way that you will get charged for the data plan anyway is if you buy the iphone from ATT or apple and sign a contract. Then you are obligated for 2 years. BUT you can pay an early termination fee and keep the phone. THEN you put your non data plan sim in. Remember ATT wil NOT let you use a blackberry or iphone without qa data plan so you WILL have to get a “regular” not smartphone to be able to turn OFF data on your Blackberry sim.
All on AT&T…I have an LG phone with a 3G sim card with no data plan. I got my mother’s old 2G iPhone that I’ve been using like an iTouch. It contains her now deactivated 3G sim card.
I tried putting in the LG sim card to do the Fake APN download, but the iPhone goes to the screen to activate the phone. So on WiFi with the old/deactivated sim card, I have installed and activated the Fake APN. Still upon switching to the active LG sim card, it always takes the iPhone to the activation screen showing to plug into iTunes which then prompts picking a data plan, etc.
The Fake APN is on the phone, along with all my apps, when I have the old/deactivated sim in there, but I’m only getting the registration screen with the LG sim card. Will the Fake APN effect the sim? Thoughts???
Colleen. You will need to activate the phone. Either borrow someones iphone sim card to activate it, OR activate it with your sim, THEN put your sim back into your LG phone call ATT to deactivate the data. Just tell them you tried the iphone but did not like it. They will ask you fro the ein # OF YOUR lg PHONE AND THEN DEACTIVATE THE DATA. At that time just put the sim back into the iphone and it should work just fine. Alternatively you can just jailbreak it with blackra1n which will activate it wiithout involving ATT.
Just so you know. The phone “recognises” the old sim as the one it is registered to that is why this is happening. You need to restore the phone as new to register a new sim
Hey thanks for the information, but my question is will they charge me even if i do not cancel with them? You see i did not cancel the data plan with them but i did install the fake APN. Will they still charge me the $30.00 a month. please reply as soon as possible.
EdDie, if you did not call and remove the data plan then it is still on there… just installing the fake APN will not prevent you from being charged… you have to install it and call AT&T to remove data plan.
how about a non-sim card “smart phone” etc, smart phone w/ verizon or sprint??
would those be smarter than Iphone? Granted, we are here because “iphone”. I found some on line information in purchasing iphone only cost around 150.00. Is that a good deal? or are those iphone is a copy, look alike?
berry
EdDie. You will be charged for the data plan if you did not remove it. No matter what your APN says.
Berry your just an idiot! READ FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! “smarter than an iphone wtf is that??????? this is the “iphonedownloadblog” GO AWAY! Sorry folks but I am done everything is CLEARLY explained and if you dont get it you are just not reading or are not capable of understanding so good luck~!
Dranon,
I understand this is a iphone blog; i am very tempted to try your idea of sign up for Iphone service and pay the early termination fee. I don’t mean to offend you; you guys are so knowlegeable, I just want to find out your take on other products. I will be stupider if I go away and give up learn anything.
I have read through all of the posts listed above, but there is so much that it is starting to confuse me. I bought a 3G this weekend, and I want to give my 2G to my daughter to use. Since we have wifi in our house I don’t want to add the data plan to this phone. I have jailbroke the phone with blackra1n. I just wanted to clarify what needs to be done to keep AT&T from adding it to a data plan. Am I correct in these steps, and my assumptions.
1. Put new activated SIM card from my 3G into 2G phone (both are 3.1.2)
2. Connect to my home wireless and go to http://www.unlockit.co.nz
3. Follow steps 4 – 6 listed in the begininning of this page
4. Put daughters LG AT&T SIM card into 2G phone
and I do not have to call AT&T to cancel anything? Sorry if this is a re-hash of what has already been said previously, but I just wanted to clarify what I am doing is correct.
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Hmm interesting, well after taking my time to read all of these posts I have somewhat of an understanding of how this works based on different’s people’s input. There seems to be an ideal way of doing this but everyone’s two cents is making this really complicated since I have yet to read anyone’s situation really similar to mine. Hopefully someone can help me with this, here it goes. I’ved been using my iphone 3g for a couple of months now and im really getting tired of the data, i lost my job and frankly data is something i really don’t need or can afford at this time. I know data is required but what should I do? I was planning on calling ATT and telling them straight forward that the 3g network is crappy and Ived been a customer for over 5 plus years with the same number and blah blah basically try to convince them if they don’t remove it then I will have no choice but pay the $175 cancellation fee, which is not even 5% of what you will be paying as you would be throwing that $175 in nearly 2 months of bills. If this doesn’t work what would be the appropiate step to take next? I mean if I follow this APN change thing would I need another low cost phone such as a nokia or razor to prove to ATT that I no longer have the iphone? Please if anyone can help I would really appreaciate it I am paying $78 a month for the fucking iphone and the data is fucking ridiculous I can’t afford it now WIFI is everywhere!!! Does anyone else pay more than I do for the iphone 3g?
Is there any way to change imei for iphone 3g?
Mersin read post 411
Ryan clean up your mouth…
So I have an AT&T plan with my motorola razr. if I do all this and stick my razr’s SIM into my iphone, can i still get charged for data since AT&T knows that I’m using an iphone?
Dramon .. Thank you for clarifying for me! The Blackberry I had was not purchased through ATT and so the SIM was from a non-smartphone. I am currently under zero contracts for data. Even when I had my Blackberry, I was on the data-unlimited plan (($15/mo)) and even though it was not their “Blackberry” data plan (($30/mo)), I was never prompted or asked to switch it ever during the year and half that I had the Blackberry.
So I suppose I should be okay! Lucky for me, my dog demolished my Blackberry and I am using a non-smartphone at the moment anyways. :] So I have nothing to lose in trying!
One other thing that may be a silly question .. Can ATT track what phone I use on ANY call I make?? Or can they only track the phone I use when I make a call to ATT??
The phone broadcasts the emei # so shortly after it connects to the ATT network the phone is identified but that does not matter because because their computer does nothing with that info that would prompt them to charge you the data. There is currently no way to hide or change the emei number. Their computer “knew” that you were using a Blackberry when you had it and id not force you to use a blackberry data plan and it works the same with the iphone.
Lance
No
Post #422 is correct. I was able to get the phone (2G) to work with out using the data plan. I was able to do this by using info obtained here, as well as other sites. One thing that you might need is that if your phone goes into emergency mode you will need to download diskaid and acf2add to remove the directory (can’t remember the name) to allow it to be used with another SIM. I can post more specifics later if you would like, as I have the notes on my computer at home.
Can you follow these steps and be successful through an upgraded 2-year plan with AT&T?
GD I dont understand the question! We are not talking about plans here! IF you have a contract with ATT for the iphone with a data plan then you are obligated to PAY for that plan for 2 years. The only way to get out of it is to pay an early termination fee of $179. This has been discussed sevral times on th9is forum VERY CLEARLY!
I’m sorry, I should have typed my question with more detail. I do not have an iphone YET. I currently have a Samsung Impression and was planning on getting a 3GS 8GB iphone with a 2-year upgrade through AT&T at a local Wal-Mart store. Is it possible to follow these steps and not pay the $30 data service charge?
Wait, I read that it’s in AT&T’s terms and conditions that an iPhone must be used with the iPhone data plan. If that’s the case, wouldn’t using the iPhone without the data plan get you in trouble with AT&T? I just don’t understand how you can use the iPhone on AT&T safely without the data plan.
GD as I said NO it is not possible. If you buy the iphone with an ATT contract you are contractually obligated for 2 years,
LANCE yes you are correct but what kind of “trouble” are you talking about???? The only thing they can do is put the data plan on. What do you mena by “safely” ? the phone is not going to auto destruct!!!!
So, if I were to just buy an Iphone straight out of the box it would work?
GD
No
plz help
Currently i have the samsung eterinity, but my aunt has a 3G iphone that she is letting me have. How do i go about doing this. I see that there are instructions but with everyone having different situations i dont know which one i should use. Please help Thanks
yOUR exact SITUATION has been described IN DETAIL several times by me~! Take the time to read. The original instructions cover your situation EXACTLY also!
Yea, I’m just worried about getting charged for the data plan. All I want to do is use the phone on AT&T without worrying about getting charged for data (what I meant by “safely”).
Does anyone know anything about paying the $175 early termination fee from a 2-year contract? Like what type of contract you would be under if you’re currently under a family plan. Would the family plan still be the same after paying the early $175 fee? I know that you have to wait and pay for 1 month before you can early terminate the plan but what about after you pay the early termination fee? Are you still under the same family plan?
GD why dont you call att and ask them directly. this isn’t an ATT pricing forum.
Dranon ~ I agree its annoying when people clutter up the comments section because they havent taken the time to read the posts and figure out how to use the advice given but u being a jackass is just as annoying, no one said you have to help them or respond to them at all. Really you could stand to get a clue as well.
People the bottom line here is you can use an activated iphone with another gsm sim card by utilizing the APN change above and changing your IMEI number for good measure, att will most likely know youre using an iphone without a dataplan by recognizing the EIN but will most likely not charge you for it. you can go to your att online account and cancel ur dataplan after selecting the ADD FEATURES tab. And take some initiative in monitoring your current charges in your billing.
There are no guarantees, this is an “at your own risk” solution and no one can predict what will happen regardless of how many times you ask. As far as “getting in trouble” ATT is not the IRS or the CIA, u wont go to jail and they wont tell your mommy.
At this point this page would be useful if people posted any problems they had after making the APN change. The comments section should really be cleaned up as far as deleting the comments with the same question over and over. I just read all 455 post and only a handful were useful.
GG
So I take it YOU dont hink MY post were helpful? BTW post #455 above yours was not me in case that is why you think Im a jckass….
As for your first paragraph yes they are asking for help here and I am aswering their questions! Why are you here? You did not provide ANY intructions in your post!
GD if you pay an early termination fee you are NOT under ANY contract family or otherwise. I will assume you are asking the question because you want to buy the iphone and then early terminate to activate the phone under your family plan. IF this is correct then you need to startr the iphone under a NEW plan NOT the family plan with a NEW phone number. THEN early terminate, then take the sim from the family plan phone and put it in the iphone and follow the fake APN instructions.
Thanks for all the great info here… much appreciated.
After following all of the correct steps in this thread everything has seemingly worked quite well and easily… thanks again!
My question: Since loading the fake APN (unlockit.co.nz), each time I have connected to itunes (9.0.2) with my iphone (3g), I am prompted to ‘update carrier settings’. So far I have not, but am wondering if I should load the update… or if this update will ‘undo’ the steps that I have taken to load the fake APN?
Is it okay to load the update or should I ignore it each time I connect the phone to itunes?
Have a good one… Flowzell
You can update your carrier settings it should not affect anything.
Scweet… will do. Thanks Dranon.
Ok I have scrolled through most of these comments. So let me get this straight if I got a BRAND NEW iPhone from AT&T and it’s past the 30 day (or still in the 30 day) I will NOT have to return the phone and MOST importantly wont get charged a penalty fee!!! Thats if I call them and give them the IMEI # of another AT&T phone
Zach ATT contract basically allows you to return the phone in 30 with no penalty. Whether or not ypu return the phone in 30 days you can PAY an early termination fee of $175 and KEEP the phone having nothing to do with their 30 day return policy. So no one here said that you can keep the phone without a “penalty” which is the etf or early termination fee.
@Daron
Thanks, I thougght it would be that way I guess I will get on off eBay the 1st iphone I had from eBay had a broken digitizer I was going to replace it but then the cheap digitizer was gone from eBay. Thank You
att is just being stingy, they should just let ppl choose to stick with theyre origional plan and just get an iphone and only use the wifi on it without having to worry about an extra 30$ a month
Hi
Interesting reading. I too have a family plan (1400) with 4 lines, I added unlimited family texting but didnt realize when my son purchased via the ATT website a ‘refurbished’ iPhone it carried with it a required $30. a mo data plan for the length of the iPhone use. I took the sim OUT of the iPhone, swapped my pda (which has wifi) with son and am using the iPhone sim in an older RazrV3 phone. Here is the interesting part with AT&T now. I called AT&T and explained the not knowing the iPhone had a mandatory data plan and I had ‘put it on the shelf’ and now had its sim in a regular phone. With AT&T customer rep #1 I was told I HAD to go to an AT&T store with sons iPhone AND the phone I was switching him to to have iPhones data plan disabled..we have no AT&T store anywhere here.
So…I hung up after thanking him.
Call back (611), start over with AT&T Rep #2: I ask to please block internet on ALL 4 lines as we have wifi at home and everywhere else, the woman was nice, blocked WAP on line 1,2,3, got to the (former) iPhone line and OOPS she said to disable that data plan I had to go to another department and I was transferred. Rep# 3 picks up and says ‘I need the IME from the phone that iPhone’s sim is now in’, I read her the IME after punching in the code to get it..she disables the former iPhone data plan.
I logged in online to check its no longer there. With 4 lines, unlimited text and a 1400 family share plan thats quite all I wanna spend thanks. Will we try the iPhone again with no data? Maybe but for now my bill is less $30. so I’m happy. That 1st rep was an asshole, the 2nd was very nice and transferred me to a department reserved for iPhone issues, the 3rd rep said all she needed to disable the iPhone data plan of $30 was a different IME, she plugged in the one I gave her and poof iPhone data gone.
In all honesty NO I didnt do my homework when we let our son add a refurb iPhone, we had no data plans on any phone so I assumed you could just use it for a phone with some installed local apps. NOT
Now recently Apple announced it won’t renew a contract with AT&T Wireless, what thats about I’m not sure. I think if AT&T plans on forcing iPhone users to carry the added burden of a hefty data plan cost it isnt wise to also offer lesser data plans at cost to its other phones. I’m not impressed with the iPhone and so long as there is no way to block the IME AT&T CAN find out your using an iPhone with no data. For us it’s not worth the risk of sneaking and possibly ending up with a hefty data bill should I be caught which I possibly couldnt pay and then lose a 4 line wireless acount along with my credit tarnished again.
1 more thing, if these people are paying over $100 for iPhones why in the heck are you jail
breaking them and risking bricking up an expensive phone to begin with? I have read many iPhone horror stories that happened trying to jailbreak and others having cancelled a data plan for them only to be caught and be billed over $3000. and/or their wireless plan cancelled by their carrier.
I wish you all luck. Sure maybe we will try the iPhone again w/out data but at least wait a month or so until you’ve drifted off a wireless Rep’s iPhone radar.
Let me add here to AT&T subscribers: If you get a customer rep ALWAYS be courteous even if they cant or wont take off the iPhone data plan. Just hang up and call back and get a different AT&T rep as I have learned to do over years with them. I assure you rep #2 or #3 or rep #4 will have no clue that you even called before, unless one has made a notation on your account. In the near future if we do try the iPhone with no data (which was deactivated-see my post above-) I’ll be sure and write my experience here. Truthfully it seems to depend on who the rep is and if they are in a good or shitty mood and today I had both lol.
G Luck kiddos!!
My son purchased the refurb iPhone off AT&T website, he did have 30 days to try it and the data plan but when the AT&T rep asked if he was returning it I said ‘he paid for it, it wasnt free’ and the rep said ‘oh well then its not mandatory to return it”.
Shoot I hope THAT part was right! After all we still are using the 4th phone line I added it was ordered to use with.
EEks.
Nodatathanks I have jailbroke DOZENS of iphones. NEVER bricked on of them. Someone brought me a bricked one and i unbricked it in 15 minutes. No particular skills no hacking that is not generally known. I am NOT a hacker by any means. AT&T CANNOT BACK cahrge you for data that you did not use. So these people that you are talking about that got a $3000 bill got that by using data after cancelling data palns! THAT is the ONLY way that can happen! If you cancell a data plan you better NOT use data or the charges ARE enormous!!! It IS worth the risk! The ONLY thing AT&T can do is put the data plan BCK on your iphone beecause in their contract they require it! They will not cancell your phone contract or paln and mess up your credit in ANY way! I found it VERY interesting that they let you buy a refurb iphone and let you out of the contract with no early termination fees! You got lucky! I assume you still are obligated on the 2 year contract?? I have the same plan you have with 1400 minutes and 4 phones with unlimted texts and 1 data plan for iphone. That plan is $80 for 1st line then $9.99 for each of the extra 4 lines and $30 for texting which is a minimum of $150 before taxes. add $30 for the iphone data which makes it $180 plus taxes. Which for me adds up to $220 for the the 5 phones. I have 2 more iphones with NO data plans and that saves me $60 plus taxes per month.
I looked at the refurb iPhone agreement there is no mention on it here of early termination fee and it states we had 30 days to cancel the line which I tried to do yet predictably AT&T wanted us to keep it more than the iPhone data plan, we added line 4 (w/purchased iPhone) onto an already existing contract. We are on our 3rd renewed contractual family plan. One of the ‘found out’ iPhone users is a work mate of my husbands, the guy cancelled out his data plan on his former iPhone line to try to get out of the required iPhone data plan AT&T required, he then added a week later family data (10. per line per mo. with a family unlimited txt already active on all lines) on 3 lines ea. Not long after he recieved an email to contact customer care and when his nxt bill arrived he had over a 1k charge on the data section as he had been found out. I’m not saying your not correct I am letting those of you out there how it went down here…he WAS able to argue out of the lrg charge and even avoid an eraly termination fee AND a disconnection by using (THIS SITE: http://www.ucan.org/telecommunications/wireless/how_to_cancel_get_out_of_your_cell_phone_contract), to this day he doesn’t dare use the iPhone w/out data again. It was my husband whom helped him through a chunk of it. In my experience it is ALL in whom answers the call to AT&T and what mood they are in unfortunately.
..Nuf said just know the risks in all corners!
1 more thing, we are charged the 80$ for the first ((2 lines)) and 9.99 ea line after the 1st two.
Odd yours is 80 for one? Then again if u thumb through the online AT&T site you can find different family data plans on different pages with at least a 10 dollar difference up or down.
Cheers!!!
….I meant the same plans w/diff prices same with features on them
ABOUT AT&T Finding your IMEI:
I forgot to mention while on the phone with the AT&T Rep in their dept that is authorised to cancell iPhone data plans: The woman on the phone whom said to me
“I can only cancel your iPhone and data plan if I have a different IMEI”,
being I was ON the Razr now holding my former iPhone SIM I said to her “can’t you tell from there at AT&T which phone I am using by reading it’s IMEI?”
She says “No I cant tell from here what your IMEI is unless you read it to me”, then she had me punch in the short combination of pound, star, and such to get it on my Razr screen.
I then read it to her and she removed the iPhone.
..not sure what to make of that or if it helps but there it is.
Well see THATS what he did! He added a FAMILY DATA plan and tried to use that on the iphone! You CANNOT DO THAT. IF he added the family data plan and kept the iphone OFF the data he would NOT have been charged. The iphone accesses the data differently than a non iphone so he rang up iphone data type charges. What we are doing here is COMPLETELY removing the data plan not just trying to get a cheaper data plan. H tried to get away with using on $10 plan on an iphone, does NOT work! I definitely do agree with you about which ATT rep you get when you call!
I have never had a data plan but have purchased an iPhone from a friend in November. I put my sim card in and had no problems for the first month or so but lately I’m getting texts stating that Iphone requires a data plan. I’ve tried this fake apn program but got another text today. Oh, and I’ve never told ATT that I have an iPhone yet the website shows an iPhone on my account. What steps do I need to take to make the APN thing work? Thanks.
I just bought a used iPhone 3G on craigslist and I popped in my AT&T sim card. Prior to the purchase, I was using a Nokia 5800 with the simcard, and I did not have a data plan. In fact I called AT&T and told them to prevent my phone from using data so I won’t be accidently charged.
My question is… will using my simcard on the iPhone use data without my knowledge, even though I have already told AT&T to stop data completely? can they force me to subscribe to their $30/month data plan?
The way Att knows you have an iphone is because the phone broadcasts the ein number, there is no way to block it. Whne you told att to block data that was good so you do not get charged for the data BUT you did not block the APN so ATT KNOWS that your phone is “trying” to access data. If you would have blocked the APN to begin with you would not be having this problem. NOW you have to get your old phone back put your sim in it and tell ATT that you just wanted to try the iphone but did not like it and you are goiing back to your old phone. They will ask you to read the ein number from the phone you are using to put it in their system. Then you should be good. Put the apn blocker on the iphone then put the the sim back in it and you should be OK.
YES the iphone can use data access without your knowledge IF you do not block the APN!!
I’m using an iPhone app called apn dummy it works great, blocks data call backs to AT&T!
Boss prefs and apn dummy, boss prefs gives u handy toggle on jailbroke phone to turn 3g and edge off, apn dummy stops data communication. Also the new iPhone update 3.13 cannot be jailbroke so don’t update or a jb iPhone will lose jb settings and you’ll be back to reg iPhone. I have recieved no message from AT&T on my phone. W/data off I use wifi and can send txtssgs yes….iPhone is much more fun and productive jailbroke and unlocked, on it typing this. Enjoy.
