How To Save Your (SAM) Unlocked iPhone Activation Ticket For Future Unlock

Many users have unlocked their iPhone using SAM (Subscriber Artificial Module) on iOS 5.0 and above. The method to unlock the iPhone is fairly simple and those who have been beseeching for 04.11.08 iPhone 4 Unlock can follow the method free their device from carrier restrictions.

Apparently, some of users think that the SAM unlocking method fakes the ICCID and that the process is illegal. To clarify – you never actually use the faked IMSI on the real network. It just gets you a valid activation tickets for your real ICCID and IMSI. It is therefore important for you save these iPhone activation tickets. These backed-up tickets will maximize your chances to stay unlocked in future even after Apple patches the ICCID vulnerability.

To save activation tickets, you have to options available – Either use Redsn0w 0.9.10b8 (requires Mac or Windows PC) or SAM (via iFile) that doesn’t require connecting iPhone to computer. You can directly take a backup of required activation tickets. Alternatively, if you do not want to use iFile, you can SSH into the directory /var/root/Library/ and copy that file over to your computer.

Here’s the complete step by step instructions to follow immediately after unlocking iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 3GS using SAM method. I have red-marked all the screens for easy navigation.

Backup iPhone 4S/4/3GS (SAM) Activation Ticket

Step 1: Tap Cydia icon available on your iPhone Springboard to launch Cydia app.

Step 2: As soon as you open Cydia, you will notice ‘Welcome to Cydia’ screen. On the very same screen, Choose Sections from the tabs available at the bottom.

Step 3: Under Sections, choose System from the list of sections.

Step 4: Press to select iFile from the list of packages and install iFile on your device.

Note: Step (2-4) not required, if you have already installed iFile.

Step 5: Launch iFile from your iPhone SpringBoard.

 

Step 6: Press the Back button at the top left of your screen to navigate to /var/root/Library folder

Step 7: Press the Edit button at the top right of the screen.

Step 8: You will be presented with the list of folder. Choose Lockdown and then press the zip icon in the tab bar. This will create a zipped file for your unlocked iPhone’s activation ticket.

Step 9: Name your archive and then press the Create button. Multiple device owners can concatenate carrier name and iPhone model while naming the zipped file to avoid any confusion in future.

Step 10: Choose the archive you just created from the list of files and then tap the mail icon available at the bottom.

Step 11: Email yourself the archive and you have now successfully backed up activation tickets for your unlocked iPhone. Keep it safe and don’t break your SIM card. The activation ticket is tied to that SIM (not all future SIMs…just the one used during the trick).

If you find issues while taking unlock activation ticket backup, sound off in comments section below or onto forums.