OS 3.1.2 iTunes 9 Update: Still works. Prior to following the instructions given below you have to quit iTunes 9, and enter
defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE
in a Terminal session. There you go!
OS 3.0 Beta 2 Update: The info provided in this post works for the latest Beta 2 of iPhone OS 3.0, too.
Let me first say sorry for a blog post title that is far too long. However, with a little bit of Google magic it finally brought you here, didn’t it?
Recently I’ve posted an article about enabling MMS (and Tethering) on your iPhones for the German mobile operators. The article was inspired by my partner site iPhone-notes.de and the fantastic work André Sendowski does over there.
As I ran into a couple of problems with my iPhones I thought I’d write a quick follow up and might help others avoiding some of the trouble. Please be aware that most of the stuff in this area must be considered “guessing” as nobody really knows the details of what’s going on behind the scenes.
As usual you do everything at your own risk.
As one of my findings it appears as if there is no one-solution-fits-all. It seems as if you not only need the correct carrier bundle but your specific settings also depend on the tariff/contract you’re running on.
I’ve now got MMS, Tethering and 3G data connectivity confirmed running for both T-Mobile and Vodafone. So if you happen to run on the same tariff as I, it should work out for you, too.
T-Mobile
This is one of my development devices. It’s a regular, legal, netlocked, iTunes activated iPhone 3G 16GB running on iPhone OS 3.0 (7A238j). As I hardly ever do anything with it, I’ve chosen the cheapest contract option: Complete XS.
The device has never been jailbroken or unlocked.
It works with this carrier bundle and the APN in Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data Network set to:
APN: internet.t-mobile
Username: t-mobile
Password: tm
Vodafone
This is sort of my production machine. It’s another iPhone 3G 16 GB. I’ve purchased the device in Italy where iPhones have no netlocks. This device has never been jailbroken or unlocked and runs iPhone OS 3.0 (7A238j). I’ve subscribed to the special iPhone tariff that Vodafone is offering in Germany (and which is a 100% flat for just everything, highly recommended).
It works with this carrier bundle and the APN in Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data Network set to:
APN: web.vodafone.de
Username:
Password:
Note: Once you install the carrier bundle it likely sets Username and Password to “vodafone”. You’ve got to manually delete username and password. Keeping the username and password set did not work for me!
Some final remarks
I noticed that whenever I had difficulties getting MMS working, I could also not use the data network for Internet connectivity. The error given was: “Could not activate cellular data network”. André told me, that there should not be any association with the APN you can set via the iPhone Settings application as the carrier bundles contain an internal and separate APN configuration for MMS which is not even accessible from the iPhone. However, if I put “vodafone”/”vodafone” back in, MMS functionality is gone for me.
Hope this helps and feel free to leave your remarks to help others.
Disclaimer: Do not offer iPhone Dev Portal UDID registrations here!
Unfortunately I’ve recognized that people who got iPhone OS 3.0 without an Apple Developer membership tried to get their UDIDs registered via other members of the program, who have started to sell their 90+ slots. Please do not post any UDID registration request or offering in the comments. Your comment will never get approved and killed without further notice. I’m sorry.
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Can you please tell me how to install the vodafone carrier bunble on my iphone 3g.
Please help buddy!!
Are you based in Germany running a German Vodafone contract?
Yes, i am in germany. I have os 2.2.1 on my iphone. i got a vodafone contract, but not able to use internet. It says “Safari cannot open the page, because it is not connected to internet”. I changed the APN to “web.vodafone.de”, but to no use. I believe some thing more has to be done. Can you please help.
Sure. The process to install the carrier bundle is described in my post in great detail.
If you could describe what you did so far and where it failed, I might be able to help. Some questions to start with:
1. Did you download the T-Mobile carrier bundle from my site?
2. Did you send it to your iPhone by Alt-clicking the “Update” option in iTunes and selecting the bundle?
-Ralf
No. i got a t-mobile iphone. got a rebelsim card and put my vodafone sim into my iphone.
And now, I changed my APN settings.
This is all I did until now :-(
Should I download the T-mobile carrier bundle or the Vodafone carrier bundle.
And how to update this to my phone (I dont find the update option in iTune).
I am very new to this. Dont get irritated with my basic questions and kindly help me :-)
Don’t worry. Detailed steps along with screen shots in German are available at my partner site:
http://www.iphone-notes.de/2009/03/22/iphone-os-30-mms-tethering-fur-deutsche-provider/
Hope this helps!
-Ralf
Hi Dude,
Thanks a lot. But can you tell me which carrier bundle should I update?
The original phone carrier (T-mobile) or the SIM carrier(Vodafone).
What if I want to restore the original carrier settings? Could you upload the original, unmodified ones?
You’ve got to use the carrier bundle for the SIM you’re using. So if you run a vodafone contract, go for the vodafone carrier bundle.
I don’t have those. You might be able to Google them. Or check back with André from iPhone-notes.de – he might be able to help.
Hello,
Can U help me ? I use T-Mobile Hungary, and I can send mms, and tethering is works, but I cannot receiving MMS
thx
András
Can someone help to me set up Hungarian T-mobile?
OS 3.0 Beta 3 with the linked ipcc file – tethering works, but “mobile data network” crashes the settings app
Hi Ralf,
I know this thread is a little old, but I’m trying to get tethering to work on a German T-Mobile iPhone 3Gs (Complete M contract). I’ve tried with both your ipcc and the one from iPhone-notes.de. My iPhone says its tethering, my computer shows its connected to the Apple Mobile Device Ethernet, but i cant access any webpages via Firefox. DHCP is enabled. I’m running Win XP SP2.
Am i missing something really simple, or is something else afoot?
Any help would be much appreciated.
R
Hmm… iPhone on Vodafone. Sounds tempting… I really don’t want to get signed up with T-Mobile. Are those on Vodafone for iPhone having a positive experience? Anyone heard of Vodafone actually importing an unlocked iPhone for them and binding it with a plan? Should I wait it out and see what happens to T-Mobile exclusivity here in Germany?.. Germany appears to be the last remaining country in the EU with an exclusive deal to a carrier.. can it last! Questions questions.. anyone got time and knowledge for some answers? Much appreciated.