On TechRepublic: FREE download: Social networking policy
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet

September 24th, 2007

Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update

Posted by Larry Dignan @ 2:18 pm

Categories: Apple, General, iPhone

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple Inc., Tools & Techniques, Management, Larry Dignan

Apple is playing hardball with the unlocked iPhone movement.

In a terse statement, Apple said “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 also said that it “has discovered” the irreparable damage. Gee, think AT&T asked Apple to nuke these renegade programs?

The company added that it will release its next iPhone software update later this week. In other words, if your iPhone is set up for automatic updates it will become an iBrick. Apple’s take:

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.

In other words, if you unlock the iPhone you are iScrewed. See Jason O’Grady’s unlocking iPhone chronicles.

Larry DignanLarry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

For daily updates, follow Larry on Twitter.

Email Larry Dignan

Subscribe to Between the Lines via Email alerts or RSS.

  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 367 Talkback(s)
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update
A mere side note:
Whats really ironic is that all the sponsored links that appeared on this page were for companies that unlock iphones.... (Read the rest)
Posted by: imranpanji Posted on: 07/29/08 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Seriously...  yyuko@... | 09/24/07
All about the contract  Joe_Racer | 09/24/07
Took the risk?  yyuko@... | 09/24/07
No, they did it so as..  msalzberg | 09/24/07
 Wolfie2K3 | 09/25/07
This isn't Motorola - that's a GOOD thing?  jsm555 | 09/25/07
That's odd  laura.b | 09/26/07
Evaluating the deal...  Information_z | 09/25/07
ome other company will make a better iPhone replica (and likely quite soon)  barefoot1976 | 09/26/07
Problem is...  ivanotter | 09/26/07
Another thing...  yyuko@... | 09/24/07
Your choice not Apple's  EDIguru | 09/25/07
I'll kick you in the nads and it will be YOUR fault?  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Ach, zat waz funny  balaknair | 09/25/07
But it's you who is trying to kick Apple...  mombo | 09/26/07
Read it again, Candy Man.  Chippolus | 09/26/07
But unlocked phones don't use AT&T  Joe_Racer | 09/25/07
unlocked phones don't use AT&T  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
So What?  mds_z | 09/26/07
ER.. You must think we're all rich - or insane..  Wolfie2K3 | 09/25/07
The point is...  mds_z | 09/26/07
Well... you did buy the Paris Hilton phone...  Chippolus | 09/26/07
They paid $500  ebudae@... | 09/25/07
and....  Badgered | 09/25/07
Well the lack discounting the iPhone may come...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Yes they do!  EDIguru | 09/25/07
not sure if I get this  balaknair | 09/25/07
While a good analogy it has one little flaw...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
True but the CAR is much simpler and  mombo | 09/26/07
you point is the best so far, and trumps al other tidbits  pcguy777 | 09/25/07
paid $500  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
Wrong.  Wolfie2K3 | 09/25/07
That's nonsense  mds_z | 09/26/07
Ridiculous!!  hanamc@... | 09/25/07
Buy Out  cywelchjr | 09/25/07
Well the iPhone has one small difference...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Your right..  pcguy777 | 09/25/07
no, only a law that lets you take your phone number  mombo | 09/26/07
WRONG...  ivanotter | 09/26/07
What contract?  tkepner | 09/25/07
no contract?  Joe_Racer | 09/25/07
GoPhone  WhiteBoy99 | 09/25/07
Federal Law to unlock  bastcat8@... | 09/25/07
RE: Federal Law to unlock  networkassault | 10/23/07
"AT&T paid Apple to be exclusive. The consumer has to deal with that."  bmerc | 09/26/07
Xerox GUI  superfreakmaster | 09/26/07
RE: Xerox GUI  networkassault | 10/23/07
Everyone who did what they did with AT&T knew the outcome.  nomorems | 09/24/07
No, they didn't know the outcome  laura.b | 09/25/07
If there's a violation of the law here, then ...  alphawiz | 09/25/07
The contract..  D-Ram | 09/25/07
That's not the illegal part  laura.b | 09/25/07
The probably did talk to the lawyers from a phone prospective...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Actually, Apple's move is very illegal  kingkookie | 09/25/07
Do what, exactly?  Len Rooney | 09/25/07
