Vodafone India – GPRS for iPhone without Data Plan

1Jul/09385

Vodafone India – GPRS for iPhone without Data Plan

Update: If you have the latest version of iOS (3.1.3, 4.0, 4.1 or later), please check update below.

Vodafone(India) will not allow to use the regular GPRS plan (Vodafone Live) on iPhone. We need to take special iPhone data plan which costs min of Rs 199. This is sort of insane, So I just took a crack at it and found a way to access the internet using the regular plan. I have an unlocked, jailbroken iPhone which is running 3.0 firmware. Please follow the below instructions.

Using OpenSSH, edit preferences.plist located in /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration.
Important: Make sure you take a backup of the original preferences.plist.

Around line number 89 (this is appox line number, contents of the file may change based on your phone settings) replace the <dict> with below <dict>

	<dict>
	<key>Interface</key>
	<dict>
		<key>DeviceName</key>
		<string>ip1</string>
		<key>Hardware</key>
		<string>com.apple.CommCenter</string>
		<key>Type</key>
		<string>com.apple.CommCenter</string>
		<key>UserDefinedName</key>
		<string>com.apple.CommCenter (ip1)</string>
		</dict>
	<key>Proxies</key>
	<dict>
		<key>HTTPEnable</key>
		<integer>1</integer>
		<key>HTTPPort</key>
		<integer>9401</integer>
		<key>HTTPProxy</key>
		<string>10.10.1.100</string>
		</dict>
	<key>UserDefinedName</key>
	<string>com.apple.CommCenter (ip1)</string>
	<key>com.apple.CommCenter</key>
	<dict>
		<key>AllowNetworkAccess</key>
		<integer>1</integer>
		<key>Available</key>
		<integer>1</integer>
		<key>Setup</key>
		<dict>
			<key>AllowNoDNS</key>
			<integer>1</integer>
			<key>apn</key>
			<string>portalnmms</string>
			<key>password</key>
			<string></string>
			<key>type-mask</key>
			<integer>1</integer>
			<key>username</key>
			<string></string>
			</dict>
		<key>Version</key>
		<integer>2</integer>
		</dict>
	</dict>

To activate Vodafone Live (GPRS) see Vodafone Website

Update: The below configuration is working on 3.1.2 as well, but the line numbers are little different.

Update (16 Mar 2010):

Many guys have commented that the changes that were made in preferences.plist are lost after restarting the iPhone (for versions 3.1.2 and 3.1.3). So today i decided to take a look at it. And what you guys said is absolutely right, i upgraded my iPhone OS to 3.1.3 and i see that the settings are lost after restarting the phone. And you guys don't worry, i had found a way to fix this and this is much easier than my previous solution. Below are the step by step instructions.

Download and Install iPhone Configuration Utility from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL926
Open the application, Select Configuration Profiles on the left hand side menu and click New in the toolbar; Enter the name, identifier, organization and description; see the image below for more details
Now go to Advanced option and set the apnname = portalnmms, proxy server =10.10.1.100 and port = 9401
Connect your iPhone to computer via USB cable and you should see your iPhone in the devices menu on Left hand side. Select your device
Select Configuration Profiles tab and you should see the Vodafone Profile; Click on Install
You will see a pop on your iPhone asking for permission to install the configuration, Click Install button in your iPhone
Turn on Data Roaming. Data Roaming can be turned on from Settings > General > Network on you iPhone.
And you are done with the configuration. You should be able to use internet on your iPhone now. If its not working just reboot your phone.

Hope this helps !! Please feel free to give your Feedback, Suggestions

Update(08 July 2010): Few guys confirmed that this is working on iOS 4 as well, i personally couldn't test this at this point of time as i'm out of country. I will update this post as soon as i'm back in India. Thanks Sanjeev, Taran for testing it out on iOS 4. You might need to download the upgraded version of the configuration utility. You can download it from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL926.

Update(14 Nov 2010): This configuration works good on iPhone 4 as well. Tested and Certified by me

Update(10 Dec 2010): For those that this configuration is not working, please turn on Data Roaming. Data Roaming can be turned on from Settings > General > Network.

Update(2nd May 2011): 4.1, 4.1.2 are good with the same configuration

Update(31st May 2011): I Confirm that 4.3 is good with the same configuration for iPhone 4.

Tagged as: gprs, india, internet, vodafone, vodafone-live Leave a comment

Comments (385) Trackbacks (0) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

mssvv
July 13th, 2009 - 04:19

Thanks a lot buddy. It really works and I was looking for it for quite some time.

