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Not true. I use an AT&T Go Phone sim in my iPhone when I'm in the US. It's just data that does not work.

Data on prepaid plans does work on iPhones. All that is needed is a customized carrier file that contains the AT&T APN. I use unlimited media net on my 3G iPhone everyday on a pre paid account.
 
The Original iPhone is different than the 3G/3GS. It must have an active sim card, on an iPhone data plan.

All that needs to happen to use a prepaid sim in the 2G iPhone is that the 2G needs to be unlocked. I've been doing this on a 2G for over two years along with unlimited media net. It's no different than an iPhone data plan.
 
All that needs to happen to use a prepaid sim in the 2G iPhone is that the 2G needs to be unlocked. I've been doing this on a 2G for over two years along with unlimited media net. It's no different than an iPhone data plan.

When I put my prepaid sim card into my iPhone 2G, not 3G, it goes into lock down mode (connect to iTunes), and must be connected to iTunes. Then it says I must set up my iPhone and add all the planes. So the 2G must be hacked, for it to work. The 3G, just accepts any AT&T sim card, and won't go into lock down mode. And in OS 3.1.2, those sites won't let me install the profile for APN changing. Apple changed this in OS 3.1.2!
 
I've been involved with 2 phone swaps under warranty and they require the SIMM for two reasons apparently. 1) to authorize/register the phone and 2) to test the phone to make sure it works.

Once while I was there someone got a 'new' refurb iPhone that 'worked' except for outgoing calls. It would accept incoming calls but something was wrong, very wrong with it. The other time, the mic was dead on a 'new' refurb.

Neither of the refurbs that I received had anything wrong with them so I guess your mileage varies. I was surprised that there wasn't any issue though at the Apple Store with the techs. Both iPhones had AppleCare cases open and there wasn't a question on replacing them like I expected.
 
When I put my prepaid sim card into my iPhone 2G, not 3G, it goes into lock down mode (connect to iTunes), and must be connected to iTunes. Then it says I must set up my iPhone and add all the planes. So the 2G must be hacked, for it to work. The 3G, just accepts any AT&T sim card, and won't go into lock down mode. And in OS 3.1.2, those sites won't let me install the profile for APN changing. Apple changed this in OS 3.1.2!
Yes, as I said above, the 2G must be unlocked for it to use any sim. Also as I said above, the 3G and 3GS will accept any AT&T sim.

I have a customized carrier file on my 3G running 3.1.2 that allows me to use my unlimited media net on my GoPhone sim. It installed from the benm site and allows me to tether as well. You must be doing something wrong. See in the pic below my benm profile that is installed on 3.1.2, it allows data.

I can also use data on my 2G running 3.1.2. by using the same profile. It just works perfectly.
 

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I've been involved with 2 phone swaps under warranty and they require the SIMM for two reasons apparently. 1) to authorize/register the phone and 2) to test the phone to make sure it works.

Once while I was there someone got a 'new' refurb iPhone that 'worked' except for outgoing calls. It would accept incoming calls but something was wrong, very wrong with it. The other time, the mic was dead on a 'new' refurb.

Neither of the refurbs that I received had anything wrong with them so I guess your mileage varies. I was surprised that there wasn't any issue though at the Apple Store with the techs. Both iPhones had AppleCare cases open and there wasn't a question on replacing them like I expected.

So, I can take the sim card that the phone was sold originally with me to the Apple store. Will they still be able to honor the warranty replacement? If so, how will they be able to activate the phone to register it to that sim card?
 
So, I can take the sim card that the phone was sold originally with me to the Apple store. Will they still be able to honor the warranty replacement? If so, how will they be able to activate the phone to register it to that sim card?

They want a working sim that has an active iPhone plan. The original sim won't work because it is no longer activated.
 
A contract free phone can only be sold as long as it is going on an active iPhone plan. It just doesn't extend the contract, that's what a contract free iPhone is.

there are 2 cases
1) your 2 year contract is expired so you no longer have to have an active att plan nor wish to have one
2) you can buy a new iphone with no contract in place (albeit for a premium) which wouldnt require having any att plan in effect
 
there are 2 cases
1) your 2 year contract is expired so you no longer have to have an active att plan nor wish to have one
2) you can buy a new iphone with no contract in place (albeit for a premium) which wouldnt require having active att plan

AT&T will not sell an contract free iPhone without having an iPhone plan to use it on. Read the AT&T TOS for this phone.
 
