iPhone 4 as Daily Driver Project: synced to 10.9 Mavericks

[mectojic]

I've been working on this for a few weeks now. This is partially a proof of concept, but partially a genuine test – I'm going to be using an iPhone 4 as my only phone for the next week, with an early Intel MacBook Air as the syncing device.
Reasons for doing this: 1) iPhone 4 is small and very pocketable; 2) less distracting, hardware and software-wise; 3) beautiful old iOS UI; 4) general love of this era of Apple; 5) utilises Early Intel Macs.

Here are the main uses I wanted out of my iPhone:
1) iMessage
2) Notes that sync to iCloud (so they can be accessed on my Mac later)
3) Google Maps (I use this a lot)
4) Synced contacts, calendars, photos
5) Youtube
6) Email, PDF reading, music, video, light gaming, occasional camera, calculator, weather.

Firstly, a discussion of OS: the iPhone 4 (GSM) can untethered boot any iOS from 4-7, making it quite unique.
– iOS 7 is a no, because it runs like garbage on the iPhone 4, and has the flat, minimalist UI I despise
– iOS 4 is out, because no iCloud
– iOS 6 is also no, because the Maps app uses Apple Maps, which is now broken in iOS 6 anyway. Using Google Maps in browser is very slow and not optimised for the small screen.

Therefore, I've chosen iOS 5.1.1. It has a native Google Maps app that still works perfectly and efficiently, and also has iCloud sync for contacts, calendars and notes etc. There are no decent web browsers for iOS 4/5/6 anymore, so for any particular site I need, there's hotspot + Mac. I did use a jailbreak to make a few adjustments for convenience – there is a fix that allows the native Youtube app to work again, and iFile is a helpful file manager that reads PDFs. For music and video, I have the standard apps, and can sync these to iTunes. Games can be downloaded either from past purchases, or as cracked IPAs directly.

Now, for the Mac part. For those not aware, the original Notes app didn't sync via the modern iCloud system, but instead acted like a sort of email that synced to yourself. The original Notes system only syncs to older versions of MacOS, hence why I need to use the iPhone 4 in conjunction with an Early Intel Mac.

But what OS to use?
10.6 Snow Leopard – would obviously be my preference, but with no iCloud/iMessage at all, this won't work.
10.7 Lion – iCloud works, Notes sync through the Mail app; but there's no iMessage, only iChat. I want the two devices to be interoperable.
10.8 Mountain Lion – iCloud works, Notes and iMessage exist with their own apps, BUT for some reason Mountain Lion just doesn't sync with iCloud Notes anymore, it just refuses to tick the box in System Prefs.

Therefore I've chosen 10.9 Mavericks. It has a working iCloud, Notes app and iMessage. The last OS to support the original Notes sync was 10.10 Yosemite, but again it uses the ugly flat UI and runs like crap, so that's an easy pass.

Thus, with a 2010 MacBook Air running 10.9.5 and iPhone 4 on iOS 5.1.1, I should be able to survive the next week!

PS Mods, please can we have an early iOS forum?

 

[eyoungren]

Just curious…if you're using Google for other things (mail, contacts, etc) why use iCloud for that stuff?

I ditched iCloud for all but a couple of things with iOS 6. Calendars sync on my Mac, contacts sync, so do notes. Now I tend to use Google Keep instead, but Notes are still using my Google account on my devices.

I've never liked Apple's penchant for defaulting stuff to iCloud. If you need access you either have to use a web browser to go to icloud.com or use an iDevice. Google makes it easy by syncing with any device (including iPhones) and it's very easy to go to keep.google.com. Personally, I think Keep handles notes better as well.

 

[mectojic]

Just curious…if you're using Google for other things (mail, contacts, etc) why use iCloud for that stuff?

I ditched iCloud for all but a couple of things with iOS 6. Calendars sync on my Mac, contacts sync, so do notes. Now I tend to use Google Keep instead, but Notes are still using my Google account on my devices.

I've never liked Apple's penchant for defaulting stuff to iCloud. If you need access you either have to use a web browser to go to icloud.com or use an iDevice. Google makes it easy by syncing with any device (including iPhones) and it's very easy to go to keep.google.com. Personally, I think Keep handles notes better as well.

