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.
March 16th, 2010 - 17:36
Thanks alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAN ITS WORKING ON IPHONE 3GS WITH OS 3.1.2 ( JAILBREAK )
THANKS JAVACHAP
March 17th, 2010 - 14:49
THANKS
DONE IT !!!!!!!!!!
Iphone 2g 3.1.2
Jailbreak
March 17th, 2010 - 16:29
FRENDS, recharge 95 rupees plan
use 4GB DATA FREE
for JAVACHAP
pls solve another one problemm
how use vodafone iphone to pc thethring on 95 rupees plan?
pls solve problemm
thanks
March 18th, 2010 - 10:40
Sorry Sir JavaChap am still not getting it
am a little bit confused about this please correct me
i have diskaid to edit preferences.plist located in /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration.
i copied preferences.plist on my desktop and then i opened it with notepad and deleted all the stuff and updated with what configration you gave and then copied back the preferences.plist to /private/var/preferences/SystemConfiguration.
then the next step
Download and Install Iphone Configuration Utility from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL926
this all went ok thanks for the screenshots all done
ok now when i start browsing like whatever i open maybe map or safari or youtube or my mails i get (could not activate cellular data network you are not subscribed to a cellular data services)..
and know what edited preferences.plist changes as soon as i unplug my phone
and i have even set my autolock to never as some one in previous post mentioned it
Need Help
Please Help me
March 18th, 2010 - 11:33
hey i have installed the settings through iphone configuration utility …..
it works very well to play with GPRS…..
but the main damn thing is that it its NOT FREE…
it sweeps out big bucks from the balance for just a small use
any other trick to get it for free……….?
THANKZZ
March 19th, 2010 - 02:10
HI Javachap
Still i am getting “because it is not connected to internet”.
Are there any other settings i need to set to use GPRS?
Please help.
Thanks
March 19th, 2010 - 04:34
@sunil
Sunil, I have enabled tethering on phone.. I can now connect to internet using iPhone.. Hurrayyyy…Even thought its too slow, better than nothing right !!
@Sanjeev
Hey you dont need to run the first step any more(editing), you can just install the configuration profile. And you are done.
@Avy
, Go checkout if he got a beautiful daughter !! 
Avy, you gotta marry Vodafone CEO’s daughter to get GPRS for free
@Hash
Did you install the Configuration Profiles ?? is Vodafone Live enabled for your connection ?
March 19th, 2010 - 05:26
Javachap
Yes, VLive is working fine from Nokia handset, but shifted to iPhone and installed the profile, unable to connect. I am using 3G only with 3.1.2. I don’t know what else i need to discturb. Thanks
March 19th, 2010 - 05:42
@JavaChap
sorry sir javachap its not working i have iphone 3g 3.1.2 os and i have done the second process iPhone Configuration Utility 100 times but its not happening
March 19th, 2010 - 10:39
so still i can use the GPRS for iPhone without Data Plan
one more thing i have to say that when i go to settings>general there i see Profile Vodafone>
March 19th, 2010 - 11:58
@Sanjeev
Hey since u have modified the preferences.plist, i have a doubt that you might have corrupted the settings. Can you reset the network settings and see if it works ?
First you make sure that Vodafone Live is active ! By just trying it on another phone.
March 19th, 2010 - 12:45
@JavaChap
Hello Sir JavaChap
yes i have tried reseting the network settings by going to settings>general>reset>Reset Network Settings
still the same sorry to trouble you Sir
tell me sir is iphone os 3.1.2 jailbreak and unlock done with the help of Blackra1n is tested and working to use the GPRS for iPhone without Data Plan if yes then this time i will try to restore my os and try it again waiting for your answer…….
March 19th, 2010 - 12:54
@Sanjeev
and yes i have tried vodafone live on another phone using my simcard and yes it works perfect
March 19th, 2010 - 16:59
finally working thanks a million
March 20th, 2010 - 08:35
@Sanjeev
How did you fix it ?? Can you please mention that here.. It will be helpful for others…
March 21st, 2010 - 07:08
Thanks..this works..
