HT203213: iTunes for Windows: iTunes can't contact the iPhone, iPad, or iPod software update server

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NiamhyB

Q: I have an iPhone 3GS and was trying to restore it. Now it won't let me activate my phone and my itunes tells me I have no SIM card inserted when I do. Any ideas on how to get it working again?? I'm dying without it!

I have an iPhone 3GS and was trying to restore it...

Now it won't let me activate my phone and my itunes tells me I have no SIM card inserted when I do.

Any ideas on how to get it working again?

iPhone 3GS, All my itunes are up to date.

Posted on Aug 29, 2012 8:49 AM

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Q: I have an iPhone 3GS and was trying to restore it. Now it won't let me activate my phone and my itunes tells me I have no SIM card ... more

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  • by modular747,Solvedanswer

    modular747 modular747 Aug 29, 2012 8:55 AM in response to NiamhyB
    Level 6 (19,329 points)
    iPad
    Aug 29, 2012 8:55 AM in response to NiamhyB

    This means that the phone was previously hacked to carrier unlock (unauthorized unlock), and when you restored, the hack was removed and it became re-locked to its original carrier.  It will now accept a SIM card only from that carrier.

     

    Your only option is to contact the carrier it's locked to and enquire if they will provide authorized unlocking.  Not all carriers will unlock and those that do usually have requirements and qualifications - i.e. you have to be a current or former customer in good standing.

  • by NiamhyB,

    NiamhyB NiamhyB Aug 29, 2012 10:00 AM in response to modular747
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 29, 2012 10:00 AM in response to modular747

    Thank You!!! This really helped!!

  • by MGoel,

    MGoel MGoel Aug 28, 2014 1:29 PM in response to modular747
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 28, 2014 1:29 PM in response to modular747

    I have got unlocked the phone from the service provider, and got confirmation as well that the phone is unlocked. But as I am not having any SIM card from that service provider now, so how I can get my phone restored to get it unlocked (officially)? When ever I am connecting it to iTunes, it is saying SIM card not installed. Is there any way to get my phone restored without the same service provider's SIM card?

  • by imobl,

    imobl imobl Aug 29, 2014 6:06 AM in response to MGoel
    Level 5 (6,973 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 29, 2014 6:06 AM in response to MGoel

    You must have a sim in the iPhone to activate the iPhone. Sim does not have to

    be associated with an active cellular account. Borrow an appropriate sim from

    a friend/relative/co-worker for a few moments to activate the iPhone.

     

    What happened to the sim that was in the iPhone?

  • by wegras,

    wegras wegras Aug 29, 2014 6:08 AM in response to MGoel
    Level 6 (15,184 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 29, 2014 6:08 AM in response to MGoel