How to jailbreak and unlock iPhone 3GS firmware by downgrading it from 3.1.3 to 3.1.2

iPhone

A lot of users upgraded their iPhone 3GS firmware from 3.1.2 to 3.1.3 without knowing the consequences. So, if you want to jailbreak and unlock it using blackra1n, you’ll have to downgrade to 3.1.2 but the modem firmware will still be 05.12.01. Remember, before trying this out, back up your data. If you end up bricking your iPhone, I won’t be responsible for it. ( Credit for this guide goes to Cliff who sent it in! )

  1. Uninstall iTunes 9.0.3 to from your computer. Remember to back up your data, and rename the iTunes library folder to something else.
  2. Download and install iTunes 8.2.1. Download 3.1.2 firmware to your computer. ( links at the end of this post ).
  3. Connect your phone to the computer and hold shift and click restore in iTunes. Select the 3.1.2 firmware file.
  4. The restore might get stuck and you’ll get an error 1015 message.
  5. Ignore it and reboot your iPhone using the power + home buttons.
  6. You’ll now see the USB and iTunes logo on the iPhone display. This means that firmware 3.1.2 is installed. But right now, the phone is stuck in a DFU loop.
  7. To fix this, you’ll need to use iRecovery.
  8. Once you’re out of the DFU loop, iTunes will ask you to sync with the old backup. We suggest you avoid that and opt to set up a new phone. iTunes will reactivate your iPhone.
  9. Follow our guide on how to jailbreak iPhone 3GS with OS 3.1.2 with blackra1n RC3.
  10. You can now unlock your iPhone using blackra1n RC3. Follow this guide for instructions.

If you are running into issues, follow this guide to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone 3GS.

If you are using iPhone 2G, 3G, iPod Touch 1G or 2G ( non-MC models) follow this guide to jailbreak OS 3.1.3 with redsn0w.

Download iTunes 8.2.1 (32 bit)

Download iTunes 8.2.1 (64 bit)

Download iPhone 3GS OS 3.1.2

Update: Use this guide to jailbreak iPhone 3G/3GS with OS 3.1.3/3.1.2 untethered! ( no unlock yet, though)

Note: This method doesn’t work anymore. follow this guide to jailbreak and unlock your iPhone 3GS.

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92 comments

  1. As it says all the way on the top: “Note: This method doesn’t work anymore.”

    People like me with 3GS and baseband 05.12.01 will indeed have to wait for something to come up that will work. For now, there’s no option but to wait…unfortunately.

  2. hi i need help . can i downgrde my modem firmware from FW 05.12.01 to FW 05.11.07 or unlock it (FW 05.12.01) .thanks

  3. I got my iPhone 3GS downgraded to 3.1.2 with the baseband of 5.12.01 and after restore cydia is there again but it will not open. What happened???

  4. I downloaded the file, but it saves as a .rar, so iTunes doesn’t even show it as a folder when i go to restore it, how can i fix this? please. I’m dying without my phone.. :(

    3. You need to download the ipsw using firefox, don’t use safari, because safari automatically tries to unpack the ipsw. You need to keep the file intact as ipsw. Firefox will preserve the downloaded file. Hope this helps

  5. Hi,

    I try it but its does not work. Apple remove the support of downgrading from 3.1.3 to 3.1.2. Its useless to try this thing in order to waste your time. You all have to wait………..

  6. it works.. when you install the 8.2. version and if you have windows 7 go to start and in search box type in itunes library.atl when you find that file delete it and the 8.2 version will work.. hope it’ll work for you my friend…

    1. It still does not work for me, it said itune file can’t be read because it was created by the new one

  7. so is there still no hope for fresh out of the box 3gs 3.1.2 users that upgraded to 3.1.3 never jailbroken? thanks

  8. @hackaroto

    I’m facing quite similar problem, but my 3gs is still on 3.1.2. I’ve installed something on cydia previously (if i’m not mistaken it was winterboard). Then my 3gs asks me to reboot. So I did, thought that I can just run blackra1n again to return back to normal. but instead this time I’m facing the recovery mode loop. I’ve tried your method, tried to restore it to 3.1.2 but it didn’t work. something with i’m not eligible blah blah..but then I guess that I’m still on 3.1.2, so I don’t have to restore it again. just proceed to step 4. and it didn’t work.

    So I suspect yours is working maybe because you have an old iboot (359.3) but I have a new one (359.3.2) although i’m not sure if this is the case. so do you mind telling me what iboot is yours??? hope you can help me on this! I’ve tried SO MANY WAYSSSS but still dead end!

    1. same issue please, if you have any news how to downgrade it,or jailbrake let know

  9. Pingback: Guide: Different tools to jailbreak and unlock iPhone with firmware 3.1.3 | ithinkdifferent

  11. When i try it i get error code 3004 and not 1015 what can i do ?????

    I have iphone 3Gs 16gb

  12. When i try it i get error code 3004 and not 1015 what can i do ?????

    I have iphone 3Gs 16gb

  13. Jailbreak and unlock iPhone 3GS Note: This method doesn’t work anymore

  15. hello guys

    my iphone 3gs firmware 3.1.3 and MC model..

    how could i jailbreak this ?

  16. Hi Guys …just want to say thanks to hackaroto for great post that solved my problem !
    I have a Iphone 3gs mc model ; been jailbreken with 3.1.2 with blakra1n , but there was a problem ( the size of “other” was about 11 gb) so my phone do not even start i had to restore to 3.1.3
    But now thanks to the post of hackaroto i have cydia again

  17. Help!!!! I accidentally upgraded my iphone 3GS to version 3.1.3. I’ve follow the steps and i got error 1600. Please help!!!!!

  18. Jailbreak and unlock iPhone 3GS ( Note: This method doesn’t work anymore ) you risk killing ur iphone MC model..

  20. Hi,

    Is the 3.1.3 firmware been jailbreak yet for the Iphone 3GS? Or are we still stuck in 3.1.3

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