Does the Rs. 95 card work fine? like we don’t get charged until we have used 4 GB? I mean like it works in Nokia and other phones?
March 21st, 2010 - 15:58
@umang
yes
e recharge with 95 rupees and use 4 GB data in one month validity
i used this plan work fine
but
no pc tethering!
March 22nd, 2010 - 03:14
Hi Javachap
After resetting te n/w. I am able to connect to GPRS.
One more question, if WIFI Is connected how do we know whether its using WIFI or GPRS.
Thanks
March 22nd, 2010 - 03:59
@Hash
Good that you got it working !!
WIFI has higher priority than the GPRS, so if you are connected to WIFI..iPhone will always use the WIFI connection to access the internet.
And you can see an icon on top of the screen beside the carrier name. Either of E or WIFI Siginal. Based on that you can determine which connection it is using !
March 23rd, 2010 - 06:24
yes i restored my firmware 3.1.2 os 3g jailbreak with the help of redsnow and tried it and it worked
March 23rd, 2010 - 14:30
Ok, it was all working fine until i ran out of balance this morning.. the gprs runs automatically to update my mail etc. so its kinda obvious my balance kept deducting. I had no problem even with this. But as soon as my balance reached 0.1, my E that shows up with the network is not there anymore and so im not being able to run the gprs anymore. i have recharged with the 95 card + 351 for balance. my sbsettings is not activating EDGE anymore either. when i click the button, it reads and instead of turning green, it stays red.
Can you please explain to me as to what is happening here? I dont want to think that i wasted Rs. 95 for nothing.
Please help.
March 23rd, 2010 - 14:45
Hi
I did as you had mentioned and for some reason I still cannot open safari. it keeps on saying that safari was unable to connect to the server.
pls help out
March 23rd, 2010 - 20:39
Well, I think it was a glitch with the service provider. It’s working fine now and I’m posting this from my iPhone itself. The Rs. 95 cardworks fine too.
March 31st, 2010 - 16:54
Hey.. Pls let me know from where to edit prefrences.plist
April 1st, 2010 - 09:59
@Annika Anand
Hey Annika just follow this steps if you have iphone 3g os 3.1.2 running on it
1) back up all your content with itunes (just connect iphone to your desktop or lap)
2) restore firmware 3.1.2
3) jailbreak with redsnow
4) 1. Download and Install iPhone Configuration Utility from http://support.apple.com/kb/DL926
2. 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
3. Now go to Advanced option and set the apnname = portalnmms, proxy server =10.10.1.100 and port = 9401
4. 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
5. Select Configuration Profiles tab and you should see the Vodafone Profile; Click on Install
6. You will see a pop on your iPhone asking your permission to install the configuration, Click Install button in your iPhone
7. 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.
thats it have fun
April 2nd, 2010 - 13:53
Enter the name, identifier, organization and description…plz xpln wat to type here??
April 2nd, 2010 - 14:05
also….da iphone config utiltity article link is drawing a blank
April 2nd, 2010 - 16:05
@javachap
no pc tethring on 95 rupees plan
any
trick of tethring
April 2nd, 2010 - 18:56
@javachap help!!! i had a semiunlock ifone 3.1.2 n aftr using ur mtd n it not workin i rest n/w n it restartd and NOW its stuck at 1st screen n da unlock is lost =(
April 4th, 2010 - 19:30
@Sanjeev
whr dos 1 restore frm wen itunes dsnrt hav 3.1.2 nemor … i hava 3gs wid blackrain…plz tel me steps to do da unlock wid redsnow… so i too may folow da steps givn by u…bcos it instals da vodafne settings bt dsnt work
April 4th, 2010 - 19:59
yahoo …finaly on 3rd try its workin …i usd BlackRa!n for unlock and da abov mtd workd…thnx a ton @javachap m @sanjeev
April 8th, 2010 - 11:32
hi, does it only work fon unlocked iphones? because i have jailbrocken iphone only. i accidently upgtaded my firmware to 3.1.3 and it upgraded my modem to 5.12 and bootloader to 5.09. which made it impossible for me to unlock. (maybe u can help me with that too!) and what if i have airtel sim, what would b the settings for that??-help=thanx
April 12th, 2010 - 19:24
Hey! Thanks works great!!