Need help,
Ok so I have Tmobile and my aunt has ATT. She was eligible for an upgrade so she bought the Iphone 3gs about 20 days ago online. When it came in the mail, she never opened it and I picked the phone up. There was a sim card in the phone already. I took out the sim card, unlocked and jailbroke the iphone to use on my tmobile line. It was never activated on her ATT line, she never lost service on her old phone. If she never activated the phone, is she even being charged for the data plan or does the data plan get charged at the time you order the Iphone online? If she is getting charged, can she log onto her account and change the the account so that it shows that she’s using her old phone. If you buy an Iphone and sell it, will you still have to pay for the data plan for 2 years. My aunt isnt going to cancel her att service so an ETF is not an issue and she wont be using the Iphone so taking the data plan off shouldnt be an issue either right? Sorry for so many questions, its just I want to be sure she can get rid of the data plan if not I need to return the phone before the 30 days is up.
Please help.
To make this clear
1 After the first month use the fake apn changer
2 Take the sim out of the iphone and put it into an older phone of yours
3 Call att and say u gave your iphone away or sold it and ask to disable data…
4 Ask for a WIX BLOCK on the old phone that your using to trick att.
5 after they do it, they will ask for the imei number of the old phone, after you give it to them say thank you and hang up
6 Take the sim out of the old phone and insert it back into the iphone
7 Make sure the 3g icon is disabled.
8 hit safari without a wifi connection and sure enough nothing will load.
9 Now your iphone doesn’t use data it now uses wifi!!
(Note: Visual voicemail is disabled and i believe mms is also disabled)
by after the first month, i mean on the 32nd day of your contract with Att
Hakeem The 3g icon is irrelevant! You do not HAVE to turn off 3G. But it does save battery life! Other than that there is no reason to wait 32 days??? For what? That is just the waiting period for being able to return the hpone with no penalty.
Claudia HMMM not sure here. If you NEVER activated the phone on ATT I’m nor SURE what they will do BUT they probably just extend her contract for the 2 years. Of course just have her or you check on line and see what happens at her monthly bill date. When you buy the iphone under contract it states that you will pay for minutes AND data for 2 years. Hopefully that occurs before the 30 days is up. You will probably be ok but Im not sure…
i’ve heard that they take the phone back within 30 days im not sure…. if the data is off the 3g is off!
On the top right hand corner you should no longer see the 3G data sign, which means you no longer have data service.
Ok,
so if you call att and say you have lost your iphone or had it stolen, will they make you pay for data for two years?
no claudia ,
Hakeem My data is off but I can toggle the 3g on or off. that has nothing to do with whether you have data or not. Data can get transmitted over Edge which is what the first generation iphone used. 3G iphones can also use edge so dont be so confident if you just toggle the 3g switch! Data goes back and forth throught the APN identifer with the carrier that is why you need to turn OFF the APN that is the only way to block data NOT block 3G. This is NOT AN OPINION This is fact. Same as if you call ATT to block data if your iphone does not have the APN turned off it WILL attempt to connect to data even though ATT “turn it off” THAT is how ATT ” knows” you have an iphone is tries to make you put a data plan on not the 3g service.
Claudia BUT you do have to complete your 2 year phone contract OR pay an early termination fee.
Hi! I just followed all of the steps listed.. But now will at&t automatically stop charging me $30 a month for the data package?! Or do I have to call them to get it removed?
Dranon i see ur point and ur correct. leah if u did the step exactly as i listed then ur good no more data
Dranon i see ur point and ur correct. leah if u did the step exactly as i listed then ur good, no more data charges every month
Leah if you followed all the steps above, one of the steps says to call ATT to get the data removed and now you are asking if you need to call ATT to have it removed????? They will NEVER automatically STOP charging you for something. You HAVE to tell them to stop charging you. I realise this is a long post but you need to read the instructions. EVERY WHERE on this posting it states you need to call them to turn off data charges.
HAKEEM Visual voice mail is disable but you can still access voice mail like on any other phone. MMS and SMS ARE NOT disabled. I use both regularly.
I have an iPone 3G too I purchased online which is unlocked. It’s running the 3.12 software. I activated it with iTunes then jailbroke it to program it to my liking as there are way more app choices this way. When I logged into my cell acount online I noticed the $30 per mo data plan had been added. I put my sim into a different phone, called my carrier please remove the data plan I was no longer using iPhone as it had flaws. She took the data off. Always be nice, understand your cell carrier doesn’t have to remove iPhone data plan but some reps will even tho 1 rep may say no, just call back get a diff AT&T rep. Know the risks of running an iPhone with no data plan. I installed an APN block and an app to turn off data on my phone. I’m using it now here. I have not found online an AT&T customer yet who was forced back into a data plan tho AT&T emails say they will. Apple is not renewing it’s contract with AT&T either it said on tv, interesting. An AT&T rep confirmed it also.
When you “activate” the phone you are contracting with ATT for service. That is why I usually tell people to borrow someone elses iphone sim to activate their phone. You can also avoid activation by jailbreaking with blackra1n which bypasses the activation process. There has been no confirmation yet of Apple not renewing its contract with ATT, just rumour. The reps dont know either. They do not have any inside information. THe opinion is that it may happen BUT not soon as they are waiting to see how the ipad does. All you need to do to block data is the APN block, you do not need any other APP or program. Data is accessed through the APN over 3G or edge. You do not need to block 3G like some suggest. But I recommend turning off 3G as it uses battery power up with no advantage because you dont need it to make phone calls or SMS/MMS and since you are not using data their is no advantage to having it on!
dranon, how are you still using MMS? I did all the instructions and am using iphone without data, but I cannot send MMS because of the data block. I called ATT to ask them why I couldn’t send or receive MMS, like picture text messages, and they said that sending picture text messages requires you to use the ATT data, and since I blocked it, that is disabled. I have the unlimited picture and regular text messages plan, so that’s not a problem. The reason is because data plan is blocked.
How are you sending and receiving picture text messages? Thanks!!
First of all which iphone are you using? The first gen iphone is not capable of mms. Second of all, do oyou have the APN block on? Di you tell ATT to stop iphone data plan and/or did you tell them to put a wix block on the phone? I need more info! Is your phone jailbroken? With which program?
It’s the iphone 3GS. it’s jailbroken with blackrain, and does have the APN blocker on. I called ATT and told them to block all data access, and they said they did that, so I can’t access internet without wifi. I have no idea what a wix block is. It makes sense to me why I cannot send picture text messages, from the explanation the ATT rep gave me (picture text messages require data access, and I blocked data access), but how are you sending/receiving picture text messages?
Do you have any insight as to why I can’t send picture text messages, or why you can? Thanks!
It installed with no problem but I did not get this message.
Click Install. Another Install Profile window will popup warning you that authenticity of this profile cannot be verified. Click Install on this window too.
You should now see a message stating “Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.
Is this OK?
if u take edge and 3g off how do u make phone calls voip over wifi?
Edge and 3g have NOTHING to do with wi-fi!
You can make VOIP calls with an ipod touch!
tdbl Yeas that is exactly what you should get. You will; aslso occasionally get a message that states ‘could not activate cellular dat network” that is ok that just confirms that when the phone TRIES to access data it cant!
so the most recent mike who posted was NOT me. i know that edge and 3g have nothing to do with wifi. but, do you have any ideas as to the picture text messaging? thanks so much!
My guess (AND THATS ALL IT IS) Is that you called Att and told them to block all data access. You should only have them turned off the iphone data plan. MMS seems to use data access but NOT the data plan only the messaging plan. I never told ATT to turn off my data, I just cancelled the iphoine data plan. In other words if I stopped blocking the APN I COULD access data in an emergency (I cant imagine) but because you have them (ATT) turn off all data access, this blocks mms messaging. THat is what a wix block does. Put the simm back into a regular phone and have them remove the data block. Make sure your iphone has the APN blocker installed an on. Then put the sim back into the iphone and you will (or should) have the mms back!
Hi All,
I have verizon and am planing to buy iPhone. I can’t afford Data Plan. Does the above solution work with Verizon too??
I would be highly obliged if anybody suggest me how do i use iPhone with Verizon without Data Plan?
Thanks,
Khushi
SORRY khushi. Its not possible!!! The iphone requires a sim card to work while verizon service doesn’t come with a sim card.
Thanks Hakeem!! for reverting back. I guess then i have to change to AT&T.
Thanks once again.
Khushi
I just downloaded this to my 1st gen iphone and I was wondering how to turn the 2g function off and still be able to leave wifi on to access my wifi in my home?
thanks
Does this still work with Iphone 3gs?
Khushi Or you can do with T-mobile!
Joe There is no such thing as 2G function! The first iphone is sometimes referred to erroneously as the 2G iphone. It is not 3G refers to the hone being able to access well the 3G signal! Not the Generation of the phone. The first iphone which I guess you “could” cal 1G for generation only accesses the Edge data network. What you mean to ask is turn off data access, and you do it the same way with all the iphones, just follow the instructions!
Thanks Dranon.. I did what the instructions and video said and it now says “Cannot Open Page” but is there a way to keep the wifi turned on without using any data when I use the router at home? I had to buy the data plan last night to activate the phone but the lady at AT&T said if I was not satisfied that I could call and cancel it if I wasn’t usine the iphone anymore. I tried to “Opt Out” on my account page but it will not let me unclick it nor is there a opt out option. I put the sim back in my Razor and I am going to call them and cancel it today but once I do that and put it back into the iphone is there anything else I need to do?
Thank again and this page is great.
Joe Go to settings on your iphone go to wi-fi and check that wi-fi is turned on. Once it is on select your network and log on to it but your security router password in and you should be good to go! Just MAKE SURE that you have the APN blocker installed and on. That is why you get the message “cannot open page”. You WILL occasionally get a message somewhat that says “cannot access data network” that is good you dont want your phone to be able to access data network!
Thank again Dranon.
can i still use the 5.00 text plan if i follow all the steps cause im getting the iphone on monday
Hakeem Yes! I use the $30 monthly unlimite texting family plan on 5 phons. Works fine on my jailbroken no dat iphone 3GS!
k and also can i use the data for 1 month then cancel the data after the first bill cause i would like to experience the data plan
I just canceled my data plan on my 3G Jailbroken iphone. AT&T had me put my Sim in a non iphone before they did it. I just put it back in after the data plan was off, and followed the steps above. Works! Thanks!
also can i buy a refurbished iphone at an att store
Hakeem I dont know just call them! You can buy them at Apple stores!
Hey everyone,
So I’ve been DYING for an IPhone but personally I’m with everyone else (the whole Data Plan thing is a rip off and I’d rather do without it).
I’m a college student and I’m pretty much surrounded by WiFi.
Okay, so basically, I am going to purchase an Unlocked and Jailbroken version of either the 2G or 3G IPhone…(let me know if this a good idea or not and which version I should get please)
My problem is this: I had a Razor (the lavender, new one) but it stopped working, but my Sim card is from that phone. I then switched to a Palm Treo 680 and that stopped working on me too. But I still have the same Sim card.
So basically, I have the same Sim card (which IPhone version do you recommend? please)
I’m technologically inclined, so I have no idea how to go about installing the “blocking the data” thing.
I read this board like twice and my brain is pretty much fried, I was just wondering if someone could be kind enough to either reply with accurately, extremely, detailed and specific instructions for me.
OR
just be willing to e-mail me back and forth explaining me what to do.
ellabelle56@yahoo.com
I get the whole concept of it, but I just feel like I’d screw up if I do it without back up help
Please and thank you!!
hxxp://www.ziphone.org
i do not understand how to do it
How about we all get together and sue att for invasion of privacy. I think its an invasion of privacy. They shouldnt have to know whos using what kind of phone. Much less, finding out what phone youre using without you knowing it. I changed phones for one day, and on my online account, they changed it to the phone i was using at the time. the next day after switching back to my old phone, guess what? They had already updated it on their site. Bastards. Like they arent making enough money right now. hell, they have luke wilson doing commercials. i guess we have to pay for that too. I say free the iPhone from the data plan!!!
I called AT&T northeast last night madder than a dog w/rabies for an error on my bill. The error was legit and corrected but it then sparked me into a rant about aquiring an iPhone3G I had recently added to my Familytalk 1400 plan. We have 5 lines 1400 mins, A-list and family unlimited texting, thats quite a chunk of change monthly yet as many people who do not purchase an iPhone but just aquire one then add it to their plan, I seriously didnt know I HAD to accept a $30 data plan to use it, WTF!!! I did some research then phoned back AT&T, told them they were the ONLY wireless carrier that had a mandatory iPhone data requirement and I wanted to terminate my entire account, that it would be a cold day in hell before I paid any early term- fees and I would also join a class action suit (yes there is one regarding the mandatory data for iPhone) against AT&T. In fact I had spoken to another carrier who was willing in writing to take on our 5 lines and unlimited text AND add in data for below what I was already paying at AT&T. The short of it is the rep at AT&T canceled any data that was on my account and apologised. Like many here have said, if you get a “NO” or an ass for an AT&T rep, …HANGUP…..CALL BACK! Seriously. All told I called back twice in the beginning and the 2nd rep worked with me, she (said) she had also noted her name and ID number on my account should there be any question why and when the xtra data plan was removed, I also insisted she email me a copy of the whole transaction (in case I get a future AT&T butt slapping), which she in fact did. I have yet to see or hear of any user suddenly finding an added data for iPhone out of nowhere. The only time they catch you and actually add the data plan seems to be when an iPhone is activated. I jailbroke mine and added the app (as mentioned in this forum) that blocks the APN and its worked great. I’ll have to find the link to the class action suit for reference and post it here, it was started by other AT&T iPhone users oh and 1 of the reasons Apple has discontinued their contracs with AT&T IS because of the anger they caused selling iPhones BUT requiring users and buyers to have a data plan. What a bunch of horse sh** huh? Now my uncle in VT has AT&T and uses his iPhone without data (jailbroke also) and has been doing so for nearly 1 year w/no prob.
BTW 2 of us use iPhone 3G with OS 3.12, I didnt upgrade yet to 3.13 due to the warning that that version cannot be jailbroke, Im quite happy and so is hub with 3.12 anyways.
Yes u can buy a $50 iPhone refurb, my sister got hers last month, the iPhone 3G 8GB and it looked like NEW. She loves it, its also jailbroke (OS 3.12) and she also had her data shut off by AT&T. If ur persistant enough and call back it works, make sure they note the account.
Enjoy!
Sally, no. The AT&T rep noted our account that she had removed the data plans on her own accord and also sent it in an email. I did mean to mention
a HEADS UP….Keep an eye out on the AT&T Website as they will be REMOVING THE iPHONE REQUIRED DATA CLAUSE as requested by APPLE.
U cannot send pic messages w/data blocked, no unless u use wifi
Must your phone be Jailbroken in order for to turn off data?
Or can it just be unlocked.
I just bought an unlocked IPhone
My main question is: Is an unlocked phone fine by itself for the “No data” option? or must I jailbreak it too?
Kris you do not have to jailbreak the APN blocker installs on stock iphones.
URGONNALUVTHIS – You are the first that I know of to accomplish this. In ATT terms of servie they require a data plan. Maybe they are loosening the strings? Your uncle has probablr done the APN block because I know that a year ago what you suggest was not possible. WHERE did you get a refurb iphone for $50???? Where did you get your info about the lawsuit?? Where di you get the info about Apple being pissed at ATT??? It seems strange that with my EXTENSIVE knowledge that NONE of this has come across to me???
Hey Guys,
I am a student and my 2 yr contract with SPRINT is all done and now I want to take a line on ATT, I found that all the smart phones require DATA PLAN and I find no point taking a SMART PHONE with a data plan where in I can get a Iphone too if I pay for data plan.
I want to take an IPhone 3G and I don’t use data plan as I am a college student and have WIFI in every lab. How can I get my data plan removed from my IPhone if I would shop for I Phone today at ATT? I would be glad if you can help me ….Thank You
hey i have the first gen iphone… will this work with it if so will you walk me through the steps that i need to do?
i see to go to this page and install.. i did. but i didnt get the message saying i could not achive data network. im confused. what all do i need to do to be for sure that im not getting charged??
help.. please
PLEASE HELP S.O.S
I was testing this out and it works wonderfully. Now the problem is how I can reverse it because I can no longer access my 3G or EDGE. I went to SETTINGS>GENERAL>NETWORK… but there is no option to reverse the fake APN installation.
Please kindly instruct me how I can get my 3G internet back. Thank you so kindly. – Khoa
Go to SETTINGS>GENERAL then scroll down to PROFILE go into profile and click REMOVE FAKE APN. This will restore access. Going into network only enables or disables 3G which BTW you do NOT have to do to block the APN!
Harshi and kibash09 Just read the instructions! Read all of my posts, if you read them you can do this. It is OBVIOUS that you are NOT bothering to read and just want everything repeated! I dont mind helping BUT READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From AT&T’s Website:
“Please note: A data plan is required for the life of your iPhone service and cannot be removed in the future.
Data Plan for iPhone includes unlimited data in the U.S. Access rich HTML email and desktop-level web browsing, as well as Visual Voicemail to listen to voicemail messages in any order you choose.
Please note: AT&T is Apple’s exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the United States. An eligible data plan for iPhone is required. This data plan covers data usage in the United States and does not cover international data usage and charges. If AT&T determines that you are using an iPhone on your account without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill you the appropriate monthly fee.”
Does this mean that if they notice that you’re using your iphone by the methods described here, they may add the data plan at any time?
Iris Yes they may add the data BUT they ALWAYS tell you to add it. They dont just add it themselves and of course you can just have an older phone handy and tell them you are no longer using the iphone!
Hi Everyone
Boy this is quite a thread! I thought I’d add my AT&T iPhone data plan experience, or lack of one. My family has been with AT&T 5 years now and last year myself and wife got iPhones, more recently last December so did my son. NONE of us has any sort of data plan. We all used the request to have such plans removed (to make long story shorter). We use wifi and the APN Block by Boss Prefs. Jailbreaking was done in 10 mins along with unlocking with the apps described here and for Gods sake do NOT pay to have your phone jail broke or unlocked! YOU can do it yourself.
The above is correct as far as AT&T adding a data plan to your account, they have to contact you first and i dont mean an email, when they actually are going to do it they send you an email to phone customer care. My (in-law) works for AT&T center out of Texas. She also told us AT&T will be discontinuing the mandatory iPhone data plans because Apple had requested it and is no longer contracting with AT&T.
MIL said to keep an eye out on the AT&T website where the phone sales are located, you should see within a month the stipulation of a data plan located with the iPhones for sale will no longer be there.
Relax, and enjoy your iPhone. We have for 5 years now.
Bill, Conn.
Hi Kids,
I too have AT&T and purchased a refurbed 3G 8GB off the AT&T website. I actually thought the data plan was alright with it until I too realized at home, work and out to eat pretty anywhere I am there is a wifi connection available (except when we are out on our boat or lost in the back country somewhere).
I phone AT&T regarding the mandatory data plan and told the rep what I told you kids above (sorry, I’m 68 so everyone’s a kid to me). I asked if the data could be removed after a few grumbles from me the rep said “i’ll have to transfer you to someone authorized to do it (hmm).
2nd rep says “I need the IMEI of the phone you will be using (obviously thinking I no longer use the iPhone?), so I grabbed one of 4 older phones and read her an IMEI. I ask her “cant you see the IMEI on this phone (shhh I’m on my iPhone being straight up with her), “no sir I cant unless you punch in a code on your keypad of #….blah blah”.
Short of it is no data and i also asked that ALL data be blocked on all 3 phones and checked them.
It’s all in who at AT&T you get and what mood they are in, seriously. ALWAYS be polite no matter what!
Take care, Robert
This thread is so funny. How to cheat AT&T. Just change carriers like we did LOL.
Changed to Sprint 2 wks ago. 100 bucks a month for unlimited everything, AT&T just sucks. Sad because we had them for years. Oh and yes my unlocked iPhone works great.
have a good one & g’ Luck
http://hothardware.com/News/Will-ATT-Lose-Their-iPhone-Exclusivity-On-Wednesday/
This was up when the Apple tablet came out. AT&T is no longer pushing data on iPhone users and will in fact cancel if you ask, or call back and ask someone else again. Don’t even worry about it.
toofunny is right much too funny! #1 This is NOT about cheating ATT #2 your unlocked iphone does NOT WORK AT ALL on SPRINT because Sprint does NOT use sim cards!!!! SPRINT is not GSM!!!
att5yearsnow!!! Not with the iphone! It has only been out for 2.5years! I have been with ATT (CINGULAR) for 13 years. Nary a complaint! Service has been great. nad BTW APPLE is still contracting with ATT, maybe they wont in the future but right now they still are and plan to continue for the forseeable future! Especially with the ipad coming out!
