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.
September 1st, 2010 - 07:00
Hi Guys,
I followed all the steps and i even installed de configuration as posted above. But when i try connecting, it says “It cannot connect b’cos its not connected to internet”
PS: When i try my sim connecting with other mobiles for internet, its working fine.. Pls help me..
September 1st, 2010 - 07:03
I have version 3.1.2
September 1st, 2010 - 14:20
@JavaChap
yup, but no pop up on the iphone!!
September 15th, 2010 - 14:43
Hey bro, Thanxxx……
September 15th, 2010 - 16:44
I just tried this on my new IPHONE 4 on 4.0.1 and it worked perfectly.
Thanks for the tip.
The other question that i have is regarding limitation of this. I can verify that YouTube,App Store,Mail and Cydia is not working on this.
Although facebook,twitter seem to be working
Do let me know what else application can i run on this. Thanks
Vikas
September 18th, 2010 - 06:35
Thanks ! worked for me on iphone 3g ,3.1.3(jailbreaken)
- Abhijeet
September 19th, 2010 - 17:33
Hi Many Thanks it works perfectly on my iphone 3GS
September 22nd, 2010 - 17:14
i am not able to do it on ios 4.1 , its now showin the popup on the screen and neither is it installing the profile..WHAT TO DO NY HELP GUYSS
September 22nd, 2010 - 18:56
Hi,
It worked but the mail still dont get fetched, but mails work thru the browser. Any fix for this?
Thanks.
September 24th, 2010 - 09:16
Is there something like this for airtel also?
and after updating this i can not configure my gmail account with my iphone, some pop up comes out “can not connect using SSL do you want to try setting up the account without SSl ” if i says yes then one more pop up comes out “The IMAP server “IPMAP.GMAIL.COM” is not responding.check your network connection and thet you entered the correct information in the “INCOMING GMAIL SERVER” field
I have checked everything twice thrice but the result is same….
September 24th, 2010 - 09:37
besides all this problems, you rock bro………..
October 1st, 2010 - 15:01
hi bro,
i have done all the steps told by u.. but still am unable to connect to internet via GPRS pls help me.
i am using iphone 3gs 3.0 firmware
October 12th, 2010 - 19:50
Great work dude… it works on iOs 4 beautifully….
October 17th, 2010 - 15:27
I have VMC (Vodafone Mobile Connect) and it works fine without changing anything on my factory-unlocked iphone 4. On my 3G (USA-specific but unlocked) I used the unlock from http://www.unlockit.co.nz and used my VMC plan.
Now I’m curious why would you use the MMS apn (portanmms) instead of the regular data apn (www)?
I ask because you can get an unlimited datapack on VMC (Rs7000 yearly here in Gujarat).
October 20th, 2010 - 06:52
@Nayan
Hi mate
I am unboxing the iphone 4 which is factory unlocked (bought from apple website).
Could you please confirm whether vodafone mobile connect actually works without any glitches.
How did u activate vmc since vodafone india doesnt allow for any vodafone mobile connect options on iphone..
let me know.
consider this urgent
thanks
October 21st, 2010 - 10:27
@Deepak… VMC works fine. I suggest you take the unlimited plan as iPhone is a data-hog. Just tell Vodafone that you want an unlimited data plan for your “non-apple” phone. If you mention iPhone they’ll start hyper-ventilating and will push you the effing-expensive iphone data plans.
Of course I can only confirm what works in Gujarat, so if you’re in another state please make your own verifications.
In either case my post above stands. Use the “www” access point to take advantage of the VMC plans.
October 21st, 2010 - 10:29
BTW the unlimited data plan is Rs. 6k and not Rs. 7k as I stated earlier. That works out to Rs. 500 per month.
October 28th, 2010 - 12:56
Thanks a lot buddy ! i cant describe after struggling for nearly 2 months, finally i got it working. Sometime back i had lost all the hopes of browsing internet on Iphone 2G(OS 3.0) when I switched to Vodafone(due to n/w issues with mtnl).
Many Many thanks once again and keep posting similar good stuff in future also!
Good Luck
November 1st, 2010 - 18:54
Thanks. it works for my Iphopne 3.1.3
November 3rd, 2010 - 16:29
Hey guys, I followed the same and installed, restarted .
Now I get an error saying
There was a problem communicating with the web proxy server (HTTP)
What to do buddies?
November 4th, 2010 - 07:42
@Vikas
vikas… mine is iphone4… its not working onmine
November 5th, 2010 - 04:10
Dude seriously u rock hats off to u, it is working in iphone 2g us rock man
November 7th, 2010 - 13:06
@Nayan…I just want to confirm before going for vodafone mobile connect plan..I am using factory unlocked iPhone 4 with IOS 4.1..
1) Do u have to do any modification using the configuration utility or the VMC plans work as is?
2) Also does all the apps including mail works fine on VMC or still u have to compromise on POP and ICMP??
Please let me know asap as i wanna go for the plan..
Thanks,
Dhrumil
November 9th, 2010 - 07:07
Hi Nayan,
Can you please explain in details how you got VMC plans to work on your iphone?
Its an absolute rip-off what Vodafone is doing! Paying Rs 100/- just for connection charges every month (Prepaid) and on top of that , one needs to pay 5p/10kbps…how sad is that?!
So, do I need to access the website ‘http://www.unlockit.co.nz‘ from my iphone and follow the instructions given? Does it amount to Jail – breaking?
