New trick allows users to reverse killer update

Members of the iPhone Dev Wiki team have developed a restore process which allows some users to regain full use of iPhones disabled by Apple's latest firmware update.

The process will take the phone from the latest version 1.1.1 firmware back to the previous 1.0.2 version, allowing users to reactivate the iPhone and regain use of its features. By reverting to the previous version however, they will be locked out off the security, stability and feature improvements that the upgrade offers.

The hack furthermore won't help users who cracked their iPhones by changing the firmware of its cellular radio, as is done by the "free SIM unlock" tool. Reversal to the old firmware leaves those users without functioning phone, SMS or EDGE functionalities.

Despite having its limitations, the reversal allows users to gain back control over phones that had been rendered useless after Apple released its update last week.

Apple had previously warned that the firmware update would cause unlocked iPhones to crash without the possibility for recovery.

There are as of yet no known methods to unlocking the 1.1.1 version of the iPhone firmware.