I bought a used 3gs and have been using as an ipod only. Not activated with a cell carrier. Itunes updated software and now phone will not activate. Reading this forum I can see why. I want to format the phone and eliminate any unauthorized software or apps and reinstall the appropriate apple ios. Is this possible? Where can I get the correct software?
iPhone 3GS, iOS 6.0.1
If the phone was hacked or jailbroken to unlock it you may be out of luck. Some jailbreaks cannot be undone by any authorized means, especially if the baseband was changed to unlock it.
You can try a DFU restore (google it); that's your only hope.
If the phone was hacked or jailbroken to unlock it you may be out of luck. Some jailbreaks cannot be undone by any authorized means, especially if the baseband was changed to unlock it.
You can try a DFU restore (google it); that's your only hope.
If You Are Locked Out Or Have Forgotten Your Passcode or Just Need to Restore Your Device
iTunes 10 for Mac- Update and restore software on iPod, iPhone, or iPad
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Wrong passcode results in red disabled screen
If you have forgotten your Restrictions code, then follow the instructions
below but DO NOT restore any previous backup. If you do then you will
simply be restoring the old Restrictions code you have forgotten. This
same warning applies if you need to restore a clean system.
A Complete Guide to Restore or Recover Your iDevice (if You Forget Your Passcode)
If you need to restore your device or ff you cannot remember the passcode, then you will need to restore your device using the computer with which you last synced it. This allows you to reset your passcode and re-sync the data from the device (or restore from a backup). If you restore on a different computer that was never synced with the device, you will be able to unlock the device for use and remove the passcode, but your data will not be present. Refer to Updating and restoring iPhone, iPad and iPod touch software.
Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.
Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.
Follow these steps to restore your device:
1. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.
2. Connect your device to your computer.
3. Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
4. Select the Summary tab.
5. Select the Restore option.
6. When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the Back Up
option (see in the image below). If you have just backed up the device, it is not
necessary to create another.
7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up,
you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).
8. When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple
logo while starting up:
After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating
to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of
iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or
you see "iPhone is activated."
9. The final step is to restore your device from a previous backup. If you do not have a
backup to restore, then restore as New.
If you are restoring to fix a forgotten Restrictions Code, then skip Step 9 and restore as New.
If the above doesn't resolve the problem then:
Placing your device into recovery mode:
Follow these steps to place your iOS device into recovery mode. If your iOS device is already in recovery mode, you can proceed immediately to step 6.
1. Disconnect the USB cable from the iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, but leave the
other end of the cable connected to your computer's USB port.
2. Turn off the device: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds
until the red slider appears, then slide the slider. Wait for the device to turn off.
* If you cannot turn off the device using the slider, press and hold the
Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. When the device turns off,
release the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons.
3. While pressing and holding the Home button, reconnect the USB cable to the
device. The device should turn on. Note: If you see the screen pictured below,
let the device charge for at least ten minutes to ensure that the battery has some
charge, and then start with step 2 again.
4. Continue holding the Home button until you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen.
When this screen appears you can release the Home button:
5. If necessary, open iTunes. You should see the following "recovery mode" alert:
6. Use iTunes to restore the device.
If you don't see the "Connect to iTunes" screen, try these steps again. If you see the "Connect to iTunes" screen but the device does not appear in iTunes, see this article and its related links.
Additional Information:
Note: When using recovery mode, you can only restore the device. All user content on the device will be erased, but if you had previously synced with iTunes on this computer, you can restore from a previous backup. See this article for more information.
Thanks Lawrence,
I have placed phone in DFU mode using several different methods. I get to the restore phone without any options offered. No retore from back up or restore as new, just restore. I have searched all itunes folders and do not have iphone bu or software updates folders. I think that the lack of a back up folder is the reason no options are offered and may be a restore as new restoration. But of course the phone will not activate and thus I am unable to get back to music files or any other options including restore. I am not a hacker but am not uneducated in these matters. It appears that without a viable solution I will be forced by Apple Software Engineers to become an IPhone hacker? Ironic. Obviously this restore is not a complete format and the JB software is still present. I do appreciate your imput. P.S. I was right on the verge of switching to Mac Computers but now no chance. I don't want to have this same nonsence pulled on me again.
Thank you as well Kappy,
See my prior reply as it covers my results.
uncletodd2000 wrote:
...Obviously this restore is not a complete format and the JB software is still present.
It is not always possible to undo the damage done by jailbreaking or hacking the phone. Thus, the reason Apple will not support phones that have been jailbroken or hacked. It voids any warranty and Apple Care agreement and forfeits all rights to support.
...I was right on the verge of switching to Mac Computers but now no chance. I don't want to have this same nonsence pulled on me again.
Have what pulled on you? You are the one who bought a gray market, used iPhone that was hacked. Apple didn't do this to you. You either did it to your self or the person who sold you the phone did it to you, depending on your perspective.
It doesn't matter what you are buying, if you buy it from a less than trustworthy source, you're liable to get ripped off.
Because all I ever wanted was to use it as an Ipod mp3 player and it worked fine. People sell used phones all the time. I knew nothing about hacking phones, jailbreaking etc etc. I was forced into an update that I did not need and now I am unable to use the device for my intended purpose. I would say that this was the intent behind a forced update. No worry for me though cause now I am forced to learn exactly what I did not need to know and will hack my way into using the phone once again. I never wanted microsoft and yet had it shoved into my life, subsequently I refuse to pay for their products, and now I guess I will just keep on using it. Apple did not need to "brick" my phone. Nothing was stolen from them. There is no reason for Apple to prevent a complete format and software installlation, thereby removing the unapproved software. Instead they chose to make a hacker out of me!!!! Gray Market? Whatever do you mean?
You are never forced into an update.
Updates are always your choice.
It will ONLY updat if you tell it to.
HOW CAN i activate my Iphone 3gs ?? its totally diactivated because my brother reset it in RESET ALL SETTINGS... now how can i Activate it again can you please HELP to.. Activate it... plss plsss... or send your Suggestion in my.. Email.. ********
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Format Iphone 3GS?