BAH i recieved a 2g iphone from a buddy and i put my card in and stuff. then i plugged the iphone into my computer and installed a software update. Then i start the iphone up and it say slide for emergency. it wont let me get to the main menu where i can create the fake apn and stuff. What the heck
iphoneuser this article was opinion AND conjecture and you seem to view it as ironclad proof! Pay attention to the facts! What really happened is that the ipad will NOT be locked to any carrier! Although ATT has a nice contract for it the ipad is NOT locked to ATT. The iphone still is!!!! People have to stop believing some peoples opinions as facts, these crazy rumours just fly all around and people believe them. AThe iphone data plan is STILL required! There MAY be some evidence that some people are able to cancell their data and continue to use their iphones with ATT approval BUT I have not seen ANY!
Cormac you shouldn’t have installed the software update. THats where you crewed up! You HAVE to activate the phone and agree to a contract now. Altough you can cancell afterwards!
So I have officially started using this and it works just fine!
Prior to installing this on my iphone, my 3G and Edge capabilities were just fine. But just the other day, I removed the Fake APN profile from my iphone .. and my 3G and Edge are still not capable of running. If I disable wi-fi to try to gain access via AT&Ts network, I am STILL getting the “Could Not Activate the Cellular Data Network” prompt.
I have upgraded to the new 3.1.3 firmware and newest modemware 05.12.01. All of my iphone settings are set to allow 3G and Edge. So I cant figure this out for the life of me .. The only thing I havent done is a restore, which I prefer not to do unless I really need to ..
Have you ever heard of anyone else having this problem? Or any idea for a fix? Although I dont need it now, it would be comforting to know that if I need to access it later I can do so without any problems.
Turn the power off and then turn it back on hopefully that will fix it. If not then do a soft restore. Is your phone jailbroken? If so with what? Blackra1n? I have NOT seen this problem before… Make sure under “settings>general>network that you have Enable 3G set to “ON”
My phone has been turned off and on several times already. That didnt work. What is a soft restore vs a normal full restore??
My phone has the newest firmware 3.1.3 and baseband 05.12.07 and IS jailbroken with redsnow. My settings are all where they should be.
I used it for a few days jailbroken with the newest firmware/baseband before deciding to finally add the Fake APN profile. In those few days, everything worked fine. Since a lot of things are slowly starting to function properly with the newest update, I’m wondering if maybe this may have a bug with the newest firmware? I dont know, haha. I dont think its my phone and I dont think its the profile, I think maybe somewhere in between something didnt clash too well.
Soft restore did not work either ..
Best bet is to restore! I know I know its a PITA but this is a small price we have to pay for Jailbreaking…
Grr .. Now I am debating if restoring is really worth it .. bc although the Fake APN profile doesnt “exist” on my phone, it sure still functions like its there .. and restore or not, I will NOT be using AT&Ts data network. :]
I guess just the itching and burning of knowing that there is clearly an underlying issue on my phone really bothered me, haha. It was worth the shot to ask, so Thanks for the help anyways! :]
would this method work. i get a 2year contract and the 3gs iphone 3gs which they will activate. After a couple of days call At&t and tell them i lost my iphone, and that im going to be using my old phone with the old sim, so i dont need the data plan anymore. once thats done i install the fake apn on the iphone, and put my sim from my old phone back.
same exact question, i all ready have an iphone data plan. im pay the extra 30 buck. so can i call and tell them i cant afford the bill anymore and use this method after they disable my data plan? i actually all ready installed this method on my iphone just for the heck of it. will this work.
btw its a 3gs and its not unlock or jailbroken
Again You do NOT need to unlock OR jailbreak for the fake APN profile to be installed! This does NOT void your warenty in ANY WAY. JMtovar and nightcrawler. YES both will work. You will need to provide the ein number for the phone you are telling them that you are going to use.
Sweet thanks alot!!
I have 2G I phone and able to use my at&t sim card without data plan, from my motorala phone, but at&t record shows Iphone under my account.
-will at&t charge or force me to take data plan?
-or when at&t ask me to join data plan, can I switch back from Iphone to my original phone?
Please help me, if anybody has this kind of experience.
Richard this question has been answered several times in this forum even just recently do you just NOT bother to read?? The answer is yes and yes to both of your questions!
Sarah you LOST your Jailbreak by upgrading to the latest firmware. There IS NOT JAILBREAK AVAILABLE for the latest firmware. HOWEVER there is a new APN block for firmware 3.1.3. SO you can still block data but you cannot jailbreak!
thankx dranon
Hey i was wonduring if this program still worked.
Also Does it hender the use of the iphone at all?.
LIke the texting and all of that.
Yes Ben it still works. Yes it does hinder the iphone. It does NOT allow you to access data over airwaves only on Wi_Fi. It does NOT affect anything else. You can text and call to hearts delight!
I just want to tell you that are other “strange” ways to remove the data plan. I am not sure what happen but last year I went abroad to another country for a month, put the iphone on airplane mode, then switch back to active mode after arriving. Upon arrival, there is no more AT&T obviously because there is no AT&T at the country I went to- it was replaced by another wireless company service. I continued to use WiFi abroad. The INTERESTING thing is upon returning back to the US, I have AT&T back on service but the data plan was gone? Can anyone explain this?
Cara each carrier has a different APN setting so when you travel from country to country and your phone picks up a different carrier it MAY also pick up their APN, but usually you need to set the APN for that carrier, be careful and understand what foreign data charges are especially if you are roaming!!!!. Assuming you put another SIM card in your phone from the other carrier! THe iphone will attempt to find the correct APN. When you come back to America you may have to reset the settings to get the ATT APN back or it may just come back on its own.
I have a hand-me-down 2G iPhone. I want to follow the instructions on this page so that I can use it as an ATT cell phone with my non-iPhone ATT SIM card without a data plan. Currently, with the original iPhone SIM card, the iPhone works with WiFi but reports “No Service” with ATT. Is the phone activated? (When I put in the active ATT Sim card that I want to use it prompts me to connect to iTunes and activate the iPhone.) I have spent a long time reading this thread and am still not sure if my iPhone is activated or not, since it does work with iTunes and Wifi with the old Sim. Any help appreciated …
Never mind: message 426 seems to address my question. But I would like assurance: putting my wife’s active (3G) Sim card in my (2G) iphone will activate my iPhone without affecting her service at all once I return the card to her phone?
Dranon, Can you provide one more clarification to message #426. If I activate the second-hand iPhone with my wife’s active iPhone SIM, do I still need to contact ATT and deactivate data plan? Or is the point of activating with someone else’s active SIM that it activates the phone without requiring me to turn on a data plan? Thanks.
Daniel use wi-fi and instal the fake APN then put the actve ATT card from your wife and activate the phone with itunes You can also activate with her sim first and then install the fake APN but do these stepsbefore you put your sim in.(TAKES SECONDS) i JUS DID THIS 2NITE WITH A NEW PHONE WITH THE LATEST SOFTWARE AND BASEBAND ON IT. iT ACTIVATES IN SECONDS. tHEN PUT YOUR SIM IN AND THE PHONE SHOULD WORK JUST FINE! Remember IF you want to jailbreak also DO NOT UPGRADE TO 3.1.3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks, Dranon. I’m not interested in jaibreaking, but I would like to unlock the phone to use in other countries. Does it matter if I do that before or after this operation?
Okay. I put in my wife’s SIM and connected to iTunes to authorize. It still wants me to agree to a new data plan. (I entered my wife’s phone number by the way not my own.) I hit cancel at this point, because I don’t want ATT to switch my wife’s service to work with my iPhone instead of hers.
As soon as the phone is authorised Just stop do not go further as itunes prompts you. Do NOT set up the iphone just activate it. Once it is activated you can synch it and set it up WITHOUT a sim card. THen put your sim in. You may NOT be able to UNLOCK the phone either if it has the latest baseband on it. If you have a 3GS you definitely cannot!
Thanks, Dranon,
I’m about to leave the country for a few weeks so I’ll try again when I get back. It would help to know specifically at what point in the process with iTunes the phone has been authorized. Because I very quickly reach a screen where I have to pick a data plan, at which point I’m reluctant to hit “Next.” Instead I hit “Cancel” and I’m back to square one.
THe phone itself right after you plug it in to itunes wil have a screen that says phone is now activated. Thats it just unplug it its activated and working.
I think you responded a few days ago to my last post saying that there isnt a jailbreak available for the 3.1.3 firmware? I just wanted to let you know that 3.1.3 CAN be jailbroken, just not unlocked.
My iphone is a 3G with Apple’s newest firmware update, 3.1.3 and baseband update 05.12.07. My phone has been jailbroken for the past 3 weeks now with zero problems. :] So yes, it is official, 3.1.3 can be jailbroken.
And since I last post, doing the full restore like you suggested fixed my problem. I still use the Fake APN, but at least now I know how I can fix it.
Hi Sarah May I ask what program you used to jailbreak it? I have found that the 3GS is not jailbreakable with the latest 3.1.3 but that SOME 3G phones can be jailbroken if they have an older serial number. There must be something in the hardware of the newer ones and the 3GS that prevents it. Im glad your problems are resolved and thanks for chiming in and letting me know it worked for you!
Therein lies my problem. When I put my wife’s active iPhone chip in my phone, it tells me to connect to iTunes and then prompts me to activate the phone by signing up for a data plan—just like when I stick in my non-iPhone chip from my other phone. As I mentioned the phone works fine as an iPod Touch with the original inactive chip.
if you get a iphone off ebay or such, will u still be able to text and call because i don’t really use the internet, but i do love texting and calling please help
Daniel that is OK when you put her iphone sim in just go ahead and activate it with her sim. She already has a paln correct? So you cannot add another plan to the same phone number! Then when all is done just install the APN blocker and put your sim in. All done!
Murphy yes
I used redsn0w. I tried sn0wbreeze at first, but its a lot more complicated and since 3.1.3 is still so new, I didnt want to mess with that program, just in case.
All 3G models can be jailbroken. I’ve learned the serial number doesnt indicate if the hardware in the iPhones may be different than others in some way. A friend of mine bought his iPhone from ATT just this past weekend and I had no problem jailbreaking it for him. I suppose since it was issued as new, then it was a brand new iPhone with a newer serial number as opposed to mine, which is a few months old now.
I’m not sure what the hardware difference is between the iPhone 3G and 3GS .. but the 3GS definitely can not be jailbroken yet. That is what I’ve read and I dare not try to test it.
Something is different in the 3GS, cannot jailbreak it. Thanks Sarah!
First rep removed the data plan for me with few questions ask. He was originally going to make me return the phone to the Apple Store then ask them to remove it, but after a few minutes, decided to remove the plan after all. No asking for the IMEI or anything.
Cara When they removed the data plan how did they tell you to set up your phone so that you did not “accidentally” access the internet and use data? If there are no changes to the phone that blocks data access it CAN still access data and you would get charged for per use
Dranon, they did not specified any changes to the phone. All the rep said was he switch the contract back to my original phone (the motorola) and he took off the data plan. He also asked if I had any txt messaging plan and I said all the lines have no txt at all. Finally he told me that if any case I decided not to return the phone, and if any person on my line puts their sim card inside the iphone, then at&t can trace it and may put the data plan back on (as experienced by many of the comments from above) Dranon, if the rep did not change anything besides removing the data plan, what should I do to block data? Ask them to place a Wixblock? Or can I follow the instructions for installing the Fake APN given by this website? Thanks!
I still have not switch back to my iphone yet and as of right now, I’m still using the motorola until more instructions are given. Thanks!
Cara Yes you have to put the data block on the iphone using this method. Just open safari navigate to unlockit.co.nz and install APN blocker. Thats all you have to do!
I have the iPhone 2g and i need help, please!! My friend just gave me their old iphone with their old sim card in it. this isnt working right, but can someone please help guide me through it?
Chase read the post directly above yours! That is all you have to do! If it does not work you need to give more info. The old sim is not activated right? So you need to put YOUR active sim in the phone after you install APN blocker. If it does not work you have to provide more info such as what it is or is not doing.
thanks! it works great!!!
Glad to hear Cara! Enjoy!
For those who are willing to call at&t to cancel your data plan & is confused about the whole process and how it works or do not feel like scrolling up and reading the entire blog, please read the following (from my own experience):
**Purchased an iPhone3GS and is still UNDER 30 days
**This only applies to those who still wants to be under AT&T and do not wish to jailbreak/unlock their iPhone
1. Switch the SIM from your iPhone to your old phone (for example, the motorala L7)
**Upon removing the sim card from your iPhone, you should see “No Sim” on the top left of your iPhone. AS OF RIGHT NOW, your iPhone works just like the iPOD Touch (can go on wifi, can play apps, can install apps, etc. The only thing it cannot do is make phone calls obviously)
2. Call AT&T and say that you are not satisfied with your iPhone and decided to not use it anymore.
3. Since the phone was purchased in less than 30 days, the rep will probably tell you that you HAVE to return the iPhone back to the store and THEN they will remove the plan for you.
4. I was confused at what he was trying to say, so he gave up the idea and decided to remove the data plan himself instead.
5. Rep made a note on my account that I was going to return the iPhone and he had removed the data plan.
6. Rep told me that he had switch my phone back to my old phone (motorala L7) and had also restored voicemail. He also said that my motorala is now on the renewed 2-year contract.
7. Rep told me that in any case if I do not return the phone and if anyone in my family line inserts their own sim card into the iPhone, AT&T WILL DETECT and may possibly place the $30 plan back onto it.
8. Rep told me that since I remove the $30 plan EARLY, I will NOT be paying the $30 on my next bill. Instead I will be paying $10 ($1/day for data plan according to the rep) since I only used the iPhone for 10 days.
9. Rep told me that there MAY be a 10% restocking fee when I return the iPhone back to the store.
10. I thank the rep for his help and hang up.
11. I installed the program listed on this blog (APN Blocker) using wifi on my iPhone.
12. Remove the sim card from the old phone (motorala L7) and place it BACK into the iPhone.
**Works like a charm! I just want to share my stories of the few customers who successfully got AT&T to remove their data plan. This may not always work because each rep is different. You will always have the chance of AT&T placing the data plan back onto your account in the future. The iPhone image on your online account will automatically be back because AT&T is able to detect iPhones. Also, I like to clarified that the reason the rep did not ask for IMEI on my old phone is because I was using the phone that I originally used before I got the iPhone. So the rep basically looked up the previous phone I had and just switch the account back to it. I hope this helps
Good luck!
VERY GOOD WRITEUP cara! I could not have put it better myself! I hope this stops people from asking the same questions over and over!
Yo!
so im gonna trade with someone from craigslist for a 16gb iphone 3gs. currently i have a nokia under att. so to make sure i get the iphone put the sim in, then using wifi connect to the apn blocker and im free? BTW i called att and asked if i needed one and they said yes. I just dont want a $30 extra added to my bill.
Thanks!
Dranon, help please.
I have read all posts and followed the instructions, but it’s not working for me…
We have a family plan, one iPhone 3G and one LG Shine. We have the iPhone data plan, but the LG had data blocked from day one. Recently, I got a 3GS and the 3G had not been used since but still remained activated. I did not do jailbreak or anything else to it.
So, I followed the seemingly simple plan: I took the SIM card out of my 3GS and put it in the 3G, powered it up to verify that it remained activated, installed the Fake APN via WiFi while the SIM still in the phone, took out the iPhone SIM and put in the LG SIM. However, immediately after I put in the LG SIM, that connect to iTune thing appeared! When I put the iPhone SIM back in it, everything returned to normal…
I thought installing Fake APN with the iPhone SIM in might have caused the problem, so I removed Fake APN, then installed again with no SIM in it. When I put the LG SIM in, it still showed the connect to iTune thing.
What have I done wrong? I am puzzled, so please help.
Thanks in advance!
Newcomer Just go ahead and connect to itunes.When you do the phone should just work after itunes recognises it. DO NOT select a plan or do anything other than connect it and synch it. Let me know if there are any other problems. You MAY have to upgrade the software or reset the phone if that does not work, which is not a problem UNLESS ou ant to jailbreak. DO NOT UPGRADE IF YOU WANT TO JAILBREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dranon is right. In case if that does not work, I would suggest you to Jailbreak and unlock your 3G, if you have not updated the OS to 3.1.3. You should be ok to use it with your other account.
It worked. Thank you, Dranon and Jacob!
Hi iPhoners,
I did the big “no no” and took the plunge with my unlocked, jailbroke AT&Ti phone 3G 8GB and updated it to 3.13 from 3.12 and NOTHING changed except my battery icon. My phone is very much still jailbroke and unlocked as I just purchased an iPhone app in Cydia. I had used (forgive spelling) Blackrain & Snow(something) to jailbreak and unlock my phone 2 weeks ago. My sons T-Mobile SIM worked in my iPhone when I checked everything out and all my Cydia and iTune apps are intact. Oh about the no data APN block, that worked great but in the end I opted in for a data plan because I needed access to the internet when I travel on the road.
Just my experience thought id pass it along because I came upon this site and bookmarked it.
Take Care
So thats my experience
iphone3Gguy This will NOT work for a 3GS and will NOT work for 3G phones with the newer bootrom! BE CAREFULL
It worked on mine, I’m 57 and not an idiot around computers and phones.
I didnt think it would either but i had to do a restore, it updated to 3.13 (looking at the version now on phone). To my surprise my phone did not become unjailbroke as I purchased an app after) and sons Sprint sim card works in my phone. Believe me I expected it WOULD undo everything and id redo it all after! Weird.
The only change when i upgraded was my battery icon. I’m not telling anyone to try what I did, having it stay jailbroke with apps and unlocked was a nice surprise though. I have the iPhone 3G 8GB and as said before I opted back in for the data plan as we travel and need internet in the RV, Car ect.
Anyways, enjoy people.
Dranon, I finally figured it out! Before, idiot me had deleted the APN icon making it near impossible for me to figure out what to do until I realized I could just go to the site using Safari .. and all I had to do was replace the fake one with the AT&T profile. How simple it was and how complicated I made it seem!, haha. I still use the FAKE APN, but at least I know now how to go back and fix it. Its very comforting. :] Thanks for all the help!
iphone 3G guy You obviously have a 3G with the older serial number ( older meaning only more than around 3- 6 months) so that is why it works. The newer ones will NOT!
Sarah you can also go to Setings>General>Profile and remove or install the fake APN there!
Hey all! Read through all of this and I’m very excited to start the process of turning my iPhone into the perfectly tailored device since for the next month or two, I’m going to be around wifi spots frequently. I just have only one question (and it slightly pertains to the writeup done by cara)
I’ve had the iPhone for 3 days now (new family plan w/ my mother). Would it be better to wait out the month till the first bill comes in or address it now? My only fear is getting the one representative that says “bring the iPhone back to the store and then we’ll change the phone there”.
Thanks :]
Charta the sooner you do it the less data charges you will have to pay for!
Hey iPhone guy, my 3G also did the same. We just purchased ours 4 days ago and did the unlock and jailbreak on mine and daughters. These are the new3G’s AT&T carry not refurbs. Both had OS 3.12 also and we knew nothing about. any warning not to upgrade. Of course I see it now in Cydia, my wife’s got Tmobile through work so using her Sim now and typing this. The phone specs on both my and sons iPhones, both say 3.13 and I just installed a game via Cydia andam grabbing 1 more. If anything changes I’ lllet you know.
One last question. After going back through the 600+ comments, it seems that new iPhone (new to ATT) users will have to pay the early termination fee. Yet Cara’s writeup seems to be… an upgrade of sorts.
Right now I’m a new customer with AT&T and I have my friend’s old razr that has an extra SIM card in it (deactivated).
I know I will probably be berated for asking this, but do I have all I need to accomplish the transfer trick that Cara said?
Or will I have to shell out the 175 ETF?
Charta yes you have all you need! You do NOT have to pay an early termination fee because well you are NOT terminating your contract! All you are doing is changing phones! Yopu will still be obligated for the 2 years to ATT but you are just NOT using the iphone data plan. According to ATT you are just using a different phone.
Thanks Dranon for the confirmation! I got to say, your continuous feedback in this thread is greatly appreciated :]
If i turn the data off, will i be able to recieve mms?
This is my brothers 3g and he just upgraded to 3gs
Version 3.1.3(7E18)
Model: MB046LL
I am currently using a ATT Tilt, no data plan, just unlimited texting. I had this before they required all smartphones to have a dataplan so i have an extended data plan or something like that. Before i was not getting mms, until i called and they told me that i had to unlock data before i can send mms, but if i do, and i go on the internet, i will be charged..
my brother just gave me his iphone 3g and i want to use it..but i want to use the datablock but still want mms. Thanks
Plus i think it will be better if i dont call em
TheOne I have never had a data plan and I use MMS with no problem on my iphone 3gS. I have family plan unlimited texting. It is NOT jailbroken. I only have the APN blocker on it. So the answer to your question is YES!
Does anyone know if this would work in Canada with a provider that uses Sim cards, such as Fido?
Also,
What does it mean by “Put the sim card in the already activated phone” ?
Thanks!
