4GB to 8GB Upgrade-Proper Procedure

[Kristopherk07]

I plan on upgrading to the 8 GB and using my $100 rebate, as the only one left on launch day was a 4 GB and it simply does not have enough space. After researching these posts and talking to Apple & ATT tech support I am getting two different procedures for upgrading 4 GB to 8 GB iPhone:

1. Simply switch SIM out of 4 GB to new 8 GB, sync with iTunes and it will recognize a different phone and give me the option to restore and all will be well (This is basically what Apple tech support says);

2. Activate new 8 GB just like first time for 4 GB, except option to port number, port by utilizing existing number for 4 GB. Contract will not be extended, etc. Manually reset customization options, email, etc. and all will be well (This basically what ATT tech support says-in particular they told me not to switch SIMS as each is tied to a particular iPhone).

Could someone who has actually had this issue or similar give me some guidance please.

Thanks

Kris

 

[Fuchal]

I plan on upgrading to the 8 GB and using my $100 rebate, as the only one left on launch day was a 4 GB and it simply does not have enough space. After researching these posts and talking to Apple & ATT tech support I am getting two different procedures for upgrading 4 GB to 8 GB iPhone:

1. Simply switch SIM out of 4 GB to new 8 GB, sync with iTunes and it will recognize a different phone and give me the option to restore and all will be well (This is basically what Apple tech support says);

2. Activate new 8 GB just like first time for 4 GB, except option to port number, port by utilizing existing number for 4 GB. Contract will not be extended, etc. Manually reset customization options, email, etc. and all will be well (This basically what ATT tech support says-in particular they told me not to switch SIMS as each is tied to a particular iPhone).

Could someone who has actually had this issue or similar give me some guidance please.

Thanks

Kris

You put your old SIM card into your new iPhone and then activate it with iTunes. It will automatically pick up your old phone number etc etc from the SIM card. You can put the 2nd, unused SIM into the 4GB.

This is what Apple has done the 4 times I have gotten a new replacement phone.

It probably works both ways and I don't think you shoudl have a problem with either option.

 

[elcerrito494]

Cool. I've been asking about this on the forums, but no one has experience.

 

[edchi]

I am doing procedure #1 (switch SIM card) above, and looks like a new 2 year term

Just now, following the apparent advice here, I'm doing the switching of the SIM card method above from a 4GB to a 8GB phone, and it's looking like iTunes wants me to approve a whole new 2 year contract. This doesn't seem right to me. Help! What is the proper procedure?

I've been searching on the net to no avail.

 

[VenomousSVT]

when buying a new 8gb phone are you assuming responsibility of ANOTHER 2 year contract? And does that tack onto the existing 2 years or just start another from the 8gb purchase date?

 

[edchi]

new contract when switching over to 8gb iphone from 4gb iphone with SIM swap

I talked to some Apple store folks tonight (one chick who seemed quite knowledgeable about this). She seems to confirm what I suspected that on the backend, AT&T knows about which SIM card is connected with which iPhone (via the iPhone's serial number), so if you simply swap/switch the SIM card, the system still doesn't recognize the phone, because the serial number doesn't match. So the iTunes activation process will not only activate the phone, but also associates the SIM card with this new phone's serial number in the AT&T system.

She tells me that if the AT&T system ends up giving you a new 2 yr contract, this can be reversed by a phone call to the AT&T customer service, who will back the date to the first time you sign up for the contract.

I am going to call AT&T first before I do the swap myself to confirm.

 

[VenomousSVT]

I talked to some Apple store folks tonight (one chick who seemed quite knowledgeable about this). She seems to confirm what I suspected that on the backend, AT&T knows about which SIM card is connected with which iPhone (via the iPhone's serial number), so if you simply swap/switch the SIM card, the system still doesn't recognize the phone, because the serial number doesn't match. So the iTunes activation process will not only activate the phone, but also associates the SIM card with this new phone's serial number in the AT&T system.

She tells me that if the AT&T system ends up giving you a new 2 yr contract, this can be reversed by a phone call to the AT&T customer service, who will back the date to the first time you sign up for the contract.

I am going to call AT&T first before I do the swap myself to confirm.

well.. fwiw I am the blackberry manager at my office and I have to swap blackberries all the time. The blackberries work very similar in that the sim and the PIN number need to match up or you are in violation of your contract. You sim would technically work but at&t would have to update it in the system to reregister it with the new iphone anyways. Swapping to the phone wouldnt be a huge obstacle... what I would be the most worried abotu is if your contract will have to be revewed from the moment you switch.