Can't use AT&T prepaid sim - why?

[panda]

I want use the sim card out of an AT&T prepaid phone in my iPhone (3.0.1 unlocked JB'ed original 2G) but it refuses to find any signal when the sim is inserted into the iPhone, yet it has full signal on the AT&T phone.
Can anyone help with this?
Many thanks in advance for any help offered.

[Europa]

Sorry, AT&T prepaid SIM's won't work on iPhones with the 3x FW even if the phone is unlocked.

Use a prepaid T-Mobile SIM instead.

[panda]

Many thanks for advice. Weird how USA has only one actual sim-card supplier out of so many carriers.

[Europa]

You're welcome.
2/4 of the major US carriers are GSM. There are also many local GSM carriers.

[panda]

Which are the US carriers who sell prepaid sim cards without a phone or a contract? I can't seem to find any except T-Mobile. I'd love to know others. Or even ones who sell a phone with a removable sim that I can use in my iPhone.

[KabaModern]

Which are the US carriers who sell prepaid sim cards without a phone or a contract? I can't seem to find any except T-Mobile. I'd love to know others. Or even ones who sell a phone with a removable sim that I can use in my iPhone.

T-Mobile and AT&T.

[panda]

AT&T no. Tried that but as you'll see at the top of this thread, iPhone (JB'ed and Unlocked on 3.0.1) wont get a signal with AT&T sim. Unless you know another way?

[KabaModern]

AT&T no. Tried that but as you'll see at the top of this thread, iPhone (JB'ed and Unlocked on 3.0.1) wont get a signal with AT&T sim. Unless you know another way?

As you'll see by what I quoted I answered the question you asked.

Which are the US carriers who sell prepaid sim cards without a phone or a contract

I answered that question. AT&T and T-Mobile both sell prepaid SIM cards. I never said anything about that they'll work with the iPhone though.... :dft012:wink

[Europa]

Right, AT&T are the 2 major GSM carriers. Sprint and Verizon are the two major CDMA carriers. The iPhone only has a GSM radio chip (no CDMA chip). AT&T prepaid SIM's do not work in the iPhone because Apple and AT&T do not want them to work. That leaves T-Mobile, unless you want to use a local GSM carrier.

[YvilKittyInSpace]

AT&T GoPhone sims DO work and WILL activate a 3G or 3GS iPhone as long as the phones are running 3.0 or higher. The only thing that won't work is data but you just need to configure the APN with AT&T settings to use data. The iPhone does not need to be unlocked or jailbroken to use the sim.

I have my 3G iPhone working perfectly with a GoPhone sim. After restoring the iPhone, the 3G iPhone activates just as if there was a normal iPhone sim in there. People need to get their facts straight in this thread.

[panda]

Right, AT&T are the 2 major GSM carriers. Sprint and Verizon are the two major CDMA carriers. The iPhone only has a GSM radio chip (no CDMA chip). AT&T prepaid SIM's do not work in the iPhone because Apple and AT&T do not want them to work. That leaves T-Mobile, unless you want to use a local GSM carrier.

Gotcha. That's the facts I was looking for. Thank you.

[panda]

AT&T GoPhone sims DO work and WILL activate a 3G or 3GS iPhone as long as the phones are running 3.0 or higher. The only thing that won't work is data but you just need to configure the APN with AT&T settings to use data. The iPhone does not need to be unlocked or jailbroken to use the sim.

I have my 3G iPhone working perfectly with a GoPhone sim. After restoring the iPhone, the 3G iPhone activates just as if there was a normal iPhone sim in there. People need to get their facts straight in this thread.

I can't see anything wrong with the info given by Europa here. I'm guessing you have a contract iPhone with AT&T? That way it might have an inbuilt affinity with the AT&T system so it'd be recognised (or allowed to connect) using any AT&T sim. It sure didn't work for me on 3.0.1 when I tried a GoPhone and transferred its sim to my iPhone which is not a contract iPhone.

Then again... I wonder if it'd work if the GoPhone sim was activated first using the iPhone at the outset, not the AT&T GoPhone handset... I guess the AT&T handset's IMEI etc get linked to that sim when it's first activated, then the iPhone's ID doesn't match when you change the sim over. Hmmm.