( REPLY )
Wizy144
July 20th, 2009 - 11:53

Guys, The proxy setting can be removed. Here is what I used for my Ver 3.0 OS and it worked like a charm.

Proxies

HTTPEnable

HTTPPort

HTTPProxy

UserDefinedName
com.apple.CommCenter (ip1)
com.apple.CommCenter

AllowNetworkAccess
1
Available
1
Setup

AllowNoDNS
1
apn
www
password

type-mask
1
username

Version
2

( REPLY )
JavaChap
July 23rd, 2009 - 07:57

@Wizy144 The configuration you specified is for the Vodafone Edge which costs min of Rs 299 per month. But the one i mentioned will work with Vodafone Live which is Charged on your usage basis. 10 Paisa for 10KBPS

( REPLY )
dev
July 29th, 2009 - 10:10

thanx dude!!

it worked for me… though took me a couple of tries..

cheers,

( REPLY )
Rahul
August 4th, 2009 - 16:26

But Wizt144 dont u think Edge is MUCH faster then GPRS???

( REPLY )
Rahul
August 4th, 2009 - 16:27

@vjai
But dont u think Edge is MUCH faster then GPRS???

( REPLY )
- JavaChap
  January 28th, 2010 - 03:54
  
  Yeah Edge is much faster, but it comes with certain price.
  
  ( REPLY )
Raj
August 5th, 2009 - 06:44

There are 3 enties like above code in my Iphone 3G os 3.0 bundle …. so do i have to replace this code thrice? Please give your comments on it

( REPLY )
Ankit
August 15th, 2009 - 19:41

will this work with iphone 2g working on 3.0??

( REPLY )
- JavaChap
  August 17th, 2009 - 05:55
  
  Yeah it will work with 2g working on 3.0
  
  ( REPLY )
Hemant
August 17th, 2009 - 10:54

I tried this on my IPhone 3G and only http://live.vodafone.in is accessible. For other sites Safari is giving error message “safari could not open the page because the server stopped responding”

( REPLY )
anand
September 8th, 2009 - 16:11

vodafone gprs settings for iphone OS 3.
thank you so much. got it working after three days. tried changing ipcc n all using other tutorials, did not work. this is the best tutorial for OS 3 n above. thanx again.

( REPLY )
Kanav Juneja
September 10th, 2009 - 22:16

Hey, been lookin for this since a long time. I got this software called plist editor but dont exactly know how to do the editing. If u could give some more details on how to edit or even better, if u could upload the file itself, your help would be appriciated. thank you..

( REPLY )
chandan
September 14th, 2009 - 07:34

thanks a lot…working perfectly for me..

( REPLY )
Kiran
October 7th, 2009 - 10:09

Works Fantastic on 3.1 too….Thanks for sharing.

( REPLY )
Ramzzz
October 10th, 2009 - 08:05

Guys I want to do the same but am not an expert. Could someone provide me with a step by step instruction.
Cheers

( REPLY )
Pratik
October 20th, 2009 - 08:14

Not working for me on 3.1.2 .
Has vodafone changed apn in 3.1.2?

Anyone have any info, please update…

( REPLY )
jj-9811235616
October 24th, 2009 - 07:43

@Wizy144
hi,
I am having vodafone gprs 699 plan on iphone 3.0, it kills me
could you help in this regards please?
regards
Jagdish

( REPLY )
Arjun Nanda
October 27th, 2009 - 13:43

@dev
Hey man
Am trying since morning and am still not able to get it..
Can u send me your preferences.plist file??
Would be a great help..

( REPLY )
Suree
October 30th, 2009 - 03:30

@Ramzzz

i too need a step by step instructions for my iphone3g GPRS settings.

( REPLY )
evil
November 16th, 2009 - 07:47

gud wrk man
applauz

( REPLY )
v2mk
November 18th, 2009 - 17:56

i too need a step by step instructions for my iphone3g GPRS settings through vodafone. Am not even able to start i.e “Using OpenSSH, edit preferences.plist located in /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration” . I am not ale to find this path only

( REPLY )
Jasmeet
November 26th, 2009 - 18:25

Worked like a charm on 3.1.2 (iPhone 2G) though the exact elements in my preferences.plist were different but I replaced teh common ones and everything is perfect! Thanks guys!

( REPLY )
h@cker
December 1st, 2009 - 13:58

thanks alot buddy

working like a charm on ma iphone 2g 3.0

( REPLY )
Benson
December 3rd, 2009 - 06:46

Can someone help me set it up on Iphone 3g running OS 3.1.2.

