First time pre-ordering/upgrading questions.

[Soulsonant]

I know there are a billion and one topics about this, and I apologize, but I've been culling these phones to answer some of my questions, and I've not seen them answered to my knowledge.

I am upgrading to a iPhone 4, and I currently have a 3GS. Onto my questions.

-If I have my iPhone 4 sent to me, how do I transfer my contacts, photos, etc, to my new phone from my 3gs? Is that possible or do I have to do that by hand one at a time?
-If I preorder from Apple and have the phone shipped to my home, do I have to activate it by hand by swapping SIM cards? If so, how difficult is that? Do I then need to call ATT and activate it some other way as well? I'm a bit shady on how that would work.
-If I pre-order an iPhone through ATT instead of Apple, is it guaranteed to be at the store on the 25th, or is there a chance they will sell out and I cannot get one?
-Since I'm selling my 3GS, is there a way to wipe all the contact information/apps/etc without clearing the jailbreak on it as well?

I apologize if I didn't search hard enough for these simple answers, but any help you smart people could confer to me would be awesome.

Thanks for your time.

 

[lorenwade]

-If I have my iPhone 4 sent to me, how do I transfer my contacts, photos, etc, to my new phone from my 3gs? Is that possible or do I have to do that by hand one at a time?

The easiest answer is using a computer. If you sync your old phone to your computer, then your new phone to the computer... all of your contacts will transfer. It is also possible to do it one at a time by sending yourself all of the vcards via email, then saving them to the new phone after it's activated. One last idea is to check some apps out there... there might be an easy solution. Actually... do you have Mobile Me? That would do the same thing. You could even sign up for a 60 day trial and it would do this for you.

-If I preorder from Apple and have the phone shipped to my home, do I have to activate it by hand by swapping SIM cards? If so, how difficult is that? Do I then need to call ATT and activate it some other way as well? I'm a bit shady on how that would work.

No swapping of SIM cards. The new phone has a micro card and it comes with it. Just follow all of the on-screen instructions.

-If I pre-order an iPhone through ATT instead of Apple, is it guaranteed to be at the store on the 25th, or is there a chance they will sell out and I cannot get one?

As far as I understand, which I'd still call AT&T to verify, if you purchase from AT&T it's guaranteed to be held for you on the day of.

-Since I'm selling my 3GS, is there a way to wipe all the contact information/apps/etc without clearing the jailbreak on it as well?

I've never jailbroken a phone... so I'm not really sure?

I would also suggest this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/923912/

 

[marddin]

1. If your iPhone 4 is sent to you. Just simply sync your 3GS to iTunes which will back up all your data (contacts, settings, ect.) then when you plug the iPhone 4 in you can choose to sync the old 3GS backup.

2. If your iPhone 4 is sent to you, it will come with a micro-sim already inside the phone, simple plug it into iTunes and follow the onscreen steps, its very easy.

3. If you pre-order from Apple or iTunes it is considered a reserve and yes it will be available on June 24th.

4. Only way to keep your jailbreak is wipe your contacts and everything one by one. You can restore your 3GS and try to jailbreak again.

Hope this helped!
if i am wrong please do correct!

 

[Geckotek]

3. If you pre-order from Apple or iTunes it is considered a reserve and yes it will be available on June 24th.

The question was about pre-ordering from AT&T. If you pre-order from AT&T it will arrive at the earliest on the 25th. IIRC, last year it took longer for some. I'm sure the earlier you order the more likely you are to get the 25th, but I don't think it's a guarantee. Perhaps someone who pre-ordered for AT&T store pickup can verify.

However, if you pre-order for home delivery, it will arrive on the 24th barring any delivery issues.

Since I'm selling my 3GS, is there a way to wipe all the contact information/apps/etc without clearing the jailbreak on it as well?

"Erase All Content and Settings" is the safest option. And yes, it breaks your jailbreak. Best thing to do is to do this anyway, go into DFU mode, factory restore, jailbreak again.

 

[lorenwade]

The question was about pre-ordering from AT&T. If you pre-order from AT&T it will arrive at the earliest on the 25th. IIRC, last year it took longer for some. I'm sure the earlier you order the more likely you are to get the 25th, but I don't think it's a guarantee. Perhaps someone who pre-ordered for AT&T store pickup can verify.

However, if you pre-order for home delivery, it will arrive on the 24th barring any delivery issues.

I guess that's the definitive answer. I suppose I was wrong too. I apologize.

 

[Geckotek]

I guess that's the definitive answer. I suppose I was wrong too. I apologize.

Yeah, there was some sort of PR from AT&T on that. Pre-orders to the store arrive on the 25th. Seems odd, but that's what the PR said.

 

[lorenwade]

Yeah, there was some sort of PR from AT&T on that. Pre-orders to the store arrive on the 25th. Seems odd, but that's what the PR said.

Wow. Weird. I guess if I can gather the money in time, I'll be having mine sent to my home also. Saves the time of waiting in line!

 

[Soulsonant]

Thanks guys, this was all especially helpful.

It seems like if I really want to get my phone on the 24th I should just order from the Apple Store. It sounds pretty painless and hassle free, as long as someone is here to sign for it!

 

[Geckotek]

Thanks guys, this was all especially helpful.

It seems like if I really want to get my phone on the 24th I should just order from the Apple Store. It sounds pretty painless and hassle free, as long as someone is here to sign for it!

Both AT&T.com and Apple.com will deliver to your home or business on the 24th.

http://www.att.com/Common/about_us/files/iphone/preorder_fact_sheet_ip4.pdf

When and where can I pick up my preordered device?
As always, a pick up date depends on when you preorder and on our available inventory. That said, this
year we’re encouraging customers to have devices shipped directly to their home or business – the
fastest and most convenient delivery option. Customers can also opt to pick up their preorder at an
AT&T store. Customers performing an exchange for iPhone 4 must have their device shipped to an
AT&T store.

Still looking for the PR on the in-store pickup being the 25th. It's been posted here on MR before.

Found it:

http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=18004&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=30863

Preordering
Consumers may preorder iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS 8GB at AT&T retail stores or online at www.att.com/iphone beginning June 15. Business customers can preorder through their AT&T sales representative or by visiting AT&T’s Premier site. For greater convenience and faster delivery, preorders can be shipped directly to a customer’s home or business for delivery as early as June 24. Customers can also have a preorder shipped to their local AT&T store for pick up on or after Friday, June 25.