Here’s a little tip that is still fairly unknown to a lot of TMobile customers, if you have an unlocked iPhone, you can have TMobile’s data plan for only $9.99. If you are one of the lucky few who still have the $5.99 TZones plan on your account, you can also use that for internet connectivity.

So what do you need to do?

Call TMobile and let them know you have an iPhone and that you’d like to add a data plan to your account. I believe it is called the Total Internet Plan and it should cost $9.99 a month. I know some customers that have been told this plan is not available and ended up with a $29.99 data plan so make sure you specifically tell them you want the $9.99 plan. As of May 12, 2010 TMobile confirmed with me that the $9.99 plan is only available for smart-phones that are not sold by TMobile.

Once you have the plan added to your account, you should see the E (Edge icon) appear on the status bar. If you don’t see it, turn off WiFi temporarily. If you still do not see the E, try rebooting the phone. You may also have to reset your iPhone’s network and reboot.

Once you get EDGE up and running, you may want to set up your APN settings so that you can send/receive MMS.

Let me know if you were able to successfully add the $9.99 data plan, I’m pretty sure it’ll be helpful for a lot of people.

To configure your settings, go to: Settings – General – Network – Cellular Data Network. Please note that I’m using an iPhone 3Gs on firmware 3.1.2.

UPDATE – 07/07/2010 – I just upgraded to IOS4 and these settings still work.

Under the MMS settings use the following values:

APN: wap.voicestream.com
Username:
Password:
MMSC: http://mms.msg.eng.t-mobile.com/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy: 216.155.165.050
MMS Max Message Size: 1048576 <--optional

There’s a few of my readers noted that their iphone do not have the Cellular Data Network therefore unable to update their MMS settings. If yours is missing, follow these steps:

1. Open cydia and install winterboard
2. Add source: http://cydia.xsellize.com
3. Search Supreme Preferences 3.0 and install
4. Open winterboard
5. Check it off the supreme preference tab and respring
6. Then go to settings
7. Click supreme preferences tab and go to applications, than go to phone.
8. Cellular data tab: On
9. Click Home, then Settings
10. General – Network – u should now see Cellular Data Network.

If you’re still having problems receiving MMS after completing the steps above, try this video tutorial:

This instruction applies to iPhone firmware 3.0 only:

Step 1 – Go to Settings

Step 2 – Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars

Step 3 – Tap Add Account

Step 4 – Select Microsoft Exchange

Step 5 – In the Email field, enter your full GMail address (name@gmail.com)

Step 6 – Leave the Domain field blank

Step 7 – Username is your full GMail account

Step 8 – Password is your GMail password….duhhh!

Step 9 – Tap Next at the very top (choose Accept if the Unable to Verify Certificate dialog appears)

Step 10 -  You will see a field called Server, enter m.google.com

Step 11 – Tap Next at the very top

Step 12 – Select the Google services you want to sync. Currently only Contacts and Calendar are supported

Step 13 – Unless you want to delete all the existing Contacts and Calendars on your phone, select the Keep on my iPhone option when prompted. This will also allow you to keep syncing with your computer via iTunes.

Step 14 – REJOICE!!!

Google Sync is now set for your iPhone. Synchronization will begin automatically if you have Push enabled on your phone. You can also open the Calendar or Contacts app and wait a few seconds to start a sync.

I’ve been receiving quite a number of emails about iPhone users on the T Mobile network who suddenly can no longer use their EDGE connection. I myself was stumped for a while after learning that my iPhone can no longer browse the internet but can still receive email messages. So after doing my research online I found out that T Mobile recently updated their IP address for T Zones which would explain why everybody using the T Zones hack can no longer use their EDGE connection.

Well here’s a workaround for you. Right click and save this file as proxy.pac and replace your current proxy.pac file in your iPhone. For users that are on Firmware 2.0 and above just use Cydia to update your T Zones Hack. For users that are on firmware 1.1.x upload the file to /var/preferences/.
Firmware 1.1.4 upload to /var/root.
For users that are on firmware 1.0.2 and below, upload the file to /private/var/root.

Yeah But How The Heck Do I Upload?

