Russians Offered Unofficial 5G Activation on iPhone for 399 Rubles with No Guarantees

A Russian service called 5G First is selling a tool that removes Apple's 5G restrictions on iPhones for 399 rubles without requiring a jailbreak. The method works by modifying carrier profile settings that control which network features are permitted for a given SIM card. A free alternative named CarrierSIM achieves the same result by forcing the device to adopt the Vodafone Hungary carrier profile where 5G is already enabled. Both solutions are described as experimental, depend on specific iOS versions, operators and SIM cards, and offer no assurance they will survive future system updates. The Ministry of Digital Development is already in discussions with Apple about enabling 5G officially on Russian iPhones. Successful activation of the 5G menu option does not create network coverage where Russian operators have not yet deployed it.

AntiMalwareTranslated from Russian

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Russian iPhone users who want to use 5G networks can now pay a service called 5G First to bypass Apple's current restrictions for 399 rubles. The tool requires only a computer connection and does not involve jailbreaking the device.

According to analysis by iPhones.ru, the program most likely alters the carrier profile stored on the iPhone. These profiles define which network capabilities are allowed for a particular SIM card. The software keeps the original Russian operator parameters while adding the 5G-related options that Apple has disabled in Russia.

The service is explicitly labeled experimental by its developers. It does not support every model, including the iPhone Air and devices that use only eSIM. Compatibility also varies with the version of iOS, the mobile operator and the specific SIM card in use.

A free alternative called CarrierSIM has appeared for iOS 17. The script instructs the system to load the built-in Vodafone Hungary carrier profile, which already permits 5G access. Changes are written using the AirLift mechanism that exploits access outside the Apple Books synchronization directory.

Neither solution provides transparency about exactly which system files are modified or what data is processed. It remains unknown whether the changes will persist after the next iOS update. Apple could close both workarounds with a future software release.

Even if the 5G toggle appears in the settings menu, users will only benefit where Russian operators have actually deployed fifth-generation networks. Current 5G coverage in Russia remains limited and does not always deliver noticeable improvements over LTE.

The Ministry of Digital Development has begun talks with Apple about enabling 5G officially on iPhones sold in Russia.

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