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tal1971 Author

Level 2

302 points

When I sell my iPhone 3GS, do I need to leave the old sim card in it

I'm sure I read somewhere about selling an iPhone, and having to sell it with the sim card that has always been used with it. I can't remember the reason for this, but I wondered if this is true?

The reason I ask is. When the iPhone 4 comes out, I will be getting one. I know the iPhone 4 will use the micro sim card, so I won't have any use for the sim card that is presently installed in my 3GS. So do I need to leave the sim card in the 3GS, for when I sell the 3GS on to the new user?

Thanks in advance 🙂

Windows Vista, iPhone 3GS 16 GB

Posted on Jun 13, 2010 3:05 PM

19 replies

iamjayun

Level 1

9 points

Jun 24, 2010 3:05 PM in response to tal1971

Thanks for the information. I did the same thing.

Also, if it isn't already evident to you (or whoever later reads this thread), to remove the SIM card, take a paperclip and PUSH it into the hole on the top of the iPhone. The SIM card/holder will pop out.

tal1971 Author

Level 2

302 points

Jun 24, 2010 9:26 PM in response to iamjayun

No problem iamjayun 🙂

Or you can use the little tool supplied with the iPhone (for the removal of the sim card).

I have always found the sim card tray on my 3GS, a little awkward to extract, mine has a habit of not protruding far enough out to get hold of. I do however find the one on my iPhone 4, to be a lot, lot better, perhaps because its made of the same material has the sides and top of the iPhone 4 (alloy/stainless steel), whereas the 3GS was just plastic.

Kwopau

Level 4

1,742 points

Jul 8, 2010 12:28 AM in response to tal1971

I have a question regarding to this, I plan on selling my 3G S first and then purchase the iphone 4 with that money that I get. Is there a way to deactivate the phone before I sell it? If so what can I do to deactivate it? I still have my old iphone 3G that i plan on using while the 3G S is being shipped to the buyer and until I receive the iphone 4.

tal1971 Author

Level 2

302 points

Jul 8, 2010 12:57 AM in response to Kwopau

Kwopau wrote:
I plan on selling my 3G S first and then purchase the iphone 4 with that money that I get. Is there a way to deactivate the phone before I sell it? If so what can I do to deactivate it? I still have my old iphone 3G that i plan on using while the 3G S is being shipped to the buyer and until I receive the iphone 4.

When I sold my 3GS, I reset it. Basically you will be putting the 3GS back to the same condition that it was when it was new and just taken out of its box. To do this you can do ONE of the following.

Either one of these:

1. On the iPhone. Settings>General>Reset>Erase All Content & Settings.

Or:

2. Connect your phone to itunes and restore as a "new" device, do not sync when finished. Either will produce a phone just like it came out of the box. 🙂

When you have done one of the above, the person who buys your 3GS will have to connect it to iTunes to reactivate it.

I got the iPhone 4 on launch day and I find its a worthwhile upgrade from the 3GS, its a superb bit of kit the iPhone 4 🙂

When I sell my iPhone 3GS, do I need to leave the old sim card in it