How to Fix: iPhone 3GS or 3G Stuck in Emergency or Activation Screen

by Ali on September 16, 2010

Don’t you just hate iTunes Popup message, when it asks you to update your iPhone. Don’t you hate yourself when you click Update without knowing what you are doing and eventually locking your device or ending up on the Emergency Call Screen. Well, dont feel bad, we have a solution for you. First, Stop updating your device and make this a habit. Second, Try the procedure after the jump to get past the Emergency Call screen or activate your iPhone 3GS or 3G to use it on any carrier.

This procedure can activate your iPhone 3GS and 3G on any firmware to date. Although you should know that there is no jailbreak for iPhone 3GS on iOS 4.1 (September 15, 2010) so if you have updated your device to iOS 4.1 you are out of luck but you can activate your device and get past the Emergency screen to use it as an iPod. iPhone 3G on the other hand can be Jailbroken and unlocked on any Firmware to date.

How To Activate:

Step 1:
You need to have a Phonebook SIM. Phonebook SIMs are available, online and in the market. This is what I used… I wonder why they used a Dog on it.

iPhone 4 Activation Sim

Step 2:
Use the SIM and insert it into your iPhone 3GS or 3G.

Step 3:
Wait for iPhone 3GS or 3G to show the activation screen, Plug in your device and launch iTunes. iTunes will recognize your iPhone 3GS or 3G and activate it. So far so good?

How To Jailbreak:

Step 1:
Turn WiFi ON on your activated iPhone 3GS or 3G.

Step 2:
Open safari and go to www.jailbreakme.com. All you have to do here is slide the bar shown on the screen and wait for Jailbreakme to finish the download and Jailbreaking of your device. Do not unplug or do anything silly at this point.

Step 3:
After the Jailbreak of your iPhone 3GS or 3G go to Cydia > Manage > Sources > From the Top Right corner Tap on Edit and then Tap Done. A popup will open put http://cydia.pushfix.info and tap on Add Source.

Cydia

Step 4:
Next, go to Search option on your Cydia screen and type in “Hactivation (Patch)”

Final Step:
Install the patch and reboot your device. After the reboot go to Cydia again and search ultrasn0w to unlock your device and enjoy your activated and unlocked device.

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Disclaimer: Please be careful with what you do and ask questions before you proceed, we at TechSliver.com will not be responsible for any kind of loss. Please talk to us if you want to before you proceed, we are here to help you and guide you.

Jailbreak Compatibility Test

Click here to check if your iDevice is Jailbreakable or not with the Firmware (iOS) version you are using (iPhone 2G to iPhone 4, iPod Touch, iPad, All Apple Products)

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Ali
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  • Shadzzz

    Hey, I’m desperately in need of some help. I updated my iPhone yesterday and then I lost signal from my operator and couldn’t call anybody. I searched over the internet and saw how everybody says not to update. So I restored the phone via iTunes. Now i’m stuck at emergency calls only and i don’t know what to do. Please help !

  • Anonymous

    Please mention your Device and iOS version!

  • Shadzzz

    Iphone 3GS.But how do I check the iOS version that I have at the moment ? It was 4.0.2 before I updated. Then I restored from iTunes, but iTunes is only giving me some sim card thing in the iphone pannel so i can’t see what version it is atm.

  • Anonymous

    your only chance of getting back to iOS 4.0.2 or later is if you had saved your SHSH.. through cydia.. or local.. let me know if you every jailbroke your device before.. if not.. you are out of luck for now.. and you’ll have to wait a little.. a jailbreak is on the way!! join us on facebook or tiwtter and we’ll keep you posted… but for now.. let us know if you ever saved your SHSH… SHSH is used to Downgrade your iOS version for situtaions like these… you can also try the procedure above see if it helps… let us know! and give us some background of your device and stuff..

  • Tiachopxanh108

    Hi there ! i had same thing ” i’m stuck at emergency calls only ” Nedd help ?

  • Reggie

    I have an iPhone 3g and cannot recall what version I was using before the update. I believe it was 3.0 something, anyways, accidentally updated on iTunes.

    Emergency screen the whole 9 yards, I’ve tried EVERYdamn tutorial but nothing is working, any help?? I downloaded the redsnow 0.94 and the firmware 3.1.2 and when i follow the steps the redsn0w keeps freezing and closing.

    I’m in desperate need of some help :l

  • Anonymous

    Hey Reggie, lots of things to mention here.. When exactly did you update through iTunes.. you dont need 3.1.2 if you just updated your device in the recent past.. second.. what OS are you on.. third.. have you tried this: http://www.techsliver.com/sn0wbreeze-2-0-is-out-jailbreak-ios-4-1-iphone-3gs3g-and-ipod-touch/

    give it a try… if no luck email us your ID where we can chat with you..

  • Monique Rumjanek

    Hello! I have an iphone 3G, and yesterday I accidentally updated my iphone through itunes and now it’s on the emergency screen. I tried following your tutorial on the link below:

    http://www.techsliver.com/stuck-in-emergency-screen-jailbreak-your-iphone-3gs-3g-or-ios-4-0-2-using-redsn0w-0-9-5b5-5/

    I followed all the steps and downloaded all the files – everything went well, the pineapple finished its work, but then it went back to emergency screen and now it won’t even turn off (I turn it off and it turns back on by itself) so I can’t even try other tutorials.

    Can you please help? I live in Brazil and we don’t have Phonebook sims here, and I bought my Iphone in Germany, so can’t get hold of its original sim.

    Thanks for any help!

  • Anonymous

    This is what you need: http://www.techsliver.com/download-redsn0w-0-9-6-to-jailbreak-ios-4-1-on-iphone-3g-and-ipod-touch-2g/

    and if you updated it yesterday!! you are probably on iOS 4.1 and there is no Unlock for your device… you’ll have to wait on that.. till then you can jailbreak it and use it as an iPod Touch!! Follow us on twitter or facebook and we’ll keep you posted with the unlock!

  • Shopgurl

    Help! I brought an iphone 3gs from ebay but don’ know what filmware/ios it’s on. I tried typing the “#3001#*12345″ thingy and didn’t work. What are my options?

  • Anonymous

    Well shopgurl, if you dont know this is your only way out of emergency call screen: http://www.techsliver.com/sn0wbreeze-2-0-is-out-jailbreak-ios-4-1-iphone-3gs3g-and-ipod-touch/

    let me know if you are not in emergency call screen!!

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