If you think...  kodakmak | 10/03/07
Analogy: DirecTV new customer  gallde | 09/25/07
Not really  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Canada Laws Differ  fordomatic69@... | 09/25/07
Same in US  laura.b | 09/25/07
If this is true  fordomatic69@... | 09/25/07
Poor customer relations...  Information_z | 09/25/07
Un-half-bricking  gallde | 09/25/07
Typical Apple  gwim | 09/25/07
Anyone remember that old Superbowl ad?  warrenzunino@... | 09/25/07
No Kidding!  cuba_pete@... | 09/25/07
No Kidding!  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
BIG Difference  bodine465@... | 09/25/07
One Would Think...  Al_Fresco | 09/25/07
So, Apple has always relied on....  xuniL_z | 09/26/07
Irrelevant  maxemail@... | 09/25/07
SOUNDDS LIKE  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
A little History  56renegade | 09/25/07
And you were worried about wga.  xuniL_z | 09/24/07
I wouldn't say Microsoft is any better  voska | 09/24/07
In what way?  Chippolus | 09/25/07
I disagree  Al_Fresco | 09/25/07
nope  ivanotter | 09/26/07
The HILARIOUS thing about this  NonZealot | 09/24/07
There Non goes again. Thinking he can influence folks purchase! (NT)  nomorems | 09/24/07
The worse part is . . .  JLHenry | 09/24/07
Or is it reactive?  Chippolus | 09/25/07
yep  balaknair | 09/25/07
Not Nearly  Chippolus | 09/25/07
There Non goes again.  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
Apples and oranges as usual  Non-Zealand | 09/24/07
However  nmh | 09/25/07
incredibly.... wrong.  rtk | 09/25/07
How about a REALISTIC comparison?  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Well not ANY OS... OSx will only work on Apple...  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
Well not ANY OS... OSx will only work on Apple...  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
Urban legend, or simply a lie  frabjous | 09/26/07
too True  tdaly001@... | 09/25/07
I agree with that  balaknair | 09/25/07
Hilarious - crippling hardware!  timteck | 09/25/07
Firmware ...  undrhil | 09/25/07
New technology and software  kdcb@... | 09/25/07
A little easier to avoid the iPhone...  John L. Ries | 09/24/07
No it isn't.  laura.b | 09/25/07
You may have noticed...  John L. Ries | 09/25/07
Duh  craig-wilson@... | 09/25/07
Message has been deleted.  nomorems | 09/24/07
WGA?  Rick_K | 09/24/07
What are you talking about?  rtk | 09/25/07
Nicely done he/she Probably read it on the net and threw it up...  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
hmmmm no the fix came out with a windows update so their  SO.CAL Guy | 09/25/07
Tards who don't even use FireWire need to shut up  bmerc | 09/26/07
Microsoft crippled Firewire with xp SP 2 hmmmm thats news to me (nt)  SO.CAL Guy | 09/25/07
XP used to only back Firewire at the beginning  lauren.glenn@... | 09/25/07
Wrong, Dude.  Chippolus | 09/26/07
wrong argument Ricky  xuniL_z | 09/25/07
No cultist, no defence  Fred Fredrickson | 09/25/07
The free will is strong in this one... sshhwwwssshhh  Chippolus | 09/25/07
It's exactly the same...  comp_indiana | 09/25/07
No way, dude.  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Apples, Oranges, Mangos  Too Old For IT | 09/25/07
Good point...never looked at it like that.  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
Aw, But I like Mangos  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Exactly, more or less  Fred Fredrickson | 09/25/07
I think that's the point...they are just a like  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
I didn't say everyone that likes apple  xuniL_z | 09/25/07
No cultist, no defence  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
I'm not sure what your point is...  Resuna | 09/25/07
I think the license  xuniL_z | 09/26/07
Seems silly to me  voska | 09/24/07
Not quite  frabjous | 09/26/07
Well, I wonder if...  Confused by religion | 09/24/07
Lawsuits take longer  John L. Ries | 09/24/07
Which comes first...  yyuko@... | 09/24/07
You need to vote with your wallet  NonZealot | 09/24/07
Already voting with my wallet  yyuko@... | 09/24/07
Get an Archos or Sandisk instead  bart001fr | 09/25/07
Message has been deleted.  nomorems | 09/24/07
Defend the hive!!!!! (nt).  rtk | 09/25/07
nomorems is an idiot...ovbiously ZDNet agrees  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
Or is he...  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Your imagination runs wild today! NT  Non-Zealand | 09/24/07
All this aside...  TechinMN | 09/25/07
Just silly  frabjous | 09/26/07