As it happens, I've mostly distanced myself from iCloud too. But I distanced myself from all cloud software, and went with my own home server.
However, iCloud is by far the most reliable, and longest running cloud service. It's just so easy to set up contacts, mail and notes sync.

As mentioned in other posts, Google has shut down most of its legacy support this year. You can't log into Google in any app or website on an old iPhone anymore – probably due to 2-step verification and outdated javascript. It's basically the same problem as PPC now. I don't know if this applies to Keep, however.

iCloud on the other hand is still 100% supported with its original features from 2011. It's rock solid and fast. The iCloud website isn't though – far too slow on an old A4 processor.

Oh yeah, and for Google Maps and Youtube (the only Google services I'm relying on here), I'm not logged in – again, on old devices, you can't. It's actually nice, because there's no algorithms to grab your attention either.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

For those not aware, the original Notes app didn't sync via the modern iCloud system, but instead acted like a sort of email that synced to yourself. The original Notes system only syncs to older versions of MacOS, hence why I need to use the iPhone 4 in conjunction with an Early Intel Mac.

Just for future reference, you can sync the Notes apps in Mavericks and modern iOS/macOS by using a service other than iCloud.

For example, I set up a dedicated Google account for notes (to prevent my notes from ever appearing when I search in Mail), and added that account to the Notes app on my Mavericks desktop, Mavericks laptop, and iPhone 13 running iOS 16. Everything syncs.

Sorry if you already knew this!

Edit: Sorry, the replies to this thread didn't show up until I refreshed.

However, fyi Google Accounts still work on Mavericks too. https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...h-apple-apps-in-os-x-10-10-and-below.2346447/

 

[Riviera122]

I've been using my iPhone 4S as my main phone for the past few months due to my iPhone XS breaking. Running iOS6. Surprisingly usable for the essentials, but lack of banking/social media/shopping/fitness/weather apps getting tiring. Podcast app functionality 50-50 also. But main things (for me) – Spotify, Calendar, calls/texts, notes, Google Maps – working fine. Beautiful OS design-wise, really satisfying to use.

 

[eyoungren]

As it happens, I've mostly distanced myself from iCloud too. But I distanced myself from all cloud software, and went with my own home server.
However, iCloud is by far the most reliable, and longest running cloud service. It's just so easy to set up contacts, mail and notes sync.

As mentioned in other posts, Google has shut down most of its legacy support this year. You can't log into Google in any app or website on an old iPhone anymore – probably due to 2-step verification and outdated javascript. It's basically the same problem as PPC now. I don't know if this applies to Keep, however.

iCloud on the other hand is still 100% supported with its original features from 2011. It's rock solid and fast. The iCloud website isn't though – far too slow on an old A4 processor.

Oh yeah, and for Google Maps and Youtube (the only Google services I'm relying on here), I'm not logged in – again, on old devices, you can't. It's actually nice, because there's no algorithms to grab your attention either.

So, I tried adding one of my Gmail accounts to my 3GS running iOS 6 yesterday. It keeps telling my password is wrong (I know it's correct) so I have to assume you're right.

Later today I'll probably boot up the iPhone 4 and see if I can add it there. It's running iOS 7.

 

[mectojic]

For example, I set up a dedicated Google account for notes (to prevent my notes from ever appearing when I search in Mail), and added that account to the Notes app on my Mavericks desktop, Mavericks laptop, and iPhone 13 running iOS 16. Everything syncs.

I was not aware. However, the broken link in my setup is the iPhone 4, which as discussed above cannot login to a Google account anymore.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

However, the broken link in my setup is the iPhone 4, which as discussed above cannot login to a Google account anymore.

So, I tried adding one of my Gmail accounts to my 3GS running iOS 6 yesterday. It keeps telling my password is wrong (I know it's correct) so I have to assume you're right.

But did you guys set up app passwords? That's the trick. If you do that it should work. https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...-with-apple-apps-mail-calendar-etc-in-os-x-10

 

[eyoungren]

But did you guys set up app passwords? That's the trick. If you do that it should work. https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...-with-apple-apps-mail-calendar-etc-in-os-x-10

Well, that was kind of my point. I don't need to set up an app password to add my Gmail on my 6s+ or my 11PM. I inferred that you were trying to avoid having to do that, so the fact that I would have to do that on my 3GS confirms your statement.

