Seeking Advice - Unlocking iPhone 3G

[lafinfil]

So I bought an iPhone today off of craigslist. It's a 3G and is running version 4.0.2 (8A400)

It is currently locked to AT&T, so I want to unlock it and use it on T-Mobile. I don't really
see any real need to JailBreak it (unless you all convince me otherwise)

Any advice or resources that you can point me to ? Of course Google brings up lots of pages
but I'm hoping for some first hand advice or recommendations on good sites for advice.

TIA !

[Done]

http://www.iclarified.com/entries/index.php?caid=2&scid=11&seid=1

[pinkoos]

Real quick, it has to be jailbroken in order to be unlocked. So, you must jailbreak and then unlock.

[lafinfil]

Thanks guys - I didn't know it had to be JB'd first (Doh!)

I'll take a look at the link from Done

[DaviDC.]

I'd recommend updating it to 4.1 first.
http://www.iphoneheat.com/2010/10/downlo...ware-ipsw/

[lafinfil]

Thanks David - I am "restoring" it from my iPod Touch back up from iTunes right now.
iTunes shows a 4.2 upgrade available. Any reason not to go to 4.2 ? It seems maybe I read
that there was a performance hit by going to 4.2 - but I can't recall for sure.

[Gareth]

Be careful about how you update, as applying the updates directly through iTunes will update your baseband also, which makes unlocking harder.

The 3G can go all the way to 4.2.1 and still be unlocked, and have an untethored jailbreak. And, while using PwnageTool, you can select which iOS 4 features you want to enable (that are normally disabled on a 3G, due to speed). I enabled everything, and in the few minutes I played with it afterwards, it was pretty sluggish (I use an iPhone 4, and keep the 3G around as a backup).

iClarified has some great tutorials, but also check out http://blog.iphone-dev.org/ (the source of PwnageTool, which is the best app to use for jailbreaking if your intention is to unlock also).

[lafinfil]

More good info - thanks !

[DaviDC.]

The gurus at Cydia says that there are no benefits to updating to 4.2.
iOS 4.1 is easily jailbreakable & is an untethered jailbreak, meaning once applied, it sticks & wont have to be redone if for some reason you have to restore it. That's the reason I've kept my iPod touch at 4.1.

[lafinfil]

Thanks David - I'll probably stay with 4.1 based on that info.

I noticed that Gareths link shows various versions of 4.1 available, up to 4.1.3 - any thoughts on version ?

http://thepiratebay.org/user/iphonedev/


I need to duck out for a bit. I will check back in when I get home.
Thanks to all for the info & links - any additional thoughts appreciated!