How to Unlock GSM iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS Using SAM Package [5.0, 5.0.1, 5.1]

By On · 103 Comments

SAM now unlocks your GSM iPhone 4, iPhone 4S running iOS 5.0 and above. Thanks to ICCID vulnerability discovered by Chinese hacker Loktar_Sun. The method supports modem firmware versions 1.59, 2.10, 3.10.1, 4.10.1, 4.11.08, 4.12.01 on iPhone 4 and all basebands (1.0.13, 1.0.14, 1.0.11) on iPhone 4S. iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G can also be unlocked using SAM but they must be running at least on iOS 5.0. In order to install SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module), your iPhone must be in jailbroken state. If you don’t want to jailbreak your iPhone, the tutorial guide is not for you.

With the unlock method listed below, your iPhone will work normally with your SIM card and that SIM card ONLY since it tricks iTunes to think that ICCID is one of the intended carrier’s. The iPhone can also be rebooted and connected to iTunes freely without losing the “unlock”. Here are the step by step instructions to follow.

Step 1: Jailbreak your iPhone

Currently, a tethered Jailbreak is available for iOS 5.1 for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS (new Bootrom) but you can optionally install the BigBoss Semi Tether package. To jailbreak iPhone 4S on iOS 5.0 and 5.0.1, you can use either redsn0w or Absinthe v0.4. We recommend using Absinthe as it is easy to understand for those who are doing it for the first time. All related jailbreak guides can be located in our dedicated page – How to Jailbreak.

Step 2: Add repo in cydia http://repo.bingner.com and install SAM.

  • To do so, tap ‘Cydia’ icon available on iPhone springboard.
  • Press Manage from the tabs at the bottom of the screen.
  • Select the Sources button in the middle.
  • Press the Edit button at the top right of the screen.
  • Press the Add button that appears at the top left of the screen.
  • Enter http://repo.bingner.com and press the Add Source button.
  • Press the large rectangular Return to Cydia button
  • Press to select Bingner from the list of Sources.
  • Choose SAM from the list of packages and press the Install button at the top right of the screen.
  • Press the Confirm button.
  • Press the Restart SpringBoard button after the installation has completed.

Step 3: Insert your new SIM card (not the one which the device is currently locked into). For example, if you want to unlock your AT&T iPhone 4S to use it on T-Mobile network, you must insert T-mobile SIM here.

Step 4: Tap SAMPrefs icon available on your iPhone SpringBoard.

Step 5: Tap Utilities available under SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module).

Step 6: You will be presented with three options to select – Backup Activation, De-Activate Activation and Restore Activation. Press to select De-Activate iPhone available under Utils.

In order to confirm, tap “More Information” and tap on ActivationState. The phone details should show “Unactivated” for ActivationState.

Step 7: Tap Method option in SAM and select By Country and Carrier.

Step 8: Tap Country and choose the country of your original SIM. For AT&T, use USA

Step 9: Tap Carrier and choose your original carrier that your iPhone is locked to. For AT&T, chose AT&T.

Step 10: For some carriers operating more than one Carrier ID you may need to select SIM ID.

Step 11: Tap More Information and copy the IMSI under SAM Details to the clipboard and then Tap Spoof Real SIM to SAM.

Step 12: Go back to the main SAM screen. Tap Spoof Real SIM to SAM and then paste the IMSI number in your clipboard.

Step 13: Connect your iPhone to the computer and let iTunes reactivate your iPhone.

Step 14: “Double click “Phone Number” parameter at the main screen. Be sure that the ICCID matches that of your SIM card.” If it doesn’t matches, repeat the steps (from Step 4 onwards).

Step 15: Unplug your iPhone 4S/4/3GS from the computer and close iTunes.

Step 16: Open SAMPrefs from your SpringBoard again and disable it using the Enabled switch.

Step 17: Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes again.

Step 18: You should get an error saying that your phone cannot be activated. Don’t panic, this is normal. Just close iTunes and open it again. Within few seconds you will notice signal bars. Congratulations! You have now successfully unlocked your iPhone.

