Apple warned on Monday that iPhone owners who have used unauthorized programs to unlock the cellular service feature of their handsets may end up with a phone that does not work.
Since the iPhone made its debut in June, hackers have posted a number of methods online to make it possible to use iPhones on cellular networks other than that of AT&T, the exclusive official carrier.
Apple executives say they have discovered that many of those unauthorized unlocking programs damage iPhone software.As with any Apple product, hacking will void the warranty of an iPhone, Apple said.
Philip W. Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president for worldwide product marketing, said in an interview. “It’s unfortunate that some of these programs have caused damage to the iPhone software, but Apple cannot be responsible” for those consequences.