My iphone is already unlocked, without jail-breaking. I got it “Officially” unlocked from my previous service provider.
Thanks a bunch, bro.
November 9th, 2010 - 07:19
@Nayan
Hi Nayan,
Can you please explain in details how you got VMC plans to work on your iphone?
Its an absolute rip-off what Vodafone is doing! Paying Rs 100/- just for connection charges every month (Prepaid) and on top of that , one needs to pay 5p/10kbps…how sad is that?!
So, do I need to access the website ‘http://www.unlockit.co.nz’ from my iphone and follow the instructions given? Does it amount to Jail – breaking?
My iphone is already unlocked, without jail-breaking. I got it “Officially” unlocked from my previous service provider.
Thanks a bunch, bro.
November 9th, 2010 - 10:31
You can use Tata Docomo GPRS also like same vodafone……….if anybody want i can prove details for the same……
November 9th, 2010 - 13:04
i dont know how but suddenly my push mail service got activated on my iphone thru GPRS….:) happy
November 11th, 2010 - 12:36
@SIDDHARTH
Cheers!
November 11th, 2010 - 12:42
@Mahesh
Like I said earlier… “I have VMC (Vodafone Mobile Connect) and it works fine without changing anything on my factory-unlocked iphone 4. On my 3G (USA-specific but unlocked) I used the unlock from http://www.unlockit.co.nz and used my VMC plan.”
I have a PostPaid connection.
You’ll have to use a wifi connection to open the website in Safari. I doubt that it’s called jailbreaking as all the unlock website does is create a new APN (access point). Even Apple has an app on their support site to help you create a custom APN.
Hope this helps.
November 11th, 2010 - 12:45
@Dhrumil
1. Just works.
2. Yes, but I haven’t tested POP/ICMP.
November 11th, 2010 - 12:47
— Guys PLEASE DO NOT mention my name if you ever speak with Vodafone. Why take a chance that they stop a good thing thats going for us. —
November 11th, 2010 - 12:48
You should put it up for anyone who might need it.
November 14th, 2010 - 03:50
Guys all these configurations to use GPRS without Vodafone Mobile Connect. If you are planning to go with Vodafone Mobile Connect then you dont need all these configurations.
November 15th, 2010 - 10:30
i just wanted to confirm that,can i remove my apple iphone os and can i install android insted???
pls. lety me know if yes then how???
November 15th, 2010 - 17:30
Hey bro its not wprking for me.
i have iphone 3gs OS 4
please help
November 15th, 2010 - 18:04
hey bro n even after using iphone utility config n installing tat file,
the configuration settings changes after reboot.
November 18th, 2010 - 04:58
I have an iPhone 4 with iOS 4.1 factory unlocked .
Will these settings of editing the file using OpenSSH and iphone config. utility work for ios4.1 ???? i’m using vodafone post paid connection ?? if yes then ll the apps like facebook and gtalk , whatsApp work on normal vodafone gprs ???
November 18th, 2010 - 05:01
have an iPhone 4 with iOS 4.1 factory unlocked .
Will these settings of editing the file using OpenSSH and iphone config. utility work for ios4.1 ???? i’m using vodafone post paid connection ?? if yes then ll the apps like facebook and gtalk , whatsApp work on normal vodafone gprs ??? or should i go for VMC for make everything work ?? if yes , then wat settings am i supposed to do to make it work ??…plz help
November 20th, 2010 - 18:44
Anyone say the APN ame proxy server and port no for videocon network
November 20th, 2010 - 18:55
Thanks man i’ve installed settings for Videocon and its working perfectly
APN name: vgprs.com
Proxy server: 10.202.5.145
Port : 8799
im using the service for unlimited pack for 96 rs……..
guys u too enjoy the service….
November 21st, 2010 - 08:01
hey bro even my gprs started workin.
facebook also works,
but whatsapp don work.
wat to do??
November 22nd, 2010 - 21:48
I have iphone4. These Setting sometimes works and after couple of mins stops working.
maybe it is bcos of naming.
Enter the name, identifier, organization and description…plz xpln wat to type here??
These setting photos are very small to see clearly pls Help
November 22nd, 2010 - 22:49
Any setting for Airtel
November 24th, 2010 - 21:06
BINGO! hats off to you man!
just did it on my iphone 3g version 4.1.2
November 25th, 2010 - 12:20
Works like a charm on Vodafone! Thanks a lot. You saved a lot of money for me.
November 26th, 2010 - 11:07
Hi Guys, I did manage to get Internet working on it. So, its pretty much restricted to browsing only. How to enable whatsapp and app store using the above mentioned workaround? Any ideas, fellas?
THank you.
November 26th, 2010 - 12:23
Working flawlessly for browsing anything. Cydia is not working. giving error – HTTP/1.1 404 not found.
Any solution.
November 28th, 2010 - 18:47
can anybody give steps to activate vodafone live on ipad ???
November 30th, 2010 - 11:06
Hi…this this is working fine for iOS 4.2 as well…but How do i install settings for Vodafone Mobile Connect which is “EDGE” or High speed gprs required by certain apps??
December 3rd, 2010 - 17:53
i m trying from last three day’s for active vodafone in ma iphone 3g with latest firmware 4.2.1 which is updated on monday only please help me , i can use safari but i cant use cydia , plz help me , thanks in adv .