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Bought used jailbroken 3GS, won't activate after restore

Just bought a used 3GS that was jailbroken by the seller. We tested the SIM card in the phone and the AT&T network showed right up no problem. We didn't care to have it jailbroke, so I brought it home and did a restore on the phone. The phone rebooted and behaved like a new phone. Asking language, location, WiFi network, etc. I noticed that during this process the top showed that it was searching for the phone network.... it stayed in that mode. I went to the activation screen and it sits there forever and then comes back with a message saying the activation server is unavailable.

So... I connected this to iTunes to activate.... and iTunes says that the SIM card is not in the phone (it is).....

Anyone have this problem? And better yet... a solution

iPhone 3GS, iOS 5.1.1

Posted on Aug 25, 2012 1:42 PM

22 replies

Aug 25, 2012 4:55 PM in response to Doug Stringham

Go to Settings/General/About and look at the baseband (modem firmware) version. If it's 6.15 the phone has an iPad baseband, and there is no way to make it work without replacing that with the correct baseband. To do that you will have to look elsewhere than an Apple forum. You can TRY a DFU restore as follows, but that isn't a guarantee either.

0. Reboot your computer

1. Launch iTunes

2. Disable your antivirus and firewall

3. Connect the USB cable to a USB port directly on the computer, not a hub

4. Do not connect the end to the phone yet

5. Hold the HOME and SLEEP buttons at the same time for exactly 10 seconds, until the screen goes black, then release the SLEEP button but continue holding the HOME button

6. If an Apple logo appears you held too long; do it again

7. Plug the cable into the phone and keep holding the HOME button

8. When iTunes recognizes the iPhone release the HOME button and wait for the Restore to finish

If this doesn't work you will need to search the Internet for a solution.

BTW, there IS a solution - it requires temporarily hacking the phone to restore the correct baseband.

carl wolf

Level 6

14,625 points

Aug 25, 2012 5:05 PM in response to Doug Stringham

Although not illegal, Apple discourages anyone jailbreaking an iPhone. Too, th TOU of his forum prevent any or us providing assistance with either jailbreaking, or un-jailbreaking an iPhone.

Aug 25, 2012 5:09 PM in response to carl wolf

Actually, the mods are somewhat understanding on undoing a jailbreak, which is why this thread is still here. Because people do buy used phones, and it isn't their fault that they were jailbroken.

Oct 23, 2012 6:22 PM in response to steve359

Finally sorted it out.... Google and a few hours of eyestrain on the computer and I got it working. 🙂

123456 f

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2013 4:40 AM in response to Doug Stringham

How did you fix your problem ?? I have asame one like your and if you fix your i would like to know how maybe its gona help me aswel .thanks

May 20, 2013 8:00 AM in response to Doug Stringham

Hi Doug Stringham,

I have the similar issue, I got a jailbreak 3GS BUT got stuck with Activation Error after a Restore. Can you please provide me the steps to sort this proble.

Thanks in advance

KVJ

May 20, 2013 8:13 AM in response to jagadeshkv

You must restore from DFU mode as a New phone. This will lock the phone to the original carrier. And it may turn that phone into a brick, depending on how it was jailbroken.

You cannot get help beyond that for a jailbroken phone in an Apple-hosted forum.

Bought used jailbroken 3GS, won't activate after restore