A couple of days ago we shared links to download the iPhone 3.0 beta Firmware and as promised, we are back with an exclusive article on how to update your iPhone or iPod Touch device to iPhone 3.0 beta firmware.
Before I continue with the procedure, let me remind you folks that it is an advanced level hack so only proceed if you have a clever understanding of what you are doing. I strongly recommend users with unlocked iPhones to wait till the iPhone Dev team releases a patch for the new firmware.
Following procedure is applicable for those with a AT&T locked iPhone and all iPod Touch users.
Installing iPhone 3.0 beta on the iPhone
- Make sure to have downloaded the iPhone 3.0 beta firmware that relates to your iPhone (2G or 3G).
- Extract the firmware IPSW to a folder.
- Connect the iPhone to your computer.
- Get the UDID registered on the iPhone Developer program. (How to?)
- Open iTunes and click Restore while holding the Shift key (for Windows) or Option key (for Mac).
- Locate or browse to the firmware IPSW.
- Wait for iTunes to unpackage and install the firmware.
Note: Attempting to do this upgrade on a unlocked iPhone can make it useless forever. Even the AT&T locked iPhone users will need to get their UDID registered before trying to upgrade.
Installing iPhone 3.0 beta on iPod Touch
iPod Touch users are pretty safe in this case as there is no question of baseband like iPhone but their is still a catch which I shall be mentioning further below.
- Once the firmware has been downloaded, extract the IPSW to a folder.
- Connect the iPod Touch to your computer.
- Get the UDID registered on the iPhone Developer program. (How to?)
- Make sure to disconnect from Internet such that iTunes cannot communicate with the web.
- Only then, open iTunes and click Restore while holding the Shift key (for Windows) or Option key (for Mac).
- Locate or browse to the firmware IPSW.
- Wait for iTunes to unpackage and install the firmware.
Note: Step-3 is optional for iPod Touch users but in case you decide not to get your UDID registered, you won’t be able to Sync with iTunes. The upgrade method is valid for both iPod Touch 1st Gen and 2nd Gen.
Please note that after upgrading to iPhone 3.0 beta, you might not be able to downgrade to firmware 2.2.1 later on so it is always a good choice to wait for the official release which is due in summer. iPod Touch users are always safe but I have already clearly warned the iPhone users to proceed at their own risk.
The official and final iPhone 3.0 firmware for the iPhone and iPod Touch is now available for download.
Saad Hamid is a blogger and technology enthusiast from Pakistan. Connect with him on
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
how do u install the firmware without connecting to the internet? everytime i disconnect the internet itunes won’t allow me to do anything with my iphone (restore, update, or sync)
What do you mean by an unlocked phone when referring to the upgrade?
I have an iphone 3G, bought from Egypt. I haven’t used any of yellowst0ne, quikpwange..etc, and I’ve activated it from iTunes. However, the phone does accept any sim card, since the day I got it. The iphones they sell here straight from apple through the service providers aren’t locked to any specific network, without any required software modification
Does that still mean I can’t upgrade my phone to the 3.0 firmware version?
My other question is about the UDID. Isn’t there any other way to bypass that step, and what r the options for it.
Thank you
So if you have an unlocked iphone. and you do an upgrade to firmware 3.0, will it work or not???
Hi, i am unable to restore to 3.0. the error am getting is “Firmware file not compatible” do u know what wrong?
You’re on a Mac and the file is for PC. Someone plse upload for Mac!!!
Hi,
can you tell me if this procedure will work on iphone 3g on O2 in UK as through your instructions you only talk about AT&T?
It will work yes! It is supposed to work with any iPhone which has been bought legally with a carrier.
Hey bro is there any way u can upload the new iphone beta 2 on here? thanks in advance
Why restore? I presume update should be adequate and maybe even keep your jailbreak intact! Anyone tried just to update instead of restore?
Nah the upgrade process un-Jailbreaks the iPhone – doesn’t matter which firmware version you upgrade or downgrade to.
I’ve been using the 3.0 sdk for since April 2nd and today my phone is in emergency mode. When I try to sync it up to a computer, it says that the software needs to be updated. I’ve tried everything from rebooting my phone, downgrading to 2.2.1, using a different computer and user to sync it up without any luck. Got any idea about what’s going on?
Thanks
It’s a great post, and very helpful in upgrading to the beta.
However, one thing that I think that should be included is the reminder of “backing up” prior to the upgrade. I am not a Apple fan boy or a savvy Mac user, so I am unfamiliar with the general procedures taken in place for a Mac product (iPhone is the only Apple I have)…
I had the impression that iPhone would always backup my files prior to a new firmware upgrade. This was not happening to the 3.0 Beta upgrade…
Other than that, it’s an awesome thread!
I keep trying to download the file, but it isn’t a .ipsw file. I am a dev member, can’t the .ipsw file there, or anywhere else! Anyone know how i can get it?
The DL went very well and everything BUT YouTube and the picture messaging MMS works. Not sure if it’ll work once it’s officially released.
Thank you.
i’m getting 1602 error or 1604.
upgrading ipod touch 1g
what to do?
i'm on a dell laptop
and i have the same problem
is says “Firmware file not compatible”
Having suffered a bit I can add a prelogue to this post.
Before starting anything upgrade your iTunes to 8.2. Failure to do this will result in the upgrade to 3.0 ipsw having errors. This link is helpful
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/06/28/apple-...
Download the required ipsw i.e. iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore
For people like me who forget how to restore to higher version press the shift button on windows and press restore
You will have a bricked iPhone on 3.0 and can proceed with Jailbreaking it.
Hope it cause less agony of it not connecting to iTunes etc.
I just got my iphone 2g and when i click on itunes it looks like this (click on link below)
PLZ HELP ME!!!!!!
http://www.mark-kirby.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/...
I just got my iphone 2g and when i click on itunes it looks like this (click on link below)
PLZ HELP ME!!!!!!
http://www.mark-kirby.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/...