[YvilKittyInSpace]

I can't see anything wrong with the info given by Europa here. I'm guessing you have a contract iPhone with AT&T? That way it might have an inbuilt affinity with the AT&T system so it'd be recognised (or allowed to connect) using any AT&T sim. It sure didn't work for me on 3.0.1 when I tried a GoPhone and transferred its sim to my iPhone which is not a contract iPhone.

Then again... I wonder if it'd work if the GoPhone sim was activated first using the iPhone at the outset, not the AT&T GoPhone handset... I guess the AT&T handset's IMEI etc get linked to that sim when it's first activated, then the iPhone's ID doesn't match when you change the sim over. Hmmm.

This will work with any iPhone running 3.0 or higher and it can be a brand new iPhone that was never activated before. 3.0 and 3.01 are the only versions that allow this and 2.2.1 would not allow a pay as you go sim to activate the phone.

[Europa]

Yvil, thanks for the correction.

Panda, I guess it's not working because you're using a 3G SIM in a 2G phone. Apparently, that SIM will work fine in a 3G or a 3GS iPhone.

[panda]

This will work with any iPhone running 3.0 or higher and it can be a brand new iPhone that was never activated before. 3.0 and 3.01 are the only versions that allow this and 2.2.1 would not allow a pay as you go sim to activate the phone.

I take it you mean that activating the sim first time (with AT&T) in the iPhone is the way, (i.e., NOT by activating first with the GoPhone THEN transferring it to the iPhone).

[panda]

Yvil, thanks for the correction.

Panda, I guess it's not working because you're using a 3G SIM in a 2G phone. Apparently, that SIM will work fine in a 3G or a 3GS iPhone.

Why would the sim be only 3G? Surely that's a data issue, not a 'telephone' issue. The crappy little GoPhone handset it came with sure doesn't have 3G capability!

[YvilKittyInSpace]

I take it you mean that activating the sim first time (with AT&T) in the iPhone is the way, (i.e., NOT by activating first with the GoPhone THEN transferring it to the iPhone).

Ok, here is what should be done:

1. Get a GoPhone. Activate it and then remove the sim.
2. Insert sim in brand new never before used iPhone or a previously used iPhone.
3. Connect to iTunes.
4. iPhone will activate as if it were using a real sim that was activated in an iPhone.

Data will not work as 3.0 disables it. Simply GO HERE:
http://www.unlockit.co.nz/#_Custom

On your iPhone using WiFi and follow the instructions. Data will now work on the iPhone.

[panda]

Ok, here is what should be done:
1. Get a GoPhone. Activate it and then remove the sim.
2. Insert sim in brand new never before used iPhone or a previously used iPhone.
3. Connect to iTunes.
4. iPhone will activate as if it were using a real sim that was activated in an iPhone.
Data will not work as 3.0 disables it. Simply GO HERE:
http://www.unlockit.co.nz/#_Custom
On your iPhone using WiFi and follow the instructions. Data will now work on the iPhone.

AAAHHHHAAAA!!! Now I get it! I need to connect to iTunes. Many thanks!
I'll try that in 3 days time and let you know what happens. (I'm travelling again and didn't bring that sim, I was so frustrated with it.)
Again. many thanks for the pointer.

[Europa]

The data is $4.99 per MB. Why would you want to enable it?

[panda]

The data is $4.99 per MB. Why would you want to enable it?

I take your point... but I just want the telephone function really.

[YvilKittyInSpace]

The data is $4.99 per MB. Why would you want to enable it?

Yes it's expensive but there may be a time when you need to do something and have no choice but to use it.

I have SBSetiings on my phone so I can disable data. Certain apps will access the net and there will be charges if you don't disable data.

Also, my iPhone had a horrible battery drainage problem until I entered the APN settings which enabled data. Again, I then disabled it with SBSettings and the no battery problem.

[panda]

Do you happen to know APN settings for T-Mobile in USA? Because, you're right, there are times when it'd be helpful, even an EDGE connection in my 2G.

[YvilKittyInSpace]

Do you happen to know APN settings for T-Mobile in USA? Because, you're right, there are times when it'd be helpful, even an EDGE connection in my 2G.

