4 Comments

Apple Say’s Tough Luck With Your Unlocked iPhone

September 25, 2007 by in Apple with 4 Comments

So, yea, Apple is pissed off about you unlocking your iPhone.

Apple has discovered that many of the unauthorized iPhone unlocking programs available on the Internet cause irreparable damage to the iPhone’s software, which will likely result in the modified iPhone becoming permanently inoperable when a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed. Apple plans to release the next iPhone software update, containing many new features including the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store later this week. Apple strongly discourages users from installing unauthorized unlocking programs on their iPhones. Users who make unauthorized modifications to the software on their iPhone violate their iPhone software license agreement and void their warranty. The permanent inability to use an iPhone due to installing unlocking software is not covered under the iPhone’s warranty.

Wow, they will actually void your warranty?! I understand that it is their obligation to the cellular carrier to be sure they unlocking the iPhone is as difficult as possible, but a simple provision in the firmware update mechanism can simply undo all the locking by reprogramming the radio back to factory standards. They don’t need to void a warranty. Thats BS!

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  • Andrew

    The way i read it, it they are merely voiding the iPhone’s software warranty (aka your phone support assistance for bundled products). Apple have always reserved the right to not provide service if they believe you were misusing their product.

    Apple also have a responsibility to A) Their Carriers, B) Their Music Labels and C) Their Shareholders.

    The point really is, If your phone is currently hacked, then don’t upgrade, or revert it to factory standard before upgrading.

    I don’t see why so many people are complaining- It’s one of the first phones that’s really -properly- been hackable in the first place, what’s to say someone wont find a new exploit after the next update. It’s also not like other companies don’t do this to you as well- Sony, Nintendo etc will void warranties and refuse service if you’re not using the recommended firmware on their handheld devices.

  • websnap

    Why wouldn’t you warranty be voided? If you hack your phone then you have participated in uses not supported by apple. If the update causes the hack to render your phone a brick after it’s installation, who’s fault is that? It’s not that they won’t fix it, just not for free. Makes sense to me since everyone who installed the hack knew the consequences.

    I can’t put a chip into my Nintendo Wii then complain that I can’t install a software update. I would have purposely voided the warranty. All the legal information with the phone (as well as most of the info that comes with the hacks) says you are in fact voiding the warranty. It’s not Apple’s fault. They can’t just “adjust” for any of the various hack that could be in the wild just so users can remain under warranty. They have a responsibility to at least “appear” to honor AT&T’s agreement, and working to protect the hacks wouldn’t really be conducive to that. If_ and that is only if_ the update breaks it there is only the user to blame.

    In all honesty thought, I think there is probably a good chance it won’t break it, it’s more of a save face to AT&T.

  • http://www.hatejeff.com Hatejeff

    No Apple has a responsibility to the customer, that is there biggest responsibility… It is perfectly legal to unlock any cell phone in the U.S Its dumb that apple are trying to take care of its partner at the expense of its customer…. Why apple? Why must you go along with the cellular sheep. Think out of the box release a phone that can be used on all networks…..

  • philipo

    yeah websnap,

    your totally right enough it’s right they are punishing people for actually finding faults in the system,

    JUUUUUUST like they did when the Ipod said “don’t steal music” on a screen sticker. Funny how apple didn’t issue statements saying stay away from ipodrip or you ipod will break!! You know why? cos they knew things like ipodrip would make the contents of the ipod even more available…. it’s the same with the iphone you fool……. stick out a statement saying don’t unlock the thing but then realise all those people who didnt wanna switch from sprint/verizon etc,,,, all these guys can al of a sudden be seen on the street with an iphone, = friends asking about unlocked versions on ebay/chinatown etc etc etc etc need I say more? do you see where this is going???

    i’ll tell you. apple being happy that people are hacking the crap out of their phones because it will subsequently mean more sales and at&t getting pissed off cos half the people with iphones have them unlocked on t-mobile……THEN apple release weekly updates in order to constantly remove unlocking codes.

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