upgrade help needed please

[Rockguy]

Ok, I have been reading around here and I think I'm suffering from information overload. I find conflicting procedures and such. I think it's best I just explain what I want and, someone with alot of knowledge can help. I'll try to provide as much info as possible.

In the summer of 2012, I bought a used Iphone 3GS from Craigslist. Previous owner had AT&T. I bought a SIM card from straight talk (AT&T) and followed the kit install instructions. I followed a youtube video to get MMS working. It said you had to jailbreak for MMS to work so I read on the net how to do that and did it. I can't remember if I did jailbreak before or after getting the Straight talk SIM but, I'm pretty sure jailbreak was done first using absinthe. I also changed root password if that matters. I followed instructions and everything worked fine. I'm using version 5.1.1

Fast forward to now. I want to buy the app ootunes. I tried to do so using the app store but, it said you have to have IOS 6 or later for this app. I read that 6.0.1 was the latest non tethered jailbreak so I downloaded it and have it on hold. I don't want to lose MMS or data or anything. Where do I go from here?

 

[willerz2]

Duplicate posting the same topic is against forum policies.

The latest untethered jailbreak is 6.1.2. 6.1.3 is only for the old bootrom 3GS. If your 3GS is an MBXXXXX model, it's the old bootrom. If it's MCXXXXX it's the new bootrom. Unless you have blobs that also has valid APTickets for iOS 6, you cannot restore to iOS 6.0-6.1.2

 

[Rockguy]

Duplicate posting the same topic is against forum policies.

The latest untethered jailbreak is 6.1.2. 6.1.3 is only for the old bootrom 3GS. If your 3GS is an MBXXXXX model, it's the old bootrom. If it's MCXXXXX it's the new bootrom. Unless you have blobs that also has valid APTickets for iOS 6, you cannot restore to iOS 6.0-6.1.2

Thanks willerz. I wasn't sure where to post my question. I don't know where to find the MBXXXX stuff you mention. I don't what APTickets are. Since this phone has never seen IOS 6, I'm guessing I don't have said tickets?
To summarize what you are saying and correct me if I'm wrong.

My only choices are to stay with 5.1.1 and not have that ooTunes app or, upgrade to 6.1.3 and not have MMS? Is it really that simple?

 

[willerz2]

If you have access to Settings.app, the model number starts with MB or MC. Blobs do not require that you be on the iOS ever. The blobs can be saved remotely during the signing period of the iOS.

Your ability to have MMS access should not be affected by whether or not your device is jailbroken or not. Find US- Straight Talk at unlockit.co.nz in Safari on your device directly and import the MMS and directories to your device.

If you do not have blobs, then yes your only option is to restore to 6.1.3 or stay on 5.1.1


Sent from my iPhone via Tapa

 

[Rockguy]

If you have access to Settings.app, the model number starts with MB or MC. Blobs do not require that you be on the iOS ever. The blobs can be saved remotely during the signing period of the iOS.

Your ability to have MMS access should not be affected by whether or not your device is jailbroken or not. Find US- Straight Talk at unlockit.co.nz in Safari on your device directly and import the MMS and directories to your device.

If you do not have blobs, then yes your only option is to restore to 6.1.3 or stay on 5.1.1


Sent from my iPhone via Tapatalk

Thanks for your time Willerz. Good to have an expert helping here. I've had Cydia installed since I got the phone but, I haven't actively saved any blobs. I didn't know anything about it til yesterday. Don't know if Cydia has saved anything on their server. If I do upgrade, should I try and save the blobs for 5.1.1 in case I want to go back or, is that an option at this point? I'm handy with a computer but, since I got this working I haven't had much interest in doing anything out of the ordinary with the phone. For example... change themes, make it a hot spot, or anything else you can think of. It works for what I want so I have been happy. Now I'm looking to get this app.

If I use the unlockit thing like you suggested, won't I have to do the Sim card trick to get the settings to show up? I can't access data settings with this AT&T from Straight Talk Sim I have now. Do I use itunes to try and access settings.app? Will it even help me at this point?

 

[willerz2]

Settings.app is the Settings application on the phone. You shouldn't need to access your carrier settings. If you use unlockit directly on the device, it should incorporate it without having to use something like SAMprefs.

If the previous owner did not jailbreak the device, blobs will not be available because the only iOS being signed for the 3GS now is iOS 6.1.3. If you're on the new bootrom, there's a 6.1.3/6.1.4 untethered for all devices coming soon, though it was updated to say that they're looking into the possibility of the vulnerabilities being usable on iOS 7.