You can still use iBrickr to upload into your phone’s file system, I was able to successfully update my friend’s iPhone using iBrickr. Please note that iBrickr may only work on firmwares 1.0.2 and below. You may also use winscp but you will need wifi access in order to browse your iPhone.

Once you have the file uploaded double check your EDGE settings, the APN should say wap.voicestream.com, the username and password is Guest. Reboot the iPhone just to make sure everything’s ok, and try surfing now.

Notes from the WINPWN Page:
- You MUST do a full uninstall of winpwn before installing the new version
- Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes ( Currently 7.7)
- WinPwn uses 300MB of ram at peak due to the ipsw being extracted in memory
- You must first click browse and load an IPSW to use WinPwn (i thought this was clear)
- For 2.0 only the *5A347_Restore.ipsw files are valid. The 345 image will not work
- If you see Failed to load image catalog/payload catalog, this is fine and won’t cause problems
- If you already have service with AT&T do not activate or install Youtube Fix

I’ve been dreading upgrading my iPhone firmware because the last update I performed rendered my phone useless for about 3 days, luckily I was able to resurrect it after working on it straight for 72 hours. Since that day I vowed to never attempt another firmware update.

Well along comes firmware 2.0

This firmware is unlike any of the previous firmware releases, which is more than enough reason for me to try and see what the fuss is all about. I knew there was a possibility that I can brick my iPhone forever but I’m a risk taker so I went ahead and updated from firmware 1.1.1 to firmware 2.0 and guess what? The upgrade was flawless using WINPWN.

STEP 1

Download WINPWN 2.0.0.3
Install the application, connect your iPhone to your pc and launch iTunes.

STEP 2

Download firmware 2.0 via iTunes or you can find it on various sites, just Google it…quit being lazy!

STEP 3

Download the following 2 files: 3.9BL & 4.6BL
These are bootloader files that you’ll need to install during the process. Save it on your desktop or any folder you want.

STEP 4

Let’s go ahead and launch WINPWN. Click on Browse .ipsw, locate firmware 2.0 you just downloaded and click on open. This will load the firmware into WINPWN.

STEP 5

Click on IPSW builder and WINPWN will create a custom IPSW. This will bring up the IPSW builder, simply copy the settings you see from the images below:

STEP 6

At the advanced tab we need to load the 2 bootloader files we downloaded earlier, click on the first button and load BL-39.bin, click the the second button and load BL-46.bin.

Now click Build .ipsw, save the custom ipsw…this process will take about 5-10 minutes so be patient. Once it’s done building the firmware you will get a pop up stating Successfully created IPSW file, click OK.

STEP 7

Double click the custom IPSW you just built, you will then be notified that your iTunes has been Pwned! Click OK.

STEP 8

We need to put the iPhone in DFU mode. Press the power button and home button at the same time until the phone turns off. Once it’s off let go of the power button but keep the Home button pressed for another 10 seconds. Itunes will recognize that your phone is in recovery mode and will ask you if you want to restore. Click OK.

STEP 9

Now in Itunes, you want to hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click the restore button, this will allow you to browse the custom IPSW you just created. Go ahead and select your IPSW and restore…Once this is done you should have an unlocked and jailbroken iPhone Firmware 2.0 !

The new version of the iPhone harnesses the power of AT&T’s broad and powerful 3G mobile broadband network, which offers 3G mobile phones download speeds of up to 1.4 Mbps.

Key Device Features:

Operates on Wi-Fi, EDGE, and 3G networks
New enterprise e-mail capability with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
New iPhone software development kit (SDK) to support new innovative applications
Note: 2G iPhone customers will be able to download the iPhone 2.0 software from iTunes which enables new features such as access to corporate e-mail via Microsoft ActiveSync.

New Activation Process and BRE:
The iPhone 3G will be activated at point of sale when the device is purchased, in store. The BRE period will change from 14 days to 30 days and will require the device to be returned to place of purchase before service is cancelled.

Pricing and Plans
Device Pricing:
$199 8GB and $299 16GB for new activations and qualified upgrades with 2-year agreement.

Data Plans and Pricing:
The iPhone 3G will be activated on existing AT&T voice rate plans, but new data plans have been created for the 3G device.

