Use an iPhone on T-Mobile with Jailbreak
If you want to use an iPhone on T-Mobile in the USA and you don’t want to wait for it to be released (if ever), you’ll need to jailbreak and unlock the iPhone and use T-Mobile specific carrier settings. Here is a walkthrough that should work for iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 (which you can buy without contract):
You’re basically looking at a 3-step process: getting a SIM card, jailbreaking and unlocking the phone, then adjusting the settings. That’s it.
- Acquire and use a T-Mobile SIM card – you’ll need the newer 39.01a type. Note for iPhone 4 users: you will need to trim the SIM card down to fit into the iPhone 4 micro-sim slot
- Jailbreak the iPhone – easy iPhone jailbreak is web based and makes for quick work for pre-iOS 4.01, otherwise use PwnageTool, greenpois0n, and limera1n which work for iOS 4 and 4.1
- unlock the iPhone by installing and running through Ultrasn0w via the Cydia app
Now it’s time to update the iPhone configuration to T-Mobile specific carrier settings:
- Tap on “Settings” then “General” then to “Network” and “Cellular Data Network”
- Enter in the following T-Mobile specific settings under Cellular Data, MMS, and Internet Tethering:
- APN: internet2.voicestream.com (use wap.voicestream.com or epc.tmobile.com if the first fails)
- MMSC: 216.155.174.84/servlets/mms
- MMS Proxy: 216.155.165.50:8080
- Leave all other fields blank
- Exit Settings
Now you’ll want to restart the iPhone, upon reboot the iPhone should find the T-Mobile network and everything should work as planned. Make a phone call, send an SMS, and access the data network to be sure everything is working.
Note about iOS updates and firmware: you may need to downgrade to another iPhone OS version before using certain jailbreaks. If necessary, you can download iPhone firmware that pertains to the version you would like to use instead, and then use PwnageTool to select that ipsw file. If the firmware has already been updated to your standard iOS 4.1 installation, you may be temporarily out of luck until iOS 4.2 is released. You can check what version you have by navigating to Settings > General > About > Version
Actual T-Mobile APN Instructions from T-Mobile: http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-2383
I jailbroke and unlocked successfully. I do not have the T*Mobile data card as someone is buying this from me, but I want it set up for her to insert her cut SIM card. iPhone 4, fwiw.
I get to this point: Tap on “Settings” then “General” then to “Network” and “Cellular Data Network”
Enter in the following T-Mobile specific settings under Cellular Data, MMS, and Internet Tethering:
I am there, but “Cellular Data” only has an On and Off switch. I put it to “On” and have nowhere to enter the settings. Help please!
can i only use wifi and not have data to jailbreak?
Look ppl I just got a new iPhone 3GS at&t and I want my Tmobile sim card to work ..?? Anyone can help??
David,
you will need to unlock the phone first if you want to use it for T-mo.
I’m having the same problem. I phone 3g running 4.2.1 firmware 6.15.0 unlocked with redsn0w 0.9.6b5 and unlocked with Ultrasn0w through cydia. Help!
I have an iphone 3gs that is running on firmware 4.3.5 and i have jailbroken it using redsnow and then i went and downloaded ultrasn0w and everything but all it does is search for service. any ideas on how to fix this?
I’m having the same problem Rick is. Using an iPhone 3GS with 5.0.1 redsn0w untethered, “no service” or “searching” after following all of the steps. Sad panda!
I jailbroke and unlocked my iphone 3g and it says searching or no service anyone know what to do?
worked i now have data no 3g or wifi but something is better than nothing
I unlocked my phone with a gevey sim and it works fine. Should i still enter this data in or should I leave it blank. I don’t want to try to fix anything that’s not broke.
I have an unlocked jailbroken iphone (v4.3.3) and wish to subscribe to T-Mobile with data plan. Will I still be stuck with EDGE or 3G speed.
I am touring in USA soon and wish to get more insight before I commit to T-Mobile or AT&T.
Thank you!!
TMo – you’ll be stuck with Edge as TMo has their own proprietary frequencies. You can use Wifi, though, for data services.
ATT – iPhones are made to work on ATT’s network and since it’s a “world” phone, it will work internationally since ATT’s frequencies are basically similar to the ones used by phone companies worldwide.
If you upgrade the iPhone’s iOS to v5x, you’ll lock the phone again.
If your phone contract is over with your phone provider, check to see if they’ll provide the Unlock code since you already fulfilled your service agreement with them!
Good luck!
i have iphone thats been jailbroke and was wondering is i can still use bluetooth.
have tried these and they have not worked at all for my iphone 3g…any ideas?
[…] This is simply a 3ff SIM card which still requires you to trim/cut to fit in the micro SIM tray. You still need to jailbreak and unlock the iPhone 4 before you can use the 39.01a SIM card. hope this helps: Use an iPhone on T-Mobile with Jailbreak […]
I have a regular iphone 3gs unlocked and jailbroken with tmobile. Does anyone know if i can upgrade it with no problem to 4.2 cuz I knw wen i barely got my iphone i cldnt upgrade it other wise it wldnt work.?
follow the iPhone 3GS unlock with redsn0w and ultrasn0w guide, be aware that it will void your warranty with Apple and that flashing the firmware to 06.15 is irreversible.
https://osxdaily.com/2010/11/28/jailbreak-and-unlock-ios-4-2-1-with-redsn0w-0-9-6b5/
I unlocked my iphone 4.1 I used limera1n and ulstasn0w. I still dont have signal no bars what so ever no factetime and well cant send messages at all. Please help.
Does this work at 3G or just for EDGE. I thought T-Mobile using the 700 MHz band for 3G which is not supported on the iPhone.
you are correct, the iphone will only function on edge while on the t-mobile network, one of the steps that should be put in here is to ensure that 3g is turned off. otherwise it will not connect correctly, and the APN should be epc.tmobile.com since t-mobile no longer used the voicestream apn settings.
Just saw this on the Dev Team website.
“IF YOU USE THE ULTRASN0W UNLOCK, PLEASE WAIT FOR PWNAGETOOL TO SUPPORT 4.1. DO NOT USE REDSN0W. That’s because to use redsn0w at 4.1, you need to already have updated to official 4.1 (with new baseband) from Apple. If you do that, you lose the ultrasn0w unlock (possibly forever).”
So unless people know how to preserve their baseband while upgrading to 4.1 (possible but tricky), they will not be able to take advantage of the unlock once they have their phone jailbroken.
Here is a link on how to update to 4.1 while preserving your baseband.
http://www.sinfuliphone.com/showthread.php?t=38987
Actually, scratch that… the baseband preserve only works for the Iphone 4… so useless in this case. Going to have to wait for Pwnage Tools. Updating to 4.1 will give you a baseband that may not be unlockable for a very long time!
So will you be able to unlock the iphone for tmobile if it is already updated to 4.1??