But I can connect to the weather app and Whatsapp on the phone…
Does it work on vodafone live? It works on mobile connect!!??
Pls help..
Thanks
Sawan
April 12th, 2010 - 19:28
Hi
the push is also not working?!
Is it not regular internet?
Pls help ya ..
Thanks
April 20th, 2010 - 09:16
Hi,
I got an officially unlocked Iphone 3gs from Hong Kong (OS v 3.3). I am trying to activate GPRS on Vodafone Carrier and used unlockit.c.o.nz for APN settings.(user name: www password:(blank)). Also got Vodaofone Iphone 3gs dataplan activated. however the only message I see when I try to go online is ” Could not access cellular data network”.
Please help guys
April 22nd, 2010 - 05:10
Yahoooooo. Finally I could browse using my unlocked iphone(3G). I unlocked using black rain and it didnt work earlier. I followed these steps(thanks to Sanjeeev).
1. Download redsnow 0.9.2.
2. Download iphone firmware 3.1.2.
3. Use the redsnow and Restore your iphone with the firmware downloaded and unlock ur phone.
4. Use the iphone config utility tool and do as per javachap’s blog.
5. Connect to Internet.
6. If it doesn’t connect then reboot(Mine didnt work initially, I rebooted and it worked like charm).
Thanks Javachap and Sanjeev.
April 22nd, 2010 - 05:16
Hey Javachap,
How did you do the tethering? Can you provide the steps.
Thanks@JavaChap
May 3rd, 2010 - 19:43
Hey,
Any idea if we can get this done without jailbreaking the iPhone? Have you tried it? Does it work or throws some kind of error?
May 26th, 2010 - 14:28
Hey Java Chap…
Thanx for this post..it worked perfectly for me…
but MMS is still not working for me
any idea how to update the settings for MMS in my iphone 3g
June 2nd, 2010 - 07:12
Thanks for the config info. I am able to browse safari, search youtube etc, but apps like Inbox, google voice app, iphone App Store etc dont seem to work. Any idea what could be the reason?
June 5th, 2010 - 05:56
thanx a million dude…works like a charm…..
June 19th, 2010 - 05:02
Hey,
@ Javachap will this config. work with the new os 4
June 21st, 2010 - 19:50
It works……I tried it on iPhone 3G…….Thanks dude……
June 23rd, 2010 - 09:34
i installed it in iOS 4 … and safari and all apps work great … but the problem is , for some reason Mail and push notifications is not working
June 24th, 2010 - 04:43
@RAJ
is it confirmed working with iphone 3g on ios4
June 24th, 2010 - 04:54
GOOD NEWS I HAVE JUST UPDATED TO IOS4 AND THE SAME CONFIG WORKS APPLE HAVE AN UPDATE FOR IPHONE CONFIGURATION UTILITY SO DOWNLOAD THE LATEST VERSION AND FOLLOW THE SAME STEPS
June 25th, 2010 - 10:53
@sanjeev : are you sure that it works with iOS 4
it worked for me on 3.1.2 but i hav not tried it on iOS 4
June 25th, 2010 - 12:39
yahoooooooooooo
i managed to do this thing the rite way
now its workin
June 26th, 2010 - 04:43
yes… this indeed worked for me..
I was using an iPhone 2G which ran on AT&T in US.. I came to india day before yday and got a vodafone SIM card.. I also got the Rs 95 per month Vodafone Live GPRS plan..
Firstly, I unlocked/jailbroke my phone using redsn0w…Then I followed your instructions using the iPhone config utility… After the whole process, i rebooted my phone… And now it works perfectly and is able to access internet…
June 26th, 2010 - 12:13
Sooper it works for me too in iphone 3g 0s4..You rock dude…thnx for dis info..