All iPhone 3G customers are required to have one of the new data plans and qualifying voice plan.
Customers intending to use the iPhone 3G for access to corporate e-mail, business applications, or access to corporate intranet are required to activate with Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone.
The 2G data rate plans will remain available for 2G devices until further notice.
IRU service discounts for both voice and data pans will apply to iPhone 3G, but not 2G iPhone.
CRU service discounts for voice and data will apply to both 2G and 3G, when on a qualifying data plan.
IRUs will not get a discount on device purchase for 2G or iPhone 3Gs.
Data Pricing will be as follows:
Consumer Data Plan (must be added to qualified voice plan):
$30 – Unlimited Data (E-mail/Web), includes Visual Voicemail

Enterprise Data Plan (must be added to qualified voice plan):
$45 – Unlimited Data with personal and corporate e-mail, web, includes Visual Voicemail

Upgrade Eligibility and Qualified Upgrade Pricing
Upgrade eligibility will be determined based on standard upgrade eligibility rules. Customers must be upgrade eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing. However, not all customers will be qualified upgrades. AT&T has not determined the price of the 3G device for non-qualified upgrades.

All customers will be required to sign a 2-year agreement. There will not be a “no commitment” price for the iPhone 3G.

Note: When the 3G device launches, all active postpaid customers in good standing with a 2G iPhone will be eligible to receive the qualified upgrade pricing for a 3G device regardless of service tenure. (Customers that would not otherwise be eligible due to tenure will be made eligible at launch).

Activation Process
The new 3G device will be activated in store in both AT&T and Apple stores. Customers must accept AT&T and Apple Ts & Cs, sign a 2-year agreement, and select the data plan for the iPhone 3G before leaving the store. The current iTunes activation process will no longer be required for iPhone 3Gs, however a short tether process to unbrick the 3G device will be performed in all AT&T stores (tether cords will be provided). Apple stores will also perform this tether process, however in the event that a customer’s device is not tethered in the Apple store, their device will be inoperable until they get home and tether through iTunes. Prepaid and Pick Your Plan will not be allowed on the 3G device.

The SSK has been modified to allow customers interested in the iPhone 3G to enter their information, select rate plans and data plans, and print a document that will allow COR reps to quickly access the customer’s information in OPUS and save time for data entry in the activation process.

Note: In the interim, 2G iPhones will continue to be activated via iTunes – BAU. This is also true for existing AT&T customers who receive a 2G device as a gift, hand-me-down, etc. and wish to activate the device. Existing AT&T customers who switch to the 2G iPhone must tether through the iTunes process to begin using the device.

Compensation
Because the 3G device will be activated in store, compensation for the 3G device will be BAU. COR reps will receive compensation for upgrades and new activations with a 2-year agreement.

Purchase Limit
The device purchase limit will remain three (3) per customer for iPhone 3G in AT&T stores.

Allocations
If allocations are required at launch, supply chain will allocate based on January-April sales rates applied on a store-by-store basis.

Direct Fulfillment
The DF tool will be available at launch in COR for iPhone 3Gs. Customers will be required to pay for the device when the order is placed and the phone will be shipped to the store in the customer’s name.

Existing Stock of 2G Devices
We will continue to sell 2G devices until stock is depleted.

Return Policy
2G Devices
Customers who recently purchased a 2G iPhone may want to return their device once they hear about the 3G model and price point, but the new device will not be available immediately. Since the announcement and launch will be about 30 days apart, we could lose some customers who are within their BRE period and want to return their device before their 14 days expires and wait for the new 3G device. We must acknowledge and address their desire to get the best device for them.

Here’s how AT&T will handle 2G iPhone returns:

If a customer purchased before 5/27, we will follow BAU processes – no device returns. However, all postpaid 2G iPhone customers in good standing are upgrade eligible, so these customers will qualify to upgrade to a 3G iPhone when it is available.
If a customer purchased on or after 5/27 (within the 14-day BRE period before the product announcement on 6/9), we will let them exchange their 2G iPhone for an iPhone 3G before August 1. This means that after we launch the 3G model they can return their 2G iPhone, pay the 10% restocking fee, and purchase a new iPhone 3G before August 1.
Note: This modified return policy applies only to customers who purchase from AT&T stores.

3G Devices
The return policy for 3G is changing from 14 days to 30 days for both Apple and AT&T stores.