-Adam
ALL iphones use sim cards! Remember this is NOT an unlock to use on a different carrier than what your iphone was bought for. This is only a DATA block. So YES it will work in Canada. If you do not know what “put the sim in the already activated phone” means you just cannot be hleped because that is as clear an explanation as can be given! You “activate” an iphone> then you put the data block on> then you take OUT the sim card and put the sim card in that you want to use.
I didnt recieve the last message saying could: You should now see a message stating “Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.
ok i guess it worked. My friend was telling em that after like 24 hours they will switch my plan. is this true? has anyone had this problem?
TheOne you will know that it is working for sure if you start Safari without a wi-fi connection. THAT is when you will get the message “could not activate cellular data plan” As for the 24 hour thing, some reps tell people that but it is usually switched or turned off immediately.
I like to comfirm tat mms does not work. I told my gf to send me a picture..and i got nothing :-\
So i got a HUUUGEEE scare this morning. I woke up, i went to check my bill online and i saw that my tilt picture has been change to an iphone. I was like they CAUGHT!! ME!! LOl. So i quickly called them and they told me no i still have my tilt plan. But why is the picture on the online account changed to an IPHONE? Very weird. Also im still not getting picture messaging
Just want to come back and say that Cara’s instructions worked perfectly! 5 minute phone call and now my iphone is the perfect device for me
Good luck!
THeOne If you read this thread there are many comments that state that the iphone will show up on your account! Att “SEES” the ein number of the phone and places that on your account. NBD. MMS works fine on my 3GS phone. Which model do you have? What software version is on it? Maybe I can help!
Iphone 3G
Version 3.1.3(7E18)
Model: MB046LL
I called them and asked them and they said i still have the same plan. How do i stop them from seeing the ein number? or does it matter
Btw the MMS works now..strange
There is no way to stop them from seeing the ein #. It does not matter though. I have done it this way for well over a year now with the 2 iphones showing on my plan and they have never tried to charge me a data plan. The way I understand it is that IF you remove the data blocker and use some data that it “shows” on their system somehow and then they try to make you get the data plan. Glad your MMS started working I have no explanation for that except it must have been something in their system!
ok i just got a 2g that had a hard reset.. and hasnt been activated yet.. can i still do this? when i plug it in it asks me to connect to itunes to activate..
So i would love to use GPS on my iphone, but the data is turned off. Is there a way to get free GPS? I search and i hear that u dont get charged for using the gps system on the data plan. If this is the case is there a way for us to use the google maps or because we blocked the data its gone?
@Squibbs, from my understanding, i think it would be a good idea to have someone with an Iphone plan activate the phone for you then put ur sim card in it and try the fake apn. I did that on my 3g and it works fine, on 2g however it might be different
Squibbs The One has it right just activate the phone with someones elses sim card or jailbreaking activates it. Blocking data works with ALL iphones. If you do not have someone elses sim to activate it then you will need to activate and THEN cancell the data plan as described here in many posts.
THe One GPS works on the phone with data off. The problem with Google maps is that it uses GPS AND DATA. IF you ue an app that just uses GPS it works fine. For example TomTOm or Navigon apps work fine without a data plan. Navigon just came out with a regional mapping app that only costs $30 so that may be worth your while!
Really? Ill check both of those out. Which do u recommend and can i get it from the App store? Cydia? Installous, i havent hacked my iphone 3g yet. but i think i want to.
Dranon,
I have read almost all 600+ comments on this site (proof: I know you were commenting on a different name than Dranon before, I believe it’s Paul) and I must admit, you have the nerve of a Bull to write the same things over and over and over again. I could not be that patient.
I do not have a question for you, but rather an observation from an experienced user. I bought a refurbished iPhone 3G from Buy.com about 20 days ago. I already have an ATT sim card+phone and am not under any contract, just month by month. I did not have any iphone data plans when I got the iPhone and like many people who read this page do not want to pay $30 for the data plan when I’m covered with WIFI 90% of the time.
Almost all restaurants, coffee shops and my university has WIFI all over the place for free. So unless you need it “on-the-go” (like airports-many don’t have WIFI or you need to pay it- or driving your car) it’s simply a waste of money.
I did not know about the APN blocker back then, and thought disabling 3G would stop my cellular data usage. Obviously I was wrong and my iPhone was trying to access the cellular data through EDGE. Nevertheless, I started using the iPhone and it constantly gave me the error “You don’t have a data plan” and did not even use the EDGE that I left open.
— Incidentally, I did not need to plug my iPhone to iTunes to activate it, it automatically said “The phone is activated” as I turned it on for the first time with the SIM card in it. —
So I thought everything was working fine and I was getting the data plan error (which is what I wanted – no cellular data usage) and I was happy living on the WIFI. But everything changed about 15 days later when my new billing cycle started and ATT called me saying they added the $30 iPhone data plan. I called and talked to 3 different ATT agents none willing to take it off my account. Then, I found this page. I installed the fake APN to my iPhone, put my SIM in my old phone, called ATT and asked them to remove iPhone data plan since I no longer owned an iPhone. They asked for an IMEI number, I gave them mine. But since my phone is a European phone, it showed as “Unknown manufacturer” in the agent’s screen. He said it was not a big deal and he could have entered his own IMEI number for my account and it would be fine then too. (Weird, so you can just give them a random IMEI number too).
Anyway, he took the iPhone data plan off my account and entered in the new IMEI number for my random european phone. I waited for one day, and today I put my SIM card back in my iPhone (which was already activated earlier) and made sure fake APN was active. I’m currently using my iPhone with no data plan and fake APN, so that my iPhone doesn’t use the cellular network and ATT doesn’t charge me for pay-as-you-go data rates (ridiculously high). However, like you said earlier, my ATT online account shows that I have the iPhone 3G. Let’s see if they add me a data plan.
Some interesting observations about my experience are in order:
1) The refurbished iPhone came in already activated, or else, no iTunes connection is necessary to activate refurbished/previously activated phones.
2) Although I did not have a data plan and I did not know about fake APN when I first started using my iPhone, ATT did not deliver me cellular data service, I constantly received “You do not have data plan” error. In other words, it was as if I was using fake APN, although I didn’t have it installed. This suggests ATT doesn’t deliver you data service unless you have a data plan. Probably because they do not want you to be charged $1000 for your data usage.
3) It seems like, even though ATT didn’t deliver me cellular data service at first, my iPhone’s attempt to use the EDGE data service over the cell towers prompted them to realize I have the iPhone. Otherwise, fake APN will not work either.
4) With fake APN installed, I am currently using my iPhone without a data plan. However, I have worries that ATT will add the data plan in my next billing cycle, just like they added it at the beginning of this billing cycle. For once, they know that I have an iPhone, indicated by my IMEI-EIN# and my online account.
I’m open for questions/comments.
CyberDoom
ATENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE HAD THE FAKE APN FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW AND WITHOUT DATA AND TODAY THEY JUST AUTOMATICALLY SENT ME A TEXT SAYING I NEED TO HAVE A DATA PLAN WITH THE IPHONE THEN ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER I GOT ANOTHER ONE SAYING A IPHONE DATA PLAN HAS BEEN ADDED! IM TRYING TO USE MY OLD PHONE NOW AND GET IT REMOVED…. ILL LET YOU GUYS KNOW..! BUT BEWARE!! I THINK THEY ARE FIGURING THIS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neil, can you tell if the message has been sent to you coinciding with the start of your new billing cycle?
there is still 15 days left on my billing cylcle. I just removed the Iphone data plan and going to put the sim back into the iphone soon
I wonder if you can keep using the iPhone without a data plan by doing this cancellation trick over and over again:
Whenever they see you have iPhone, have the data plan removed by using another phone and IMEI and then go back to iPhone again. I wonder if they add comments on your account that will alert an agent next time you call them about your previous removal attempts.
Neil, 4 months without a data plan sounds good enough to me. I’m willing to call ATT and do the switch off trick 3 times a year. Is there anyone who has done this successively more than 2 or 3 times? Neil, in your case they figured it out in 4 months. Dranon’s comments suggest his iPhone has been without a data plan for over a year and still counting. I wonder if that’s just a chance or if there’s anything that we do that tips them off to add the data plan. Neil, any comments on that?
I work at an AT&T call center and I also own an iPhone. No we don’t get discounted service or free anything lol, I wish. Just thought I’d toss in here that sites like this AT&T corporate monitors closely for fraud purposes in sales and service. As much as many of us sympathize with the upset of a required feature the fact is if an account is suspect such as the topic of this post, AT&T can go as far as suspending your account without notice. My comment in no way represents the employees or corporate offices.
Cheers
well there will be always a program to stop this. I guarentee it. AT&T wont even know. so good luck with it
cyber doom im sure they have someway to keep track of how many times you do it but if they are charging you for something you dont have at the time say (Iphone Data Plan) And you switched back to your regular phone and they refuse to remove the iphone data charge you can get them in trouble. They cannot keep it on there if the iphone is not recognized. Ill keep doing it. Also im in the process of making a password room for only people that are serrious about talking about this. No AT&T people will beable to join and figure out what we are doing. We will get er figured out guys just wait.
Alright guys, I have a finalized / verified answer for all of you who want to have the iPhone (or any other “Smartphone”) without the data plan.
The answer is unfortunately, NO, YOU CAN’T DO IT! (Not for a long period of time, at least)
Read my posts above #627 and #631. Before you go on reading this.
Less than 12 hours after doing the trick with my old phone IMEI# cancelling data service, running APN blocker and reverting back to my iPhone, ATT sent me an SMS saying they added a data plan to my account. In less than 12 hours…
When they sent me the SMS, I had 0 KB data usage shown on my iPhone statistics as well as my ATT online account. I did not even use the iPhone, I was sleeping. I called ATT and they removed it again, but if it gets added every day like this, calling and having it removed will not work for me. I give up. ATT wins, and I am putting my iPhone back on eBay and I’ll be carrying my iPod Touch with my cell phone to access internet.
Read latest comments on this BusinessWeek article too, pretty informative:
http://bit.ly/OItiP
Now that I do not have the iPhone, I will not be texting as much, therefore I had my unlimited messaging removed from my account as well. In the end ATT is the one who will lose money off of me. I have been looking into other carriers who offer a phone with WIFI that doesn’t require a data plan.
I’m sure ATT is reading this forum. They’d be dumb not to. But as long as you don’t explicitly give out your personal information, they can’t do anything to you. All they can do is read this forum and take action against the techniques proposed here. In this case, seems like it’s working for them. Good for you ATT, good for you…
Thanks CyberDoom for the detailed comments you made and I really appreciate your patience while replying some of the lazies, who never bother to scroll up and read the comments
I just wanted to share one situation I had today with AT&T and its smartphone data plan policy.
I have been using iPhone for almost two years with with data plan. I had no problem paying for data plan as I need to use it on the move. However, few weeks ago, I bought a samsung black jack (i607, old model) for my wife. For almost two weeks she used the phone without the internet connection added to the account. AT&T never sent her sms or reminder whatsoever regarding adding smartphone data plan to the account. All these time when we signed on to our online account, it was showing Blackjack on her account.
But two weeks ago my wife told me she wants to use internet on the phone and since the phone was already showing up in her account, I decided to add data plan myself via my online account. However, at the final stage it said, it cannot update the data plan to her account for some reason and gave an error number and an option to chat with CR. While chatting with CR she told me that even though it shows her current phone online, they still has her old phone’s IMEI number on the account. So they took the Samsung BJ’s IMEI and updated their system and data plan was added. Everything went as I thought it should be. cool.
Two weeks, she has been using the BJ and every time she wants to use the Internet, phone will act weird, it will not connect to internet unless until she reboot the phone every time. Probably a hardware issue.. anyways, today I contacted AT&T to get the data plan removed. Before calling AT&T I removed the SIM card from BJ to her old phone and told them whats wrong and she doesnt want to use Samsung BJ and she is using her old phone again.
Well, as expected, they said sorry, we cannot do that, AT&T has certain policy about smartphone data plan. bla bla bla, I told him, 1. the smartphone we talking about is not bought from AT&T and I am not obligated to pay any dataplan if I choose not to use that phone. 2. again, she is not using BJ and she is using her old phone. 3. why should I pay for something we cannot use because of a faulty phone or a faulty network (the reason I mentioned faulty network, because at the beginning of the conversation he asked me did you try to reboot the phone and start internet again, which gave me a hint that it is a known issue with BJ)
Again he said sorry…. well this time I lost my patience… I asked him do you want me to take my business somewhere else? I do not mind paying termination fee and getting rid of your poor customer service!!! [pause] [pause] he responded, sir the only way we can do is to change the IMEI number from your samsung BJ to the current phone that you are using. (well, i knew it!!!!) I said ok, sounds fair to me…and we did the process and got rid of the data plan on her number.
What I learned today: Even if you are genuinely added data plan or AT&T forced data plan on your account and if your phone broken or you decided not to use the phone for any reason, (which is not under contract from AT&T anyways), they will surely deny to remove data plan. So plan ahead for a little bit of fight.
I was planning to get a new AT&T compatible nexus one for her and add data plan again. But now I decided not to add data plan and use the phone with wifi only. AT&T is pretty close to losing me as a customer
I guess CyberDoom was lucky enough to get his plan removed for the second time without these hassles. Good luck guys!
Cyberdoom happened to me for the second time now I’ll call at t tomorrow and get it removed. I think I gota new way of doing this but not mentioning anything on here as of AT&T will see it. I’ll keep it quiet for now and let u know how it works. Let me know how everything is going guys everyone getting data plan added?
u ve 600 msges so its really hard to read em..ya know..but i got the crux..if u use apn att ll see ur phone and ll force u a data plan and all tht crap..
i ve a 3gs 32 gb but its stationary coz i can afford a 1000 bucks cell but cant afford 70 dollars each month for 2 yrs thts crazy..and with this economy..
i m just wondering if i buy go phone..can i use iphone with tht? or thts crappy too??
and i think apple and att are like mafia..
and people who come up with other solutions please also share..
listen u cannot hide stuff from att so if u ve a solution tell everyone so we can hit att bfr they find u and stop u..
and yea only way to stop att see wat cell ur using is to change imei number..it is possible but it is illegal and only an expert in iphones can do..
another thing i wanna say is i think dev team and geohot are sold out to apple and att..look there is always a way to crack things up there is no perfect model..its all about programming..if ur a a good programmer u can crack this..
jus wanna know anyone who is reading this and can come up with a jailbreak for 3.1.3, 5.12
show what u can do and ppl like me ll donate u bfr using the product..actually its not abt taking the wrong way but its abt freedom..if we spend 1000 bucks y cant we still be owners of tht device y apply and att control us??..its our phone either we hack it crack it..there is nowhere written in their contract to dont break the phone or dont loose the phone than y they have prob when we unlock it??
this is abt right and wrong..and these ppl r trying to control us..
just keep the positive comments flow..
and for dev team and geohot..u guys are assholes and sold out punks..theres nothing u believe in..
and believe me world have btr programmers than u..
and american cellular system is worst than any cellular system in the world..countries like nepal and bangladesh would have a btr system..
Hi everyone, I need help.
i got my phone off ebay, which has already been activated. however, I made calls with my at&t sim card before installing the fake apn, is that ok? or is at&t still gonna detect and charge me? But i did turn off 3G at the very beginning and I was using wifi all the time. I just wonder is it the case that as long as the phone is not jailbroken&unlocked and at&t finds out I’m using an iphone, they will add the data plan to my account? or they don’t really care?
You are probably OK. You do not need to jailbreak the the phone to use Fake APN. HOWEVER you have to make sure that you do NOT have a data plan. Some people are just installing fake APN and forgetting that they have TO CALL att Tto turn off data plan. If you never had a data plan you should be OK!
excellent! thank you.
Can someone help me out. I’m still confused on if AT&T will charge me for the $30 a month data plan. I’m planning to go buy an unlocked iphone 3g in a couple of days. And I’m wondering if I place my AT&T SIM card in, will i automatically get charged the $30 a month dataplan? even though i’m surfing the internet through wi-fi? And if I will get charged, is there anything with the iphone to have it not detected by AT&T?
Thanks.
Brian just install APN blocker as per directions here and you are all set. If you go to your accoiunt on ATT web site it will show that you are using an iphone. There is no way to hide that. But they will NOT add the data plan (usually) unless the system detects that you are using data. SO you have to block data use by installing the APN blocker. IF you need to activate the phone DO NOT SIGN UP THE PHONE just activate it.
i got a text from at&t today saying my iphone requires a data plan. i dont know what happened. i installed the apn blocker and changed my plan. work for a month and then i got the text message. im probably going to just unlock it to avoid the 30 extra dollars. my carrier is at&t.
TOVAR. JUST IGNORE THEIR TEXT, THEY WILL NOT FORCEFULLY ADD THE PLAN.
For those of you who think you can do the trick mentioned on this page (like I did before) I suggest you read the posts above. Specifically #636. I can picture your reaction when you get the text from them (like I did before)
Good luck!
great, i took the fake apn off. do you think i can put it back without changing the plan? the website shows i dont have the iphone data plan as of right now without the apn. is it to late, its been two days ago i took it off.
same message i got
Does this still work? Cuz I wanna buy an iPhone 3GS, but don’t need a data plan so I really want to cancel it.
Dranon — You are very patient and knowledgeable. I appreciate the time you have spent typing here. I am thinking my eBay iPhone will come in the mail ANY HOUR now.
I will be attempting some of these steps. I have read every post… hopefully you won’t hear from me again..
“You are probably OK. You do not need to jailbreak the the phone to use Fake APN. HOWEVER you have to make sure that you do NOT have a data plan. Some people are just installing fake APN and forgetting that they have TO CALL att Tto turn off data plan. If you never had a data plan you should be OK!”
Dranon – I basically did what xmbeckham did, but I was afraid they would charge me because the data plan is required in order to use the iphone. I have turned off 3G as soon as I got my Iphone however made calls/text messages/used wi-fi though.
I have an Iphone 3GS, and I’m wondering what would happen if I continued to use the iphone without using a fake apn. I get the error that my phone has no cellular data network which to me means that my 3G isn’t activated. Wouldn’t that mean I wouldn’t get charged?
Kind of confused/scared how they will charge me if i use this phone..
I stumbled onto this page by accident, wow what a thread! I have an iPhone w/ATT and I definately have no data plan, it’s been over a year now, near 2 really.
Neal
The data plan IS required if you use the iphone. Just turning OFF 3G does not turn off data!!!! Edge network is also data and IF you have the E symbol next to your ATT symbol on the top left edge of the phone you are on a data network!!! It is just slower than 3G. SOOO you will be charged for data even if you do not have a data plan! THAT is why ou need the APN blocker. I highly suggest you log into the ATT website check your account and see if data is being used!!!!!
Hi Kids,
Well I can now add to this thread after having purchased a refurb iPhone 3G 8GIG (hope that was correct). By the way, the refurb iPhone, looks, feel and works like brand new. So..not knowing better we activated the iPhone we purchased via iTunes which auto added the “AT&T Forced Down Ur Throat Data Plan”. I did know it was required but like many, within 1 week of activation I realized with wifi everywhere I was day and night I had 0 use for it, so I called AT&T to try having it removed.
Well…the guy I got said a flat out “NO”, the only way it can be activated is to go to a retail AT&T store (bull hockey). Bare in mind I had done like many and put the iPhone sim in an older phone beforehand. I know AT&T has seen this and many discussions about dropping the data plan because the guy made mention of “seeing the proof online” users were dropping iPhone data plans just to evade paying (this was a very heated conversation he and I).
I hung up in the end very angry. I made myself a coffee then sat down and called back reaching another tech. As you others stated here, she said without argument she could remove the data plan if I gave her an IME number to replace the iphone’s, so I did then thanked her very very much!
I am using my iPhone now with the fake APN to block any data. I haven’t received any notification yet since and we have another iPhone on order, this time a new one. Will let you know how that goes!
Debb
Dranon – How do you check if data is being used? Also, will they charge me without notification if I am infact using data or will they ask me to purchase the plan.
So let me ask you people who know much more about this than me obviously, I have a new iPhone on the way from AT&T, the 1st 1 was activated via iTunes (as my recent post stated), how should I activate the new iPhone 3g?
Thanks
debbs..activation is no problem..just put the old sim from ur prev iphone into new iphone and it ll be instantly activated..or if ur getting new iphone from at&t u dont even have to do tht…u’ll just need to connect it to itunes..btw u ve to connect to itunes either way..
hope my answer helps
Phil ANYTIME you use data over the edge or 3G network you will be charged! This is on ANY phone. Go to ATT.com log into your account and go to usage. There are 2 tabs one for phone calls one for data/text. Click on the data/text one and it will show you how many megabytes of data you are using. They are not required in ANY way to notify you that you are using data. If you go on the internet or download something you are using data, that is given! The contract for use explicitly says that you HAVE TO HAVE A DATA PLAN if you use an iphone. This method is just a way of getting around that requirement. BUT IF they find out they can and probaly WILL add a data plan to yuor account. It says so in their contract that YOU agree to.
