Previously, I’ve downgraded my iPhone 3GS from firmware 3.1 to 3.0. However, my Singtel sim card was not detected and the iPhone 3GS has totally no Singtel carrier network. But, now I manage to fix it. If you’re having the same issue, here’s the solution.
Please note that your device/iPhone 3GS must has a 3.0 ECID SHSH on file before you’ve updated to firmware 3.1.
3.0 ECID SHSH on file
Please skip entire guide if you don’t see the wordings “This device has a 3.0 ECID SHSH on file” on Cydia home page when your iPhone 3GS is on firmware 3.0.
Downgrade iPhone 3GS 3.1
- Uninstall iTunes 9 and install iTunes version 8.2.
- Close the iTunes if it’s running. Run c:\windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and open with Notepad. Add 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com at the last line and save it.
- Put your iPhone 3GS to DFU mode and shift restore to firmware 3.0 through iTunes 8.2. You’ll get error (1015). Shift restore to firmware 3.0 again and you’ll still get error(1015).
- For official iPhone, jailbreak your iPhone 3GS using purplera1n and then unlock it through iTunes.
- For non-official iPhone, jailbreak your iPhone 3GS using redsn0w and you’ll not be able use the ultrasn0w to unlock as the iPhone baseband was being updated on firmware 3.1. You’ll probably need to wait iPhone dev team to release the unlock for baseband 05.11.07.
For more information about iPhone 3GS downgrading, click here.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
good info.. i have a jailbroken 3G on 3.0 and still waiting for a stable 3.1 jailbreak method .. am really dependent on my usb tethering and would hate to lose that in the upgrade process. OS 3.0 really bites, it totally killed my wifi .. grrr
i was trying your tutorial and the hosts file wouldn’t let me save, please advise on how to get it working and please include a screen shot of the hosts file modded. ty…
In order to save the hosts file, you must have the administrator right of that PC.
Only 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com is added to the last line of the hosts file.
Hope it helps…
my iphone 3GS is hanged ,, totally messed up hanged … how can i knw its baseband ?? phone isj us hanged wit apple logo .. cant even restore to any firmware . help needed
Hi Komar,
You can try to hard reset your iPhone 3GS by holding both sleep/wake and home buttons. When Apple logo appears again, released both buttons and it’ll be restarted. Then, you may want to restore and jailbreak your iPhone 3GS again.
Hope it helps…
Hello Alvin,
Iv already unlocked 3G n previous iPhones, im not new to jailbreaking n unlocking… iv tried all the ways.. i tried restoring wit iTunes but i get error message ..
” The iPhone “iPhone” could not be restored. This device isn’t eligible for the requested build. ”
First i tried to restore with iTunes9 .. then later with 8.2.1.6 … both gave me same error wit both 3.0 and 3.0.1 firmwares … this iphone was hanged while downloadin sum apps from cydia… now its not gettin restored at all … jus the apple logo appears all day n nite till battery drains.
Please help me Alvin..
Hi Komar,
If you’re using Mac PC, you can use the latest pwnagetool 3.1.3 to create the custom firmware and restore through iTunes. Please refer to this guide.
Hi Alvin ..
Im using Windows 7
Hi Komar,
If your iPhone 3GS had 3.0 ECID SHSH on file, it can be downgraded to firmware 3.0. You can refer to the screen shot on the post.
HI Alvin
The main problem is i cant even retore the phone at all ..
after extractin the file .. the error comes out… The iPhone “iPhone” could not be restored. This device isn’t eligible for the requested build.
Theres only apple logo if i restart it .. theres no connect to iTunes logo …any suggestion ??
Hi Komar,
Is your iPhone 3GS an official set?
official as in ??
Official carrier set in your region?
HI Alvin
no its not official phone… i live in Nepal and was bought frm local market frm Bangkok ..
Hi Komar,
Try to download and restore your iPhone with 3.1 custom firmware from this post.
