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July 13, 2010 9:33 AM Subscribe
What can I do with my iPhone 3G (it won't work with ios4)?
You guys really helped when ios4 killed my phone the other week (and many thanks to Floam for extra help!)
I've downgraded it to 3.1.1.2 (or whatever), so it works as well as it can. However, my iTunes is running the newer version and won't transfer or sync with the older version that is on the phone.
I was lucky to be given a new iPhone 4, but as the old one still works, it seems a shame to just let it lay around. So, what should I do with it? I guess I could try to sell it, but would need to be very clear that it won't work with ios4 or the newer iTunes.
Can anyone think of a better or more creative use?
You guys really helped when ios4 killed my phone the other week (and many thanks to Floam for extra help!)
I've downgraded it to 3.1.1.2 (or whatever), so it works as well as it can. However, my iTunes is running the newer version and won't transfer or sync with the older version that is on the phone.
I was lucky to be given a new iPhone 4, but as the old one still works, it seems a shame to just let it lay around. So, what should I do with it? I guess I could try to sell it, but would need to be very clear that it won't work with ios4 or the newer iTunes.
Can anyone think of a better or more creative use?
You can still install and remove apps without syncing, so I'm going to link to this recent post with some good suggestions. I posted my usual answer there, that old iPhones are great as Airfoil clients or ServersMan servers.
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:46 AM on July 13, 2010
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 9:46 AM on July 13, 2010
cestmoi15: However, my iTunes is running the newer version and won't transfer or sync with the older version that is on the phone.
This doesn't make sense to me. iTunes should not require iOS4 to sync. Did you do a factory reset?
posted by mkultra at 9:50 AM on July 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
This doesn't make sense to me. iTunes should not require iOS4 to sync. Did you do a factory reset?
posted by mkultra at 9:50 AM on July 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: It you can't use it or sell it, recycle it! I got a $250 gift card from Apple/PowerOn for sending in an old MacBook. I bet they take phones too. Search "recycle" on Apple dot com. They even send you packaging materials for free! I'm not brainwashed by Apple, just excited I got paid to recycle something.
posted by ShadePlant at 10:19 AM on July 13, 2010
posted by ShadePlant at 10:19 AM on July 13, 2010
iTunes 9.2 (the latest) will happily sync with iPhones running versions prior to iOS4. Seconding mkultra's suggestion to try a factory reset of the device.
Failing that, download the 3.1.3 firmware from here:
http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/
For an iPhone 3G you want the entry that says iPhone 3G (3.1.3/7E18).
After downloading the desired firmware, you can shift-click (PC) or option-click (Mac) the Restore or Update buttons in iTunes. A file dialog will open and let you choose the downloaded ipsw-file.
Once it comes back up after the restore it should behave again. I had to jump through these hoops myself on a misbehaving 3G.
posted by hjd at 10:22 AM on July 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Failing that, download the 3.1.3 firmware from here:
http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/
For an iPhone 3G you want the entry that says iPhone 3G (3.1.3/7E18).
After downloading the desired firmware, you can shift-click (PC) or option-click (Mac) the Restore or Update buttons in iTunes. A file dialog will open and let you choose the downloaded ipsw-file.
Once it comes back up after the restore it should behave again. I had to jump through these hoops myself on a misbehaving 3G.
posted by hjd at 10:22 AM on July 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Yep, you can use iOS 3 with iTunes 9.2. Try the factory reset.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:42 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:42 PM on July 13, 2010
These still sell for quite a bit on ebay. Perhaps better to sell it to somebody who will get more use out of it?
posted by bystander at 11:59 PM on July 13, 2010
posted by bystander at 11:59 PM on July 13, 2010
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posted by alms at 9:40 AM on July 13, 2010