Preserve iPhone 4 Baseband While Upgrading To iOS 5

by Ahmed Omar on October 14, 2011

In case you’re one of those users who rely on unlock on iOS 4.x.x and need to upgrade to Apple’s new software, iOS 5, you’ll need to preserve your iPhone 4 baseband to keep your unlock. Below is the steps required to preserve iPhone 4 baseband while upgrading to iOS 5.

Preserve iPhone 4 Baseband

Preserve iPhone 4 Baseband

You’ll need to download iOS 5 from here, iTunes 10.5 from here and Redsn0w 0.9.9b5 from here. Now you’re ready, below is the guide to preserve iPhone 4 baseband.

STEP 1: Connect your iPhone 4 into you computer then open Redsn0w 0.9.9b5.

STEP 2: Now select Extras then “Custom IPSW” option so that you can create your pre-jailbroken custom firmware.

STEP 3: Redsn0w will start cooking your custom IPSW and you’ll get it in few minutes.

STEP 4: Once you get your firmware, select ‘Pwned DFU’ from RedSn0w.

STEP 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to get your iPhone in DFU mode.

STEP 6: Once it’s in DFU mode, close Redsn0w then open iTunes 10.5 downloaded above and you should get your iPhone in Recovery Mode message.

STEP 7: Now hold the Option key on Mac and hit Restore. Point iTunes to your iPhone 4 Custom iOS 5 IPSW which begins with NO_BB. (WARNING: Don’t select the stock one or you’ll lose your unlock)

Now you got your iPhone 4 on preserved baseband, you’ll be able to unlock your iPhone 4 using the new Ultrasn0w guide posted here.

Video guide:

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  • Idinuv

    I have upgraded to IOS 5 without preserving the baseband… I am unable to do the carrier unlock using Grevey SIM. What should I do?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id= Daniel Movaffaghi

    same problem here

  • Paul

    Yeah what should we do ?

  • Plamen Todorov

    Try the Ultrasn0w 1.2.4 unlock if you are with one of the supported basebands.

  • Meena

    how long is this meant to take? once uve clicked restore on itunes?

  • Paul

    No, Im not

  • Jay Greenslade

    I completed the jailbreak and preserved my baseband to 01.59.00, and then activated the phone, but Cydia is not present on the device. What can I do??

  • Aakash23

    @idinuv what’s your baseband now??

  • Robinson Ogberaha

    Sorry bro…. Its all gone…. pray gevey produces another sim interposer for higher basebands, or we pray we get a new ultrasnow to unlock higher basebands…

    All what you have now is an IPOD..

  • Robinson Ogberaha

    When is snowbreeze going to jailbreak ios 5 gm?

  • http://twitter.com/mehta_viru1 Viraj Mehta

    downgrade to ios 4.3.5 if apple is still signing it!!

  • http://twitter.com/mehta_viru1 Viraj Mehta

    downgrade to ios 4.3.5 if apple is still signing it!!

  • Aabhas Bhargava

    Migrate back to 4.3.5 .. That shld get u r gevey sim working .. Worked for me

  • http://twitter.com/dturnbo1 David Turnbo

    i have and jail broke iPhone 4 my version I’m on is iOS 4.1 my baseband is 02.10.04 can i do and upgrade to iOS 5

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sebastian-Godek/737503737 Sebastian Godek

    Is this guide for untethered jailbreak? I have iphone 4 iOS 4.3.3 with 01.59.00 baseband so I am ready to do it but I need to know if this is untethered version?
    Please advise ASAP.
    Thanks

  • Dominooo

    Same problem

  • Jpbeauch

    I’m amaze to see that despite all the warning over the year, people had upgraded their phone and didn’t wait for a proper untethered jailbreak. Peoples are so idiots sometime that they deserve what they get. To all of these, do you fix your car yourself? if not, why trying to upgrade yourself a device that cost so much? My grand father use to tell me that you’re getting paid for stuff you know but you have to pay for what your don’t know. I guess he was right!

  • Phantom

    Is there a way to update to iOS5 and preserve the baseband in Windows 7?

    I want to keep my Gevey sim unlock.

    Thanks!

  • Susanllin

    I upgraded my iTunes 10.5 through apple…can I still do the unlock?