Debbs you cannot get the data plan removed with a NEW iphone from ATT. What they do is if you cancell the data plan and give them the emei number from another phone they will put your account on a “watch” staus now. If they see the iphone then they put the data plan back on, after all you signed and agreed to a contract to do so. It is better to get the phone from ebay. With the new phone dont evne activate it, just cancell the contract and pay the etf. OR never activate it and just use the sim from another phone, of course put the fake APN on it!
I got a new non iPhone with contract and used it for a few days then gave that one to my wife and did the fake APN on my iPhone 3G S. I got away with it for two whole billing cycles and then got the text message that At&t had added the iPhone data plan because I was using an iphone.
I talked to a rep and she said that they were making “sweeping checks” more often to see who is using an iPhone without the data plan. I guess my account got checked.
I then cancelled the data plan and gave them my non iPhone IMEI and waited a billing cycle all the way through and now am back with the iPhone trying it again. Hopefully I can get at least two more months out of it.
I inquired to T mobile online about switching (obviously we would unlock our phones) but they said Id need a big ol deposit which is crap because I have 5 lines and never payed one w/ATT…
Sprint I havent tried yet because I dont like everyone logging in to check my credit report, if you were to switch and wanted to keep 4 lines max with 3 using some data where would u go? I have had ATT 3 years and im tired of supporting their crap customer service and high prices.
*exasperated and broke*
Worked great!!! Yahoo!!
About AT&T seeing what phone you are using:
(
I flat out asked the rep I last had (who removed my data plan on our existing iPhone) if they could tell what phone I was using during my call, she said “No, though our system detects a phone IME it isnt always correct so no I cannot sit here and detect the actual phone being used.”
…hows that for messed up? I hate AT&T but through trial and 10-20 phones discovered the iPhone was the ONLY and I do mean ONLY phone we can get a signal out here on the beach where we live. I have from Razr to Blackberry phones and none get a signal unless u walk outdoors into the road or the side of it. Omg 2 data plans would kill me. Maybe I should just send the dum iphone coming back.
Debb I am surprised that the iphone is the only one that can get a signal. I have had service from all four of the cell phone provoders and have found ATT to be the best. ALL of them have medicre customer “service”. Verizon is the worst! They do have a better signal in certain areas but not all. The only other provider you could use the iphone with would be T-mobile as they are the only other one that uses sim cards. SPRINT has drasticaly improved over the past year BUT their signal is poor to non existent in the country and remoter areas. But they are a cdma carrier like verizon. Where do you live “on the beach”? Keep the phone that is coming and cancell the data plan see how it works first. You ave 30 days you know!
Thanks Dranon. I agree in other areas we get fast great signal, right now we are on the New Hampshire coast and the only signal anyone gets indoors seems to be Sprint, odd i know. Everyone else in the building is forever standing outdoors with ATT and Tmobile. 6 months ago I got an expensive Blackberry from AT&T thinking it would do better but no. Did you ever see the web post online on mixx about it taking 7 hours on a phone outdoors trying to return an AT&T phone? That was me!
…so goes the customer service at AT&T.
When the phone arrives I will try it first yes. I didnt receive a definate answer as to activating the iPhone. if I put another phone sim in it will that do it w/out it auto adding data right away? I must admit AT&T has full rights to making u take a data plan if u buy the iPhone from them, I just dont get why it has to be so expensive.
My other 4 lines use the family data for $10.00. I tried our other iPhone on it and NOPE it wouldnt connect to the web with it, the previous poster above is correct. Actually I have a BB data plan the same price as iPhone plan for work, just for kicks maybe I’ll try the iPhone on that sim to see what happens.
The only drawback to not using data on the iPhone is when your out and about like we usually are on drives u cant connect when mobile. If they would just lower the cost of that iPhone plan I bet they’d see double the amt of iPhone users!
…and how should i activate it u think? BTW I love this thread!
—Background—
I just bought a jailbroken 16GB 3G iphone from ebay.
I was on a contract with AT&T on a different phone (non-iphone) but that recently expired, so now I’m just month-to-month with AT&T.
I just addeded a 2nd line for my son (2 yr contract, non-iphone).
—Proposition—
Should I sign up for another 2 year contract with AT&T (under a different phone) and then sell that phone on ebay to help offset the cost of my iPhone? I would like to get like an extra $150 from one of their non-smart phones by reselling it since I’m going to be with AT&T for another 2 years anyway.
Do you think being on a 2-year-contract for another phone make me more a target than just being month-to-month?
Okay kids my 2nd iPhone came today. As much as I hate the cost of the data your correct in saying when we AT&T users agree to buy the phone its conditional to carry iPhone data. I have not activated it yet but will tonight via itunes. I tried putting 1 of our other 5 phone sims in it and it did nothing btw the phone still needs activating so data plan here we come..ugh.
TG Friday is coming!!!!!
oh meant to add here…we have not one or two but 6 lines with phones going on here…1 is a BB curve 8900 w/data of course and 1 other w/iPhone 3G currently w/out data my son uses but am sure they will catchup to him soon!
keep up the good fight!…Debb
Before you ask a question most anything asked is now answered in this long thread, please READ BEFORE ASKING. To answer this whole LOOOOOOOONG debate about using iPhone w/out data, “AT&T is NOW revamping it’s data system and instantly adding iPhone data plans where warranted OR if you choose not to use it with the contractual iPhone plan they will then without warning (read the fine print in your contracts) CANCEL all accounts that do not comply and charge the ETF to your account.
I’m in the AT&T Northeast Region office.
ANN stay away from this blog post..its not for u..lol..
Ann why would ATT cancel your phone plan? That is ridiculous! They want your business they want mine, they WILL NOT cancel and ETF you without good cause! Not having a data plan is not good cause! I am not talking about legalities here I am talking about business sense. They MAY threaten to to try to strong arm you into the data plan, they may just add the data plan but they will not cancel your service! Regardless of your Notheast region ofice! What do you do there clean the toilets????
Dranon,
Calm down now, its almost Friday lol, i do have something to say to Ann tho–why in heck would ATT cancel an account then try charging the ETF lol? Nah dont think so!
-Ann
You say that AT&T is revamping to “instantly add iPhone data plans where warranted.” Could you be a little more specific?
Also, does anybody have any input on my post #667?
dillio33 Post 667 is a good idea. That should work just fine! I did a very similar thing.
BEWARE AT&T IS FIGURING THIS STUFF OUT! IF U HAVNT GOT CAUGHT YOU WILL! I got caught.
Interesting but have another question … I have an LG phone and ATT service with a cheap ($15 data nd $5 text) plan … Can I buy an iPhone from ebay or where ever and will it work??
Okay so, could you do this with one of at&ts prepaid plans? and then turn off the 3g ?
Rich1 Get an original iphone off ebay and you do not have to DO anything, that is what the original iphone plan is exactly $20 for unlimited data and 200 texts so it will work fine! If you get a 3G or 3gs you will jump up to a $30 dta plan and that is what this whole thread is talkingabout avoiding.
Dylan
Theoreticaly you could, I am not 100% sure that the sim from a prepaid plan would work in the iphone and even if it did they might detect it and do something about it, but again I am not sure since I do not know anyone that has done that…
@Dranon, re: Rich1: So if I have an unlimited messaging plan ($20 for families, unlimited text and MMS) and an unlimited family data ($10 for one line on a family plan), would a 2G first-gen iPhone then not come up ‘invalid data’? I found a good deal for an already-jailbroken iPhone 2G and was thinking about picking it up to replace my Samsung Impression, then giving my Impression to my boyfriend.
I do mostly email and some web surfing from the phone (primarily on long trips when Ican’t use a laptop, like if I’m riding somewhere in the car), and I find it handy, but don’t use too much in the way of data (probably about… 100-200MB a month, depending on if I’m checking youtube vids and stuff). I like the iPhone interface (sans the lack of SD Card slot), so I was hoping you could shed some light on this?
EG For ATT unlimited family messaging is $30, and an unlimited data plan is $30 for each phone. You do not have to jailbreak or do anything to the original iphone if you want to do this, just plug it in and activate.
The original iphone plan which is still in force is $20 which includes 200 texts and unlimted Edge data. IF you have a family texting plan you STILL have to pay the $20 month which includes the 200 texts weird huh!
@Dranon: Yeah. I mistyped; but because of the family messaging, and the fact that I have a ‘dumbphone’ that does as much as I tend to regularly do on the internet on my phone, I have the $10 Family Data Unlimited on my line. I am afraid that if I buy the iPhone and plug my card into it, and use the data plan that I have, that AT&T will add the iPhone plan to it (which isn’t bad, it’s $10 more than I pay for the internet as it is), but I’m also afraid that it’ll void a special deal I got when I signed up for AT&T two years ago, which was two free Blackberrys and no data plan requirement (got it through an online dealer via walmart.letstalk.com).
Thanks for the information though, definitely helpful if I decide to go through with it.
I have just added 2 iPhones to our ATT family account, we have 6 lines and iPhone will NOT work on the 10$ unlimited data, there is NO such thing with AT&T 20$ unlimited data at all anywhere on ATT, its $30 data for iPhone and yes u can do the apn block thing and give an old IMEI or tell them ur iPhone broke but lemme warn you they are now adding data plans back on ur account when they find it b/c they did to my sons iPhone 3 months ago. When I added our newest iPhone I didnt feel like going to the trouble so we have 2 on iPhone data plans.
KurtK THe $20 plan on ATT was only for the 1st gen iphone. The plan was for unlimted data and 200 texts. Since they no longer sell that phone the plan does not show up on their web site as they only sell new plans and phones there. BUT if you get an iphone 1st gen non 3G when you activate it THAT is the plan you get automatically! If you use an old Treo or similar you can get the $15 data plan you just need to ask for it! Not all the customer service reps are familiar so if at first you dont succeed…
Hi guys! Before i got my iPhone and i read through this whole website and considered it as a plan B if my plan did not work . So this is what i did, and as long as you have ATT it will work for you too. What i did is when my contract ended i went and got the iphone, and after about 20 days i called and told them this made up story that i went to disney land with my iphne and my old phone cuz my iphone was low battery. and half way through the day, my iphone died, so i swapped my sim from my iphone into my old phone, and used my old phone and then soeone stole my iphone so i asked att to remove the data plan until i got a new iphone. and so after a long process they removed the plan and they guy tried scaring me by saying if i forget to call and add the data plan it will add back on immediately, but when i put my sim back into my iphone , data was removed, and they still havent found out. My friend has been doing this for about a year along with my friends mother too, so this plan is effective, as long as your a good actor/ress. I just thought i shud inform yall! The only thing that kinda sucks is that you cant send pics without the data plan, but u cud always put them on facebook for like buisness stuf, but everything else is perfect
Hi! i have a question! i read this comment from one person that said that they just emailed the attachment to there email and opend it with ther iphone and installed it, and used internet when they need to by dsabling the profile and then adding it back on, does that mean that u can use the internet free whenever u want when u dont have wifi and then just add it the profile back on free of no charge?
Lucy No No NO! ANYTIME you use data you Will be billed for it! You will just get billed per kb that you use! This is the same with any phone. So when you turn the fake APN off and use the data you get charged for it, but worse it will probably let ATT KNOW that you are using an iphone and have them force the data plan back on you!
Mojan you do not need a data plan to use MMS. All the phones I know about are perfectly capable of sending pictures with their text messaging plans. You also do not need to tell an elaborate story or be an actor for this to work. You just need to tell them that you do not want data and will not be using the iphone, give them the imei number of the phone you are going to use and thats it.
Hi, Guys,
I see this from a different angle: What AT&T is doing is illegal.
For those of you who bought iPhone from them, you have to pay for the data plan because you signed the contract which says that you have to pay as long as you stay with them. However, they do not have the legal right to force you to add the plan if you bought the phone from somewhere else as long as you do not use their data network. What is the difference between using an iPhone and some other phones if you do not use data on either?
So, if you bought the phone from them do not want to use the data plan and pay for it, terminate your service at the end of the contract. Buy a different iPhone (or swap with your friends) and sign up again on a regular plan and mess with AT&T: I see the wifi and wireless data features of the iPhone as totally separate. I have the right to opt to use wifi only if I choose so, just like you buy a TV and use it for playing blue ray discs only – The cable companies cannot force you to subscribe to their programming!
I can see that this will evolve into a class action law suit sooner or later, EVEN IF AT&T STOPS DOING SO RIGHT NOW! So, if you have contacts with a lawyer, bring this to his/her attention and post it here. We will join the law suit to get the matter straight. AT&T will be forced to pay millions and millions dollars…
Greediness has brought down the big banks. AT&T thinks it’s too big to fail and has the power to twist everyone its way? AT&T is not learning anything from the bank failures!
The big difference is between what the banks did and what AT&T is doing is that what AT&T is doing is not only greedy, but also totally illegal! There is no legal base or what so ever for it requiring customers who did not buy iPhone from them and do not use their data network to pay for data usage. That’s common sense.
Let’s act together and bring AT&T down to its knees!
Newcomer. Correct you are not a lawyer and do not understand contract law at all. What ATT is doing is not illegal. For something to be illegal there needs to be a law against it! I agree that that no one should be forced to have a data plan but remember Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile all require you to have a data plan with a smartphone ATT is not alone with this! A law needs to be written against this.
yeah its not illeagal, but if it was i still wouldnt take legal action because them AT&T could go out of business or EXTREMELY raise prices
Dranon – I am new to this thread, but have read almost all the posts. Clarifying question for you: I am interested in an iphone for the apps, data, itunes and other perks. I am an att customer with a samsung eternity. Have unlimited texting and internet access through our plan, but, of course, no apps or downloadable stuff on the “dumb” phone.
Are you saying that if I buy a first generation iphone off of ebay and legitimately activate it with att I will only be charged $20 for their data plan rather than the $30? TIA.
@LP: I can confirm this. I purchased a used iPhone 2g 8GB for $90 (great deal), and since I am already on AT&T I went through the iTunes Activation as an existing customer, after talking with an AT&T rep the previous night. It gives you the only data option on a 2g iPhone as the $20 unlimited data + 200 texts. According to the AT&T rep, since you already have unlimited messaging for MMS/text, when the 200 is up it’ll then roll over into the unlimited. So you do have the pay the $5 for the text messages (sadly), but not have ot worry about SMS message tracking to make sure you don’t go over.
You’ll want to turn of the lesser data plan for the Eternity once you do this, also; since this is considered an ‘upgraded data,’ you also won’t lose any rollover minutes or anything. When you activate it, it may take a few hours for AT&T to get the phone activated. DO NOT PANIC when your phone says ‘DIFFERENT SIM DETECTED PLEASE CONNECT TO iTUNES’. This is what it does before AT&T has registered the iPhone to your SIM. Once the registration is complete you get an email, then connect and voila… it’s done and activated!
EG — thanks for the help! Where’d you get such a deal?! Still shopping for one online.
So, my mother-in-law is going to be giving me her iphone when her contact is up. Can’t wait to do this. I think I’m six months from that. Would love to give her one of our old Razor phones and use the rest of her data plan.
Is there anyway to make this wi-fi work on my LG Xenon with AT & T or is this only with the iPhone and it’s uniqueness? My daughter and I have the LG Neon and Xenon which we were able to get before they required the plan for smartphones. Love it.
@LP: I got mine off of our local craigslist, so I’d suggest checking there and ebay, honestly.
Eg is correct. Im surprosed it took time for the activation. I have done quite a few of these and the activation was pretty instantly.
Onila This only works for the iphone.
My question is can this be done using a pay as you go or pick your plan att sim? I have an 3Gs running 3.1.3.
caes
i[phone is not supported on a pay as you go plan such as go-phone BUT i do know someone who uses it with the data blocker so go figure! But you can use it on a month to month pick your paln with ATT!
So wait a minuite. Your saying your friend IS using the iPhone with data blocker with a pay as you go sim? I would love to be able to work that. The pricing and packages are much better than the pick your plan crap.
Not a friend! This was someone last summer that told me that is what he is using. I was skeptical but he insisted it works! Of course MAYBE it only worked temporarily! But hey a gophone sim is cheap try it!
So for those of you who have done this for a while now and were SUCCESSFUL – has AT&T detected your iPhone and added a data plan or made you backpay?
Any problems when you sync iPhone with MAC?
Any problems if you did this two times in a row with two iPhones?
How come I can’t get mms on iPhone no more if I have wifi on iPhone, how can I keep getting pictures through wifi.
OK, I read almost everything… so let me get this right,
If the iphone is “jailbroken,” that means I don’t have to activate it, right?
Sorry, I’m new to all this. I still have my razor, with no data/text, on a family plan. Contract is up next month, but I’m thinking of upgrading now.. but not sure if I should get one from AT&T and do the ETF trick or just get an unlocked & jailbroken iphone from ebay
From the looks of it, AT&T seems to be tackin on the data plan once they identify that you’re using a smartphone. If I get an unbranded, iphone clone, then they won’t be able to identify that it’s a smartphone, correct? And if so, can I still be able to follow the steps outlined here?
I would rather get the iphone, but if a lot of ppl here says that they have to switch the sim card every end of the billing cycle or whenever, I think it’s a pain to do that all the time and we’re not even sure when they do the sweeps.
I’ve been an AT&T customer for nearly 6 years… and if they force the data plan on me, I’ll most likely start looking for a new service provider. JS!
Dont use a MAC but it should work regardless of what computer you use. Again the data plan is required with ANY smart phone from ANY carrier! So do not just blame ATT for this! An iphone clone is not an iphone so it will not be recognised as such and anything that applies to the iphone will not matter especially since the clone will not be running the iphone os. I PERSONALLY know 30 people running their iphones with this data block and have no problems and have never been asked by ATT to add the data plan. I have done this for well over a year now and have never been asked to use a data plan. BUT you sgould always do this at your own risk because there are some people on this forum that sya they have been forced to use the data plan. I personally beleive that they messed something up OR tried to use data and that is what triggered ATT to add the data plan.
Gtbaby you do not get mms through wifi. That comes through edge or 3G. It does NOT require a data plan. THe original (2G) iphone does NOT have mms capability (unless jailbroken with a special app) MMSbecame avialable on the 3G and 3GS last year with version 3.1 so you can only get it itf you have a 3G iphone with 3.1 or higher.
I got my friends old iPhone and it was jailbroken with all his songs and everything on it. Thinking it would just clear all the data I restored it and put in my SIM card but now it keeps telling me to connect to iTunes and wen I do I keep being told in the second step that AT&T can’t verify or something. I already have a plan from AT&T and it’s on my sim but it keeps giving me this problem please help!
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned… but just to clarify, if I buy a used iPhone (no sim card), can I “activate” it using my current AT&T sim card? I am still under contract with no data plan (all data has been blocked prior). So, basically, insert my sim card, establish a WI-FI connection and install the fake APN, and I’m all set?
I was successfully using a gophone with my iphone with the apn changer to block data for a couple months or so and always kept a loe balance on my account (maybe $10 or less). One day i added a $100 card to my gophone balance and within the next half hour or so i was somehow charged $40 for a data call that somehow went thru eventhough i have this apn data blocker. An hour of battling with att on the phone didnt help since they said i was using an iphone and iphones go online. It didnt matter to them if i tild them i blocked the data with a fake apn. Apparantly since they know im on a iphone they can get away with stealing your balance on gophone so i recommend not to have a large balance or to buy their outrageously priced 100MB data package.
Hi everyone. I have a similar situation with my iphone 3g. I bought it off ebay and had it for appx 6 months before they started charging me for data in april. it was not jailbroken or anything. Now, from everything i’ve read online, supposedly att can track an iphone through the imei number alone. There was something to change the imei on the 2g for v1.1.3 but that is illegal. I got so frustrated that i simply started using a razr2. I called them and changed the imei number to the razr2′s and it is now on mywireless account. Therefore, my question is if i jailbreak and then change the apn, will att realize that i am not using the razr2? thanks in advance.
Jailbreaking does not prevent them from “seeing” that you are using a certain phone The ein number that is broadcast lets them recognise the phone. The APN blocker just stops the phone from using and acessing the data. As soon as you put the iphone back into service it will show up on your ATT account. This is the chance you take, that htey will put the data plan back on your account. I would suggest you stick with the razer for 1 full billing cycle before you put the sim back in the iphone. I THINK maybe they are “watching” people to see if they put the iphone back in service.
Hey guys. I recently just went to log in my at&t account. I notice a “No Thanks” option next to the $30 data plan..Does this mean that at&t have started giving options to their customers about the data plan? No idea…but haven’t been charge so far for 2 months :]
Ummmm I am currently using a jailbroken 3gs 3.1.3…5.12.01
Djp Ummmmmmmmmmmmm so am I so whats your question??????????????????
