GeoHot recently unveiled a “hardware unlock” process for unlocking an iPhone so it can be used on networks other than AT&T.  The process has been confirmed to work, but it requires soldering wires onto the phone and is very difficult to complete.

Users on the  iPhone Dev Team forums have simplified and perfected the unlocking process.  Now, needles can be used instead of soldered wires, reducing the risk of damage to the iPhone.  In addition, all the software needed to complete the process has been collected and made easily available.

For those still awaiting the public release of the software-based unlocking method, this method is an alternative.  But please don’t attempt this if you aren’t experienced with electronics and computer software.

•  Simplified iPhone Hardware Unlock Procedure

The iPhone Dev Team has reported another milestone in their mission to unlock the iPhone.  They have released a new ARM decompiler.  Using this tool, they will be able to more easily examine the iPhone firmware to figure out how the locking process works.

We are pleased to announce the availability of a new tool to aid in the firmware reverse-engineering process. For a few days now, we’ve been working on an ARM decompiler plugin for IDA named Aqualung. It’s still quite basic, but should decompile most ARM (non-Thumb) code and make things much easier to follow. 

• Download Aqualung, the ARM decompiler 

Hackers have figured out how to use non-AT&T SIM cards in the iPhone.  This allows iPhone users outside of the U.S. to make and receive calls without paying exorbitant AT&T international call rates.

This phone unlocking method involves cloning SIM cards and may not be legal in all areas.  In additional, users report that in order to use the iPhone on another carrier’s network, the user most already possess a very old SIM card from that network.  Many users are having trouble finding compatible SIM cards that will work with this process.  Success has been reported by users in Croatia and Macedonia, but users in England and France are having trouble getting the process to work.

A software-only unlocking procedure would be preferable, since it would not require SIM cloning hardware or specific SIM cards.  However, a software-only unlocking method has not yet been successfully developed.

• iPhone “Unlocking” Tutorial