SAM Unlock Video Guide

Many users are reporting that the push notifications have stopped after following SAM unlock method. Well to enable it, just restore your iPhone with the Clear Push utility in SAM, followed by connecting to iTunes.

For some users, the unlock works but iMessage and FaceTime have stopped working. It’s “waiting for activation”. For all those -  try turning SAM _OFF_ after.

Note: We at CydiaBlog offer free support for installation, configuration, or troubleshooting of the iPhone Jailbreak process and unlock process. You can post any of your queries onto Forums. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+ for updates on jailbreak and unlock.

Related posts:

  1. How to Unlock AT&T iPhone 4S/4/3GS without Losing Jailbreak using SAM or Redsn0w
  2. How To Unlock iOS 5.1 On iPhone 4 / iPhone 3GS using Ultrasn0w Fixer for 5.1
  3. GPP SIM: Unlock iPhone 4S without Jailbreak on AT&T, Softbank and KDDI Japan
  4. How to Unlock iOS 5.0.1 iPhone 4 with Gevey SIM and FuriousMod [Video Guide]
  5. ICCID Vulnerability Leads to iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 Unlock with SAM – Here’s how To Unlock
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  • villupuram coin

    Thank you so much..Its really useful

  • Ysmon Kauã

    Friend I live in Brazil, the Canadian carrier opredora lab also unlocks?

  • Onee77

    Hello All. 

    I follow the tutorial until step 8 and there is no list of countries that apear after selecting the method. What should I do. Help please!

  • http://www.facebook.com/maynardlouis.cabello Maynard Louis Cabello

    hi, my iphone cant unlock even i follow the same steps. and i did’nt know where my iphone bought. i think its in japan and the problem is i did’n know what carier they used in my phone in japn. can somebody help me?

  • Ruben Ferreira

    hello!! i have a iphone 4s portuguese with ios 5.1. i have done all the steps but in the end doesn’t work! why??? the sam version is 0.1.16-1 what is the prob??? can anyone help me?

  • Brenda

    Does it works for iPhone 4 iOS 5.1.1 Baseband 4.12.01?
    thanks c:

    • Andres Spiaggi

      Hi mate, it doesn’t.
      Call At&t and unlock it for free.
      Device must not have been reported stolen and has to be debt free.

  • Al

    I have iphone 4, 04.11.08..unlocked.
    I have followed all the steps..when i connect the Iphone to Itune but the itune doen`t come automatically.then, I click Itune manually, and after synchronize this notification“ the SIM card inserted in this iphone does not appear to be supported“ appeared..Please help me??

  • Majinzero

    Well i had my iphone 4 Io5.0.1 on bb 04.11.08 unlocked with this method, for bout 1 month, but out of no where it quit working so i tryed to re do all this again but now it’s not working at all. i done it all the same as before, and had to use
    http://www.thedailybuggle.com/iphone-sim-card-not-supported/ with it cause it wouldn’t work with just method had to use bundle name, i can get itunes to so it but it’s iccid is wrong and SAM says it wildcard activated, but iphone still says “No Service”. if anyone else has had this problem and fixed it plz rely on this.

  • Maxcaddo

    This repo is not still available,

    WHere I can get SAM now???

  • Perutheone

    hi i´m write from uruguay, in my iphone doesn´t work :( my currier is movistar and i try it many times and nothing, if any body know something to do for this unlocked work, please write here!! thanks a lot!!

  • Stahless

    Whats App Push Notification doesnt works. “just restore your iPhone with the Clear Push utility in SAM, followed by connecting to iTunes.” Cant Connect to iTunes anymore, beacause the iphone is Unactivated..! What should i do ???

  • Slaktmaskin

    When I disable SAM and connect it to iTunes I just get the message:

    “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported”

    • Big Totem

       I try so many times and I get the same message.
      is anyone can help us ?

      • http://twitter.com/AndySpiaggi AndySpiaggi

        Same here Ios 5.1 baseband 04.12.01
        Any suggestions?