    (I have iphone 4 w/ baseband 1.59)

    or can you tell me how I can fix this problem?
    Thanks so much

  • Susanllin

    Nevermind…that was a dumb question. I got my answer…thanks!

  • Dylanpny

    doing this just locked my phone. it was already unlocked 01.59.00 and now it says my sim card isn’t supported.

  • Dylanpny

    and yes I made sure to select the one that began with NO_BB

  • http://twitter.com/iamsbee Sean B. 

    This preserves the baseband, it doesn’t jailbreak or unlock it

  • Phi Le

    i agreed !! i was so foolish upgrading my unlocked iPhone 4 to OS.5 from iTunes and locked it forever …. i was lucky enough to swap with Apple because my phone was still under warranty. I was just about to update the new ip4 again following these steps above, after reading all the comments, I’m not sure i want to update it anymore !! LOLz
    I guess i will have to wait few more days or weeks for untethered jail-broke and proper unlocked.

  • Mudasser_aslam

    i restored it from the custom firmware with NO_BB and it says that the device is not eligible for the requested built … please help my phone is stuck !!!

  • Idinuv

    its 4.11.08

  • http://twitter.com/jigMsaw Matej Aka-Toš

    guys i have iphone 4 1.59bb so do you have on ios5 full signal bars or just one signal bar?

  • DukeD

    Hi
    I have iPhone 4 AT&T, 4.3.3(8J2), bb 04.10.01 unlocked with Gavey Sim. Has anybody tried the above procedure and the Gavey procedure to unlock still works as it should afterwards?

  • Jg

    I am interested in the answer to this question too.

  • Alvin Tran

    What’s an ublockable baseband? My iPhone 4 came jailbroken and unlocked using the gevey sim that I don’t have to do the dialing and switching aiplabe mode. Mines running iOS 4.2.1 baseband 3.10.01, is it unlockable, and how can I get pass the activation screen? Help me. I want to upgrade. (on tmobile USA if it matters)

  • Alfguimaraes

    Hi there I have a AT&T iPhone 4 baseband 4.10.08 I live in the UK I’m using gevey it works like a dream I preserved baseband using the steps above do that and you are sorted.

  • Alfguimaraes

    sorry man my baseband 4.10.01 if you don’t get a signal bar don’t worry dial 112 do the airplane mode wait when you get the error invalid sim message turn it back on it just works

  • DukeD

    i know how to unlock it with Gayway..

    My question was, if i upgrade to iOS5, does the above procedure leave baseband at 04.10.01 and will Gayway procedure still work afterwards as it works now when i have 4.3.3?

  • brycetyralynne

    what if i already installed the iOS 5 with my iphone unlocked using a gevey sim. and i didnt preserved my unlockable baseband?? what should i do now cause it seems that my phone is now locked after installing iOS 5..simcard invalid and not supported by this phone appeared??pls help me..

  • brycetyralynne

    pls reply..is there anyone here who can help please..

  • Tien D.

    Phi Le, I made the same mistake as you. How did you get the people at the Apple store to give you a new phone? What did you say was wrong with it? Please help. Thanks!

  • Karim

    Please note that this is a tethered jailbreak, meaning that each time you reboot your iphone or idevice, you will HAVE to plug it to your mac/pc to get it up running again.

    This is quite annonying for an iphone.

    So better wait for the UNTethered jailbreak for a complete freedom :)

  • http://twitter.com/jigMsaw Matej Aka-Toš

    you cant do anything right now. your device is now locked.

  • http://twitter.com/jigMsaw Matej Aka-Toš

    you can “hacktivate” phone using sn0wbreeze that you can use iphone…

  • John

    Dears,
    I have installed IOS 5 on my Iphone 4. The baseband is loacked.
    I tried to use the Redsn0w_win_0.9.9b4 together with the IPSW iPhone3,1_5.0_9A334_Restore.ipsw
    I followed the steps and reached a point where I click on ALT and choose restore from Itunes. It is mentioned that i should be able to choose NO_BB firmware file. I didnt get anything to choose and the restore is going on automatically. Does it mean i made something wrong?
    Plz Help.