No question……I’ve been reading all these threads and keep reading how you can’t Kant jailbreak 3gs….firmware 3.1.2……that’s all
Great, Great, Great. This is just what I was looking for. When I upgraded to 3G, my old phone I wanted to give to my wife, so she could use it as an ipod and as just a phone. She didn’t need the data usage. I called AT&T and they said there is no way to use the iphone like that. I came across this and it worked. Thank you very much.
DjP You (C)an jailbreak ALL the iphones now! But that has nothing to do with this thread! You do NOT need to jailbreak your phone to use the APN blocker! BTW your avatar is appropriate for you keep your mouth taped shut!
Dranon u mist be a VERY lonely person…..do u still live with ur mommy?………schmuck
DjP You think you are funny BUT you are just stupid going on a forum to anounce what phone you are using, what a moron you do not even know how to spell!!! Maybe YOU need to get out from under mommys skirt!
I just performed this trick two weeks ago and here are the real results.
1) The phone will not use the network to access the internet, only WiFi for internet
2) AT&T can still detect that you are using an Iphone and will automatically change your plan to the iphone plan.
3) You can call AT&T and nicely, but firmly tell them you dont want to pay for a service you aren’t going to use, and they will remove the iphone plan from your account. The can and will do it. If the person on the phone wont remove the iphone plan then ask to speak with a manager.
My only questions on this topic are does it work with the newest Spirit 3.1.3 or the BlackRa1n 3.1.2 JailBreak?
How can i jailbreak my 3G and install the apps i want and APN Changer without using any data transfer?
I am thinking these are my options idk what the best one is and the one that will work.
Option1: Could i use my friends sim card due to the fact he pays for the monthly data plan to Jailbreak and Download APN Changer and then switch the sim to mine and install the APN Changing program after downloading it with his sim card?
Option2: Take the sim card out and set the iphone to use wifi only. Jailbreak the phone and install apps using wifi and then before installing APN changer put my sim card in?
What option would be the best way to go about doing this.
Don You do NOT need to jailbreak the phone to use the fake APN however the fake APN does work with both Blackra1n and Spirit. I have verified this on 2 phones now. Option 2 will work the best for you EXCEPT install the APN changer BEFORE you put your SIM back in. You want the data blocked before your sim tries to use any data. You download the fake apn through wi-fi. If you use option 1 the same applies download and use the fake APN. You do NOT need the sim to download the fake APN use wi-fi!
K Dranon. As for my iphone i really want to jailbreak it. Also my friend has another friend who has the same iphone i ordered and he has the same old type plan i have (no data plan and unlimited text) back when the razors v3′s were out and i guess due to the fact my friends plan is so old he basically put his sim card in and the internet automatically doesn’t work at all unless wifi is on, and he didn’t install anything(no programs or anything to do this) the only thing is is his phone is Jailbroken (don’t know if that makes a difference). so idk what my plans are for this whole scenario when i get my iphone 3G.
Does this seem logically possible at all to have it be automatically disabled by default as to just putting the sim in to the phone and turning it on after jailbreak or without jail breaking it?
Does this really work? i did what you said, but on my at&t account. they still detect my iphone 3gs.. i even downloaded sbsetting and turned off 3g, data, and edge.
any other ways to use iphone without data plan?
thanks
Don READ the post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It CLEARLY states that ATT WILL “SEE” your iphone online on your account because of your emei number! I ALSO VERY CLEARLY stated several times that turning off 3G does NOT affec this method. The ONLY thing you need to do is READ THE FRIGGING INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
does it work on Motorola backflip
What i want to know now is… If they do catch you without a data plan what is the consequence? Do they just throw on the $30 a month unlimited data plan? how does that work?
The consequences are that they WILL add the data plan. They just turn it on and add it to your bill.
So let me get this straight. I have a 3.1.3 3g iPhone. If I use the fake apn and only use wiifii then I won’t be charged the 30$ data plan? Or from what I’ve read AT&T will find out im using the iPhone And will charge me anyways? What do I do to not pay the 30$. My mom will kill me if it’s charging us extra so just let me know asap.
Don, read the top part. Follow it carefully. Actually, read the entire page. It will answer all of your questions. It will be well worth it. I can’t wait for my iPhone from my mother-in-law. When her contract runs out, it’s mine.
Stop asking the same questions. The answers are in post 721.
Hi,
I installed the FAKE APN into my 3GS phone and found out today that AT&T added a data plan by somehow detecting my iPhone use. So I am not sure how does it really works. Did I miss any step or do I need to do anything else apart from installing fake APN. btw I used a different phone to call AT&T to remove data plan. Rep also told me that after November last year whoever had a iPhone will automatically be added to Data Plan if you don’t change your IMEI number with them.
@Don. I have a 3G and a really old sim (I mean from before AT&T was Cingular and then back to AT&T) and my plan doesn’t have a unlimited data option. They only had the 5mb a month MediaNet service and that goes away on the 15th of June.
With that said your friends phone has most likely got the same type of sim that I have and he Jailbroke his iPhone to allow the sim to work in his phone. That is what I had to do and now I can use my sim or my Vodophone sim (or T-Moblie sim) in the iPhone and there is NO option to have a data plan added to the service that would work on my iPhone. The iPhone shows up on my AT&T account but they have never tried to add a data plan to my account. I also haven’t had to use the Fake APN because my sim isn’t able to use the APN that comes assigned to the new AT&T sims.
Also I can’t send MMS messages because of the sim, couldn’t do it when it was Cingular either.
They will catch you, they just caught me and put the data plan on! I been using the fake apn for over 6 months, they will catch you. I called att and it automatically added the data on, she had to cancel it!! I asked her if they knew what phone was on currently, she said yes, your using the shine currently, cause I switched back before I called her. The said their new program makes weekly sweeps, everyone will get caught. This works no more!!!
This is in response to #698-701.
It is officially working.
1) Activated 3gs iphone with Itunes with purchased non-activated 3g sim card (purchaced on ebay for less than $5).
2) Used at home Wi-Fi network to download and install APN unlocker.
3) Went to Wal mart and bought cheap pay as you go phone for sim
4) Inserted sim into iphone and followed instructions to activate.
The phone has been working for over a month now with no issues, and the only notifications I get from AT&T are the ones letting me know how much $ I have left on my account.
It works perfectly, the only downside is mobile web, which I can only use at Wi-Fi hotspots.
I am patient enough to wait until the new unlock comes out, as I did not want to sign any type of contract with AT&T.
Well they finally got me. I got the text today that hey detected my phone and are putting the data plan on. I have had no data for 1 year now!
So, Dranon, won’t you be doing what everyone says here? Change to another phone, give ‘em the other phone EMEI number, or ask for a supervisor to get the data plan removed because you don’t want it.
Tell me you tried everything and din;t just roll over and do nothing.
I don’t see how they can charge people for a data plan when we don’t want to use it and are fine just using WiFi. Can anyone say ‘Monopoly’.
Pipeline, you’re not clear. She saw you were on your shine. So did she remove the data plan and you went back to the iphone or what?
I think I have had the same problem as Dranon. I have used the method on this site for about 1 month and today ATT messaged me informing me that a data plan was added to my phone. I really can’t afford that so I was wondering what my options were.
Onila, any chance you could elaborate on what you described? I did not believe the IMEI could be changed on the 3G, and I fail to see why an ATT supervisor would remove my data plan and give continued use of the iphone.
Thanks
Taylor,
the thing is, I don’t have an iPhone. My mom got one and doesn’t like it so when her contract is up she wants to get something else. I was hoping that in a year things will be different so I could either afford the plan or find something like what this website is saying.
The 2 things I’ve mentioned are from reading every single message on this page. I really cannot afford the plan, nor do I absolutely want to have data everywhere. It would be nice, but what I REALLY want is the ability to sync with my Macbook. With att I got the LG xenon without the data plan just before they started requiring it. I thought I did my homework. There was supposed to be a program to sync, but when I went to download it there were all these comments that it was worthless and has never worked for anybody at all.
I want to carry ONE item when I walk for a phone and MP3 and have it all sync with a Mac (which was a huge unexpected gift while going through tough cancer treatment recently)
Besides, the iPhone is pretty cool. I will have to wait about a year before getting my mom’s.
So reading everything tells me someone said you can call and get the plan removed, that you might have to ask for a supervisor and just say you do not want the plan. A few people said you call and get your old phone’s IMEI or use your old phone to call and say you lost the iPhone. I’m not sure I want to be dishonest, but I’m already breaking a ten commandment by coveting other people’s iPhones-LOL.
Yes, I put my sim back in my shine right before I called. I told her I worked at a local pawnshop and we had to test the phone before we bought it. She said their new technology would detect any new phone movement being changed and any other persons account would be red flagged through their system if it was a iphone or any smartphone as of may 25th they would catch you. Yes it automatically adds the data plan wether you want it or not. You must call them and tell them you put your sim in a friends phone and yall were testing each others phones out for the day. They will get each and everyone very shortly. I won’t put my ebay purchased iphone back on for a couple of months and try it again. Although if im caught twice she said if its an every month thing they will cancel your service due to not obeying the contract. I never signed any data plan contract, so i wonder if we can sue att due to them just adding data plan when they want too.
You all will get caught soon, you may think your in the clear, but she told me its a every week sweep!! for now……
Please reconsider the apn changer because when you put your sim in your iphone, go log into your account online, YES it will show an iphone!! I promise!!! Try for yourself, then put back your non smart phone and it changes within seconds back to non smart phone, then put sim card back in and violia its an iphone picture on att website and it asks for data plan asap!!!! their new software system sucks!!!! JUST SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!!!
OK so I switched my phone and called them got the data removed. I will use my Sony phone for a couple of weeks before i switch out again. I SUSPECT that they put your account a “watch” list if you do this and then check again but that is just speculation. I can carry my iphone for all the other stuff and use the Sony phone for calls for a while. Fot all of you that “think” that if you complain to a supervisor and get the data removed while you get to keep your iphone on, you are wrong! Even IF they did that for some reason, the following sweep it would get turned back on.
Good information. Pipeline, I wonder if you got a “Barney Fife” type person on the phone. They go by the book, but they’re surely aware of being recorded. I wonder what a local store person would say. I ought to see if my son would want to apply to ours. They’re hiring and he’d be good at it.
Dranon, keep us up on what happens. I’m trying to be patient and hope things will work out.
I just checked our account with the 5 phones and my husband’s phone is still on the old Razr. He bought a blackberry on Ebay at least a year ago. It is an unlocked Tmobile, but we’re on ATT.. I wonder if that helps. 2 lines are on original phones and 2 of us had to upgrade, so they show correctly.
Just my 2 cents worth. I sure would like to know how it’s going for more people that have done this.
Can you explain what the APN ‘thingy’ is?
I woke up this morning, had been using fakeapn on my 3gs iPhone and I got a text message that AT&T required m y iPhone have a data plan so AT&T had added one. I called AT&T and explained id had the sim in the phone only to make sure it worked before selling it, she said that all smart phones without data plans detected as such by AT&T will have the appropriate data plan instantly added now w/out warning.
Ugh.
hi
I got a sprint unlocked BB curve and was using it 2 days with my at&t service, I also got a txt stating data plan was added to my acct WTH?, called at&t and they said even with unlocked phones, all smartphones, iphone included that are found using data will now have data packages auto added. well, it was nice while it lasted.
I was using my friend 3G iPhone(He upgraded to 3GS) from last 8 months with out an issue. On May27 got a text saying dataplan is added. I changed the SIM to sony erricson then CS removed the dataplan. I’m still in there 2 yr contract period for my sony erricson. My other friend purchased the iphone from apple store for full price and using on ATT network on month to month basis for last 4 months, so far att did not added the data plan to him. So, i guess ATT playing with people who are still under contract.
LikeVZ,
That’s interesting. Are you guys who’ve had data plan added still under contract? I wonder if that makes a difference.
Not under contract. Have no contract for 3 years now. Bought iphone from ebay. The only thing i did different is I turned on 3G to connect to ATT microcell. Not sure if that made any difference. I used another phone for a week and just put the sim back in my iphone and turned OFF 3G. Ill let you know if they catch me again.
Did you ladies and gentlement see the news of the new data plans from AT&T? Here is the link.
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/06/02/att-pulls-the-plug-on-unlimited-ipads/?cnn=yes
Let me be clear:
1)AT&T will remove the data plan if you call and ask nicely and are not under a data plan contract. You do not need to lie or put your sim card in a different phone when you make this phone call.
2) I do not know what happens if you are under contract with a data plan.
3) The Fake APN makes sure that you don’t accidentally use the data through AT&Ts network, but allows you to still use the web through a home wireless network.
Thanks, Ron.
That helps. I really hope to use my MIL’s iPhone when her contract is up. Mine will be over, too, and I have never had a data plan, so I don’t think it is wrong to do it this way. I just want the cool features and don’t feel the data plan is one of them.
I tried Playing nice with ATT. They did not removed it until i change the sim card to different phone.
If there policy makers are nice…they would have sent couple warnings before adding the datapaln.
I put the sim back in , they caught me again.
They will not remove the data plan, talked with 5 different techs.
Sorry guys they caught on!!
I have a question, so I have an unlocked/jailbroken iPhone 2G w/o the data plan (and is planning to get the iPhone 4 this month)..if I upgrade to 3.1 today will it allow me to get unlimited data plan for the 2G and 4?
hi, wow, LOTS to read. i just switched from my LG shine, to an iPhone 3G a friend gave me. figured i could use it like an Ipod Touch, but make calls.
heres the thing. I use ATT GoPhone. ATT wanted some ridiculous deposit for me to get a contract, and it seemed ridiculous.
i have unlimited texting, and no data planm, in fact i believe the only data options for goPhone are a $10 and a $20 and neither are unlimited. im able to call, text, send pics, buy and play apps, only thing is if im not around wi-fi i cant get online.
however i was able to get online last night at the bar, but oddly a different bar in town i couldnt connect to. i guess i dont really have a question, just venting, and sharing my experience.
Hey guys,
Got the annoying 11113000 text from at&t “AT&T Free Msg: Did you know a data planis required for our iPhone? For whatever reason, our records indicate your iPHone did not have the correct data plan. We have added the appropriate data plan. Call 611 or go to att.com/iPhoneplans for info.”
I got that txt on May 25th, according to PipeLine’s post, the sweeps started that day with their updated system.
I switched my sim to a shine phone, called, and got a nice rep who changed it after she asked for my IMEI.
I upgraded other non-smart phones and asked her to waive the upgrade fee of $18 each-she said yes, and she will put a note into the sys to call me back to tell me the status of that.
So knowing she will call me back this week, I used the shine. After talking to the rep, I switch back to the iphone. Today, about 2 weeks later from my 1st post, I got the text mesaging, adding the data plan again.
I switch back to shine, called the rep, the guy was really nice. He asked if I put my sim into an iphone I said No…. He didn’t question me again. I told him I called befoer asking to block the data plan and internet on the phone…He said you already have that and you have a pin to use. I told him, I never got that email from the rep. He was nice and send me an email about the pin #.
NOw, I don’t think I will switch back to the iphone anymore–since they are doing periodic sweeps. I will wait til my contract is over in 1 year and switch to tmobile for the cheaper plans….
also, i guess its a luck of the draw–i know of a few friends who have iphone w/ no data, I was the unlucky one who got caught first…
So it seems that the first generation iphones, non 3G, are NOT getting caught with this new sweep ATT has! Most people I know have gotten the text to add the data plan and they all have 3G or 3gs PHONES, THEONES THAT HAVE THJE ORIGINAL IPHONE HAVE NOT HAD THE DATA FORCED ON THEM! At least now you can get just a $15 data plan!
it stinks how cell phone companies require data plans for smart phones.
With economy going down, they should be at least considerate for those who cannot afford data plans.
But I guess that is business…
Does anyone know if its possible to get tmobile cell phone service w/o data and use an unlocked Iphone 3GS? I know they don’t have 3G on tmobile but that is fine, I am ok with wi fi and don’t need any data whatsoever.
can some help i did this but on my att account it says i still have an iphone they forced me to have a data plan, its their new rule that every smart phone has to have a data plan. but i dont want it.
Well Sam you can help yourself by READING this blog instead of just posting. It will answer ALL of your questions!
My friend bought a factry unlocked iPhone and he paid a pretty high price for it too. He didnt get it through at$t so how do they have the right to make him sign up for a data plan that he purchased outside of the company? He had edge and 3g deactivated on the phone so he doesn’t accidentally connect to the Internet other than wifi.
Tom curious as to how he turned off edge? I dont know of any method to do this! Asking a forum how “they” have a right to do this is pointless! They may or may not have a “right” to do it, they just do! I agree that it should be illegal.
Please Help Me,
I bought an Iphone 3g 8gb off Craigslist. When i got the phone, it says “No SIM card installed – Insert a valid SIM with no PIN lock o activate Iphone.” so im guessing its no activated it. I want to be able to use the Iphone on wifi only and i dont want the $30 data plan, but i want to be able to text, and call people. Please tell me what i need to do. albersg96@gmail.com
I have been using my iphone 3G i got from the craiglist for nearly a year now and had no problem until recently this morning where I had the data plan forced on me. I switched the sim card back immediately and called in where they removed the plan. however, the plan was added three days ago so I will be prorated even though I had no data usage at all. damn att….are they doing more sweeps because of the iphone 4 coming out or something?
so now i’m using my old phone and i am dying to use my iphone again. the representative had told me that I had the option of removing the data plan on their website if i am using my old phone. i did not see the option at the time maybe because i didn’t refresh the website entirely (log out/log back in). I plan to switch back to the iphone and if i get added again, switch back to my old phone and refresh and see if I can just remove the plan myself. will i get redflagged if I do this a lot?
Shoot, they got me this morning with that same dreaded, “Did you know iPhone’s require data plan..” message… I’ve had no data plan with my 3G iPhone for 6 months, with only WiFi. It sure was fun while it lasted. I’ve jailbroken it with Spirit, and overclocked it, making it faster than the new 4 coming out too! I’m going to try a few things to bypass this, but so far, by reading posts 700 and on, it appears ATT has finally got us.
I’ll let you know if I find a way around it soon!
when I did this it said it was verified and I didn’t receive the ‘not verifed’ screen
what did I do wrong?
“another victim” if you find a solution please email me at high.class.mail@gmail.com
and if any one else has solutions please email me as well at ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3 days ago i had the same exact problem as AV and aggitated, i just got done downloading this websites method and my phone is now reading that i am not subscribed to a data plan, but my question is , is AT&T’s computers reading the same thing, or are they still going to charge me that 30$ data plan /monthly?
For you that have been forced into a plan, maybe you can see if you can get the cheaper plan. They even have a usage calculator that seems pretty accurate.
Here’s something interesting. $30 a month seems too much, but $15/month for 200mb data seems more reasonable. I have WiFi in my house which would allow me to keep to the free WiFi and not use much data. They have a few options. I will post the link at the bottom. I don’t see a difference between 700 minute plans and 1400 minute plans.
Onila
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stay connected and productive. Designed for iPhone users who primarily surf the web, send email, and visit social networking sites. Includes unlimited usage with AT&T Wi-Fi Basic access and Visual Voicemail to listen to voicemail messages in any order you choose.
Is it the right amount of data for you? Try the AT&T Data Usage Calculator tool to estimate how much data you use every month. How do I use AT&T Wi-Fi Basic? iPhone has Wi-Fi built in! You can connect quickly and seamlessly to your home wireless network or to more than 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots in the U.S at no additional charge. Find an AT&T Hot Spot near you. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See http://www.attwifi.com for additional services details and locations. What if I go over 200 MB? DataPlus 200MB for iPhone includes 200MB of data for use in the U.S. If 200MB is exceeded, an additional 200MB is automatically provided at a rate of $15 for each additional 200MB. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided. For more details on Data Plans, go to http://www.att.com/dataplans.
Please note: AT&T is Apple’s exclusive carrier partner for iPhone in the United States. An eligible data plan for iPhone is required. If AT&T determines that you are using an iPhone on your account without an eligible data plan, AT&T reserves the right to add an eligible data plan to your account and bill the appropriate monthly fee.
~~~~~~~~~
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-plan-details/?q_sku=sku3830315&q_planCategory=cat1370013
FYI: My son got a jailbroken iPhone a month ago and we deactivated the IP, and all was well. Yesterday a data plan was added and, when talking with Anna Thompson at AT&T, she said that when he connected to iTunes this weekend, to download an app, he accepted the data terms – which were relayed to AT&T – and AT&T added the data plan.
will this work with the 3gs? i rather use free wifi than pay $30 a month.. please get back at me!
oh and i dont have to jailbreak it or unlock it in order to do this right?
wowwww…… it worked for 3GS 16 GB 3.1.3 thanks allot
Hey, i wonder if any of you guys know if there’s a way to bypass the data plan with the iphone 4, or if the iphone 4 will automatically tell at&t to assign the simcard a dataplan?
I was thinking about getting my dad an iPhone for fathers day, but I’m deciding to hold off right now; it’s the night before fathers day already anyways.