  • Slaktmaskin

    When I connect my iPhone 4 to iTunes it doesn’t try to activite it. I don’t get a message or anything. iTunes clearly think that it’s the old carrier. I can see the IMEI and ICCID numbers but at my phone number it just says n/a.

    I’m 100% sure I’ve done exactly as the guide. What’s wrong? :(

  • Mail2me12

    I am not able to see SAM options as it is disabled because my iphone is factory activated.
    If i ‘revert lockdown to stoke’ I am not able to enter my iphone at all. And I need to jailbreak it using redsn0w.
    Please tell me how deactivate my iphone in this case?

    • Yomero

      I had the same problem and solved it by Spoofing the real SIM to SAM, under “More Information” (SAMPrefs) and then disabling “Hacktivate” on the main screen.

  • Abdes

    thanks, it worken pretty well! iphone  4 ios 5.1 BB04.12.01 SFR

  • Ramon

     Hello folks, I have an iphone 4 lb., and had called a carrier 11 with the carrier lab 04.11.08 basebando there and did the upgrade and changed the baseband to version 5.1 and the operator was gone, ahh and q i did was update the original ai n of 5.1 was to activate the phone have already qn chip, i did a version of 5.1 with Sn0wbreeze-v2.9.3 and it worked i could make phone ipod function as it was before, like even before the entire chip atualiar q porpoise it does not recognize anything always says qn chio has installed, uq could be? so I tried to chip alive, someone there with some light to help me? Type I try to status and not because of q qn says chip is installed, and the chip works already tested in another cell q q! the wait for help thanks!

  • http://twitter.com/chatman7 alen

    im locked to fido which carrier should i chose is not listed there :(

    • A. Blitzer

      I was also locked to fido. Do you happen to have the original fido sim with you? If not you can borrow one from your friends on fido. If yes, then follow the video instruction up on this page — they are perfect for you if you happen to have the original sim.

      Of course, having the sim is not a pre-requisite to unlocking your phone using this method but it immensely helps especially if your carrier is not listed.

      • Zed

        What am I supposed to do exactly if Fido is not listed, and I have the original Fido sim of the phone?

        • A. Blitzer

          Zed, with the original fido SIM still in the phone, launch SAMPrefs (assuming you’ve already Jailbroken your iPhone AND installed SAMPrefs and all necessary resources as detailed in the beginning of this page). Then go to -> More Information -> SIM Detail -> IMSI No. Copy the IMSI no. of the original SIM to the clipboard for later use.
          Now follow the instructions listed above exactly except that in Step 12, where it asks you to paste the IMSI no., use the no, that we copied above to the clipboard instead. That is: SAMprefs -> main screen -> Subscriber Artificial Module -> IMSI No. -> paste it right here. The rest of the instructions are the same. Good luck!

  • MAKLM

    I have AT&T locked iphone 4 with 5.0.1 baseband 4.11.08, I have followed all the instruction but I could not find my SIM carrier which is SIMPLE MOBILE in the United States.

    Any body has any idea? Thank you and please help

  • Gabriel5585

    Oi Divinojh !

    Eu também tenho um iphone 4 e estou com problemas para o itunes reconhecer o chip da tim ! Aparece a mensagem : The sim card inserted in this iphone does not appear to be supported. Era esse tipo de problema que estava acontecendo com voce?

    • Hecmanmx

      Olá Gabriel !
      Estou com o mesmo iphone 4 atualizado a V. 5.01 e tenho o mesmo problema que Voce conseguiu solucionar???  

      • Gabriel5585

        Olá !

        Eu ainda não consegui :/ dizem que a apple bloqueou esse desbloqueio! Se você conseguir alguma coisa me avise, por favor :)

  • Divinojh

    Bom dia! Moro no Brasil e consegui desbloquear o iphone 4 para reconhecer a operadora TIM ! Mas só consegui utilizando o vídeo.

     E depois tive qu fazer este procedimento para o iTunes reconhecer: http://cydiablog.com/unlock-iphone-using-sam-package/ 

  • http://cydiablog.com Mike Webb

    The latest update for SAM should fix some issues with the activation if you click in SAM, and give you a pretty indicator while you wait.