  • Pranjal Agrawall

    i did it all and successfully using my iphone 3gs but till now i am facing with CONTACT EDITING problem. can’t delete,update to existing contact and sometimes some contacts not displaying names in which the contact is saved. what to do?

  • John

    Were you able to choose NO_BB firmware file?

  • Pranjal Agrawall

    when you custom your IPSW file via redsnow it will created a new NO_BB ipsw. try to search in same file where you kept the original 1

  • John

    How can i customize it? I can only click on “Select IPSW’ and i can only browse to the file ( iPhone3,1_5.0_9A334_Restore.ipsw). Clicking ok gives me a window saying: The following build was identified and it will be used for the rest of Redsn0w session.
    After that i click on Pwned DFU and the iphone resets…
    Any suggestions? Should I be using Redsn0w_win_0.9.9b5 ? It is not yet released for Windows.

  • John

    How can i customize it? I can only click on “Select IPSW’ and i can only browse to the file ( iPhone3,1_5.0_9A334_Restore.ipsw). Clicking ok gives me a window saying: The following build was identified and it will be used for the rest of Redsn0w session.
    After that i click on Pwned DFU and the iphone resets…
    Any suggestions? Should I be using Redsn0w_win_0.9.9b5 ? It is not yet released for Windows.

  • John

    Guys! anyone to help?

  • John

    Dears.
    Does anyone has a link to IOS 4.3.5 or any IOS 4 ?

  • Rabih

    Hi
    i have an iPhone 4 4.1 baseband 01.59.01 and need 2 preserve it should i use ultrasn0w 1.2.4 or redsnow version 0.9.9b5 ? to upgrade to ios5 I’m on mac pc thanks in advance

  • Rabih

    Hi
    i have an iPhone 4 4.1 baseband 01.59.00 and need 2 preserve it should i use ultrasn0w 1.2.4 or redsnow version 0.9.9b5 ? to upgrade to ios5 I’m on mac pc thanks in advance

  • http://twitter.com/jigMsaw Matej Aka-Toš

    preserve baseband with redsn0w or sn0wbreeze,ultrasn0w is for unlock if you need it.

  • pkps

    hey….i was following the steps, but my kid removed the usb when it was in DFU mode (before i could restore using the NO-BB…..ipsw). Now iam not able to switch on my fone, and therefore itunes is not connecting to the ifone. what shud i do?

  • john doe

    I had the same problem 2 days ago, ios 5 bb 4.11.xx doesnt allow gevey sim…what u should do is to restore from a ipsw 4.3.5 on another pc with itunes lower than the latest 10.5 since that one is never going to allow a restore other than ios5. I did it and im using again my iphone on 4.3.5 with gevey son dont worry ittl work!

  • Sayawkimy

    So, I bought my iPhone 4 in the U.S., and I’m now in the Philippines. I did not bring my AT&T sim card with me.

    My problem is, I cannot activate my phone without my AT&T sim card & sim tray(?). I’m using my gevey tray and Philippine sim card. Help me activate my phone without my AT&T sim!!

  • DukeD

    use snowbreeze and tick the option hacktivate, then restore with the ipsw that snowbreeze creates.

  • Rabih

    thanks for ur help … as you told me.. i have tried redsn0w on mac and sn0wbreeze on windows both resulted error 1600 changed 3 cables and 2 computers but the same…. in fact my iPhone only turn on with an iTunes logo when connect to computer… if u can help i will appreciate, thanks again

  • Teeger69

    I have the same problem with SayawKimy, I don’t have the Micro-sim with me now to activate my phone, so I am stuck at the Activation of my iphone 4 to ios 5. I followed all the instructions, but this is the stage where i am stopped and eventually stuck.

    I am using Mac and have used redsnow in jailbreaking/upgrading my iphone 4. Any help for me to activate my phone without using the original sim card? I can’t use snowbreeze for i am using mac.

    I have saved the SHSH of my fone in tinyumbrella and it says that my firmware is still 1.59.

    PLS HELP. Big thanks!

  • young mike

    i tried connecting mine to an itunes that is lower and it said needs to be connected to an itunes that is 10.5 or higher.. what do i do to fix that???

  • Ymtong

    if you use hacktivate, it will end up tethered boot, if you want untethered boot, u must get a original network sim to activate it, then use gevey for unlock.