In response to Scott, I HAVE A SUGGESTION. Although it’s too late for Scott, if you put in a sim card that’s already tied to a data plan when you activate through iTunes, you may be able to avoid the contractual obligation. By switching the sim card after it’s activated, you should’t be bound by any data contract since you’re accepting the terms to the previous sim card. The number on the first sim card is what’s sent to AT&T when activated.
If anyone tries that, please let us know of your experience.
Okay, so I own a Samsung Blackjack 2 from att. I’ve had it for nearly a year now. Ive had 2 phones, including my Blackjack, with Att. When i got my very first phone, my parents disabled and blocked the internet and it’s been that way ever since.
As everyone knows, the new iPhone is coming out and luckily, my boyfriend got one pre-ordered.
My boyfriend owns a white iPhone 3GS until his new one comes in. When he gets his new one, he’s giving me his white one.
My parents dont want to pay the extra $30/month because we cant afford it.
My question is, will i get charged that extra fee if i use the data-blocked sim from my Blackjack in an iPhone 3GS?
I’m aware that they will send me messages in attempt to scare me into buying the iPhone data plan.
Will i be charges the extra fees of the iPhone if i use his old one? Even if internet and everything is completely disabled and blocked?
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
thanks, it works.
will this work for the new iphone os4??
i have 3g and want to upgrade
LEX YouHAVE TO install the APN blocker on the iphone. It does NOT matter if you use the data blocked sim because the iphone handles things differently. Install the APN blocker AND disable 3G on the iphone B EFORE you put your sim in. THen you should be fine! Rememer if ATT detects it they WILL put a data plan on. The good thing is the new data plans are only $15.oo now!
after you use APN blocker and put in the new sim, how do you regulate the apps and mp3′s and such? can you plug back into the same computer that was previously synced to the phone? wouldn’t that notify apple or at&t that a new sim has been placed into the phone?
Peter there is nothing to regulate! You sync your apps and music just like you always do. It does NOT notify Apple or ATT in any way!
Will this work with the iPhone 4??
Hi,
I don’t get the part where it says in point 3 – ” Navigate to this page. Click “Continue To The Next Page”. ” what exactly does this mean? when i place my cursor on the page hyperlink it shows – “http://www.unlockit.co.nz/unlockit/” and there is nothing on the page that says ” Continue To The Next Page”??????
Does anyone know if using the iphone and connecting through Itunes on the phone itself AND/OR itunes on a computer have any relation to at&t sending the txt adding the data plan to iphones?
Ritu Are you navigating there with your computer? That will not work! You need to navigate there with your iphone!
anti_data connecting to itunes will NOT send any kind of info, you are safe!
Mo No info on iphone 4 yet…
On comment #771 Scott said this:
“when talking with Anna Thompson at AT&T, she said that when he connected to iTunes this weekend, to download an app, he accepted the data terms – which were relayed to AT&T – and AT&T added the data plan.”
What do you think of that? I’m thinking of going ahead and getting the iphone on Ebay so my daughter can have my phone. I really WANT one and feel like such a brat saying this. LOL.
Onila well that was HIS mistake! He should not have accepted the data terms!
So you have to buy the dataplan before you can cancel it? because when i put in my normal at and t simcard it ameks me connect to itunes and wants me to activate it by buying the data plan?
Matt Waht do you mean by your “normal” ATT simcard? Is it an activated sim from another phone? Also make sure the iphone is activated. If it is not then you must activate it by using a friends sim or jailbreak “hactivate” it. Otherwise YES you have to activate and select a plan and then remove the sim put it in your old phone and call ATT to cancell the plan! This has been descrbed MANY times in this forum just read it!
the new iOS4 has the option to turn off 3G network, and Edge. I’m planning to trade my MyTouch for an iphone 3g with iOS4 tomorrow, and I’ll update how it goes
Maybe this isn’t the right forum, but I am trying to do the opposite of what everybody wants to do here – use an iPhone without the voice plan…data plan only. Been searching long and far and it seems like I’m the only crazy person in the world trying to do this. I have an iPad 3G with an AT&T data plan. This sim works fine in my unlocked Nokia E-90 (even with the micro sim
) when the iPad is too big to carry around. All I had to do was add an APN called “broadband” and voila, email/internet works fine. My question: has anyone tried the iPad sim in an iPhone for email/internet use only?
It didn’t worked I bout an iPhone 2G used I restored it the guy gave me an sim card and said it wasn’t activated without it I couldn’t get in the iPhone so I put mine in and it gave me the connect to iTunes way do I do
I just got my iphone 3g yesterday with iOS4… i havent received any text message about the iphone data plan being added, however i do get alerts saying to turn on my 3G network or cellular data or something like that. I think it’s an alert from iOS4, I’m not sure as i’ve never had an iphone
Hoi Brian Thanks for letting us know!
I think i have a problem…I didnt receive a text regarding the iphone plan being added…however i just checked my AT&T account online, and at&t changed my current line from having a samsung eternity to the iphone. Is there anyway that I can check to see if the iphone plan is added to my account via At&t online wireless account? I can’t seem to find if the iphone plan is added to my account.
Brian REALLY! You need help with checking your plan?????? Really??!!! After you log in to att website click on my services or my rate plan and it will tell you!
That’s what I did, but I don’t see anything regarding the iphone plan added to my account, however the picture of the phone is an iphone and it states “change picture” meaning that you can change the phone to what you currently have, and then I changed it last night back to the samsung eternity, and then I just check a few minutes ago, and it went back to showing the iphone. However, I still don’t see any iphone plan added to my account or anything.
ATT recognises your iphone by the ein it broadcasts to connect to their network. That is why the iphone shows up on your account. There is nothing you can do about that. EVEN if you change the picture it will revert to wahtever phone you are using (assuming they sell that phone) IF the data plan is not showing up then you are not being charged for it. They will text ou when or if they add it. As long as you are using the APN blocker you MAY be safe!
My iphone has shown up on their website fo0r over a year now but a data plan has NOT been added! I have 3 iphones on the family plan 2 use data 1 does not.
Are you running iOS4? and which iphone do you have? 3G? I have a 3G with iOS4 and I just turned off the 3G network and cellular data network under settings. I don’t have the apn blocker, should I install it?
I do not use ios4 so I do not know how it works with this. I will upgrade when a jailbreak is available and I can use my apps with it!
Hey guys.. My friend is getting the iphone 4g and is giving me his 3GS .. I wanted to know if he can take the plan he has on the 3GS and switch it over to the new iphone … or is it just the sim card that he needs to take out of the 3gs and the 3gs becomes a Ipod touch with a camera
Can i use my friend’s iphone with my AT&T sim card?
can i use my friend’s iphone 4 with my AT&T sim card?
if i use that iphone 4, do i need to pay for data plan? i will turn off 3g.
Sam
yes
yes
yes
so i need to pay for data plan? but i don’t want to pay that…do you have plan?
Hi, i just recieved my iphone from eBay and need some advice.
should i jailkbreak it first?
what firmware is required for this? (i have 3g)
Y’all aren’t going to believe that a friend just gave me his old iPhone. I’m so excited. My problem is that I really want to be sure not to let Ate Tea and Tea know I’m using an iPhone. The phone has a 3g SIM card in it and it is saying to plug it into iTunes. The guy that gave it to me is a game developer and probably left it in knowing how this works, but we haven’t talked about it.
Do you think the fact that there’s a 3g Sim in it means that it’s activated? Would I be safe to now put my SIM in and connect to iTunes? I’m pretty concerned about the cost of a data plan.
Plz let me know what you think. Dranon? You around?
Sam it is abvious you have not bothered to read the blog which gives EXACT instructions…so read and you will have your answers!
Justin again READ you do NOT need need to Jailbreak to use this and it WILL work for ANY firmware. You can jailbreak if you want to but it does not matter if you jailbreak before or after you install this.
Onila
Try to sue the ipod or app on the phone if you can then it is activated. Install the APN blocker and THEN put your sim in. It should work just fine.
Hey, when i get the iphone do I need to go to unlockit.com ,or just follow these instructions in this article, and when I get it will I have to pay for the first month or not?
So I put my AT&T sim cars I’m my new iPhone. That I got from my friend, I did this. I don’t know if it worked or not, how will I know. Please help
Spencer and Russell, you really need to read the directions and follow them.
You don’t have to unlock it, Spencer, just follow the directions.
Russell, put another person’s iphone sim in first and activate it by connecting to iTunes with it. Then follow the rest of the directions.
I’m still waiting for my friend to come over with her iPhone so I can use her sim. I can’t wait.
Hey Drannon, did I save you some time-LOL?
I’m having a major problem. I don’t understand the whole “activation” process. I’ve messed it up.
Here are the steps I did.
1. I used the non-activated sim card to activate the phone. I know, wrong thing to do. It synced up everything because I have a Macbook.
2. Went to this page through wifi and used the APN changer, but won’t let me use my sim card for anything because it wants to hook up to Ate Tea and Tea. I can use it like an iPod touch and go online with wifi.
2. I had a friend put his activated sim card with a data plan in it and it started to go through this whole thing where Ate Tea & Tea has to do their thing. Am I supposed to go that far? It asked me if I really wanted to cancel the activation process and I did because I’d prefer Ate Tea & Tea have no idea I have this iPhone.
It showed up on ,y account so I put my card back into my old phone, sent a text and then my account showed my current phone, no more iPhone.
What should I do?
Do I need to reset this phone and just use an activated sim?
How far into those steps should i go? I don’t remember any of that in this forum. I read it all.
Can’t believe I’m messing this up. It seems so simple.
Thx
Onila. Yes go through the whole activation with your friends sim card. It does NOT cost your friend anything since they already pay for a data plan. After that then install the APN blocker. After that remove your friends sim and put your sim in and everything SHOULD be fine.
Remember your account WILL show an iphone on it because it gets identified bythe ein number the phone broadcasts. This is different from them adding a data plan.
Hi all,
Thanks for the time and information that you have all put into the site…
Been running my APN blocked 3g with no data plan for about six months now and so far so good. Still no texts from ATT and still no data plan magically added by ATT.
I am still using the 3.1.2 software. Don’t know if this works with updated software (newer than 3.1.2)… Have not updated software due to fear of loosing the APN blocker and of being detected by ATT. After reading some of the latest stories about folks having data plans added, especially the one about ‘accepting a terms of service agreement on i-tunes’, I have even stopped updating apps…
Should I update software to 4.0? If not, what is the best software package to use under the current APN blocked circumstances (ie: 3.1.3, etc…)? Or, should I leave it alone and operate under the current 3.1.2 software that is installed?
Under any version of the software… Is it safe to update and purchase new apps without ATT detection through the ‘terms of service’ agreement on i-tunes?
Am quite happy that the phone is working under the current circumstances and feel like the only reason I would mess with it is out of greed for the new iOS4… What should I do boys and girls? Please advise… and thanks in advance!
Flowzell
so does this make it so when u have ur iphone unlocked with t moible that u dont have to have a plan with internet
Flowzell You can sync and update aps all you want everything will be OK. APN works fine on 3.1.3 It works fine on 4.0 also BUT you should remove the APN blocker, then upgrade to 4.0 THEN reinstal the APN blocker. For some reason iOS 4.0 does not like to upgrade older APN profiles. “There seems to be a bug that is affecting some people. if you have installed an APN Profile in Pre iOS4 and install iOS4 , the old profile may not be liked by iOS4 and hide it away.
When you try and install a new profile it will say you can only install one profile (but you cannot remove the old one after installing iOS4)
I suggest people uninstall the old profile first (Settings, General, Profile, Click on the Profile and then Click Remove.
Then you can install iOS and then install a new profile with no problems.”
Jim Exactly you are correct!
NICE Dranon… thanks! You’re the man.
So, I tried again with a friends iPhone sim card.I AM SUCH A CHICKEN!
While activating on iTunes it takes me to a screen where I have to agree to the data plan. I cannot uncheck anything. Is this where I do this then see if ATT has it in my plan on their website? And then is that where I have to call and beg to get it removed with my sim back in my old phone? I didn’t think I had to go that far. I’m sure it’s one of the last screens before it being activated. Call me high maintenance-I know.
Are y’all saying that I can agree on this page and then it won’t automatically add on Ate T and T?
Okay, I think I’ve figured out what I was doing wrong. When I plug into iTunes (which I have an account with already) I don’t change the phone number iTunes says it is and then go through the whole thing.
Wah-Lah! No plan agreed to on my number and he already has a plan.
Then I block the data plan and put my sim in it.
HI Five? or smack your forehead cause I’m such a dunce? hehe
Please confirm this. Nobody has detailed the activation process.
I’m considering getting an unlocked 3G iPhone, and I wanted to know if this will work even if I have the OS 4.0 installed. And also, do I only need to put MY sim card into the iPhone, or do I have to use someone’s who already has a current iPhone plan?
Onilla Thats it. You activate your phone using their sim because hey already have a data plan so ATT does not add another data plan! That is the whole reason you use someone elses sim!
Michael same answer!
Check it out Dranon,
After removing the fake APN before updating to iOS4 it was a little buggy getting through the update, but it worked in the end (but hoping that it did not notify ATT as I did have to reactivate). After connecting to unlockit to load the new fake APN and clicking Disable Data (FakeAPN) it says… “Fake APN is not needed in iOS4 anymore. Go into Settings > General > Network and Use the Cellular Data option to turn it off or on”.
I have turned it off, but wanted to make sure that I DO NOT need a fake APN anymore… I’m a little concerned… do you have any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks for all your help…
Flow
Flowzell I do not use ios4 so I am not sure. Check out the forums on the APN blocker site and ask them. As for activating did it just activate yur phone or did you have to click and agree to ATT terms of service???? I would check your acount on ATT web site and make sure it did not add a data plan!
Wait so you DO use someone else’s sim card?
Michael yes you need to use someone elses sim card IF the phone is not activated. If it is activated then use WiFi get the APN blocker, THEN install your own sim and you should be good!
Can I activate it myself if I just get it, and then use my own sim?
Michael Not sure what you are asking. Yes you CAN activate it yourself BUT if you use your own sim to activate you will be asked to agree to terms of service which include data plan. You will then need to call att to remove said data plan. I highly suggest you READ this forum. This has been covered in detail many times!
Hey Nick,
so i took my husbands left around iphone that was previously used by him until he upgraded, I stuck my sim card in it and it asked me to plug it into itunes! Should i continue? It sais “verifying with At&t. Please help!
Oh but I before i insirted my sim I had done the Apn changer!
So, this is getting to be a pain. It is just my drama, but the one of my friends can’t get her sim card out of her expensive iPhone wallet so I can’t activate with hers. My other friend and I both balked when iTunes asked for zip code AND last 4 of SSN. He’s staunch about not doing that and we don’t know each other well enough to take the chance. Could this effect his account at alll? He doesn’t want to extend his contract and really wants to stay with his unlimited data and not be forced to choose another plan. Has anyone seen activation affect the person’s account at all?
Hey,
I have a question that seems like it may be implied, but because I haven’t seen it directly answered, I want to confirm.
If I buy my friend’s Iphone from them and follow the instructions listed here, then I will be able to use my Iphone and not pay the data plan. However, does this mean I can only make phone calls and send texts when I am connected to Wi-Fi?
Or do I get the capabilites of a normal phone PLUS the wi-fi access?
Thanks for your help.
The phone will work like a normal phone to mke phone calls. You will NOT have visual voicemail. You will have normal voicemail. You will be able to send/receive texts like a normal phone. You will have data access only on wi-fi
Onila Activation does not affect their account at all!
Ok so im going to try this now on my fathers family plan and see how it works out for me after reading all of this i just got aan iphone 3g 3.1.3 firmware and i only have unlimated text and calls no data plan so iill let you know how im going
Hi all,
I have read though the comments but they raise many questions about the actual process. I currently have 2 accounts, 1 with data, 1 without. I will put my new Iphone 4 on my data account. I want to take my old 3g and put it on the non data plan account.
Can someone sum up the correct steps and the order I should do them in?
Thanks for any and all help!!
Take your old 3g and put the APN blocker on it. Then take the sim card from the non data plan phone and put it in the iphone. Thats all!
so far so good i havent got text or at&t hasnt added anything thanks for helpp all:P
can i jailbreak my 3g if i have the blocker on or do i have to unistal it and then jailbreak and then install again?
taylor: u don’t need to uninstall it.
I have a different question.
I want to upgrade my 3gs from 3.13 to 4.0, I’m not sure if I will be asked to reactivate the iphone in this process (my iphone is active already for 3.13). If so, am I asked to add the data plan also?
Hello Everyone,
When I updated my 3G to iOS4 I had to activate after the update… but was not in any way prompted to communicate with ATT or agree to terms of service in any way… just had to connect to i-tunes.
I currently DO NOT have an APN blocker loaded due to unlockit seemingly saying that the APN blocker is no longer necessary for iOS4… and iOS4 DOES seemingly have a new feature to ‘turn off cellular data’… Settings>General>Network>Cellular Data>Off. I have Cellular Data ‘OFF’ in Settings.
Unlockit does offer the option to customize an APN and I am curious if I need to do anything like that to ensure complete blockage… anyone using iOS4 on the 3G please chime in if you know… I cannot find any information on it anywhere including the forums.
So far, so good. Seemingly no detection by ATT at this time. With wi-fi ‘OFF’ I still get the ‘Cannot Open Page’ prompt, and Usage says that 0 bytes have been sent or received.
However, I’m not convinced that updating my 3G to iOS4 was the thing to do. It was buggy loading, seems to be running slower, apps seem more crashy, iOS4 actually doesn’t offer the 3G much, and it has me sketched out because I am not using an APN blocker…
Is it possible to revert back to 3.1.3 if I choose? And if so, where do I find 3.1.3 to load?
Not sure what I will do yet… hoping some folks can share their experiences with 3G and the iOS4 update as it relates to data blockage and overall functionality…??? Don’t want to discourage anyone from updating 3G to iOS4… just wanted to share.
Thanks in advance for your experiences and good luck all.
Flow
Dranon, you seem to know the most! My daughter got a 3g from a friend but i didnt want to pay for data. Its running ios4 and she send an mms message, so obviously Att saw this and signed us up. I took the sim out and put into another phone, called att and canceled. I then turned off data and 3g in the settings(since you can’t use apn block for ios4), and put the sim back in. i didnt get any any texts for the rest of the billing cycle(about 3 wks), but now it seems that they might have detected it again. i didnt get a text this time but my account says: her number is an iphone, and they signed us up for data! its a new billing cycle and i wonder if there is no real way to block your imei#!! she does use home wifi but only for facebook! Any ideas of what to do. Att wont let me cancel every month! they are a little too smart for that.
Any suggestions appreciated!
Well, I believe I found out that an iPhone or SIM that’s been updated to the iOS 4 cannot activate an older iPhone. Mine is a 2g with 3.1.2 and my friend’s SIM didn’t work to activate my iPhone. This is one bummed chickie. Now I’m checking out all my friends to see who else has an iPhone. I HAD 3 possibilities and now they all have iOS 4. Anybody here in Snellville, GA to help activate my phone? LOL I’ll buy you a Starbuck’s!
Hey, guys! I really want to buy an iPhone 3G 8GB (refurbished). My dad has special connections with AT&T because of the company he works for and he said that he can probably get an iPhone for me for $50. I do not want to pass up this opportunity! I am already with AT&T, on a family plan. Both my parents have iPhones. (but I don’t think my dad’s phone is included in the plan since his work pays for his phone..) my sister and I both have the samsung solstice. We have unlimited texting and we share 700 minutes between us. My parent’s don’t want to pay for a data plan for me (which is completely understandable!). So I’ve been reading but I want to make sure all the questions I have are answered directly.
1. If I use my mom’s sim card (because she has a 3g iPhone and my dad has 2g), do that thing, follow the steps, will I still have texting?! Texting is very important to me!
2. Since I’ve never had a data plan, they can’t put one on my account, right?
3. My plan won’t change?
Those are all the questions that I can think of right now. Please respond asap! Cheers!
Frustrated
Read the forum your exact situation has been discussed several times. Just take the tine to read.
Onila wish I could help! No ios4 here. No need!
JoeJoe
Again READ the froum. You CANNOT block the ein # ATT “recognises” the phone by its ein. So far no one with the original iphone has had their phone forcibly put the data plan on. IF oyu have the dta plan puton after you changed that menas that att had you on a watch list. Just use a regular phone for 1 billing cycle and then they will leave you alone. Turn off 3G and use APN blocker. I do not know how ios4 affects anything since I will not install until jailbreak is available…
I don’t exactly have the time to read the entire thing.
Onila: I’m in the NW corner of the state, so probably too far away for you.
I’ve been using my att goPhone account sim with a 3gs running iOS 4 with cellular data turned off. So far it’s working great!
Frustrated
Oh well I guess you will continue to be….