Message has been deleted.  nomorems | 09/24/07
"MS Loser" is sooo old  yyuko@... | 09/24/07
We are all sooooo very proud of you...  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
There's a simple fix:  JLHenry | 09/24/07
Now Thats getting your money's worth...  Chippolus | 09/25/07
well they don't have to take the 1.1 upgrade do they?  doctorSpoc | 09/24/07
Try it this way...  Chippolus | 09/25/07
cars analogy  bigsibling | 09/25/07
Just a trial balloon  rhomp2002@... | 09/25/07
Which comes first...  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
I predict a lawsuit of Biblical proportions...  wolf_z | 09/24/07
I prefer BASS damages instead of Tebel damages. Sounds better! (NT)  nomorems | 09/24/07
Been hanging around Groklaw too much...  wolf_z | 09/24/07
Groklaw too much  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
way to show your ignorance (nt)  rtk | 09/25/07
Actually it may also be very criminal...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
wishfull thinking  balsover | 09/25/07
He may have a point.  wolf_z | 09/25/07
When did they agree to it ?????  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Read the license  balsover | 09/25/07
Ever heard the term "unconsciousable"?  wolf_z | 09/25/07
I think this is the 5th time today I've said this  laura.b | 09/25/07
As I posted before....  mrOSX | 09/25/07
You would be wrong  frabjous | 09/26/07
Well if you buy the iphone say from a pawn shop....  mrOSX | 09/27/07
Gee, think AT&T asked Apple to nuke...  MGP2 | 09/24/07
If anyone who bought...  msalzberg | 09/24/07
Following my own post here..  msalzberg | 09/24/07
So what?  TripleII | 09/24/07
So what?  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
SOFTWARE, Bro, not Hardware.  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Talk about jumping to conclusions  V-Train | 09/24/07
Can I answer that?  Rick_K | 09/24/07
Message has been deleted.  rtk | 09/25/07
Now, be civil, rtk  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Translation:  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Someone will report you to the mods  gitmo | 09/25/07
More illegal logic  Hu-Dog | 09/25/07
The evidence? Read their statement  Leria | 09/25/07
What is Apple really saying?  Ken_z | 09/24/07
You don't own your hardware if you buy an iPhone.  ethana2 | 09/25/07
Help me out here...  veecif2 | 09/24/07
I don't think that's why they're upset  laura.b | 09/25/07
Big lie theory  frabjous | 09/26/07
When will people start READING?!?!?!?!  laura.b | 10/01/07
Not a problem.  jrodulio@... | 09/24/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  Non-Zealand | 09/24/07
So undo the hack  cywelchjr | 09/25/07
Not if its rendered inoperable.  Chippolus | 09/25/07
then don't install the update first  Hu-Dog | 09/25/07
Use of Language, Brother.  Chippolus | 09/26/07
It may be mission successful for deterring ....  mrOSX | 09/26/07
I hear you.  Chippolus | 09/26/07
anyone surprised?  patibulo | 09/25/07
I pity the fools who bought iphones.  kraterz | 09/25/07
Nothing a JTAG interface, and a copy of the original Apple firmware...  Scrat | 09/25/07
is it possible?  patibulo | 09/25/07
It may have the pins exposed of the circuit board...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
This is nothing new...  jasonacg | 09/25/07
it's the PHONE  timbrady1124@... | 09/25/07
Well this is very sad situation and right before Christmas...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
why should Apple raise 1 finger to make update work with unlocke iPhones?  doctorSpoc | 09/25/07
Well 2 issues  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Should be 3 not 2  mrOSX | 09/25/07
#3 is very interesting point...2nd Market sales  socialism=nowhere | 09/25/07
None of them matter  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Responses  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Why did you bother?  rhavyn | 09/25/07
But......  zenwalker | 09/25/07
Where has that even been alluded to?  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Respones2  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Can't get anything right  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Warranty not the point  laura.b | 09/26/07
Neglect vs. Sabotage?  chas_2 | 09/25/07
Don't exaggerate!  Eriamjh | 09/25/07
It had to be AT&T that called for the nuke of hacks?  laura.b | 09/25/07
Well there could be small loophole...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Agreed  laura.b | 09/25/07
