Update iOS on Original iPhone

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Level 3

887 points

Update iOS on Original iPhone

I have an un-activated Original iPhone that was replaced by my 3GS. I'd like to update the old model to iOS 3.1.3 (which, IIRC, was the last version to work on the Original iPhone) before I pass it on to someone else.

Can I just hook it up to iTunes and click on Restore to Default? I plan on using my G4 iMac running Tiger and iTunes 9 so as to not mess up the settings on my main iMac.

Active: iMac (G5, G4), PB G4, iPad, iPhone, iPod, MP2100 Retired: iMac G3, A2c, Mac OS X (10.5.8), Mac OS 10.4.11, Mac OS 9.2.2, iOS 4.0/3.2, Newton OS 2.1

Posted on Dec 31, 2010 1:20 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Dec 31, 2010 3:44 PM in response to romad

You can only restore and/or update if you have the SIM card that was active still in the iphone or an active SIM in the iphone.

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Answer 2

romad Author

Level 3

887 points

Dec 31, 2010 7:40 PM in response to roaminggnome

I'm confused here; then how can people be using unactivated, no ATT account iPhones as an iTouch? Juliet Bravo?

What about if I use the SIM out of my current iPhone temporarily in the old iPhone to update the iOS?

Message was edited by: romad

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Answer 3

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,365 points

Dec 31, 2010 7:40 PM in response to romad

What is confusing you?

You can use the iphone as an ipod:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3406

You CANNOT update or restore without the SIM in the iphone that was previously active or an active SIM.

From the article above:

"To continue using your original iPhone without active cellular service, leave the inactive SIM card in place. You will be able to use the iPhone as you would an iPod touch (Wi-Fi only, no cellular service) as long as you keep the SIM with which it was last used, even if you update or restore the operating system of the original iPhone."

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Answer 4

drsailer

Level 4

1,531 points

Dec 31, 2010 7:42 PM in response to romad

They can use the functions just fine, they just can't update the software. Without the original SIM (even if it no longer works on the cell network) or a functioning SIM, the iPhone can't properly validate the device for the software update.

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Answer 5

romad Author

Level 3

887 points

Jan 10, 2011 7:40 PM in response to romad

OK, I took the blank SIM out of the Original iPhone and replaced it with an active SIM. I then connected to my PowerBook and was able to update the iPhone to iOS 3.1.3. I then put the blank SIM back in it and returned the active SIM to it's iPhone.

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Answer 6

Feb 21, 2011 4:27 PM in response to roaminggnome

I am having trouble with this issue, too. I have an original iPhone that my son has been using as an iPod Touch. It is currently running Version 3.0 so I wanted to try and update it to 3.1.3. I never had a sim card in it. I did, however, find my original SIM for that phone. I put that in and I got the "connect to iTunes" screen. The phone showed me my phone number and it wanted me to agree to terms of use, etc. Then at the end, it wanted me to add a data plan for $20??? There was no other option. So I am totally confused now. What am I missing?

Message was edited by: Lynda Rice

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