    • http://twitter.com/James_elRey James_elRey

      How do I update SAM?

  • Umyeah03

    imsi not showing up? help!

    • bligui

      Move the sim maybe badly seated.

  • Iphone3g

    I unlocked 3G model using SAM and with 4.2.1 iOS.
    So it is possible to do even iOS lower than 5.0…

  • Gorge

    A BIG Thank you to this.. i activated my iPhone4, 5.0.1 with 4.11.08 with no problems. Works perfectly. I just used iTools to find the carrier to which the iPhone was locked to.

    Thank you all.

  • Gabriel5585

    Hi ! I can’ t de-activate the iphone. What i have to do ?

    • bligui

      Chek that hacktivation is off and click in stockify

      • Gabriel5585

        If buy my iphone in USA it is for AT&T ?

  • PiPoU19

    Very nice this guide works !!

  • Bysevan

    süper :) türkiyede turcell artık çalışıyor hemde gevey sim olmadan teşekkürler.

  • Jamal868

    Hey if someone else out there has problems with imessage and facetime , update sam. They made a new update today and it fixes the push notification problem.
    So what you need to do is update SAM , go into utilities (leave same disabled) tap restore activation , wait for the springboard to reload after that, enter sam again >> utilities>> de-activate (clear push) ok , now just connect you’re device to pc/mac and start itunes. Ok now your set. Hope It helped, Have a nice day.

    • bligui

      iMessage and Facetime are carrier specific if the carrier you are using the phone on DOES NOT support them there is no way to activate them.

  • Lehuutuananh

    hi guys, I followed all the steps as you said. I got my ip4 5.0.1 4.11.08 half-unlocked. I did not know why, but I can only receive calls. Whenever I tried to make a phone call, my phone just end on me and ask me to call back. Does anyone got the same issue ? I live in Hanoi Vietnam

    • Faris Jahic

      I found solution , I had the same problem as you . Here’re steps :

      1) Settings > General > Date and Time > (Here, switch off “Set Automatically” and manually select your hometown). Then manually set the date and time.
      Apparently the SIM and carrier wont work if date and time aren’t set well, make sure date and time are the current ones
      2) Settings > Phone > Show My Caller ID > Switch ONIt worked for me perfectly .

      • ggfriend99

        I tried to do this step but it didn’t work. Do you have SAM enabled or not? did you switch on 3G? When you go on Settings>Carrier>Automatic is “on” or “off”? Does your personal hotspot is activated? do you have face time “on”?

    • ggfriend99

      Yes it’s the same for me I thought I had succeed when I saw the signal but unfortunately I can’t make call

  • Gabriel5585

    I do everything, but continuons with no service ! What i have to do ? And which options i have to choose of the AT&T, because it has two of that ! Please, help !

    Thanks

    • bligui

      Use the one that says “cingular” I used also SIM ID ending in 50 or 70 either one can’t remember exactly. 

  • bligui

    I told you to look in GOOGLE there are several sites that give you all the information about your iphone, original carrier, activation status, lock status and more.

  • Pernadepau

    imessage won’t activate after sam unlock, only works with email, and not with my phone number, any idea?? please help me!!
     

    • bligui

      Does your carrier officially support the iphone?

    • Jamal868

       So what you need to do is update SAM , go into utilities (leave same
      disabled) tap restore activation , wait for the springboard to reload
      after that, enter sam again >> utilities>> de-activate
      (clear push) ok , now just connect you’re device to pc/mac and start
      itunes. Ok now your set. Hope It helped, Have a nice day.

  • A. Blitzer

    Ladies and gentlemen, I am happy to report that I was successfully able to unlock my iPhone 3G running iOS 4.2 using this method. The instructions in the video are correct whereas the written instructions are missing the key order of copying the IMSI no. of your ORIGINAL sim card. That is, copy the IMSI number to clipboard of the sim card your iPhone is locked to and then insert the new sim. The rest of the instructions are pretty straightforward. Happy unlocking!