This is according to AT&T  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Good question  laura.b | 09/25/07
Just to make it clear  laura.b | 09/25/07
Bzzt, wrong  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Bzzt, wrong...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
And you're wrong again  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Bzzt... You aren't paying Attention AGAIN  Chippolus | 09/25/07
RE: Bzzt... You aren't paying Attention AGAIN  rhavyn | 09/25/07
You are focused on your point and missing everyone else's.  Chippolus | 09/25/07
RE: You are focused on your point and missing everyone else's.  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Bzzt, you can not get anything right either....  mrOSX | 09/26/07
How big of a hammer will it take  bmerc | 09/26/07
Are you unable to read, or are you just dumb?  laura.b | 09/26/07
Agreed!  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
Not a loophole  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Not a loophole  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
And everyone should be issued a pink unicorn at birth  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Get a real job  mrOSX | 09/26/07
Does Apple make a combat model?  Chippolus | 09/26/07
Apple has not changed at all  jfreedle2@... | 09/25/07
New word for the dictionary  bart001fr | 09/25/07
not changed at all  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
ROTFLMAO  kiddpeat | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  nigel@... | 09/25/07
LOL!  xxn1927 | 09/25/07
An Apple a day, is like a MS enema  lorenfoster@... | 09/25/07
Wow. And I was going to switch to Apple!  CommSoft | 09/25/07
...or maybe...  cgapperi | 09/25/07
Dumb Apple buyers deserve what they get  alevek | 09/25/07
or maybe...  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  alphawiz | 09/25/07
What happens when  dancac | 09/25/07
You can't  alphawiz | 09/25/07
Actaully you can walk into and Apple store and buy the...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Doesn't matter  rhavyn | 09/25/07
My issue is not with the voided warranty...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Your experiences really don't matter  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Translation? I must...  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Eh?  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Apple joins Sony making MS look benign  idea-catalyst | 09/25/07
Yeah, scary, isn't it...  Chippolus | 09/25/07
probably not  alphawiz | 09/25/07
I just visited the Apple site and learned two things...  Beat a Dead Horse | 09/25/07
They've changed all the rules  WhoIsDaMan | 09/25/07
Users Have Changed the Rules  Tiquor | 09/25/07
Lets Hope you are right.  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Reason to avoid Apple  wrfloyd@... | 09/25/07
AT&T WILL unlock it if requested  laura.b | 09/25/07
Changing rules...  Hans Schmidt | 09/25/07
Changing rules  fj1200 | 09/25/07
HAHAHA!!!!  Steve Goldman | 09/25/07
Hmmm  desamuelson | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  Pretorien | 09/25/07
Stay tuned for the Tort!  rjacksix | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  mdkarr | 09/25/07
You should also hear State Attorney's...  mrOSX | 09/25/07
Spin  filker0 | 09/25/07
I should have read this post before submitting mine.  johnc@... | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  Baer | 09/25/07
Interesting  Troll Hunter | 09/25/07
I really doubt the update will render the phone unusable  johnc@... | 09/25/07
IBrick??. What DMCA says!!..  Alexrogi | 09/25/07
Another reason I LOATHE AT&T  chas_2 | 09/25/07
Wow, so it's entirely AT&Ts fault, huh?  laura.b | 09/25/07
AT&T and Apple Holding people hostage  genefitz1976 | 09/25/07
I installed an Autozone alternator in my Taurus - Ford disabled my car!  bruce@... | 09/25/07
Call to Ford Customer Support  Hu-Dog | 09/25/07
The Netwrok Is King  Girth. | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  wizworks | 09/25/07
I PHONE UNLOCK  jim-cass@... | 09/25/07
disclosed?  johnc@... | 09/25/07
Apple = Communism  tteazis@... | 09/25/07
Doesn't sound like open source to me happy  joe.smetona@... | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  jack-daniels@... | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  CodeBubba | 09/25/07
Updates must be compatible with hacks  woot! | 09/25/07
No no no  laura.b | 09/25/07
