The iPhone 3G, like all iPhones, is locked by Apple so that third-party programs can not be installed without the company's authorization. To unlock the iPhone 3G so that it can accommodate programs not sanctioned by Apple, run a "jail-breaking" program. There are a number of free programs that will unlock the iPhone, all of them free to use and working in a similar manner. The procedure is automated to the point of where you need to do very little. Additionally, none of the content on the iPhone will be lost.
Instructions
1. Download a jail-breaking program to the Mac's desktop, such as the free "Spirit" jail-breaking program (see Resources). Double-click the file to install it onto the Mac's hard drive.
2. Connect the iPhone connector of the iPhone cable to the iPhone. Connect the other end of the iPhone cable to a USB port on the Mac.
3. Launch the iTunes program that is included with the Mac by double-clicking its icon inside the "Applications" folder. Wait for the icon of the iPhone to appear in the left column of the iTunes program.
4. Launch the jail-breaking program by double-clicking its icon inside the "Applications" folder.
5. Select "iPhone 3G" from the "iPhone" drop-down menu on the program's main screen. Click the "Start" or "Jailbreak" button on the program's main screen.
6. Wait as the jail-breaking program downloads pertinent files from the Internet and installs them onto the iPhone 3G. The process is completed when the iPhone 3G's screen goes black.
7. Wait as the Apple logo appears on the iPhone 3G's screen, followed by the splash screen that contains the slide locking bar.
8. Quit the jail-breaking program. Right-click on the icon of the iPhone 3G that is in the left column of the iTunes program. Select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. Quit iTunes. Remove the iPhone cable from the iPhone and from the Mac.
Tags: jail-breaking program, iPhone cable, iTunes program, Applications folder, column iTunes, column iTunes program, double-clicking icon