  • Kei78

    This works, my friend (on Telus) and I (on Bell) both just upgraded our iphone 4 to iOS5 while preserving our basebands (1.59). Everything works fine and as noted, only slight glitch is the signal bars always state you have one bar, regardless. Not a biggie though.

  • Herkybird

    I tried this, but when I go to restore the custom ipsw in itunes, it says it can’t restore and I’m not eligible for the build.

  • DukeD

    tried it with steps above and it works.

  • http://www.facebook.com/TenshiDaisuki Kiririn-chan Tachibana

    I think you should use iREB to put your iDevice into pwned DFU mode, and then try restoring it with your custom firmware again. (This method works with my iPhone 4, so I think it would work with yours too.)

  • Rnldjmnz

    i did the iOS 5 And Preserve Your iPhone Baseband For Unlock but Now i have only one signal bar… any fix for it

  • Kim Tan

    Do i need to preserve my baseband 06.15 on my iPhone 3gs? pls answer me i really need your help :(

  • Ymtong

    iphone 3gs with 06.15baseband very easy to upgrade,
    1. download 3gs ios 5 firmware
    2. click shift to shift to restore and select the ios5
    3. jailbreak with latest redsn0w

  • Ymtong

    are u using gevey to unlock? what is your modem firmware now?

  • Ymtong

    press power & home together for 10second, release power button and keep holding home button about 15second, now your phone in DFU mode, restore it again with itunes

  • Anappfull

    How do I do step 2 in the instructions. Do I browse for iphone IPSW? I am not sure how to get the firmware file created.

  • Frankm002

    Ok so i am currantly on ios5 firmware 3.10 on my iphone 4. i am using gevey but i just cant get my gevey to connect to my tmobile service. i keep trying and trying so i just gave up. i am currantly using the original gevey sim card (not the pro, Supreme or ultra). what can i do to fix this problem? has anyone solve the issue?. do i need to update the gevey sim?. any help will be very nice. thank you!

  • uzman

    Before i update, I want to know, Should my cydia say SHSH blob 5.0 because currently it says 4.1 & 4.3.5 only.
    If it should than how do i create a blob for iOS 5 before updating? or can i update without having one?

  • Koen

    Hi,
    does this also work with the 04.10.01 baseband? I still have 4.2.1 on my iPhone 4..

  • Sharon

    I have an iphone 4 same version and BB. did you upgrade to 5 and if so how is it working for you.
    Thanks

  • Bangash

    i have iPhone 4 ios 5 with baseband 04.11.8………..how can i jailbreak and unlock it.befor it was on AT&T usa…i m living in dubai..i bought it on ebay and now i want to use it here with a local network….plz if some one can help me to jailbreak and unlock it without gevey sim.

  • Bangash

    and another thing, when i reboot my iphone 4 ios 5, so its get stuck off with apple sign…then i start it with redsnow….is it there any other way to fix this problem permanently?.

  • Tanvir

    Thank you so much. It worked for me from iOSo 4.3.5 baseband 4.10.01 to iOS 5.0 and same baseband 4.10.01. Now I have the option to use Gevey SIM without voiding the warranty.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FMGWTBRP5NOQIVRVGEPVKRR7GQ kuroru

    My iPhone is in iOS5 BB 2.10.04 Gevey sim. My signal is always one bar & both iMessage & FaceTime is unsuccessful in Activating. Should I upgrade to a new Gevey Sim to fix this? Thanks!

  • Irizqui

    i have an iphone 3gs , i created the custom no BB ipsw file. i enter pwned DFU mode it exploits with lime rain . when i open itunes and select the No BB ipsw it extracts then contacts apple server and then gives an error message saying this iphone is not eligible for this update. i think error 3194 what do i do please someone help .
    i am on 3gs 4.1 old boot rom

  • Darshrathi

    i have updated to ios 5 without preserving baseband :(
    is der any way to unlock network plzzzz tellll

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Prasad-Jcb/1285411607 Prasad Jcb

    I Have updated my Iphone without preserving the baseband, is ther any way to unlock my Iphone.

  • Ooworu

    That might be a problem with your antenna…

  • Reaver

    So basically, if I don’t need a unlocked device since I can use my SIM with the phone, I don’t need to preserve the baseband even if I upgrade to iOS 5?…

  • Yulia 2502

    I have the same error with iPhone 4 4.3.5…:( Please help!!!!