Because an iOS 7 untethered is in the "priority" at the moment, it's best (from the point of the developer community in general) to collaborate on possible exploits that can also be used on iOS 7, which is why they're postponing release with iOS 7, or if it turns out to be wrong, they'll release it sooner


Sent from my iPhone via Tapa

 

[Rockguy]

Settings.app is the Settings application on the phone. You shouldn't need to access your carrier settings. If you use unlockit directly on the device, it should incorporate it without having to use something like SAMprefs.

If the previous owner did not jailbreak the device, blobs will not be available because the only iOS being signed for the 3GS now is iOS 6.1.3. If you're on the new bootrom, there's a 6.1.3/6.1.4 untethered for all devices coming soon, though it was updated to say that they're looking into the possibility of the vulnerabilities being usable on iOS 7.

Because an iOS 7 untethered is in the "priority" at the moment, it's best (from the point of the developer community in general) to collaborate on possible exploits that can also be used on iOS 7, which is why they're postponing release with iOS 7, or if it turns out to be wrong, they'll release it sooner


Sent from my iPhone via Tapa

Gotcha, I see the model number starts with MC. Why are people using this T Mobile Sim swap if all they have to do is access unlockit on the phone itself? It sounds like from what you are saying, the only thing I would lose is my jailbreak. Is that right? I'm not sure if that will affect me or not. As far as I know, I don't really use the jailbreak right now. Anything you have to say is appreciated. I really need to get all the info before trying this. I don't want to regret it. Thanks alot for your help too.

 

[willerz2]

The T-Mobile SIM method is a do-able method. It's a solid method, but that's the same as SAMprefs for jailbroken devices. From experience, as long as your device is unlocked, unlockit.co.nz will work.

 

[Rockguy]

The T-Mobile SIM method is a do-able method. It's a solid method, but that's the same as SAMprefs for jailbroken devices. From experience, as long as your device is unlocked, unlockit.co.nz will work.

So I would use SAMprefs and unlock the phone with that first? I've never heard of SAMprefs. I just googled it and it's talking about it can unlock an iphone. I presume this has to be done first because the upgrade to IOS 6.1.3 will cause me to lose jailbreak. Since I'm not switching carriers, I don't see why Straight talk can't just force settings so that everything works. I need a for dummies guide here.

 

[willerz2]

SAMprefs unlocks the carrier settings on your device. Unlocking your device is completely different. UltraSn0w supports the iPhone 3GS old bootrom up to 6.1.3. On the new bootrom 3GS, it only supports up to 6.1. It's a "free" software unlock from Cydia.

What you have to grasp is that a tethered and untethered jailbreak should not be the cause of you not upgrading your device. 95% of the jailbreaking "community" harasses and begs the developers for an untethered jailbreak. The only difference is that an untethered jailbreak does not require a computer to boot when your device is turned off or reboots. The work around, bring your charger with you when you know you're going to run your battery into the ground. If the device doesn't turn off, you won't need a computer. Simple as that.6.1.3 is tethered jailbreakable by all means on the iPhone 3GS, so you're losing nothing by upgrading to 6.1.3 and jailbreaking the device.

Get the Straight Talk AT&T compatible SIM and try it. If not, buy an IMEI unlock for the AT&T 3GS for $5 online and you won't have to worry about APN settings

 

[Rockguy]

SAMprefs unlocks the carrier settings on your device. Unlocking your device is completely different. UltraSn0w supports the iPhone 3GS old bootrom up to 6.1.3. On the new bootrom 3GS, it only supports up to 6.1. It's a "free" software unlock from Cydia.

Thanks willerz. We've determined that I have the new bootrom since my model starts with MC. I'm a little confused why an old bootrom would be supported to 6.1.3 while a new one only goes to 6.1.

I understand what you say about the tethered jailbreak however, the issue for me is, sometimes I have to reboot the phone. Especially when I try to listen to the ESPN Radio app or Iheart radio. If I don't need jailbreak for MMS, then I can probably just do without jailbreak unless you can think of something I might be missing. I don't think I use Cydia and I don't really think I have apps that only a jailbroken phone can use? As you already know, I'm a novice with this. I accomplished everything so far with step by step instructions.

Get the Straight Talk AT&T compatible SIM and try it. If not, buy an IMEI unlock for the AT&T 3GS for $5 online and you won't have to worry about APN settings

I may not have made myself clear in my OP. I already have an AT&T straight talk SIM. I got it from Straight talks website. I've used it for about a year and a half. I cannot see the cellular data tab to change things so, I may have to use one of the methods you described. I don't want to interrupt my current Straight talk service so if anything you are suggesting would cause problems with that, please let me know. Would this IMEI unlock have anything to do with that?

I guess what I'm asking is... what is the simplest way for me to go about this and what are the risks? Do I use SAMprefs? Do I buy the IMEI thing instead? What is the free software unlock from Cydia you speak of?