Update

This post is now here solely for posterity, and will not be updated in the future. I’ve combined all my 3/iPhone related tools into a single entry that contains all the various bits and pieces of information you need to use them.

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Update – June 18th

Enabling .ipcc loading

Enterprising Mac users have figured out that a simple defaults command in the terminal can enable .ipcc files to be loaded. The command is: defaults write com.apple.iTunes carrier-testing -bool TRUE and it means that you can install my 3 carrier bundle. I haven’t yet updated it to include the tethering/MMS instructions but will do so shortly.

.mobileconfig generators etc.

Additionally, it seems that the .mobileconfig method is the way to get around that “we’re going to charge for tethering” bullshit various carriers around the world are spouting. There’s a bunch of already-generated .mobileconfig files at help.benm.at that will let you download them straight to your phone, and someone has built a custom generator at http://tetherme.lstoll.net/. A few people have asked if I can create other files for other carriers. Because I can’t test on any other carrier, I can’t guarantee these files will work, and because of that I don’t want to create them. Use one of the sites above to get one for your carrier.

Thanks

Also, thanks to all the people that have written in both from the contact form and on twitter to say thanks for the .mobileconfig file. I replied to the first few emails, but I’m a bit inundated at the moment so I can’t guarantee I’ll get through all of them.

Enabling Tethering

In iTunes 8.2, Apple disabled the ability to load custom .ipcc files – a set of instructions for setting up your iPhone for a particular carrier. The files also allows the carrier to enable and disable features such as MMS, data roaming, and tethering, and set their carrier logo etc.

[I created a carrier bundle for 3 a few months ago (will now only load on pre-8.2 iTunes or if you've jailbroken)]

As a result of this, it’s impossible to enable tethering on Three, an unsupported carrier, as the feature is disabled by default.

The solution: .mobileconfig. These files – which can contain similar information to .ipcc files, but for specific functions – are allowed by Apple, and are executed on the phone, not through iTunes.

I’ve created a .mobileconfig file containing instructions for enabling tethering on 3.

Instructions

1. Fire up MobileSafari and go to the .mobileconfig file directly OR Download the 3Tether mobileconfig file, unzip it, and email it to yourself, then open up the email on your iPhone and tap the attachment.
2. It will open up an Install Profile screen, telling you it’s going to Enable Tethering. Tap Install.
3. It’ll tell you it’s not authenticated, don’t worry too much about it, it’s just that apparently I’m not an actual mobile phone carrier according to Apple. Hit Install again.
4. It will do its thing, then after about 10 seconds it will have installed. Hit “Done” in the top right. It will take you back to Mail/Safari.
5. On your iPhone, go into Settings -> General -> Network, you now should have a new option for “Internet Tethering”. Turn it on. It will turn bluetooth on if it’s not already.
6. On your Mac, go to the bluetooth menu, and set up your phone as a new device. Follow the prompts – you DO want to set it up as a PAN device.
7. Plug your iPhone into your Mac with the USB cable. You should be prompted to set up a new network device. It’ll be pretty straightforward.

That’s it. If you want to connect via USB, just plug the phone in and it should start straight away. To connect with Bluetooth, just select the iPhone from the bluetooth menu item and select “Connect to Network”.

Update

MMS Settings need to be added manually as follows:

Go to Settings -> General -> Network -> Cellular Data Network

Set up as follows:

• APN: 3services
• Username: [blank]
• Password: [blank]
• MMSC: http://mmsc.three.net.au:10021/mmsc
• MMS Proxy: 10.176.57.25:8799
• MMS Max Message Size: [blank]

Note: You may need to restart your phone/remove and replace your SIM/toggle Aeroplane Mode to get the changes to work.