Filed under: Retail, Apple, iPhone
Apple details what you need to bring for iPhone purchase
Apple has posted some information regarding where to buy the iPhone 3G and what to bring to the store so you can get up and running. According to Apple, in-store activations will occur at Apple's retail stores. "Let a Specialist help you choose your iPhone, check the network coverage where you live, select a rate plan, review the contract terms, and - best of all - activate your new iPhone in just a few minutes," the Apple page explains.
Apple suggests having the following information handy to make the activation process speedy:
- Credit card
- Social security number
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Current wireless account number and password or PIN (if you're new to AT&T)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
frogstik said 10:53AM on 7-08-2008
Has anyone come out and said that you HAVE to use the new iPhone rate plans or can you just use your existing one? I have a FamilyTalk 550 plan and I'd just want to take my old iPhone data plan, put the new 3G plan, and text messages... is this possible?
I think I'm going to reup my Applecare on my iPhone OG and wait it out a year.
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Travis said 11:57AM on 7-08-2008
yeah, i've been wondering the same thing and can't get a straight answer from anyone (apple, att, the blogs).
i have the 550 family plan with 2 iphones. if i only upgrade one iphone what will i be paying??
larryj said 12:33PM on 7-08-2008
I called at&t this morning to upgrade my voiceplan (3G iPhone or not, I've outgrown my plan). As it was explained to me, there's nothing special about the plans on the 3G iPhone page. You can take any existing plan and add $30 a month if you have an iPhone 3G.
kris said 10:54AM on 7-08-2008
so can you not buy one unless you're the account holder?
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theotherkevin said 12:13PM on 7-08-2008
Nope, you can't.
kevin said 10:57AM on 7-08-2008
Some sites say valid US Government Issued ID. I was wondering if a Canadian Drivers License was ok? I am a current AT&T Customer and had an old iPhone but sold it last month (still on iPhone plan though). Thanks!
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theotherkevin said 12:11PM on 7-08-2008
If you are purchasing in America, you need to have a US ID and you need to have a US Social Security number.
kevin said 12:18PM on 7-08-2008
I have a social security number. When I signed up with AT&T I used my Canadian drivers license and US Social Security number. So do I need to goto an AT&T Store or can I get my phone at the Apple store?
Alan said 11:53PM on 7-17-2008
I am wondering about this as well...
Why would they need you to have both? A valid SSN would prove both that you are a valid American and do the credit check.. and a foreign government photo id would be enough to prove that you are indeed yourself.. such as a passport, driver's license, health card, etc...
Has anyone asked AT+T/ Apple?
fd said 10:59AM on 7-08-2008
I just want to express that I really disagree with the whole hand over your SSN to get a cellphone thing. Your SSN is only to be used for taxes (and related to that employment). It's one thing if you apply for a home loan, but for a stupid cellphone there is no need or justification for it. They can just cancel your service, charge you $xxx and hold your phone # hostage ... just like they would if you weren't paying your bill.
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Adam said 11:33AM on 7-08-2008
For me, the deal breaker would be the SSN. Won't happen.
Mark said 11:01AM on 7-08-2008
What do they need a social security number for?
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Dustin said 11:06AM on 7-08-2008
For the credit check
nosidam said 11:21AM on 7-08-2008
They do NOT need SSN for any purpose. It makes it easier for them to do a credit check, but it is NOT required by AT&T or any of the large mobile carriers. Just tell them you are not going to give it to them, and they will deal with it. It will take longer, and you will get a bunch of looks, but they do NOT need it.
BTW, if you are going to do that, you should probably buy the iPhone at an AT&T store since they probably already know how to handle that.
byaah said 11:21AM on 7-08-2008
Credit check.
Darnell said 11:23AM on 7-08-2008
Credit Check.
Brian S said 2:58PM on 7-08-2008
When I got the original iPhone they accepted
111-11-1111 as my SSN.
Jash Sayani said 11:04AM on 7-08-2008
Docs needed for buying iPhone in India:
1. Money
2. Money
3. Money
:D They only need money, who cares about the rest !
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drmac said 11:32AM on 7-08-2008
I have 2 questions and I can not find the answer.
1) Does the account holder need to be present? The account is in my wife's and I already have an iPhone under her account which is my phone number.
2) Will they accept cash? I would rather use cash as I have been saving. I know some at&t and apple stores have not accepted cash for the previous iPhone.
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theotherkevin said 12:14PM on 7-08-2008
The account holder must be present.
NO CASH