  • Kim

    I successfully activated my iPhone using these instructions, but now my Safari and Mail close within 2 seconds of opening. I’ve restarted my phone several times…but the two apps still won’t stay running. What can I do?

  • Artydiana

    The first time I jailbroke my iphone 4 I preserved my BB. The second time I decided to jailbreak my phone again because my phone was acting up. This time I got a BB of 4.11.08 and now my gevey sim doesnt work anymore. Can I jailbreak my iphone again with that BB custom file I used in the first time? Will my iphone go from 4.11 to 4.10 ?

  • amanda graves

    i have a 3gs, bb 04.26.08.
    can i use this same method to update to ios5 while preserving my bb (and unlock)?

  • Samer_fau

    use ultrasn0w to boost signal

  • Shaan N90

    hey i tried doing the same thing…but while trying to restore it in itunes…it gives an error saying restore not possible on following baseband…welli own an iphone 3gs with ios 4.3.3 baseband 06.15.00….plzz help…what do i do??

  • sahil

    i have iphone 4 with 4.1 version and baseband is 2.10.4 working on gevey sim
    can i update it to ios 5…? will it still work plz really need your help.. im sick of finding the perfect procedure
    can anyone here help me out
    thanks

  • Eemmjim

    Have same problem, Upgraded to IOS5 with preserved bb 1.59…problem is signal strength is showing only 1 bar..any fix for this?appreciate your help..im from Philippines..

  • Mast_jean

    zaibi

    thnx Bro.

  • Murtazahmad

    i have an iphone 4 running 4.3.5 baseband 4.10.1..trying to update to ios5 but when i load the NO_BB 5.0 ipsw into itunes it goes through extracting the firmware but then errors out with saying its not the right build for iphone error 3194 i think..any idea on how to fix this ??? using itunes version 10.5.1 lastest version…HELPPP PLEASE

  • Matax

    install ultrasn0w from cydia. All signal bars will appear after a respring

  • Prawarna kindelpitiya

    HI guys , I have iphone 3gs , 4.3.3 BB is 6.15.00 , so If i upgrade IOS 5.0.1. can i unlock and Jailbreak it ?
    currently i am using T-mobile .

  • Tim Rice

    Hi guys i know you all are busy but i’d appreciate if could please help me out my problem is as follows: i have an iphone 4 running 4.3.5 baseband 4.10.1..trying to update to ios5 but when i load the NO_BB 5.0 ipsw into itunes it goes through extracting the firmware but then errors out with saying its not the right build for iphone

  • Tim Rice

    guys a lil help please :(

  • http://twitter.com/mehta_viru1 Viraj Mehta

    Were you able to get past this ? I am facing the same issue.

  • Asdf

    with BB 6.15.00 you can only do a custom firmware update. Updating to a stock will brick your phone.

  • asim

    hi, i think u must reboot your device by redsnow 0.9.9b4

  • Ausamnco

    Hi, There is no preserve baseband mode for my iphone 4 verizon CDMA. I followed the tutorial exactly as it is. Please help. Thanks :D

  • Enrique

    Did you updated your iPhone?? i have the same baseband (2.10.4) i want to know if i can update it too?

  • Pandaarakaalan

    I have iPhone 3gs , iOS v4.3.3 Base Band is 6.15.00 unlocked using Ultrasn0w. Do i need to create a custom ISPW to upgrade to iOS 5?

  • Xashleyoxt

    What you need to do is open up the latest Redsnow.
    Steps:
    Open Redsnow
    Select extra
    Select the option “Boot in DFU”
    Follow the directions to boot in DFU
    Open Itunes
    Press Shift (WIN) or OPT (MAC) and select iOS

    GoodLuck

  • Gorkemgedik

    Hi guys I have an locked (AT&T) iphone 4 running 4.0.2 and 1.59.00 can i upgrade to ios5 now? Im out of US so i have to use another sim card.

  • Ohhemgeeanna

    Same here, anyone help?

  • Raden steve

    You can use the next generation of gevey sim card.

  • Radensteve

    Yes, you have to restore using preserve updated baseband.