( REPLY )
Soli Variava
December 12th, 2009 - 05:17

I have an Iphone 3GS unlocked officially by Apple. Want some suggestions as to which Carrier I should opt for internet usage. Thanks very much

( REPLY )
iLauncher
December 26th, 2009 - 19:21

i have a 3gs 32gb jailbroken and unlocked via custom pwnage tool firmware 3.1.2
i have made the changes for the keys common in the above list and my original preferences.plist
i have access to general-network-cellular data and have added the apn “portalnmms”
i have activated vodafone live by sending an sms act vl to 144 (prepaid) and have even received an activation confirmation sms
when i enable edge on my iphone, i even get a data ip addr
but when i try to browse a webpage via safari (even vodafone live), i get the msg that the server didnt respond.
but i dont get this msg immediately.
it tries to load the webpage and after 20secs, it gives that msg
so what am i doing wrong here?
do i need to activate anything else?

( REPLY )
Praveen
January 20th, 2010 - 05:36

Awesome got my gprs working on the iphone atlast !!!!

Was about to get the iphone data plan activated on my iphone and this post just saved me that money … Thx dude

( REPLY )
Praveen
January 20th, 2010 - 05:36

@ Benson : This worked for me with iphone 3.1.2 2G shoud work for 3G also i guess.

( REPLY )
ArUn
January 24th, 2010 - 15:42

@ benson…..
Yeah it does work on 3.1.2 3G…………
Too gud………………

( REPLY )
Naren
January 24th, 2010 - 20:43

Has anyone had any luck with the above two approaches with a iphone 3gs in India on Vodaphone.. A yeah or neh response will be very much appreciated.

( REPLY )
- JavaChap
  January 27th, 2010 - 16:58
  
  Naren i didnt get a chance to test 3Gs, did you try the above settings ?
  
  ( REPLY )
Suraj
January 27th, 2010 - 13:08

I am using the Airtail GPRS on my iPhone 3gs but it is so slow and I am using vodafone but couldnot able to get setting I SMS to 144 act iPhone but I got SMS Please send S to 52586 to get GPRS settings. To get IMEI please press *\#06\# on your phone’s standby mode.and doing this I got few numbers and SMS 52586those number I got this SMS Your phone is not provisionable.and I talk to vodafone customer care they sgest me to switch off and switch on still did not get setting and asked me try on other GPRS mobile but same things happened and they sagest me get new sim and I did it to and 198 recharge for GPRS but same things happening I still not able to get setting for my iPhone 3gs if any one can plz provide me the setting.

( REPLY )
- JavaChap
  January 27th, 2010 - 16:54
  
  From your comments i understand that you are using a prepaid vodafone connection.
  iPhone comes with pre bundled configurations for each carrier. Vodafone settings that come be default with iPhone will only work with post paid connections and also you gotta activate a dataplan which costs min of Rs. 199.
  In order to edit the settings, you need some technical knowledge. Here are the steps u need to follow
  * Install Cydia and OpenSSH on your iPhone.
  * SSH your iphone from your computer.
  * Edit preferences.plist located in /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration.
  * Replace the settings with the settings i mentioned in this post.
  * Done ! there you goo !!
  
  ( REPLY )
  - ArUn
    January 27th, 2010 - 22:46
    
    Javachap i followed the instructions and i was able to access GPRS but after reboot the original plist file replaces the edited one.As a result ive to manually configure it again.Any idea why this is happening?
    Thnx in advance………..
    
    ( REPLY )
    - JavaChap
      January 29th, 2010 - 04:56
      
      Arun, I have tried that, but my settings are still there.
      
      One possible way this can happen is, have u tried to change the APN, by going to Settings > General > Network > Celluar Data Network ??
      
      If you have gone to that screen, then yeah these settings will be overwritten
      
      ( REPLY )
ArUn
January 30th, 2010 - 22:29

Could you elaborate it further…………I installed the vodafone APN using sys confi utility software………im still having the same problem…

( REPLY )
Dhruv bansal
February 2nd, 2010 - 15:24

Im not able to edit that file .. n i m using mac

how to edit the file can u tell me

( REPLY )
madhukarreddy
February 5th, 2010 - 09:16

Hello,

I am using Iphone 3GS. I tried wih send the SMS (iphone to 52586) to activate internet on my phone. when i called the customer care they said that after sending this SMS it will be activated in 5 hrs. but, i was not. i tried same thing couple of times my calling them. but, i don’t know where i am doing the mistake. kindly suggest me. i tried with Settings –>General –> Network –> (can can see — Enable 3G, Data Roaming, Set Up Internet Tethering, VPN, WI FI. ) these are only the options i have. i don’t see any APN.

