For some people, doing all this iPhone hacking mumbo jumbo just for a phone is doing their head in, or they're scared they'll stuff it up. It would probably be a lot easier for you just to give your iPhone to someone you can trust and be done with it. Some people may not have a local geek handy to do it - this is where I come in. If you're afraid you'll brick your iPhone upgrading it version 2.1, give me your iPhone and I can do it for you!

It doesn't matter what version your iPhone is currently running, or even if you've tried and borked it and it no longer works, 99% of the time, it can be resurrected. Either way, just pass it on to me and I can take a look.

All I want in return is for you to make a donation to the EFA - it can be $5, it can be $100 - you decide how much my time is worth and how worthy the EFA's cause is to you. I don't see the donations to the EFA, so don't worry about offending me with small donations, everything helps the EFA

So, this is how it will go down:

1. Email me to let me know you want your iPhone fixed. I will give you my address and mobile number.
2. Mail me your iPhone. I strongly recommend you use Express Post. Gets to me the next day and I've never had any issues with it.
3. I recieve the iPhone the next day and do the unlocking and jailbreaking. If you give me your mobile number, I'll even call you from your own phone to let you know it works. How cute!
4. I send the iPhone back to you either the same day or the day after, which means you get it back in your hands the next working day.
5. When you get the iPhone and are happy it works, make a donation to the EFA of any amount (most people have been giving between $20 and $50)
6. Post in this thread to say thanks so others know I'm not some scammer! Or if I fucked it up, post in here to let everyone know I suck.
7. Enjoy your iPhone!

Easy, yes?! Here's some tips on mailing me your iPhone:

iPhone Mailing Instructions

1. Buy two Express Post, 500g satchels (the yellow ones, they're about $7 each).
2. Address one satchel to me, address the other satchel to yourself.
3. DO NOT mail me the box, the cable, the power adaptor or your SIM card. Keep those. Just give me the bare iPhone.
4. Find some bubblewrap and use about 3-6 layers of it around your iPhone. It will be safe, trust me. I've sent and recieved about 20 iPhones like this. Wrap it up with sticky tape to make sure the iPhone doesn't fall out of the bubble-wrap.
5. Shove the bubble-wrapped iPhone and the satchel with your name on it into the satchel with my address on it.
6. Seal the satchel up, remove the sticker that says "REMOVE ME" and hold onto it. If the iPhone gets lost, this will help us know where it is. Don't forget to sign the front of the satchel too, otherwise they won't allow it to be sent via air, just road and that's slow.
7. Stick the satchel in a yellow Express Post box, or dump it at a post office.
8. Done!

If you're a bit paranoid or don't trust Australia Post, you can send it to me via Registered Post with insurance. It's a bit slower and costs more, but if the iPhone does go AWOL, you can get your money back from Australia Post and buy a new iPhone 3G! (note, I will not help you commit insurance fraud okay)

This is how you can contact me:
Contact me either by email - anthony.agius@mactalk.com.au
on iChat: aagius@mac.com
or send me a PM on the forums

Quick FAQ
How do I know you aren't going to steal my iPhone?
You have my mobile number and address. If you want I will even give you a scan of my drivers licence so you can hand it over to the police if you think I have stolen it. Also, imagine how badly my reputation would be tarnished if it turned out the owner of this site was commandeering a racket to steal iPhones. I'd be totally fucked and would never be employed in my field again.

I have jailbroken and unlocked at least 50 iPhones for people on this site and there isn't a single complaint. I don't know how I can be anymore more genuine. I'm way more trustworthy than that dodgy dude down at the market claiming he will do it for $80.

Can I meet up with you instead?
Maybe! I work from home most of the time, but if you want to meet me in the CBD, I am in the city on Tuesdays and can meet up with you whenever and wherever you wish on a Tuesday and do it infront of you in about 30 min. I'll even explain the process to you, so you can do it yourself next time

I used to let people come over to my place, but it got kinda weird having all these strangers in my house. I don't do that anymore.

If I mail it to you, when I can expect the iPhone back?
Pretty quickly - you'll probably only be without it for 2 days! If you send it on a Monday, I will get it Tuesday and send it back the same day (Tuesday), which means you will get it Wednesday, providing you use Express Post. If using regular post, it takes a bit longer.

Can I use the App Store on my jailbroken iPhone?
Yep! You can use your jailbroken iPhone just like a legit iPhone. But don't do a restore in iTunes, that will break it

What do I do when 2.1.1 or 2.2 or a new version of the iPhone software comes out?
You can try and do it yourself if you're game, or simply send it back to me and make another donation to the EFA.

Who are the EFA and will donating to them put me on some terrorist list?
From their website: "The EFA protects and promotes the civil liberties of users and operators of computer based communications systems such as the Internet, to advocate the amendment of laws and regulations in Australia and elsewhere (both current and proposed) which restrict free speech and to educate the community at large about the social, political, and civil liberties issues involved in the use of computer based communications systems."

They are the only group I know of in Australia that give a damn about the same things I give a damn about. They fight the wrongs in our technological society. They aren't backed by any companies and are not a charity, or a political party. Donating to them is one way I can help them, as well as using MacTalk to raise awareness of the issues they are helping to bring a common-sense resolution to.

And no, this isn't the USA - giving them small sums of money won't get you noticed by a government agency or have stormtroopers knocking on your door asking your whereabouts last Saturday night...

If ever there was a man worthy of hero status, it is you Decryption.

which method do you use mate? ziphone or pwnage tool?

Pwnage, AFAIK ZiPhone doesn't do 2.0 (yet)

Pwnage - ZiPhone sucks now.

Any users in Perth offering the same service during business hours? meet up in the CBD? i would do it myself but im a windows user :S

I foresee a queue longer than the Optus and TLife ones at the Mactalk Office on Tuesday...

If you have a spare phone - take the SIM out of your iPhone, place it in the spare phone and mail me the iPhone and I will send it back
That's if you're comfortable doing that, totally understand if you aren't, hah

+1 good job mate.

eeep, couldn't go without the love of my life for more than half a day... thats why im looking for a perth mac user... Anyone?

Im on leave at the moment but if you can wait till after the 30th I work in the Terrace and usually have a mac or two in my office.

as kind an offer as this is, do it yourself kids... its damn simple.

If thats before the release of winpwn ill gladly wait... Im on the terrace too so sounds sweet!

Where is the MacTalk office?

(tempted to make a joke about the Oxford Scholar, but it's a serious question)

Totally agree - try it first and if you have a panic attack, then contact me, haha

Right now, 140 Queen Street, but we're moving in a few weeks
(and having a live podcast to celebrate!)