  • Radensteve

    So far, the only way to update 3GS is using the preserve baseband firmware. Be careful, the increase of baseband stops your iphone to work.

  • Ramdass4

    I have an iPhone 4 and my iOS version is 4.3.5 (8L1), my Baseband is 4.10.01 and I’ve made T-Mobile update my IMEI number to the iPhone. The phone is not Jailbroken but Unlocked with the Gevey Sim card, Should I do the preserve the Baseband update and go for iOS 5 or wait?

  • Sridhar

    Same question? is there any other way than Gevey sim for unlocking BB 4.10.01

  • Arabionator

    Just hold the home and power buttons untill apple logo comes on and dnt listen to ymtong because you will lose your unlock if you do it his way

  • Allyrichard

    I UPDATED MY IPHONE 4 WITHOUT PRESERVING MY BASEBAND. IS THERE ANY WAY TO SAVE MY PHONE??? DESPERATE FOR HELP! please email me if you can help i would really appreciate it as I had no idea about this!!!!!! THANK YOU!!

  • Steezofandy

    Hey guys, I’ve got the original Gevey sim working with 4.1 and 2.10.04. I’ve been wanting to update to 5.0.1 but I’m afraid I’ll brick my phone. Will it work for sure?

  • Neil

    Hey guys, I’ve got Gevey sim working with 4.1 and 2.10.04. I want to upgrade my iPhone 4 to 5.0.1 but I’m afraid I’ll brick my phone. Will it work for sure?

  • Harry

    mine is perfectly working ios 5.0.1. preserved baseband 2.10.04 using snowbreeze!
    search video tutorials in youtube or other sites that could help u

  • Harry

    no luck dude! BB 4.10.01 still depends on gevey as of today!

  • jem

    i followed the instructions and then when i clicked the restore button it says that “The iphone could not be restored. This device isn’t eligible for the requested build. what am i gonna do now?? :( (

  • Neil

    Thanks for reply buddy, Hope mine will also work…:)

  • Neil

    I tried but it says your device is not eligible for this restore any suggestion…???

  • Neil

    I tried but it says your device is not eligible for this restore any suggestion…???

  • Neil

    I tried but it says your device is not eligible for this restore any suggestion…???

  • lito

    Hey, all those who have iphone 4 asidentally upgrade their IOS to 5.0.1 we can not do anything except to wait for the gevey sim to release a new gevey sim to upgrade 04.11.08. I hope this will get the attension of maker of the gevey sim.

  • Granit Berisha

    you need tinyumbrella server runing and your iphone must be in dfu mode

  • Saliyuba

    download corona

  • Saliyubax

    shift key and not alt

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=850190009 Muneeb Arshad

    HI, I’m using iphone 4, version

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=850190009 Muneeb Arshad

    HI, I’m using iPhone 4, jailbroken version 4.3.3(8J2), baseband 04.10.01. What i want to know is :

    1. Can i upgrade to iOS5?

    2. (If yes) Do I need to preserve my baseband and upgrade or do I just upgrade the OS as stated by millions of videos over youtube?

    3. After that I’ve updated my OS, will I have to unlock my phone as well through ultrasnow?

    I hope my phone my doesn’t get locked if I do so, since I’m not a US resident. I have downloaded redsnow and snowbreeze, also I’ve downloaded iOS 4.3.5(8L1) & 5.01(9A405). PLz help as I badly want to upgrade my OS.

  • Om3r

    ****************************************************************************************************************************************
    PLEASE ….HELP ME……
    i was on iOS 4.1 with BaseBand 2.10.04 using gevey pro…. i updated to iOS 5.0.1 preserving my baseband to 2.10.4 BUT NOW i am having signal problem. i only have 1 signal bar…. what should i do to have ful signal bars ????????????????????????????????? will gevey ultra work for this problm ???????????????????
    ****************************************************************************************************************************************

  • elgs

    I could overcome the mistake by taking off my gevey sim and puting the original one before restauring with itunes. I also rebooted my pc. Donn´t Know what make it works, if the reboot or changing the sim card.

  • lu

    step 2? what do you choose to open?

  • Wmashal

    download ultrasn0w from cydia this will solve your issue

  • osman

    3194 error