Filed under: iPhone
Apple on how to replace an original iPhone with a new 3G iPhone
Apple has posted a Support Document that explains exactly how to replace your original iPhone with a new 3G iPhone. Basically there are two tracks: 1) In the US you don't need your original SIM as your original "account information will be transferred to iPhone 3G's included SIM when you purchase iPhone 3G." 2) Outside the US, "you can use your original iPhone's SIM with iPhone 3G."Once that's done it's just a matter of backing up your original iPhone to iTunes 7.7 and then restoring that backup to the new iPhone 3G. This should transfer all your saved SMS messages as well as email accounts, notes, etc. Once that's done you just need to erase the old iPhone with the new secure erase option.
[via Daring Fireball]


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave said 6:48PM on 7-04-2008
is it true, that if you sold your iphone you cant upgrade ?
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Brad said 7:08PM on 7-04-2008
you probably can, assuming that ATT still shows that you have an iPhone plan in their system. If you got rid of the iPhone plan, then you probably can't. But even if you sell the iPHone and keep the plan, they will also be able to tell if you have been using another phone instead of the iPhone. So nobody really knows, but I'd give it a 95% chance that you can.
Shmoe said 11:46PM on 7-04-2008
Having been in the same situation (sold my iPhones 2 weeks ago), I was told to check my account for upgrade eligibility. My line originally said it was not due for an upgrade until sometime in late 2009.
After a few days ago, all iPhone lines on my account are upgrade eligible. I believe AT&T is flipping the upgrade eligible switch on all first-gen iphone users and this is how you will get the upgrade pricing.
mike said 2:25AM on 7-05-2008
i called earlier and asked, which is the sensible thing to do and they said you don't need it to upgrade... they even made notes on my account about it... they just said i'd have no problem and all i'd need to do is pay the extra $10 for Edge>3G since i already have a contract. easy. for once.
all they need is to see you've been paying them for the plan.
Philster said 7:18PM on 7-04-2008
Sync with iTunes 7.7? Hmm... I have my old iPhone backed up to iTunes 7.6.2, but I already sold the phone.
Does this mean I won't be able to use my iPhone backup file with iTunes 7.7? Or the 3G iPhone won't sync with iTunes 7.6.2?
Arrg.
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MRCUR said 8:45PM on 7-04-2008
The iPhone 3G won't sync with iTunes 7.6.x. You'll need iTunes 7.7 for that. I'm sure your backup will work just fine under the new iTunes though. I highly doubt Apple wouldn't think of that...
Brian Irwin said 8:35PM on 7-04-2008
I will be visiting Canada when the iPhone 3G goes on sale, does that mean I can buy the phone in Canada and put my AT&T SIM card into the new iPhone??
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Jon said 11:14PM on 7-04-2008
Nope. Rogers/Fido won't sell you an iPhone without going on a 3yr contract, and will be locked anyway. You'll have to wait until you get home.
Tony Bowman said 1:52AM on 7-05-2008
what i want to know is the at&t/apple official policy/method for getting a new iphone and giving your old one to a family member for use on yoru at&t account.
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Chris said 10:23AM on 7-05-2008
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/en/Transfer_Contacts.pdf
Bill Taroli said 7:04AM on 7-05-2008
What I find amusing is that somehow what works (and is sensible) for non-US iPhone owners somehow just doesn't apply to us. Why should anyone have to be worried about a freakin' contract renewal when, in the GSM world, it should just be a matter of... buy phone, move SIM, adjust service plan as needed (e.g. 3G data). Seems to me that Apple and AT&T are just making this /more/ complicated than it needs to be.
I have seen the notes suggesting that (unlocked?) iPhones not requiring a contract will be available for an extra fee... and despite the extra cost that's looking like a much more attractive approach. Screw subsidies and all the hoops these vendors choose to make us jump through to satisfy their back-room kickback deals.
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Chris said 10:26AM on 7-05-2008
From att.com:
"Coming soon, AT&T will offer a no-commitment option of $599 for 8GB and $699 for 16GB."
No contract, still locked.
apeguero said 4:22PM on 7-05-2008
I still see this new iPhone as a very expensive trap being setup by AT&T. I'm so not convinced to upgrade. I would've upgraded had they at least kept text in the data plan and the iPhone had a 32Gb option. I'll have to wait this out for a couple of months first though to see what develops. In particular, I'd like to see that this new 3G iPhone is jailbreakable, unlockable and also the plans become eligible for corporate or government discounts before I commit to the upgrade. Who knows, maybe a 32Gb will become available by then.
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J said 10:40PM on 7-05-2008
You forgot to mention that you need to drop your pants and bend over...
I'm keepin my 1st gen as my butt still hurts from the original price drop....
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Doug said 1:23AM on 7-07-2008
I agree. I am keeping my 1st gen and my cheaper data plan. I also don't like the back of the new phone. I am looking forward to the free 2.0 software though, which will be like having a new phone.