    • bligui

      YOU DO NOT NEED THE ORIGINAL CARD DO NOT CONFUSE PEOPLE.

      • phen

        We know that already but to make it more easier if you do have the original sim then follow the guide from the video otherwise choose the right carrier of your phone and follow the guide written above. Sadly its really hard to make this SAM work if you really dont know where your idevice is locked to. Country is easy to identify where you can find it here 
        http://www.jbfaq.com/article.asp?id=63 

      • A. Blitzer

        The all-caps reply just highlights your stupidity.

        Having the original sim card is very convenient but if you don’t happen to have it, you should follow the written guide above, like @26125904e28c1238a9e9beab64f7d9d5:disqus stated.

        • bligui

          If you would read how many times phen has posted in several places not only this page that you need the original SIM then maybe you would know why the caps. The problem is he refuses to google how to find the original carrier for his phone he bought in a “pawnshop”. So who is the stupid now? Is it fair for him to be saying it does not work just because it does not work for him because he has no idea where his phone is from? Luckily the method already changed and this now is outdated and now SAM does it all.

  • Jamal868

    Well yeah , I have some issues activating the push notifications. I am doing the De-activate iphone (clear push) than connecting it to the pc and starting itunes.The button for iMessages and Facetime goes on but the service is not available… any ideeas why ? Thnaks in advance.

    • bligui

      If your carrier does not have the iphone for sale it will not work.

    • Jamal868

      @cydiablog:disqus Do you have any ideea why the iMessage and FaceTime won’t activate? I can use everything else except those 2…

      • Jamal868

         I sort it out,no need for help anymore.

  • Aviator

    All the time i get ” The Sim Card inserted……………………………………….to be supported.” error while i connect to itunes at step 13…………… Please somebody H………..E……………..L…………….P……………………….

    • Jamal868

       Tap revert lockdown

    • http://cydiablog.com Mike Webb

      If iTunes says invalid SIM, you will need to manually select the appropriate carrier (Original seller of the iPhone) under one of the methods besides “Automatic” and click on a SIMID.

  • Mohammad

    Works perfect and great thx

  • Selcha

    it worked for me !!! thanks so much.
    using iphone 4 IOS 5.0.1 and baseband 04.11.08 in Belgium

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1252551423 Chester Villa

    does this work on phones with preserved BB? I cannot undo the hacktivation method my revert button not working on my ip4

    • T1234556

      Yes it does, now running untethered JB and unlocked on 5.01. I removed my gevey interposer and the procedure worked with the preserved BB that Gevey used on 5.01.

    • Jamal868

       Try again with the new update of SAM. If at first you get the failed stockification message , try again ,It will be succes.

  • ABlitzer

    “iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 3G can also be unlocked using SAM but they must be running at least on iOS 5.0.”
    I tried unlocking my iPhone 3G running iOS 4.2.1 but it fails. I don’t think 3G owners can upgrade to iOS 5. So essentially, this method won’t work for them. Sigh.

    • phen

      Well to be honest, this SAM worked on my iphone 3g. 

      • ABlitzer

        What iOS version are you running on your iPhone 3g?

  • Kayminchi

    In the Video and The instruction that You Wrote is not the same….  You said in Step 3: Insert your new SIM card but in the video they tell to insert new sim card when we already copy IMSI number ?

  • ton

    step 13 when i connect my iphone to itunes it wont activate. at says sim card installed is not supported,

    • phen

      That only means you didnt copy the ISMI of your original sim. If you have the original sim of your iphone then dont remove it yet, make sure you copy the ISMI of your original sim before changing it with your new sim, then follow the guide above and everything will worked.

    • http://cydiablog.com Mike Webb

      If iTunes says invalid SIM, you will need to manually select the appropriate carrier (Original seller of the iPhone) under one of the methods besides “Automatic” and click on a SIMID.