The link that I told you to go to on your iPhone will have a selection for T-Mobile and most other carriers in the world. Just choose T-Mobile USA.

[panda]

The link that I told you to go to on your iPhone will have a selection for T-Mobile and most other carriers in the world. Just choose T-Mobile USA.

Brilliant, thanks!!

[kulohe]

AT&T GoPhone sims DO work and WILL activate a 3G or 3GS iPhone as long as the phones are running 3.0 or higher. The only thing that won't work is data but you just need to configure the APN with AT&T settings to use data. The iPhone does not need to be unlocked or jailbroken to use the sim.

I have my 3G iPhone working perfectly with a GoPhone sim. After restoring the iPhone, the 3G iPhone activates just as if there was a normal iPhone sim in there. People need to get their facts straight in this thread.



simply said, good work!!!! :ok:ok

[panda]

Ok, here is what should be done:
1. Get a GoPhone. Activate it and then remove the sim.
2. Insert sim in brand new never before used iPhone or a previously used iPhone.
3. Connect to iTunes.
4. iPhone will activate as if it were using a real sim that was activated in an iPhone.


OK, I tried that but no success. It just sat there on iTunes doing nothing. So I synced the phone, but still no success - n o connection to anything that was changing the sim status. Did you mean I need to connect to iTunes a Restore my iPhone again? And then it will activate that AT&T sim?
If so, will it still work with my T-Mobile sim as well if I want to swap them around from time to time?
My iPhone is 2G on 3.0.1

[Europa]

I'm still thinking it's because you have a 2G phone. If you look back at Yvil's first post on this thread, he said it will work on a 3G or a 3GS.

Either way, it's a PITA with AT&T, that's why I stick with T-Mobile prepaid SIM's.

[panda]

I'm still thinking it's because you have a 2G phone. If you look back at Yvil's first post on this thread, he said it will work on a 3G or a 3GS.

Either way, it's a PITA with AT&T, that's why I stick with T-Mobile prepaid SIM's.
I was thinking that too. I get your comment re AT&T, but I'm finding that T-Mobile has a fairly poor signal in so many places I go... and now, carrying this AT&T GoPhone with me I'm seeing it has very good signal in those places. ARGH! It's like a conspiracy! (Only kidding) That's really why I want to be able to use both.
Btw, nice picture.

[panda]

Also, Yvil said "3.0 and 3.01 are the only versions that allow this and 2.2.1 would not allow a pay as you go sim to activate the phone" and I'm still thinking that means Yvil's comments are based on an activation process like you do when buying the phone from Apple and it asks you to Activate it, rather than my comment saying activation just in terms of AT&T accepting that one of their sim cards has been bought and is asking to function... irrespective of the kind of phone it's in. Maybe I should say "setup the sim" or something like that.
Anyway, I don't know how to explain the difference really, except maybe Yvil talking about that Activation screen on the iPhone... and I don;t mean that. When I bought my iPhone (in October 2007) it asked on screen to be activated through iTunes and I hacked it, JBed it and unlocked it and have used it all over the world since. And now I'd just like to add AT&T to the mixture of some 15 sims cards I use worldwide in various countries just so I can have a decent signal around USA when I'm here.
Sheesh... I wish I could find a contract-free 3GS and just move on.

[Europa]

I wish I could find a contract-free 3GS and just move on.
Unfortunately, a contract free 3GS on AT&T is exactly what AT&T doesn't want.

[panda]

Indeed. And so my problem persists...

[YvilKittyInSpace]

Indeed. And so my problem persists...

I never could get it work on my 2G iPhone without unlocking the iPhone first.

[Europa]

It's already unlocked, he's using a T-Mobile SIM.

[panda]

I never could get it work on my 2G iPhone without unlocking the iPhone first.

As Europa points out, mine is JBed and Unlocked since the day I bought it in 2007. I've been using it on a wide variety of carriers all around the world. My question now is, do I need to JB it again just to get this connection with AT&T working?

[Europa]

Panda, does your SIM say 3G on it?

[panda]

Panda, does your SIM say 3G on it?

Yes, actually, a little orange spot with 3G written in it. Never noticed that before! Does that mean it'll only work with a 3G phone?