Jailbreak Central – 3G Unrestrictor

In this episode of Jailbreak Central, learn how to remove the 10MB limits and VOIP blocks on 3G.

In prior incarnations, 3G Unrestrictor was known by the less memorable name voipover3G. The purpose of the original app was to enable the use of VOIP applications like Skype or Fring on the 3G network. Apple mandates that VOIP apps only work on a wifi connection, probably to appease the byte mongers at AT&T. Of course, the bandwidth available on a 3G or even EDGE connection is enough to support a VOIP call. Voipover3G, first released for iPhone 2.2 software, tricked applications like Skype, Fring and Truphone into believing they were on a wifi network. There was even a preference file advanced users could edit to trick more applications. The problem was, it barely worked. Few other applications could be tricked successfully and keeping Skype tricked was a moving target.

The release of the iPhone 3.0 Software Update eventually brought with it an updated 3G tricker in the Cydia store called 3G Unrestrictor.
As you can see in the screenshot above, 3G Unrestrictor gives you an easy interface to toggle which apps are tricked. After a simple install from Cydia (and a payment of $2.00) you can simply use the list of apps to check off the ones you want to work on 3G. Skype, which was difficult to force onto 3G in the past, works flawlessly when using 3G Unrestrictor. Combine this technique with Backgrounder (which I talked about in an earlier post) and you have an always-on Skype connection which will ring when your friends can call. Just tap on Skype when you hear the ring and accept the call. It couldn’t be easier.

Even cooler, 3G Unrestrictor allows you to download podcasts and apps of any size. This is perfect for that moment in the airport where you realize you forgot to sync your iPhone and have no new podcasts to listen to on the flight, or when you really need to get that huge Worms update but are nowhere near WiFi.

If all you only want to use Skype on 3G, to make cheap international calls or save some cell minutes, the original voipover3G is still available, and better yet, it’s free. You can find them both in Cydia, but I fully recommend dropping the 2 bucks for 3G Unrestrictor. To read more or check if the app you want to unrestrict is compatible (most are), visit the developer’s site here.