  • Deepak Rao

    Hi,

    I have a Iphone 4 locked to AT & T, and i dont have AT& T SIM with me. Can i able to unlock this still

    And as i saw there is a IMSI ans ICCID # automatically updated in SIM details under More information tab, but in mine its not showing up..

    Please Help

    • phen

      If your new sim doesnt appear the ISMI and ICCID and the network shows “no sim” then that means your sim doesnt recognize by your iphone. Try to remove the sim and insert it again. Then observe the status of your iphone, if it shows “No Service” or “Searching” then your phone the recognized the sim. But still i think SAM doesnt work without the original carrier because you need to copy first the ISMI of your  original sim carrier.

      • bligui

        YOU DO NOT NEED THE SIM CARD you can select all necessary info for most carries manually.

  • phen

    Just as i thought. This SAM only works when you still have your original carrier. To those iphones who dont have the original carrier and bought the iphone to ebay or amazon without its original sim carrier then this SAM doesnt work. I tried this SAM in my iphone 3g and it still have its original carrier and this SAM thing works, only in my iphone 4 doesnt work because i bought it in a pawnshop without its original carrier. 

    • bligui

      It DOES NOT need the original SIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • phen

        Well, i tried everything again and again and it only shows “Sim is not supported with your iphone”. When i watched the video carefully, he copied 1st his ISMI original sim before changing it with his new sim. Try to watch the video carefully. If everything goes well to you then thats good. But most people here seems having a problem about not copying the ISMI original sim.

        • bligui

          First it’s IMSI, second you do not need the original SIM you just need to know the original carrier for the phone to get the right IMSI that is all. With some you need to select a different SIM ID as some carriers have several SIM ID.

          • phen

            Well, i already tried everything, yes you really need to identify the sim first. But it seem no luck for me, only 1  solution worked for me and that is to copy the original sim ISMI. Thats the only solution i know. Well its good for you that you dont need the original sim. I already tried using all the carrier available here in our country but still no luck. I am just telling the only solution i know to those who still got problem unlocking their iphones.

          • bligui

            As I said you need to know the original carrier for the phone maybe the phone is not from your country there are several places to find that as I also said GOOGLE is your friend.

          • Phen

            Ok, i will try. Tnx for the idea, now i have a chance to unlock my other iphone. The only prob is i really dont know where it came from since i bought this in pawnshop

          • Rain

            Google the model number of your iphone, to have an idea what country and carrier was your iphone was locked to.

  • phen

    Ok, i wanna ask something, what if you dont have the original carrier IMSI? Does this SAM still works? I bought my iphone 4 in a pawnshop and it doesnt have its original carrier and i dont have any idea about its original carrier. 

    • bligui

      Well it all depends where you bought it.. If in the US most likely ATT

  • phen

    As i observed in the video, you need to copy the original carrier’s IMSI and paste it to your new Sim. I think this is how SAM worked. If you dont have your original Carrier’s sim then i think this doesnt work. 

    • bligui

      Yes it works no need for original carrier SIM you only need to know who the carrier was.

  • phen

    I dont have sim details. 

  • Gmusembi

    It worked perfectly! I used the video to unlock my iPhone 4 iOS5.1 BB 4.12.01 I’m from Nairobi, Kenya

  • Gmusembi

    It works perfectly!! I’m in Kenya btw

  • Burnaz

    Thanks! worked great with Tmobile

  • Tsu

    FAKE
     

  • Ukdude

    Aslo the video and txt show different ways! So which is correct??
    And can there be support for Tesco Uk and 3 network??
    And has anyone got it to work in uk with 5.0.1 Baseband 04:10:01 ??

  • Ns2h

    my carrier is Fido from Canada, simply there’s no option can be selected from Method. please help

    • bligui

      FIDO is MVNO if you would google a bit you would find who they piggy back on.

      • Semih686

        what does it mean MVNO ?

    • Mohammad

      Try microcell its work with me my carrier is fido, if not work try all

  • Boloocks

    Cant get it to work using
    Original locked to O2 uk
    to
    ORANGE or 3
    itune just shows “Sim not compatible sreen”
    any ideas?

    • bligui

      Follow the steps