The 3G iPhone is an iPod and cell phone combined--making it more complex than a regular cell phone. Inserting an unlocked SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) into the iPhone 3G doesn't activate it as would be the case with the majority of cell phones. To activate the 3G iPhone, use the free iTunes syncing program that Apple provides for managing content and data on its cell phones. The procedure is straightforward and requires an Internet connection.
Instructions
1. Straighten out a paperclip with your fingers. Insert an end of the paperclip into the hole in the top center edge of the 3G iPhone. Push in on the end of the paperclip until the SIM tray pops out. Pull the SIM tray out of the 3G.
2. Place the unlocked SIM card on the SIM tray. Reinsert the SIM tray in the 3G. Attach the Apple connector at one end of the iPod cable to the 3G. Attach the other end of the iPod cable to a USB port on the computer
3. Launch iTunes by selecting it from the "Start," then "All Applications" pop-up menu.
4. Click the "Download and Update" button on the pop-up window that appears over iTunes. Wait as a progress bar in the pop-up window fills in from left to right. Click the "OK" button on the confirmation pop-up window that replaces the one that was there.
5. Click once on the icon of the 3G that is in the left column of iTunes (beneath the "Devices" tab). Click the "Register Later" button in the middle column of iTunes.
6. Enter a name for the 3G in the "Name" text field that appears at the top of the middle column. Check all of the checkboxes beneath the "Name" text field.
7. Click the "Update" button if it appears at the bottom of the program's middle column. Wait as the 3G is updated with a file once the file is downloaded to iTunes--this could take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to complete. The 3G will restart itself once the updating is done.
8. Right-click the icon of the 3G when it reappears in the left column of iTunes. Select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. Disconnect the iPod cable from the 3G and from the USB port of the computer. Quit iTunes.
Tags: column iTunes, iPod cable, middle column, pop-up window, cell phone, cell phones, left column
