Level 1

4 points

Anyway to activate old 2G iPhone with dummy SIM card?

Hello all, I just had a quick question that I can't seem to find the answer to. Currently, I have an old 2G iphone that is in "Emergency Mode Only." I was wondering, I have plenty of dummy sim cards lying around (used to be an RSA rep, ended up collecting several old, un-activated sim's) and was wondering if there was anyway to use one of these sim cards to at least get to the home screen of the iPhone so I could use it for music, movies and when I enter wifi. When I try and do this, all I get is the "Activate your iPhone" screen in iTunes. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6), iPhone 3G 16gb (White)

Posted on Jul 18, 2009 4:55 PM

36 replies

Jul 19, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Allan Sampson

When first given the de-activated iPhone, I was happy to see that when I removed the sim card, it acted as a touch. But then I made the mistake of plugging it in to iTunes and allowing iTunes to update it to OS 3.
So, every time there is a reset, or a firmware update, we need to re-activate the old phone that we're using as a Touch, with the sim card in it, then de-activate it, leaving the sim card there.
For me, a non-AT&T customer who was given an old iPhone to use as a Touch, that means becoming an AT&T customer for a day. I hope they don't mind. What an odd requirement, though. Perhaps AT&T wants me to consider becoming a paying customer, and contractually forces Apple to make me go through the rigmarole.

Jul 19, 2009 1:03 PM in response to Shawn Reeves1

So, every time there is a reset, or a firmware update, we need to re-activate the old phone that we're using as a Touch, with the sim card in it, then de-activate it, leaving the sim card there.

Not true. Apparently you did not read any of my previous posts in this thread. I still have my first generation iPhone which was activated with AT&T for over a year. It was deactivated when I purchased a 3G. I used the new SIM card included and pre-installed with the 3G to activate the 3G leaving the no longer activated SIM card in my first generation iPhone. I have installed every firmware update released since that time on my first generation iPhone without having to re-activate the iPhone with AT&T. As long as the no longer activated SIM card remains inserted in the iPhone - the SIM card that was used with the iPhone when the iPhone was activated, you can install a firmware update or restore the iPhone with iTunes if wanted or needed.

And an iPhone reset is not the same as restoring an iPhone with iTunes.

When first given the de-activated iPhone, I was happy to see that when I removed the sim card, it acted as a touch.

What happened to the SIM card you removed from the iPhone? If this SIM card was not used to activate another AT&T phone and you still have the SIM card, insert the SIM card back in the iPhone and you will be able to install firmware update 3.0 or complete the process, and restore the iPhone with iTunes if wanted or needed without having to activate the iPhone with AT&T.

I spelled this out very clearly with my previous posts in this thread.

Although a no longer activated iPhone can be used as an iPod Touch, it is a phone first and foremost - hence the name - iPhone.

Jul 19, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Allan,
Lets say I borrow my brother's at&t sim card, my iPhone activates and works with that sim card with out any hacking. When he moves to t-mobile pre-paid in ten days, with his soon to be de-activated sim card, i can update the OS/restore my iPhone OS using that sim card even if it is de-activated?
However, if i need to get my phone replaced, through the advance replacement program, can I stick in the de-activated sim that i used in my previous original iPhone in the new replacement original iPhone? Will I be able to use the de-activated sim card in my replacement iPhone to bypass the activate screen?

Thank You,
ouimetnick

Jul 19, 2009 1:19 PM in response to ouimetnick

Lets say I borrow my brother's at&t sim card, my iPhone activates and works with that sim card with out any hacking. When he moves to t-mobile pre-paid in ten days, with his soon to be de-activated sim card, i can update the OS/restore my iPhone OS using that sim card even if it is de-activated?

Yes. As already provided several times, the no longer activated SIM card must remain inserted in the iPhone in order to install a firmware update or restore the iPhone with iTunes if needed or wanted - the SIM card that was used with the iPhone when the iPhone was activated.

However, if i need to get my phone replaced, through the advance replacement program, can I stick in the de-activated sim that i used in my previous original iPhone in the new replacement original iPhone? Will I be able to use the de-activated sim card in my replacement iPhone to bypass the activate screen?

If this iPhone remains under warranty, I don't believe you will get an exchange under warranty unless the iPhone is activated. I believe the same applies for Apple's out of warranty or not covered under the warranty "repair" price, which is a discounted exchange price.

Jul 19, 2009 1:27 PM in response to Allan Sampson

When ever I have an issue, they send me a new one and then I send the old one back. But do you know if "However, if i need to get my phone replaced, through the advance replacement program, can I stick in the de-activated sim that i used in my previous original iPhone in the new replacement original iPhone? Will I be able to use the de-activated sim card in my replacement iPhone to bypass the activate screen?"
Would I be able to use an already de-activated sim card, stick it in the replacement iPhone and bypass the connect to iTunes screen for activation?

