Convert original iPhone to iTouch

ecat · 06-09-2009, 09:57 PM

My husband is getting a new 3Gs to replace his original iPhone. I want to use the old iPhone as an iTouch, for the games and wifi. AT&T told me I could just take out the SIM card and it would work. Is it as simple as this? Will I still be able to load new applications, etc?

Also, he has been very careful with the battery. For example, he turns it off every night. Sometimes, he gets ready to use it and it tells him he cannot use it without resyncing with iTunes. Fortunately this has not happened when he does not have iTunes available (traveling). He thinks it is because he turns it off at night. So, would I be toast the first time I had to resync?

We would have gone with the family plan, but they seem to want an incremental $50 a month to add me on. And I get by with $5 a month on Virgin Mobile. So, I will be satisfied with using it in the house and other wifi locations.

Europa · 06-09-2009, 10:15 PM

That will work. You can still buy songs and apps as long as your on WiFi.

They are actually better than iPod Touch's because they have a camera and GPS (on WiFi).

bulls6pack · 06-09-2009, 10:25 PM

It doesnt have to be on WIFI does it? Can't you just hook it up to your PC or Mac and just do a sync with iTunes? Buy your games on iTunes on the computer, then just hook up and sync? This is what I plan on doing too. Im gonna give it to my son for movies, songs, and apps.

trnsilver · 06-09-2009, 11:13 PM

I never even thought of doing this...pretty solid idea. I'll probably want the dinero for it...but definitely a good option.

GodIsStevePerry · 06-10-2009, 05:36 PM

I'm thinking about doing this with my old original iPhone after upgrading, but does anyone know if plugging the iPhone into the computer with itunes will cause the phone to lock if it does not have a sim card in it?

TrashmanTodd · 06-20-2009, 04:01 PM

I hope you are right, the Apple store said it had to be activated.

Trash

Prelector · 06-20-2009, 04:09 PM

I've done this with 2 old v1 iphones now, and it works great as a mobile video platform for my 4yr old son.

I just "converted" one after picking up the 3gs, and here's what I did...

1 - Leave old SIM card in the unit, and plug into PC/Mac, bring up iTunes, and do a RESET on the device, this wipes everything on it.

2 - When it powers back up, it will want you to activate it. Leave the old SIM card in, plug back into PC/Mac, and click the activate button. This brings the device live.

3 - Power off iPhone, remove SIM card, and power back up. It will bring up a message about no SIM card, tap OK, and you'll be fine. You can leave WiFi on, or off, your choice.

acosmichippo · 06-20-2009, 04:15 PM

When I switched from my v1 to 3gs, the 3gs activated, and the v1 lost its cell signal, bu otherwise was working normally - syncing, wifi, you name it.

hamsandwich · 06-21-2009, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by acosmichippo

When I switched from my v1 to 3gs, the 3gs activated, and the v1 lost its cell signal, bu otherwise was working normally - syncing, wifi, you name it.

Yes - I've needed to do nothing special at all. I can even have both the 3Gs and V1 iPhones plugged in at the same time. iTunes displays both phone as it's own device with it's own serial number and info and each can be synced independently. Also, if you have a Mobile Me account. The push syncing feature for calender & contacts keeps both devices and my computer up to date over the air - I add an iCal event to my old phone - bam! ...it appears on my G3s within seconds. Genius!! :-)

Redon · 06-21-2009, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by Prelector

I've done this with 2 old v1 iphones now, and it works great as a mobile video platform for my 4yr old son.

I just "converted" one after picking up the 3gs, and here's what I did...

1 - Leave old SIM card in the unit, and plug into PC/Mac, bring up iTunes, and do a RESET on the device, this wipes everything on it.

2 - When it powers back up, it will want you to activate it. Leave the old SIM card in, plug back into PC/Mac, and click the activate button. This brings the device live.

3 - Power off iPhone, remove SIM card, and power back up. It will bring up a message about no SIM card, tap OK, and you'll be fine. You can leave WiFi on, or off, your choice.

Or, you could just restore and jailbreak....DONE!