AT&T will not sell an contract free iPhone without having an iPhone plan to use it on. Read the AT&T TOS for this phone.

Then I take it you can choose to only have service for a month correct and then not have anything to do with ATT and therefore not have an active att plan but the phone would still be under applecare right?
 
So what did you do with the AT&T sim?

I had retained the SIM at home and hadn't taken it to the Apple Store. Now I have put the SIM into the iPhone and just waiting for a solution from this forum.
 
Then I take it you can choose to only have service for a month correct and then not have anything to do with ATT and therefore not have an active att plan but the phone would still be under applecare right?

That's correct. I'm not sure how Apple would handle the Apple care. I have heard so many times that they require an active iPhone plan to even service an iPhone.
 
interesting though does it have anything to do with the fact your not from the US?

If not, then thats what I plan to do after my contract is up with my iphone

I've done the same thing. The only thing that doesn't work with the prepaid card is data. Texting and phone calls work just fine. Or did the last time I checked. The guy at AT&T also told me that the sim card was sealed into the phone and wouldn't work with any other phones, so I don't really pay attention to what AT&T tells me anymore.
 
I've done the same thing. The only thing that doesn't work with the prepaid card is data. Texting and phone calls work just fine. Or did the last time I checked. The guy at AT&T also told me that the sim card was sealed into the phone and wouldn't work with any other phones, so I don't really pay attention to what AT&T tells me anymore.

Data will work on a prepaid sim, you just need a benm APN profile installed to allow it.
 
OP, I think the problem is that very few people can help you because you are in a super rare situation

If you had a 3g this would be a moot point, but I haven't read anything about a 2g being activated with a non-at&t sim

I don't have an answer for you either, but I am curious to know what the outcome of this will be

if i were you I would go in there with your t-mobile sim card and just tell them the truth
 
OP, I think the problem is that very few people can help you because you are in a super rare situation

If you had a 3g this would be a moot point, but I haven't read anything about a 2g being activated with a non-at&t sim

I don't have an answer for you either, but I am curious to know what the outcome of this will be

if i were you I would go in there with your t-mobile sim card and just tell them the truth

Exactly, I don't think you have broken any rules at this point.
 
Thank you! I haven't altered (unlocked/jailbroken) or done any modifications to the phone. The Genius checked all that and she was shocked that she saw a RARE iphone 2g that is STILL under warranty! So I will be taking the phone with its original sim card in it AND the same number that I ported to T-mobile prepaid. Do you think it is going to be a case where they will reject my plea? The phone is almost useless and I don't want to be stuck with an ill-functioning iphone just because of a sim card.
 
Thank you! I haven't altered (unlocked/jailbroken) or done any modifications to the phone. The Genius checked all that and she was shocked that she saw a RARE iphone 2g that is STILL under warranty! So I will be taking the phone with its original sim card in it AND the same number that I ported to T-mobile prepaid. Do you think it is going to be a case where they will reject my plea? The phone is almost useless and I don't want to be stuck with an ill-functioning iphone just because of a sim card.

My Apple Care expires this month. I wish there was something wrong with mine so I could get a refurb.
 
Yes, as I said above, the 2G must be unlocked for it to use any sim. Also as I said above, the 3G and 3GS will accept any AT&T sim.

I have a customized carrier file on my 3G running 3.1.2 that allows me to use my unlimited media net on my GoPhone sim. It installed from the benm site and allows me to tether as well. You must be doing something wrong. See in the pic below my benm profile that is installed on 3.1.2, it allows data.

I can also use data on my 2G running 3.1.2. by using the same profile. It just works perfectly.

Sorry. i should read the entire post, and not skip words like unlocked.
;):D
 
Thank you! I haven't altered (unlocked/jailbroken) or done any modifications to the phone. The Genius checked all that and she was shocked that she saw a RARE iphone 2g that is STILL under warranty! So I will be taking the phone with its original sim card in it AND the same number that I ported to T-mobile prepaid. Do you think it is going to be a case where they will reject my plea? The phone is almost useless and I don't want to be stuck with an ill-functioning iphone just because of a sim card.

Not to rare. My 2g is under warrenty. the Original iphone stop selling in min May of 2008. but one May 1, 2008, and buy AC, and the warrenty then runs out in May '10.
 
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