Apple has published a support document for those planning to upgrade to new iPhone 3G and were wondering how to replace their original iPhone with new iPhone 3G.
The details have raised a concern for all those who might have already sold their original iPhone to buy the new iPhone 3G.
iPhone owners in the US:
If you are in the US then you don't need your original SIM as the new iPhone 3G includes a SIM. Your original iPhone account information will be transferred to iPhone 3G's SIM at the time of purchase.
iPhone owners in other countries planning to use the same carrier:
If you are not in the US then you can use your original iPhone's SIM with iPhone 3G.
iPhone owners in other countries planning to use a different carrier:
Since Apple has decided to move away for its single carrier strategy, you will soon have the option to change carrier.
If you want to upgrade to iPhone 3G using a different carrier then you will need to purchase iPhone 3G from the new carrier and then figure out from the carriers on how to transfer your original iPhone's mobile phone number from your existing carrier to your new account with the new carrier.
Procedure to transfer personal data from your original iPhone to iPhone 3G:
To transfer your personal data such as saved SMS messages, email accounts and passwords, photos, notes, or other personal settings from your original iPhone to your new iPhone 3G you need to take a backup of your original iPhone in iTunes 7.7. You then need to restore that backup to the new iPhone 3G. You can read this post to find out more on how to backup and restore your iPhone.
After you have verified that your new iPhone 3G has been restored with your personal data from the original iPhone, you can erase the personal data from the original iPhone with the new secure erase feature that will be available in iPhone firmware 2.0.
Concern for all those who might have backed up and already sold their original iPhone:
Apple has mentioned that before you follow the above steps to ensure that you have the latest version of iTunes (i.e. iTunes 7.7) and iPhone firmware (i.e. iPhone firmware 2.0). However, I am not sure if its mandatory to take backups with iTunes 7.7 and iPhone firmware 2.0 as that would mean that all those who have already sold their iPhone (like iPhone Hacks reader, Louis) might have an issue restoring their personal data from their original iPhone as they would have done it with an older iTunes and iPhone firmware versions.
I don't think it should be an issue, but I guess only time will tell.
[Source: TUAW via Apple Support]
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Hummm that's me.. Hopefully I'll be able to transfer the old backup onto the new i~phone.
After I sold my i~phone and put my SIM card into the go-phone, it downgraded my data plan totally removing it automatically (but left the talk plan on) without having to call AT&T central.
I am assuming if one buys the i~phone and puts their current SIM card into it there will be no need to call customer services, since plans are automatically implicated according to which phone registers with AT&T Central.
Since my data plan was removed, will make the call to make sure it's back on the plan so one doesn't wind up with a surprise phone bill that will take 5 years to pay off. Call centers may be busy but go the extra mile.
Contacts will be easy to put back on, but what was really important to me are the notes…If you take the notes app and drag it to your desktop you can read/filter it out with your text editor.
Even though everything is backed up in the mobile file am hoping it can be restored or is upgraded and taken for the ride in itunes with the update…
When I called to cancel my t-mobile account the rep said to wait, there is a new google phone coming out that will blow away the i~phone. i doubt it, but he did offer me their unlimited data plan for $5.99 if I had an unlocked i~phone. "Really!" I said, like I was totally oblivious to what's an unlocked i~phone……….Will have to see on Sat.
Backups: You can back up your data as you normally do with your current iTunes.
You will need iTunes 7.7 but when you finally have either the 2.0 release or the 3G.
Your basic iPhone settings will survive the upgrade. I tested upgrading from 1.1.4 and 2.0 b4 (5a240d) and the backed up settings transfered normally.
Hey JFA,
Thats good to know, so Louis, you have nothing to worry.
cheers!
iTunes 7.7? At the Apple site, all it's showing for download is 7.6, and the iTunes updater is telling me that there's nothing new to download (I'm also using 7.6).
Is the 7.7 a typo, or is a new version of iTunes being released between now and the 3G drop date?
You've a nicely done site with lots of effort and good updates. I would like to welcome you to submit your stories to http://www.surfurls.com and get that extra one way traffic to your site.
Crap, I already sold mine. I feel like I have been iDupped!
Well, so can I still use my old iPhone like a touch and get the wi-fi?
Keep it cracked? Will I have to restore my hacked edge iPhone to do the sim card switch?
Oh darn, I guess I should fully read the article before posting.
This guide explains how to transfer sms, notes, apps, songs, videos, and photos from iPhone 3G to iPhone 4. It can help to replace your current iPhone 3G with a newly purchased iPhone 4 using the same carrier.