Onila here is a way to activate your iphone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA1bb9C7vNU&feature=player_embedded
Basically what you do is get a phone book sim card from RadioShack or an online vender some ATT stores will also sell you one. Then connect to itunes and it will activate. The video is pretty poor but it does work!
i have a 3g os4 unlocked with ultrasn0w
data and 3g turned off since day one
got the data text of doom today
im leaving the country in another month so im just not going to pay em
but this is extortion and should be illegal
I’ve had an iPhone 3g with a data plan for a while and i just installed this VPN changer with my sim card in the phone. Does that mean i no longer have a data plan on this sim?
First of all a VPN is something completely different, it is a Virtual Private Network. So I assume you misspelled and meant APN changer. Second of all just installing it cuts off your data so you cannot use data but it does NOT stop ATT from CHARGING you for a data paln. You must call and have the data plan removed! You people must read this forum for the instructions if you want to do this instead of just posting. We do the work to explain things to you and you do not bother reading so we have to post the same things over and over… I aguess I am done. I like to help people but it is getting ridiculous that they dont seem to want to do ANY research at all…
is it illegal to do that?
HUH? Is it illegal to do what? Nothing on this board is illegal except changing your imei which you cannot do anyway and no one has told anyone do do that. What it is is in violation of your contract with ATT. that is not a legal issue but a contract issue and the worst thing that can happen is ATT would cancel your service. But I do not know anyone who has had their contract cancelled due to this…
FYI:
I bought a used 3GS. We put the SIM card from an old AT&T LG shine into it, upgraded the iPhone to iOS4, and turned off all data over the network via the iPhone’s settings.
We thought we were in the clear… but:
1 month later, we get the text message saying that they have activated the data plan because they detected the iPhone.
So, just turning off the network does not work.
can anybody please explain me the procedure again ?
-Put the AT&T Sim card in the already activated iPhone.
-Make a wifi connection to a local wifi source.
-Navigate to this page. Click “Continue To The Next Page”. ( Didn’t understand this step)
-Click Disable Data (Fake APN). The Install Profile window appears.
-Click Install. Another Install Profile window will popup warning you that authenticity of this profile cannot be verified. Click Install on this window too.
-You should now see a message stating “Could not activate Cellular Data Network; You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.
What exactly is to be done after connecting to wi-fi ? which is the page they are reffering to ?
@nikhil
once you have an activated phone ( using some other iphone users sim card and putting it thru itunes)
you can then put in your sim or still have theirs in it open up safari on your iphone go to this page ON YOUR IPHONE and install simple =)
oh and connect thru a wifi before you use safari
hope this helped
When it says navigate to this page they are providing a link to
unlockit.co.nz
So type in that url unlockit.co.nz into safari….it will take you to that website on the page of that website there is a continue button…click it.. it will bring you to the Main Menu … click on Disable Data (FakeAPN)
that should do it
Remember you HAVE to go to this site with your iphone… going there with a computer browser WILL NOT give you the link for the FakeAPN!!!!!!!!
Is
I do Not recommend anyone to do this with iOS4 or the iphone 4 as I do not know if they can catch you with it yet. That being said ATT does “sweeps” to see if anyone is using their iphone without a data plan, more people are caught up in these sweeps, BUT you can just call them with another phone and they will remove the data plan if you give them an imei number of another phone!
Thanks, Dranon, for all of your help. You’ve saved a lot of people a lot of money. Anyway, my husband and I have looked at the video link you sent. I had an employee at the booth in Sam’s Club give me a blank sim, new from his stack. I’m hoping this will work.
One question that I wanted to ask. I have been using this iPhone as an iTouch with the previous owners sim card in it. He must have deactivated it when he bought the iPhone 4. I’ve loaded only FREE apps but it shows up on iTunes with my name, which I put on it at one point, when connected to iTunes.
Finally, the question is, do you think I need to restore the phone to original settings?
Also:
If I do that, would I be able to update to 3.1.2?
Also, after activating, blocking APN, jailbreaking, unlocking, etc., do you connect to your iTunes and get all you want on your phone including buying Apps, music and all?
I meant to say, should I restore the phone BEFORE activating it? So it isn’t named. Does it really matter?
If you’re using iOS4… you don’t have any reason to use the “Fake APN” thing. Settings > General > Network…. there’s an option to turn off cellular data. The problem is no matter what, AT&T will automatically add the $15 data plan once they detect the iPhone on the account. For the hell of it, i started a petition. Highly doubt anything will come of it, but why not.
http://www.petitiononline.com/attocdp/petition.html
Onila
You do not need to restore it if it is working fine. Just activate it. If you are using apps even free ones from YOUR itunes account there is no need to do anything. IF you are using apps from the previous owners account those will be deleted if you restore/synch. You can upgrade to 3.1.2 either way if you restore or not. IF you restore just make sure you apply the APN BEFORE you connect to ATT network!
THIS WORKED GREAT FOR ME!!
iPhone 3GS 16GB.
If you have iOS4 do this. When you go to the unlockitz website go to custom data plan.
APN: invaild.asdj
Username: blank
password: blank
for the username and password ACTUALLY write the word blank
OK:
People you have it wrong. AT&T’s SYSTEM will see the iPhone but it will NOT add the data plan unless you go on safari without wifi. Once you go on safari using at&t’s network the system will send you a text saying the data plan was added. But I got the fake apn and I have been using my iPhone 3GS since April 2010 with no data plan. Also if you call AT&T about your account they might see you have an iPhone and add the data plan since they will have to pull up your account info. Get it?
You can see my tutorial for this on youtube also if you have questions or need help message me on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/computerwhiz21
I like checking my email on the phone, however i am no longer going to pay $200 a month total for two iphone service in my family plan. I wanted to try doing as suggested, above, but after reading the forum I have concluded that perhaps I will just sell my iPhone, or figure out a way to use it as an ipod touch with a camera, since there has only been one AT&T customer service person who was ever helpful and continues to be helpful – 5th Avenue Mall lady in Anchorage, AK. When I think of her can do attitude i kinda want to stay with AT&T, but then again, I think of the whole network and how mean the rest of them are, and it comes down to people when ya think of good business. maybe I will recall the days before the recession, and look even deeper in the past – remember when only doctors or some kind of lawyer had a cell phone and used it every day? I got through fine then. Maybe we don’t all need cell phones all day every day, and I know I don’t need everyone to get a hold of me at all hours of the day. Do I need strong thumbs and a weak brain from being able to “snd a txt2u” at any moment? no! who is going to join me in my quest for freedom from cell phones, and just buy or hold onto a used one for real emergencies like dialing 911?
Sorry NO ONE IS GOING TO JOIN YOu!!!!!!!!!
You are on the wrong forum.
I NEED and love my iphone. Just like I NEED other modern conveniences like indoor plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, music on a poratable convenient source instead of a record player, a car instead of a horse! I could keep going on and on. YOU need to decide for yourself what modern conveniences you want and/or need. OR you can go live with the Amish!!! Nothing wrong with that but I prefer to live in the modern world with all the conveniences that are associated with it, like for instance as you state 911!
BTW why $200/month for 2 iphones???? I have family plan 3 iphones and 2 regular phones $150 month! What are you paying for???? iphone with data is $70 then add another on family plan $39.99 with data = $110 3 more lines for $9.99 each $140 OK ad unlimited texting fro $30 for all phones = $170, want more minutes get 1400 minute for $80 with 2 data plans $140 use textfree for texting no additional charges and get google numbers for each of you and you have unlimited calling when you add google number to your A-list!
Hello!
I currently have an iphone with AT&T now…I was wondering if I used an old non-smart phone to call in to tell them that I don’t have an iphone anymore, cancel my data plan and then put the sim back into my iphone again, would AT&T be able to detect that I am using my iphone? Has anyone tried the method posted on this site yet..and does it work well? or has anyone tried unlocking their phone? Many of my friends unlocked their iphones and are able to get away with the data plan..I used to have an unlocked phone and did not have to pay the data plan but I got a new iphone and am now stuck with the stupid plan…
Hey Lynnie!
Yes that would work if you put your simcard in a non-smartphone. Then once you call and get rid of the data plan you can go back to your iPhone! Just make sure you have the Fake APN installed.
It will detect the iPhone but will not add the data plan.
I was looking into getting a iphone 3g from craigslist and activate it using my sim card from my nokia e71x. I currently do not have a data plan with that phone and only use wifi. My question if i get a iphone 3g from craigslist and install the fake apn will i be caught during the sweeps. I read on earlier posts that many people with the iphone 3g were being caught up by the data plan sweeps and the iphone 2g were in the clear. However, i want the capability to send and receive picture text messages so i want the iphone 3g.
Recently i read the post by Paolo Terrasi said:
THIS WORKED GREAT FOR ME!!
iPhone 3GS 16GB.
If you have iOS4 do this. When you go to the unlockitz website go to custom data plan.
APN: invaild.asdj
Username: blank
password: blank
I was just wondering if anyone has tried this out and if it works. If so im going to purchase a iphone 3g and go forward with it. Thanks for your responses.
Appleseed, you need an active iPhone simcard to do it. Not a sim from just any phone, it has to be one from an active iPhone.
Which is my problem. I’ve tried to do this with 3 friends’ iOS 4 iPhone cards and it has not worked. It wants to add a line to their account, and various other things. Dranon, I tried the video you sent and that didn’t work either.
Anyone in the Snellville, GA area or anywhere from there to the Mall of Georgia want to help? I’ll buy you a nice cool Frappucino or something at Starbucks, or give you a Starbucks gift card. I just don’t want to get on their radar by activating it on my account and then asking them to remove it. Mine is a 2g, so do you realy think they’ll let me by on it if they find it in use?
Still not familiar with ios4 so I cannot comment BUT you should be able to activate without ading a second account after all all ATT sees is the person replacing 1 phone with another! Anyway if I was you I would just activate the phone and then call ATT and cancell the data plan. Keep using your non iphone for a couple of weeks after that and then put the sim in the phone and use OR just get the new minimum data plan only $15 now quite affordable! and no I don’t work for or cae about ATT!!!!!!!!!!!
is this illegal cause i got caught once i dont wana get caught agian then get some charges.
nic jus lik me fren forrest gump uzed to sae stupit is as stupit does and you is jus’ plain ole stupit!
If you own or think about getting an iPhone 4 and try setting this up, dont bother it wont work
why?
because your sim card that you already had in an older iphone ( 1st,2nd,3rd gen) or any phone for that matter into the new iphone 4 IT WONT HAPPEN, at&t and apple worked together to devolope a new sim card that is only ment for the iphone 4 (mini sim) to get one with out the data plan is impossible unless they have other phones (THAT AREN’T SMARTPHONES) out there that require a mini sim.
Hey,
I have been thinking about buying an iPhone from a friend, if i do not plan to use the internet options at all could i just move my sim card into it and not be charged for a data plan OR will my iPhone automatically connect to the internet?
When I put an At&T sim card in an already activated iPhone, the phone says, “Different Sim Detected” and doesnt let me access the phone with that sim card.
Nathan,
Download sn0wbreeze and it will jailbreak the iPhone also check Activate iPhone and if it’s an option then also unlock. This will activate the iPhone for any AT&T simcard, it will activate it with NO DATA PLAN!!
I have been reading this thread because I would really like to get an iphone and just use wifi. I now have a blackberry that I use as a pda (ie to read word files, etc) and only get the internet on months I can afford it, but want the extra stuff of the iphone now it is time to renew the plan (we have a family plan), but I can’t afford the internet at all. My question is this, if I buy the phone through at&t like I am planning (to them) with using it with the data plan and buy it, then I do what, call at&t and tell them I want to use the old blackberry? Because I don’t have a friend who has an at&t iphone so I’m not sure what good buying one from ebay would do. I figure I can try this and then if it doesn’t work I’ll just return the iphone within 30 days. Please let me know.
merlina-thalia @ scifivision .com (without spaces)
Thank you.
Thanks everyone! I followed the approach above, swapped my iphone 3g sim card into my old phone, called ATT to drop the data plan, installed the faked APN on my iphone, and now, I finally can use my iphone without paying att data plan!
But I have a question though: after I did that (about two weeks now), my iphone frequently have call failed problems. Yeah, att sucks, and my iphone had call failed problems before, but it seems like now the frequency of dropping calls increased a lot after i dropped the data plan and installed the faked APN. Any ideas?
I did not jailbreak or unlock the phone by the way, and I am running 3.1.3. Thanks!
bluephie, I finally am up and running with my iphone after using the easy technique with help from modmyi . com (Type without the spaces)
I did the jailbreak which activated my phone and it’s running like a charm. I couldn’t be happier. That website has all kinds of help on it and i would go over there to ask them what to do since this is just for the data plan issue.
Definitely block the data if you jailbreak it, because they don’t talk about that when you do. I guess jailbreaking isn’t your issue, but they might be able to help you with that. There’s even a guy who can fix iphones that have broken screens, phones that seem dead and such. Looks like the value of an iPhone holds even for us 2g users
Hey Dranon!
Did you see I’m up and running now? Thank YOU for all your help and suggestions. I’m not sure if anyone told me this, but jailbreaking also activates it.
So….
1. Fake APN blocks data other than wifi.
2. Even with fake APN, att still see you using iphone by imei sweep.
3. Data plan will be auto force added NO MATTER WHAT for 3g and 3gs iphones.
4. 2g iphone clear in sweep.
Conclusion: YOU CANNOT HAVE A 3G IPHONE W/O DATA PLAN W ATT.
Am I missing anything there?
I just did this to my 2g and it worked really well, but from iphonenodata.com or something like that. it sounds identical to this. my phone is exactly the same, gets texts and calls. except I’m not getting the visual voicemail. still not sure if I can reach new voicemails..?
Ben you CAN have a 3G phone just turn OFF the 3G! You only NEED 3 for data anyway…
Garrett Visual voicemail needs the data plan so that’s something you have to give up. You still have regular voicemail like on any other phone tho’!
Hi,
If anyone can answer this question about inserting a AT&T sim card from another phone into an old (not 3G, maybe not even 2G), foreign purchased I-phone, I would be grateful.
I am relocating to the US from the UK. My daughter has an old I-phone she currently uses on a pay as you go basis here in London. She got it for free from a school friend whose father works for Apple. I paid 20 quid to have it hacked / unlocked and it works fine for voice and texting. When we get to the States I would like to get a non I-phone contract from AT&T (I want AT&T for my family because that is what I will have for work) – one with voice minutes and texting – and then put the sim card in her Iphone and let her use it just as she uses it over here. Will this work or will AT&T somehow be able to detect that the SIM has been put in an Iphone (even though the Iphone came from abroad) and start charging me for a data plan? There’s no way I’m paying for data service – it’s bad enough that you have to pay for texting separately, so if this won’t work, I’m going to have to tell her the bad news that she won’t be able to use her Iphone in the US.
Thanks,
The first thing you need to do is find out if the phone is LOCKED to your carrier. Can you stick a sim in the phone from another carrier and have it work? If you can thern you should be able to do this no problem without a data plan. IF it is a first gen iphone then you have a great option of using the original data plan which gives you unlimited data AND 200 texts for $20 pretty good deal! If it is 3G or 3GS then you also have an option of getting a $15 data plan which includes 200mb, then just get textfree app and she can text all she wants from the app for free!
Thanks Dranon
The phone is definitely not locked and it’s definitely not 3G. I’m not quite sure if its first or 2nd generation – she got it in Spring 2008. To be clear, you’re saying AT&T won’t be able to tell that I swap the sim card out of phone that doesn’t require a data plan and put it in her I-phone, yes? Reading through this forum, it sounded as if AT&T had some ‘big brother’ capabilities and could tell if the sim card was in an I phone.
I want my daughter to be able to make voice calls and send texts with her phone, and I’ll pay a reasonable price for this. Other data capabilities – facebook, email, etc – are not necessary (from my perspective, in any case, and since I’m paying my perspective wins the day). I didn’t notice the data / text offering you mentioned in your post. The way I read the AT&T wireless website, text and data capabilities are sold separately – i.e. you ‘d have to pay for both if you want to send texts and have email. If texting was included in the data pack, I would re-evaluate their worth. Can you clarify this?
Jfoss-
If you had data added to your plan, then you can send/receive free texts if you download Textfree Unlimited onto your iPhone
Can you download textfree unlimited on an early generation Iphone? What is if was hacked / jailbroken?
Jfoss YES my daughter has the first gen iphone and has textfree unlimited on her jailbroken phone.
Dranon
So you are saying that, you are safe from the AT&T sweeps if you turn off 3G and install Fake APN
Well it seems to work that way. THERE AE NO GUARENTEES OF COURSE BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE OVER 2 YEARS!
OK, thanks Dranon, do you have a iPhone 3G/3GS?
yes i have heard that this works. i have the iphone 2g. the thing is that if you put your sim card in with the data gone (fake vpn), wouldn’t att still know that you are using the iphone? my brother has the iphone but he didnt buy it from att. att found out that he was using the iphone so they automatically charged him $30 per month. now i have not yet put my sim card in my iphone 2g. if i do that, will att find out that i am using the iphone? will they automatically put the data feature in our plan?
Joey, If they connected to iTunes with their sim and activated it, then they added the plan. Following the directions above works so you don’t add a plan. You use someone else’s iphone sim to activate the phone.
I have a 2G and no problem so far. It shows up as an iphone if I look online on my account, but no charges added.
Read all the posts to see suggestions to remove the data plan. Also, nobody has to stay with the $30 plan. They have a $15 one now.
Hey I’ve been following this thread for a while and I recently got the text message of doom. So I think it’s cuz I agreed to the iTunes new terms and conditions. I don’t wanna get caught again, so does anyone no how often AT&T does sweepS? Any help is appreciated !! Thanks(:
Oh and also, just some info, when you get caught they add the more expensive data pro plan of 25$ to your account, not the cheaper 15$ one.
Mojan, would they let you go to the $15? Have you tried that yet? Or is that what you’re saying, no options?
Also, should we be really careful not to upgrade iTunes or agree to any new terms and conditions?
Well when I went online there was no other choice, but I guess you could call and ask a representative, and considering that if I get caught again, my mom will return my phone, I guess I can’t accept any new terms and conditions :\
Hi all,
I am going to buy an iphone 3gs and have tried so hard to find a way to avoid a data plan, so far, I can tell you this:
1/ Absolutely no. There is no way you can avoid a data plan if you use smartphone or iphone with ATT.
2/ Some people said they have used iphone for over 1 year without being charged. That’s right. Cause ATT said smartphone or iphone customers activated before November 1st, 2009 will not be charged with data plan.
Still looking for some more ways…with no hope!!! ATT sucks.
Ok, I’ve read almost ALL of the posts in this page, but there’s one thing that I didn’t really catch. That is, how exactly does ATT read a phone’s imei? Is it when a person makes a call, a text, or just simply having their sim inside the phone itself? I’m ready to take the risk of placing my non-data sim into the iphone since I NEVER make any calls, but if there are other ways that ATT can detect it, I might become a little more hesitant. Thanks!!!
Skeezer IF like you say you NEVER make calls WHY would you want an active sim in the phone???? No data and no cals just makes it an advanced ipod touch. Thats ok then just use it as such! Just put an inactive sim in it and use it that way! You can still make skype and Google voice calls over wi-fi if you need to. ATT “reads” the emei # because that is what is broadcast to connect the phone to their network so it can be used.
Dranon,
1. What do you think about the iTunes new terms and conditions being a way for a t and t to add a data plan as mojan says/thinks/suggests? I am now stuck in iTunes without being able to add any apps or sync anything phone related until I agree to the terms. Have you agreed to the terms in the past and been fine?
2. Have you heard of them slapping a data plan on the 2G? I don’t see why not if it’s data use it’s data use no matter which phone. Mine is blocked by this forum’s method-awesome!
Just download a previous copy of itunes! Remember you NEVER HAVE to upgrade itunes! Anyway what are thhe terms that you find objectionable????
I know not to upgrade iTunes which will mess with the whole thing. It’s the new terms and conditions that I have to agree to that make me wonder whether it messes with A T and T finding out you use an iPhone and then sends you the message of doom.
Dranon, do you agree to new terms and conditions? Or are you saying to download an old version to avoid this possibility? I have a mac with the latest operating system. Or is all of this gibberish and I should just agree to it?
Onila What are the new terms and conditions that you are referring to. I NEVER read them I just agree and download so it is all just gibberish to me!
I tried the process with an ebay iphone. I have an iphone from at&t but bought an ebay phone for my wife. It has OS 4 and when i went to the site wiht my SIM and her phone it says you dont need to do this process rather you can simply turn off the cell network data. She is using it with no promblems so far.
Does anyone know how to restore regular voice mail capability on an unlocked iPhone 3?
Unlocked or not has NOTHING to do with voice mail. Are you blocking data???? If not then you just use visual; voicemail. If you are blocking data Then you need to just go through the normal procedure of setting up voicemail like on any other phone. Press the number one and hold it until it connects you to voicemail.