RadicalRick
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Q: Recently purchased iPhone 3G No update past 4.2

Recently purchased a iPhone 3G 8gb phone for my daughter.  latest version Aval is 4.2.1 can not install any apps whatsoever. My mom has a similar phone & checking it, it's showing 6.1 something around there. After syncing my daughters phone it's saying I'm up to date yet i can not add anything besides music. My moms iPhone 3 with the  (6.1) version is linked to our family share. She has no problem with getting any apps. (example: candy crush)....thanks, any help would be great.

iPhone 3G, iOS 4.2

Posted on Feb 21, 2015 10:02 PM

by ChrisJ4203,Solvedanswer
ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203
Level 9 (59,931 points)
iPhone
A:

The iPhone 3G may look similar to a 3GS, which is probably what your mother has, but they are different. The iPhone 3G will not update past iOS 4.2.1, and the 3GS, will only update to iOS 6.1.6. The apps they support are determined by the app developer, but you can try this link to see if any compatible apps exist. Install the latest compatible version of an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X - Apple Support

Posted on Feb 21, 2015 10:07 PM

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RadicalRick

Q: Recently purchased iPhone 3G No update past 4.2

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  • by ChrisJ4203,Solvedanswer

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 21, 2015 10:07 PM in response to RadicalRick
    Level 9 (59,931 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 21, 2015 10:07 PM in response to RadicalRick

    The iPhone 3G may look similar to a 3GS, which is probably what your mother has, but they are different. The iPhone 3G will not update past iOS 4.2.1, and the 3GS, will only update to iOS 6.1.6. The apps they support are determined by the app developer, but you can try this link to see if any compatible apps exist. Install the latest compatible version of an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X - Apple Support

  • by David M Brewer,

    David M Brewer David M Brewer Feb 21, 2015 10:13 PM in response to RadicalRick
    Level 6 (9,429 points)
    Video
    Feb 21, 2015 10:13 PM in response to RadicalRick

    iPhone 3G software specs:

    Screen Shot 2015-02-21 at 11.05.51 PM.jpg

    iPhone 3GS software specs:

    Screen Shot 2015-02-21 at 11.05.23 PM.jpg

    Your mother's phone might be the 3GS and your daughter's the 3G.

  • by RadicalRick,

    RadicalRick RadicalRick Feb 21, 2015 10:15 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2015 10:15 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    thanks for the response chris. quick question. i have a iPhone 5s if i go to the link above / saying install the latest compatible version of an app. it won't mess with anything as far as my phone goes will it. seems like about a year ago i backed up a older phone which in turned lost the back up that i had with my phone so i had lost a little during that learning curve. luckily it wasn't much.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 21, 2015 10:17 PM in response to RadicalRick
    Level 9 (59,931 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 21, 2015 10:17 PM in response to RadicalRick

    That link will provide you directions on how to deal with it on the older device. It will not affect your iPhone 5s. When you backup a phone in iTunes, it saves the last 3 backups of the device. If you plug a different iPhone into the same iTunes library, it knows that it is a different phone and can hold its 3 backups as well.

  • by RadicalRick,

    RadicalRick RadicalRick Feb 21, 2015 10:24 PM in response to David M Brewer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2015 10:24 PM in response to David M Brewer

    ok gotcha. yea my moms is the 3gs now that i think about it. its actually my old phone. I don't know there was such a difference in the two. obviously there is. what a bummer. i just caught everything up and was so excited about being up to date on all. got my 10.10.2 and my 8.1.3 i was on a roll. lol. i def will have to check the compatible apps bec my daughter is not digging her phone. being in a joint custody situation. it seems to be the only way that i get to keep in contact with her. i guess either its the processing power or apples way of starting to phase the oldest phone out. although the life span of a apple smart phone compared to other brands is not even close;

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 21, 2015 10:34 PM in response to RadicalRick
    Level 9 (59,931 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 21, 2015 10:34 PM in response to RadicalRick

    iOS updates have to do with processing power. As I said earlier, the decision to support whatever iOS is up to the developers, not Apple. The developer determines application support. And as far as life span, you do realize an iPhone 3G was released in 2008, that is 7 years ago. There is no conspiracy by Apple to phase out phones, except that they will not support the newer iOS.

  • by RadicalRick,

    RadicalRick RadicalRick Feb 21, 2015 10:54 PM in response to RadicalRick
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 21, 2015 10:54 PM in response to RadicalRick

    yea thats kinda what i was saying i think i worded it wrong. thats cool to know about the 3 back up thing. my old 3GS (my moms phone) still runs like a champ! while friends go though about 10 phones over a 5 year span. I've only had 2 since Jobs introduced the iPhone. thats what i call reliable and your moneys worth. best part out performing the comp the whole way.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Feb 22, 2015 7:15 AM in response to RadicalRick
    Level 9 (59,931 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 22, 2015 7:15 AM in response to RadicalRick

    You're welcome. I agree. I still have every one of the iPhones I've purchased. I have a 3G that has been used by many people when they break theirs while they waited for new ones. It has been through so much abuse. I have an iPhone 4 that is the same way. I had it, my daughter used it, then my wife, and now it is on the shelf for the next person that has a problem and needs an iPhone.