To cancel service within the first 30 days, the customer must return their equipment to the place of purchase (no exceptions).
If the customer cancels service after 30 days, they will be charged the ETF. The customer is not required to return the device to cancel after 30 days.
Special Notes Regarding 2G Devices

After the iPhone 3G launches, activations of 2G iPhones for new AT&T customers can be performed in COR stores or in the existing iTunes tether process. COR reps will receive compensation for activations of new AT&T customers done in store.
2G upgrades will continue to be activated via the existing iTunes tether process.
Existing 2G data plans will remain available for 2G devices until further notice.
Note: 2G iPhones are out of stock in the DCs, and the Direct Fulfillment tool for 2G is turned off. 2G iPhones have been removed from the “myRewards” incentive catalog.

Merchandising/Marketing

Current 2G iPhones should remain on device fixtures in store. Do not remove 2G demo devices until further notice.
3G demos will be pulled from stock when they arrive following BAU process for display devices.
Video loop content will be pushed to stores when it is available.
New docks and retrofit kits will be provided for existing iPhone fixtures.
The following merchandising elements will be in stores for launch:

Rate brochure and display rate card
22 x 28 poster
Window banner
Duratrans – will be available for markets to order
Coming Soon: Posters and banners are TBD
Training

Device training, including features and functionality, will be available via My CSP by 6/13.
OPUS training will begin no later than 6/20 and will be delivered via the Learning Edge.
Launch preparedness training, including last minute details, will be conducted the week of launch (if needed) via RSM or Centra sessions.
Communications/My CSP
All iPhone-related communications, inclusive of training announcements, will be posted to My CSP. Login and access are via the “Everything iPhone 3G” ad space. Or search on either keyword “iZone” or keyword “iPhone 3G” to locate.

Launch Plans
Support logistics for launch day will mirror last year’s iPhone launch:

Letters will be sent to all landlords under VP/GM signature for advance notice of store hours, crowds expected, possible parking issues, etc.
Security will be provided for locations requesting armed police or unarmed, uniformed guards.
Manager checklists will be provided to support RSMs to set expectations and help them be prepared to complete all required actions.
Documents will be posted on iZone to let RSMs know when to expect delivery of launch support materials.
Job descriptions for key launch day functions will be provided for: Back Office Manager/Inventory Runner, Crowd Manager, Greeter, Product Demonstrator, and Security Support.

For some reason or another my iPhone seems to crash whenever I’m browsing online or just trying to run some applications. I’ve done a restore about 6 times already hoping to resolve the issue, I’ve even downgraded to firmware 1.0.2 and nothing seems to resolve it. I was starting to think that my iPhone might have gotten messed up somehow when I hacked it. It was getting really annoying, I was at the point where I just wanted to sell this one and buy a brand new iPhone. But I didn’t want to hand this off to anybody knowing there is something wrong with it, so I devoted some time into investigating what was causing my phone to crash.

It took me about 2 weeks to figure out but I finally found out what the culprit was. It’s a setting within Summerboard that was causing my frequent crash. Now you have 2 options to fix this problem, one, you simply uninstall/remove Summerboard and don’t ever use it again. Two, go into the Summerboard settings and switch the “Dim Wallpaper” setting to Off. I chose the latter.

My iPhone hasn’t crashed once ever since I changed this setting, this will work on firmware 1.0.2 and 1.1.1, not sure about 1.1.2 because I haven’t upgraded yet.

I’ve had my hacked iPhone for quite a while now and always wondered if I can use T Mobile’s data plan on it. I called customer service and asked if I would be able to run their data plan on my iPhone, the person I spoke with told me that it was impossible and cannot be done. I refused to believe this so I did my research online on using T Mobile’s EDGE with the iPhone, and low and behold there are quite a few iPhone owners out there using the T Mobile EDGE connection. It looks like you CAN USE T Mobile’s T Zones internet connection on your iPhone. The best part is it only cost $5.99 a month! Now this requires a simple hack but it is very easy to follow, let’s get to it:

You will need iBrickr to browse the file system of your iPhone.
Download iBrickr

If you’ve never used iBrickr before visit the link below for a video tutorial:
View tutorial

If iBrickr doesn’t work for you, try using WINSCP, it will also allow you to view and modify the files in your iPhone much like iBrickr.