Jul 19, 2009 1:36 PM in response to ouimetnick

For a no longer activated iPhone, Apple has exchanged the iPhone under warranty?

Did you have to activate an exchange under warranty, or did you just insert the activated SIM card from the iPhone being exchanged in the iPhone received as the replacement?

I can't answer your question for certain since I haven't done it.

Jul 19, 2009 1:43 PM in response to Allan Sampson

I would always borrow my brother's iphone 3G AT&T sim card. He is moving to t-mobile pre-paid. and will give me his de-activated sim. It was used to unbrick my iPhone. I can use it to update the OS and restore my OS as I'm on the Original iphone. From what I understand it won't work like that on the 3G. but If I get my iphone replaced, and Apple sends me a replacement...
Can I put a de-activated at&t sim card that was used in an original iPhone into a replacement Original iPhone and bypass the activation screen?

Jul 19, 2009 1:52 PM in response to Shawn Reeves1

With the SIM card inserted, try restoring the iPhone with iTunes to see if this makes any difference regarding being provided the prompt to activate the iPhone with AT&T.

I tried to install a firmware update on my first generation iPhone without the no longer activated SIM card inserted. I was not able to complete the process. I inserted the SIM card but I don't recall if this allowed the process to complete, or if I had to restore the iPhone with iTunes since it was a while ago. I installed firmware update 3.0 on my no longer activated first generation iPhone without any problems. I leave the no longer activated SIM card inserted in the iPhone when being used as an iPod Touch and I turn on Airplane mode followed by turning on wi-fi access because the iPhone isn't activated and not being used as a phone. No insert a valid SIM card message when doing so.

If restoring the iPhone with iTunes does not work, you can temporarily activate the iPhone, or sell the iPhone on eBay or Craiglist and use the proceeds to purchase an iPod Touch. A major firmware update costs $9.95 for iPod Touch users.

Jul 19, 2009 1:56 PM in response to ouimetnick

Can I put a de-activated at&t sim card that was used in an original iPhone into a replacement Original iPhone and bypass the activation screen?

If a no longer activated iPhone remains under warranty, I don't believe you would receive an exchange under warranty if the iPhone is not activated.

Copied from my previous post - I can't answer your question for certain since I haven't done it.

Jul 19, 2009 3:24 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Allan Sampson wrote:
With the SIM card inserted, try restoring the iPhone with iTunes to see if this makes any difference regarding being provided the prompt to activate the iPhone with AT&T.

Right, tried that many times before and once again right now. No luck, because I can't get to the "Restore" button; the only thing iTunes will let me try now is an activation. Right clicking on device only offers "Eject."
I thought maybe I only got the "Activate" page and not a "Restore" option because this iPhone was never backed up to the computer I'm using. If that were the case, then the lesson would be to perform a backup before an update. I regretfully am hazy whether I completed a backup before updating. I wonder where the backup file would be found, so that I can check that possibility. Aha, iTunes folder in ~/Library has a folder "Mobile Backups" containing folder with my iPhone's serial number, containing file "Manifest.plist" containing information:
Backupdate: Jul 5, 2009 etc.
Device Name: XXXXX's iPhone
New OS Version: 3.0
Old OS Version: 1.1.2
And a folder containing all the backup data called "Structured." How tantalizing, that it is all right there. So, when I do get this sorted out, I could revert the phone and repeat this process, in the name of science.
So I did back up, and yet iTunes hates me and won't allow the restore. Or, the phone, despite having a good SIM card, having a matching serial number, and having an IMEI that matches its case, not the "lockdown" IMEI, is not letting iTunes provide restore.
My options are probably to call Apple (I can't think of what they might do, though) or to go to an AT&T store, or to go through the temporary activation I mentioned before. Or, I try finding iTunes 7, see if it allows a restore.

I should mention I'm a happy Touch2 owner, I just would like to spread the love by completing this conversion and giving it to someone.

nickgeno Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 24, 2009 6:25 PM in response to Shawn Reeves1

I found a way to activate my 2G as an iPod Touch without having to switch contract plans, or even contacting AT&T. I will list my steps, but also must list my source. ipk316 originally posted these steps in response to a similar query on the AT&T forum. Although everything I did was about 99 % identical to what he describes, I did do one step extra, but the method and credit should still go to ipk316. Anyway, here's what I did per his instructions on the other board...:

1. Take out any sim card in the 2G iPhone (The sim tray should be empty) and power off the phone. Hold the home button and plug the iPhone into the computer. iTunes will bring up a message saying it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode and it would like to update and restore it. Click Yes, or OK, whichever it is.

2. After the update and restore are complete, the iPhone will restart, and iTunes will give you a message saying "please keep your iPhone connected to the computer, etc..." This is where you DISCONNECT the iPhone before it can restart.