We're talking about a cell phone's firmware  rhavyn | 09/25/07
Please tell us exactly what your definition...  mrOSX | 09/26/07
Again you illustrate either total illiteracy or total drunkeness  laura.b | 09/26/07
Is this response directed @ me ???  mrOSX | 09/26/07
No!! At the other on the thread  laura.b | 09/26/07
Sometimes it is hard for me to tell...  mrOSX | 09/26/07
Hee hee... Mr Osx gets a wrong number again  Chippolus | 09/26/07
No it's the lamb zdnet interface...  mrOSX | 09/27/07
no no no no  Hu-Dog | 09/25/07
whoops  Hu-Dog | 09/25/07
Well, that's cool  laura.b | 09/26/07
Apple Nukem ??  jack-daniels@... | 09/25/07
Network, Network, Network  stevets32 | 09/25/07
Right to hack...  belkorin | 09/25/07
Just another Zombie in the Apple Army  Jaytmoon | 09/25/07
Oh Apple  sir_fuzz@... | 09/25/07
agreed.  rlescaille | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  rlescaille | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  bikes4four@... | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  thought@... | 09/25/07
use your new iPhone  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
Reality Check!  chapy2 | 09/25/07
Heck ATT is the problem  agohige | 09/25/07
It's their right...  3dtodd | 09/25/07
Go back to the end of the line  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Go back to the end of the line  aussieblnd@... | 09/25/07
Ha ha... Nice.  Chippolus | 09/26/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  ZenaPrincess | 09/25/07
Just turn off auto-update.........  privatemale@... | 09/25/07
Everyone that says how easy it is...  Chippolus | 09/25/07
Sue the bastards!  DemonX | 09/25/07
Apple to nuke unlocked iphones  windozefreak | 09/25/07
FTC and FCC  tbanks204 | 09/25/07
iPhone  tbanks204 | 09/25/07
The lesson: SmartPhone not iPhone  butler360 | 09/25/07
Please never complain about microsoft again  pcguy777 | 09/25/07
No way, Infidel.  Chippolus | 09/26/07
What's in a Stolen Name!  roog | 09/25/07
IS APPLE VIOLATING US LAW  pcguy777 | 09/25/07
What the DMCA says about YOUR rights..  Alexrogi | 09/25/07
Apple  Donn_z | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  phatkat | 09/25/07
Well several things  mrOSX | 09/25/07
drink your kool-aid and shut up  ecolew@... | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  madrucke@... | 09/25/07
Why does Apple get a way with this???  STSanford | 09/25/07
Nuke Apple and AT  crawdad2k | 09/25/07
Well I have been boycotting Cingular(AT&T)... since  mrOSX | 09/26/07
Why unlock it anyway?  jimr_r | 09/25/07
Why unlock it anyway?  undrhil | 09/25/07
Aren't you glad you bought an iPhone?  Narg | 09/25/07
Re: iTunes in tune  brichter | 09/25/07
Apple equals.....?  mcphoto | 09/25/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  aardvark77 | 09/25/07
People Unlock for one reason---  SirCatlord | 09/25/07
It's a software update!  bigrockhead@... | 09/25/07
You're living up to your name, bigrockhead...  bmerc | 09/26/07
When will you NORMAL people learn?  Chippolus | 09/26/07
Why buy into a lock-in, when you can lock-out?  gmureddu@... | 09/26/07
If the Update doesn't iBrick you  meanoldmom | 09/26/07
What's the difference?  Marty R. Milette | 09/26/07
Actually you pay the full price for the Apple Phone...  mrOSX | 09/26/07
But what about your anti-trust laws?  goldenpirate@... | 09/26/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  barefoot1976 | 09/26/07
Apple Schmapple  vger_z | 09/26/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  IfYoureFeelingSinister29 | 09/26/07
Simple... DON'T UPDATE!  jediguard@... | 09/27/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  3weekend | 09/30/07
Bought their iPhones?  hanoveral@... | 10/04/07
What a shocker  kiwicreature | 10/04/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  Tekman | 10/19/07
Another one bites the dust.  malia@... | 10/22/07
RE: Apple to nuke unlocked iPhones with next update  imranpanji | 07/29/08

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Essential Topics Click Here

advertisement

Recent Entries

advertisement

Archives

Favorite Links

ZDNet Blogs

White Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

  • Smart Tech Expert advice on innovations in healthcare and the green technologies that make it happen. Find out more
  • Smart Business Discussion and advice on management issues that revolve around making your world smarter and more useful. More Smart Advice
  • Smart People The best and worst moves in the management and strategy trenches. Learn More