Factory unlocked Iphone 3Gs will not connect to 3G T-Mobile network.

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Level 1

0 points

Factory unlocked Iphone 3Gs will not connect to 3G T-Mobile network.

I recently bought a refurbished, factory unlocked iPhone 3GS from a respectable business on Amazon.

I added the phone to my Family Mobile plans, which is sponsored by T-Mobile. Everything works fine, but I am constantly seeing an 'E' at the top for the network connectivity.

I have an Android phone on the same plan and it has 3G service. I also called Family Mobile support and they walked me through the network settings to make sure everything is correct.

I also switched the two SIM cards momentarily to check. My Android had 3G service but my iPhone 3GS still only had Edge. I have made sure the '3G data' toggle in the Settings app is switched on. I have done multiple resets and I am running out of troubleshooting options.

Any ideas why my iPhone 3GS is not getting 3G service?

iPhone 3GS, iOS 6

Posted on Sep 24, 2012 8:13 PM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

237,261 points

Sep 24, 2012 8:14 PM in response to featureza

The older iPhones do not support the USA T-Mobile 3G network.

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Answer 2

jc42548

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2013 8:42 AM in response to featureza

I have the t-mobile pay as you go plan and wanted a more updated phone than the clamshell motorola. I talked to someone at t-mobile who told me that the 3gs works with that SIM card, so I bought one (factory unlocked) off ebay and brought it to the store to get the SIM card installed. And, it WORKED! So, under some circumstances, iphones and t-mobile do connect!

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