( REPLY )
madhukarreddy
February 5th, 2010 - 09:19

I am using Iphone 3GS. I tried by sending the SMS (iphone to 52586) to activate internet on my phone. when i called the customer care they said that after sending this SMS it will be activated in 5 hrs. but, it couldn’t able to open. i tried same thing couple of times by calling them. but, i don’t know where i am doing the mistake. kindly suggest me. i tried with Settings –>General –> Network –> (can can see — Enable 3G, Data Roaming, Set Up Internet Tethering, VPN, WI FI. ) these are only the options i have. i don’t see any APN.

( REPLY )
sunilpandit
February 5th, 2010 - 19:48

i have 2g iphone 3.1.2
i use vodafone india
i want use vodafone gprs free pls help me

not open any web sites in safari

i already active gprs with 95 recharge

how i use

1 month free gprs

pls post ur comment pls
thanks

( REPLY )
sunilpandit
February 6th, 2010 - 17:14

im trying paste all data in preferance

but save time error massages seen!

i used 3.1.2 2g

pls replay me!!!!!!!!1

thanks!!!!!

( REPLY )
chaitanya
February 10th, 2010 - 11:57

I tried to find the file preferences.plist and i am using mobile terminal and how can i edit that file, i tried using vi,vim,pico,xedit.but none worked. Please tell me how can i edit that file

( REPLY )
chaitanya
February 10th, 2010 - 14:32

Plz tell me how to edit preferences.plist in mobile terminal

( REPLY )
Naren
February 18th, 2010 - 19:22

Can any one please upload the ‘working’ preference.plist file…so that we can replace it in our phones!

( REPLY )
- JavaChap
  February 19th, 2010 - 01:54
  
  @Naren you cannot just copy other preferences.plist cause that file wile change based on various settings.. So its always good to modify it. Do let me know if you facing any problems in editing the file
  
  ( REPLY )
Naren
February 19th, 2010 - 16:34

Thanks for your response..

Its like…when I edit>save>restart my phone…i dont see APN settings in Network..and when I go to edit the preferences.plist again its like never before edited!!!

( REPLY )
Umang
February 28th, 2010 - 19:56

I have the same problem as Naren in 3.1.2 . Can you please reply?

( REPLY )
sunilpandit
March 2nd, 2010 - 10:46

hi JavaChap

i tried

i find prefrence list with iphone browser
and edit with plist editor
and
replace with iphone browser

but

when iphone restart

prefrense list is as it is

i
thinks vodafone make changes

pls
response

( REPLY )
JavaChap
March 3rd, 2010 - 11:25

@Umang, @SunilPandit .. Currently i’m running on 3.0.2.. So i’m unable to reproduce the issue that you guys mentioned.

Seems like many of the guys are running into this issue on 3.1.2

I will upgrade to 3.1.2 this weekend… and ll see what can i do to fix this issue.

( REPLY )
ravi
March 5th, 2010 - 20:24

i have updated the preferences file and it is showing the updated content also. but still iam not able to view the APN settings in Network. Did i do anything wrong in updating the preferences file.

( REPLY )
Umang
March 6th, 2010 - 14:18

Well, Javachap, I’ll be waiting. This is really important. Please find a way to help us 3.1.2s .

Thanks

( REPLY )
Umang
March 10th, 2010 - 13:55

Please update. It’s been 3 days since the weekend.

( REPLY )
Umang
March 10th, 2010 - 15:00

Oh well, forget it! I got it to work ..the reason the settings revert is because while you are busy editing your plist file, your iphone goes to standby and physically WinSCP actually gets disconnected while you don’t really notice. So all you have to do next time is make sure the light of your iphone is always on while you edit the preferences.plist file.

One more thing, remember to enable EDGE from SBSettings for Edge to work properly!

Thanks Javachap !

( REPLY )
Anujan
March 10th, 2010 - 17:11

Javachap, nice one, something I’ve been looking for a while now.
Suppose I switch network carriers now though, will the settings still hold good or is there more tedious editing to be done on switchover?

( REPLY )
Anujan
March 10th, 2010 - 18:06

Also, when I edit the plist file and try and place it back into the folder using iPhoneBrowser, i don’t think it registers the change, since if i view the now edited file that has been uploaded, it is identical to the original.
What is the workaround to this problem? Please dont suggest WinSCP since i gave up on it after days or un-sync-ability. Thanks

( REPLY )
JavaChap
March 16th, 2010 - 14:34

@Umang @SunilPandit
i was busy last week, so i was unable to take a look at it. Today i got a chance to take a look at the issue and I updated my post above for version > 3.1. Please take a look and let me know if that works for you guys.

( REPLY )