Use old iPhone 3G as iPod Touch

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Level 1

2 points

Use old iPhone 3G as iPod Touch

I just replaced my iPhone 3G with the new 4S and would now like to continue to use my old phone as an iPod Touch. I've read many posts about this, as well as articles both within and outside of Apple support, but the advice is conflicting among these sources and I've reached a dead end.

I first erased and restored the old iPhone to factory settings and then turned the phone completely off. Next, I removed the SIM card. Then I turned the phone back on and placed it in my dock to connect to iTunes on my computer. But I get a message stating that a SIM card must be inserted in order to proceed further.

However, I don't want to set it up as a phone; only as an iPod Touch. Shouldn't I be able to continue with this process without a SIM card? Won't putting the SIM card back in make iTunes think it is a phone?

Thanks in advance for assistance. There is a lot of conflicting information out there on how to do this and it would be good to have a simple, straightforward explanation.

Posted on Oct 16, 2011 2:16 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

wjosten

Level 10

95,345 points

Oct 16, 2011 2:25 PM in response to robcar

You can't restore/activate any iPhone without a valid sim card in the phone. The sim need not be active, but it must be present. Put the sim back in the phone, then activate the phone. You can then use it as a touch. I recommend you leave the inactive sim in the phone. It will just display no service, but you may need it in the future.

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Answer 2

robcar Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 16, 2011 2:28 PM in response to wjosten

Thank you. I will do this. Some of the instructions I had read stated that the SIM card should be removed, so this is good information.

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,345 points

Oct 16, 2011 4:12 PM in response to robcar

You're welcome.

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Answer 4

Jan 20, 2012 2:45 PM in response to wjosten

I'm about to do the exact same thing, I'm upgrading from 3GS to 4S. My new phone will be delivered Monday. I've also switched from AT&T to Verizon. Will this make a difference in using my old AT&T iPhone as an iPod touch if I no longer have that account?

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Answer 5

paulcb

Level 6

19,245 points

Jan 20, 2012 2:52 PM in response to PattieLennoah

Will this make a difference in using my old AT&T iPhone as an iPod touch if I no longer have that account?

No. To update your 3G in the future, you will need the AT&T SIM card, so just leave it in there. Your new 4S with VZW has nothing to do with your ATT 3G.

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