CalRoman

Q: How do I update an original iphone to the current IOS?

I cannot figure out how to update the IOS in my son's original iphone. It has a 4.21 IOS and I need to update the IOS to use Whatsapp. Can someone please guide me through the process, step by step?

Original iPhone, iOS 4.2

Posted on Apr 22, 2016 9:03 AM

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Q: How do I update an original iphone to the current IOS?

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  • by Phil0124,Helpful

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 22, 2016 9:19 AM in response to CalRoman
    Level 7 (27,548 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 9:19 AM in response to CalRoman

    iOS 4.2.1 was the last version that could be run on an iPhone 3G. Which is not an original iPhone.

     

    The first iPhone, the iPhone 1 could not be updated past version 3.1.3

     

    But without knowing exactly what iPhone you are referring to its hard to say what it can be updated to.

     

    If it's any iPhone before the 4s, (1,3G,3Gs,4) then it cannot be updated to the most current version of iOS.

  • by CalRoman,

    CalRoman CalRoman Apr 22, 2016 9:15 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 9:15 AM in response to Phil0124

    How do I find out what phone/IOS it is please? Under "About",it says it is a version 4.2.1, and Model MB048LL, with 14.5 GB. Thank you so kindly!

  • by CalRoman,

    CalRoman CalRoman Apr 22, 2016 9:18 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 9:18 AM in response to Phil0124

    Also, what I really want to do is add the Whatsapp app to it, but it says I must update to IOS 6.0 or later...am I out of luck then according to what you said in your reply?

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Apr 22, 2016 9:25 AM in response to CalRoman
    Level 9 (55,731 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 22, 2016 9:25 AM in response to CalRoman

    CalRoman wrote:

     

    How do I find out what phone/IOS it is please? Under "About",it says it is a version 4.2.1, and Model MB048LL, with 14.5 GB. Thank you so kindly!

    You could google the model number....

     

    That would tell you that it's an iPhone 3G. 4.2.1 is the end of the line for that device. It's obsolete. It's way past time to replace it if you need to run anything remotely current on it.

  • by CalRoman,

    CalRoman CalRoman Apr 22, 2016 9:30 AM in response to KiltedTim
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 9:30 AM in response to KiltedTim

    Do you know if there are any free phone/messaging services like whatsapp or viber that work on it?

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Apr 22, 2016 10:18 AM in response to CalRoman
    Level 7 (27,548 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 10:18 AM in response to CalRoman

    Unfortunately, the 3G is simply now to old to run anything remotely recent.  Most messaging apps will require at least iOS 6.


    After 8 years, there's not much that can be downloaded onto it.

     

    Even the "Install the Latest compatible version of an App" feature that is available requires iOS 4.3.3 at least to get older Apps.

    Install the latest compatible version of an app on an earlier version of iOS or OS X - Apple Support

     

    There's really not much that can be done at this point with it.  Its 8 years old, and time to change it.   You can probably get a cheap iPhone 4s that can run the most recent Apps. 

  • by CalRoman,

    CalRoman CalRoman Apr 22, 2016 10:43 AM in response to Phil0124
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 22, 2016 10:43 AM in response to Phil0124

    I live in Ecuador, so even a 4s is not cheap. But thank you so much for trying to help.