Hope it helps…
hey,
in this post you said you got downgrading from 3.1 to 3.0 iphone 3gs, is your modem firmware 05.11.07 and are you using a factory unlocked iphone 3gs 3.1 from singtel to begin with? or is it a jailbroken iphone 3gs 3.0/3.0.1 which you had previously upgraded to 3.1 and then now am downgrading back as in this post?
rgds
Hi Iwy08,
When I’ve got my iPhone 3GS, it’s on firmware 3.0. The iPhone was jailbroken before I’ve updated to firmware 3.1.
Cheers~~
Hi Alvin
How do we remove icy frm springboard .. iv jus want cydia ..
Hi Komar,
Please refer to this thread. I’ve not tested this method and let me know if this works.
Thanks…
Alvin
hi
i have been reading some of your postson the above site and i was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me
1 i have jail broken my iphone 3gs on 3.1 using blackra1n it worls fine but i keep getting error 2 codes when i try to add sources.
2 is it better for me to downgrade my iphone to 3.0 or even 2.2
3 how do i get psx on my iphone and game boy advanced
thanks for you time on this
Kev
Hi Kev,
1. The sources you’re trying to add may be no longer is valid or the connection is busy (timed out) and you can try again later.
2. If the apps you’re trying to install is not compatible or stable on your current firmware version, why not?
3. You can Google it.
HEllo Alvin,
I have exhausted all options and it’s not working, BTW on Saurik’s site it says to add 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com to the last line and the IP address on your guide says differently, as does many other guides. Anyways, yes my ECID/SHSH was saved with Cydia, and I’ve added 74.208.10.249 gs.apple.com (and what your guide suggested as well) to the the last line in “host” file thing, alas I continue to get the device isn’t eligible for this firmware build error, or it just won’t be able to contact the update sever, what am I doing wrong?!?
Hi Emmanuel,
I’ve tested again on my iPhone 3GS and managed to downgrade successfully to firmware 3.0. As for the hosts file, I’ve added 74.208.105.171 gs.apple.com at the last line and it still works.
Is your iPhone 3GS showing “3.0″ ECID SHSH on the cydia’s homepage? If it’s showing “3.1″ instead, you can restore or downgrade your iPhone 3GS to firmware 3.1 ONLY.
hi
can u post a pic for the host file or upload it
i did evrything but still giving me
This device isn’t eligible for the requested build
now am on CFW 3.1.2 baseband still 04.26.08
and yes 3.0 ECID SHSH on cydia homepage
Hi Jockr,
Sure, but I can only upload it tonight when reach home.
Hi Jockr,
I’ve uploaded the picture to the post and hope it can help you out on the downgrading procedure.
Good Luck!
hi Alvin
thnx for ur help
but too bad still got same This device isn’t eligible for the requested build
Hi Jockr,
Make sure you restart iTunes after you’ve made changes to the hosts file and put your iPhone 3GS into DFU mode (blank screen) before restoring to firmware 3.0.
HI
still no luck for me
can only use CFW 3.1 & 3.1.2
Drain Battery like HILL
is there any deffrent if internet connection through a router or direct form ISP modem ?
Hi Jockr,
Did you try to turn off some of the iPhone features to optimize its battery life. Here is the list of features you can temporarily turn off.
I don’t think your problem is related to how the Internet access is connected. May I know the reasons for downgrading your iPhone 3GS?
cuz i notice the diffrent usage between 3.0 and 3.1&3.1.2
3.1&3.1.2 drain Battery soo much also wifi somtime d/c
i have data package with 100GB per month soo am using internet alot
and the battery not helping
with 3.0 it was much better
nowi back to CFW 3.1 its a littel bit better and wifi works great now
anyway i google alot my problem and alot ppl got same problem w/o answer
soo i ll just wait .. maybe apple fix battery on 3.2
thnx for replay
i got a iphone 3gs that hasent been jailbroken and its 4.0.1 how can i downgrade it?