That means I can't rebut your arguments as to using iCloud.

 

[mectojic]

But did you guys set up app passwords? That's the trick. If you do that it should work. https://apple.stackexchange.com/que...-with-apple-apps-mail-calendar-etc-in-os-x-10

No friggin way. It "just works"!!

Gmail services are now running on my iPhone 4 – and for that matter, this should work in a whole range of other apps too. Brilliance.

I really had thought it was the end of the line this year.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

Just for giggles I unearthed my old 4S and charged it up to see what it would do. Apart from calls and texts (which I suppose is what a phone is for) not a lot. How did you get Google Maps to work? Do I need to jailbreak it to make it more useful?

 

[sunapple]

Seriously considered doing the same thing with the goal of getting less distracted. Did some research as well. I have had an iPhone 4S laying around for a few years as a back-up device. However recently it lost Whatsapp which is a huge bummer, makes it really inconvenient the stay with that phone for me. Also there are too many instances where an app is needed that only runs on modern devices, again a big inconvenience if your phone is incompatible.

I am working now with focus modes on my 13 mini, reorganised the home screen and deleted some apps. Works very well for me.

 

[mectojic]

Just for giggles I unearthed my old 4S and charged it up to see what it would do. Apart from calls and texts (which I suppose is what a phone is for) not a lot. How did you get Google Maps to work? Do I need to jailbreak it to make it more useful?

Google Maps was the default app for iOS 5. It still works! Not sure aboutnthe app version in later iOS.

 

[mectojic]

Seriously considered doing the same thing with the goal of getting less distracted. Did some research as well. I have had an iPhone 4S laying around for a few years as a back-up device. However recently it lost Whatsapp which is a huge bummer, makes it really inconvenient the stay with that phone for me. Also there are too many instances where an app is needed that only runs on modern devices, again a big inconvenience if your phone is incompatible.

I am working now with focus modes on my 13 mini, reorganised the home screen and deleted some apps. Works very well for me.

I am way less distracted. It's great.
Regarding Whatsapp- depends how far you want to go with these things. If you only have a few contacts on there, ask them to change to SMS. I've found that all the inconvenience of using an older device can be forced onto other people, not yourself.

When I quit Facebook though, I did lose contact with a ton of people. But I knew that would happen, and was alright with it.

 

[mectojic]

Forgot to post my 1-week update here:

One week ago I posted that I would use the iPhone 4 as my only phone for a week, running iOS 5.1.1. In the photo you'll see it's connected to the 1st-gen iPad Keyboard Dock – it fits it well and is super handy as a charging dock + typing out texts.

Here's what I learnt along the way:

1. Modern phones are multitasking beasts . The way people flip between 5 social media apps, while streaming from Spotify, then checking email and googling something – it's just not possible on the iPhone 4. Life is simpler, and when you want to do a task, you do that single task. Thank god though, you can play Youtube audio outside the app – something you need Youtube Premium to do on a modern iPhone, hehe.
2. Distraction. I'm way less distracted. When I woke up I picked up my iPhone 4 instinctively – but honestly, unless I have a craving for an old game, there's not much I can do. Check weather, messages, Reddit, email, watch a bit of Youtube (though videos take about 20 seconds to load). I actually love this. For the first time in 10 years, I feel like my device doesn't own my attention. Doodle Jump has been fun, but a few games is enough.
3. Functionality. The essential stuff still works great. Phone, messages, iCloud, setting alarms and using the calculator and calendar, that stuff, all fine. 3G is fast enough, though sadly Facetime (the first iPhone to have it) no longer works. Google sync of calendar, notes and email using "app passwords" was great to learn about. 2-step verifications work just fine too. Google Maps works well (the iOS 5 version), the only limitation is it only presents you the top recommended way to get somewhere, instead of multiple. I like to have choices, especially with public transport.
4. Beauty. This phone is a work of art. Old iOS feels so premium. I received a ton of compliments when I got it out to use.

The plan is to keep using this phone as long as I can. 3G will end in 2024 in Australia.