3. Now, I took my activated sim card out of my 3G, and put it in the 2G and plugged it back into iTunes. This allowed the 2G iPhone to get past the "Connect to iTunes" screen. Once past this screen, go to settings and put the phone into airplane mode.

4. Now, take out the sim card and put it into the original phone (sim goes back into my 3G so I have service there still)

5. As long as airplane mode is turned on, information (apps, email, bookmarks, contacts, etc) can be synced to the phone without it being activated. Once you have everything you want on the iPhone, unplug it and turn airplane mode off to use the phone as an iPod Touch on WiFi.

The important thing to remember is that every time you are about to plug the iPhone in, turn airplane mode on first.

I have used this method, and it works. I have several apps, bookmarks, movies, music, and an email account that are all usable on my home WiFi network. Hope this helps some people, and a big thanks to ipk316 for the great steps!

I do want to thank everybody that replied (especially allan) for their replies, advice, and patience. It is always much appreciated!

Jul 25, 2009 12:29 AM in response to nickgeno

I'm surprised this topic is stii live on this site! It wasn't that long ago that if you even discussed any kind of hacking your post would be deleted and your account suspended. Have times changed on the Apple forums?

Jul 25, 2009 4:39 AM in response to Dayvidpriddy

What is being discussed here does not involve any kind or type of hacking an iPhone.

Violating the terms of use here once will get your post deleted if the post/violation is brought to the attention of a moderator along with an email sent indicating the reason why your post was deleted, but does not get your account suspended or banned. Continuing to post the same and/or continuing to violate the terms of use will get your account suspended.

What is being discussed in this thread does not involve hacking an iPhone in any shape, form, or fashion, and is not a violation of the terms of use for these discussions or posts would have been removed, or the entire thread removed.

Jul 25, 2009 7:23 AM in response to nickgeno

nickgenowrote:
I found a way to activate my 2G as an iPod Touch without having to switch contract plans, or even contacting AT&T. I will list my steps, but also must list my source. ipk316 originally posted these steps in response to a similar query on the AT&T forum. Although everything I did was about 99 % identical to what he describes, I did do one step extra, but the method and credit should still go to ipk316. Anyway, here's what I did per his instructions on the other board...:

1. Take out any sim card in the 2G iPhone (The sim tray should be empty) and power off the phone. If the Sim card was originally used in that iphone, leave it in. Hold the home button and plug the iPhone into the computer. iTunes will bring up a message saying it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode and it would like to update and restore it. +You don't need to put it into DFU mode to restore/update. My iphone has no sim card installed in it and can be restored/updated fine, but will be a brick after.+ Click Yes, or OK, whichever it is.

2. After the update and restore are complete, the iPhone will restart, and iTunes will give you a message saying "please keep your iPhone connected to the computer, etc..." This is where you DISCONNECT the iPhone before it can restart. +You can leave it connected, iTunes will just tell you to put the original or activated at&t sim in it.+

3. Now, I took my activated sim card out of my 3G, and put it in the 2G and plugged it back into iTunes. This allowed the 2G iPhone to get past the "Connect to iTunes" screen. +Or you can put the sim card that was used in the Original iPhone back in. It didn't have to be removed.+ Once past this screen, go to settings and put the phone into airplane mode. Why Air plane mode?

4. Now, take out the sim card and put it into the original phone (sim goes back into my 3G so I have service there still)

5. As long as airplane mode is turned on, information (apps, email, bookmarks, contacts, etc) can be synced to the phone without it being activated. Once you have everything you want on the iPhone, unplug it and turn airplane mode off to use the phone as an iPod Touch on WiFi. In Air plane mode, WiFi can be enabled. +I don't have a Sim card in my iPhone. It just says no sim where it used to say AT&T. I can sync it fine. I doesn't have to be in air plane mode.+

The important thing to remember is that every time you are about to plug the iPhone in, turn airplane mode on first.

I have used this method, and it works. I have several apps, bookmarks, movies, music, and an email account that are all usable on my home WiFi network. Hope this helps some people, and a big thanks to ipk316 for the great steps!

I do want to thank everybody that replied (especially allan) for their replies, advice, and patience. It is always much appreciated!

nickgeno,
I added the following comments:
You don't need to put it into DFU mode to restore/update. My iphone has no sim card installed in it and can be restored/updated fine, but will be a brick after.

You can leave it connected, iTunes will just tell you to put the sim in it.
Or you can put the sim card that was used in the Original iPhone back in. It didn't have to be removed.
Why Air Plane mode?

I don't have a Sim card in my iPhone. It just says no sim where it used to say AT&T. I can sync it fine. I doesn't have to be in air plane mode.

The iPhone doesn’t need a Sim Card installed in it to sync with iTunes.

Message was edited by: ouimetnick

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Jul 18, 2009 5:00 PM in response to nickgeno

You need the SIM that goes with the iPhone.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Anyway to activate old 2G iPhone with dummy SIM card?