Once you have iBrickr downloaded and the PXL files installed on your iPhone, you will launch iBrickr.exe. You’ll see the main interface, click on files to browse your phone’s file system.

( This procedure is for firmware 1.1.2 and under )

Locate /private/var/root

Launch notepad and paste this code:

function FindProxyForURL(url, host)
{
if (isInNet(myIpAddress(), "25.0.0.0", "255.0.0.0"))
return "PROXY 216.155.165.50:8080";
else
return "DIRECT";
}

Save the file as proxy.pac and upload it to /private/var/root

Right-click this file and select “Save Link As”, you need to save the file as preferences.plist, you will then upload preferences.plist into the following iPhone directory:

/private/var/root/Library/Preferences/
SystemConfiguration/preferences.plist

NOTE : If you are on firmware 1.1.3 and 1.1.4, upload the preferences.plist to this directory:

/private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration

This will over write the current file that’s already in that directory.

Now grab your iPhone and tap Settings – General – Network – EDGE. The APN you will use is wap.voicestream.com, username and password will be guest. Reboot your iPhone and voila…you should be able to browse online using EDGE.

NOTE: After performing this hack I noticed that EDGE interfered with my wifi connection at home. If this happens to you, here’s a very helpful solution. Launch iBrickr.exe again, this time we will click on Applications. Click on the Browse Applications button, this will launch a list of 3rd party apps you can install at your will, for our purpose we will install an app called Services. Basically this will allow you to turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, and EDGE.

Once you’re done with the installation, iPhone will reboot and on your Springboard you should see a Services icon, tap the icon and here you can toggle between your EDGE and WiFi connection. Here’s the screenshot:

UPDATES…UPDATES…UPDATES… UPDATES…UPDATES…

Updated 07/01/09
If you’re on firmware 3.0, there’s no need to perform this hack. All you need to do is set up your APN. Go to Settings – General – Network – Cellular Data Network. In the APN field enter wap.voicestream.com, leave the username and password blank. That’s all you need to do to get EDGE running on your iPhone.

Updated 9/01/08
T-Mobile USA has changed the IP address in their system for the T-Zones service. For anyone on 1.1.4 and below you will have to SSH in and manually change your settings or upgrade to 2.0+ and install the NEW T-Zones Hack provided by Big Boss in Cydia. For anyone on 2.0+ who has the previous hack installed you will need to update to the new one.

You must subscribe to the $5.99 T-Zones service for the T-Zones hack to work.

“For 1.1.x users that really don’t want to upgrade, you can fix proxy.pac yourself but editing the file /var/preferences/proxy.pac and changing 10.0.0.0? to 25.0.0.0”

Updated 2/19/08

This hack works on firmware 1.1.3, it’s been verified by a couple readers from this blog. The preferences.plist can be found at this directory:

/private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration

Updated 1/10/08

I’ve decided to copy this post over to a different forum so that others can post and maybe offer some suggestions or tips on making this work. Please go to: http://www.iphoneshowoff.com

Updated 12/20/07

Download the zipped file below and used these files if you are having trouble renaming your files. This zipped file contains proxy.pac and preferences.plist – preferences.plist may just show up as preferences depending on your pc, this is fine…just upload these 2 files to the appropriate locations.

edge-files.zip

Updated 12/01/07

This hack works on firmware 1.1.1. I finally updated my firmware and EDGE works flawlessly. I have both the 4GB and 8GB updated to 1.1.1 and so far everything is working as it should.

Updated 10/25/07

Some people are having problems with the preferences.plist I have, if the one I provided doesn’t work out for you try using the one from the link below:

http://uneasysilence.com/archive/2007/09/12232/

Thanks Paul !!!

Updated 10/24/07Here’s a comprehensive list of EDGE settings for different countries:
http://www.taniwha.org.uk/gprs.html

Updated 10/23/07There seems to be a bit of confusion about making this hack work, let me just clarify a few things.

- You don’t have to buy the $19.99 data plan with T Mobile, the $5.99 plan is all you need.
- There are 2 files you need in order to make this work, proxy.pac and preferences.plist (both are on this page).
- To enable EDGE go to Settings – General – Network – EDGE. APN will be wap.voicestream.com, username and password will be guest.