How do I upgrade my iPhone 3G to the latest software?

I just heard that there's a software update for the Apple iPhone 3G. I want it! But I'm confused: how do I update the software on my phone?

Dave's Answer:

The key thing to realize here is that you don't update the firmware (well, operating system, software, whatever you want to call it) on your phone, you update the mirrored firmware on your synchronized computer and then it automatically copies it onto the phone the next time you sync.

For example, here's how I did the update with my Mac...

I plugged in my 16GB iPhone 3G to my MacBook Air and instantly got this:

Okay, so click on "Download and Install" because, well, because life's an adventure and why not risk your phone going completely dead on you? :-)

Next screen shows this:

and, of course, the license that no-one reads (I mean, what does this say?):

Downloading happens next:

alt="itunes 2.0.1 iphone software update" border="0" width="556" height="84" />

and then it appears that nothing happens at all. In fact, once the download finishes up, iTunes starts doing work behind the scenes without showing you anything at all. Watch your iPhone screen instead: it does the world's slowest reboot (actually it's downloading a 249.2MB file onto your phone).

That's basically all there is. Just wait. And wait. And eventually you'll see:

And now the phone does succeed at rebooting and you're running Apple iPhone firmware 2.0.1 rather than the earlier 2.0 software!

How can you tell? Easy. On your phone click Settings --> General --> About and you should see:

Too much work? iTunes will show you your latest firmware version too:

Now, to go and experiment to see if it really has made things more stable...

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help , iPhone and Cell Phone Help (Article 8421, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: apple iphone, apple itunes, firmware update, iphone 3g, iphone apps, itunes application store, sync
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Reader Comments To Date: 66

adam said, on August 27, 2008 5:10 AM:

how can i inter my name on the screen?

adam said, on August 27, 2008 5:12 AM:

is it possible to update shoftware version 2into my old 8gb iphone?

Jack Stephens said, on November 5, 2008 4:21 PM:

Symantec tell me PC anywhere does not offer a version that will work on my iphone. Is there another way or program I can use to do the same thing?

ralph said, on March 22, 2009 11:30 PM:

while trying to download the games from itune store via downloading new version of itune (feat. genisis) as you have mentioned a formula for downloading new softwares from itune to iPhone. While doing that my iPhone got unfunctionable. Itunes states a message saying that the SIM I have inserted is not supported and have to use a SIM which comes along with iPhone but I didn't get any. Please, suggest me a kind solution for it.

thanking you,

ralph

Shann said, on June 10, 2009 7:47 AM:

I'm slightly confused.
What does the update include?
Is this update to get all the new stuff off the iPhone 3g S?

Dave Taylor said, on June 10, 2009 8:09 AM:

Shann, generally the software upgrades are to tweak features and capabilities and only occasionally to add new capabilities to the phone. The 3.0 release of the iPhone software will be different as there are a number of major changes and updates included, but that's not going to be available until June 19, 2009, from what I can glean from Apple, so it's still a week or two away.

Iris Teague said, on June 27, 2009 8:47 AM:

i CANNOT DOWNLOAD ANY RINGTONES ON MY IPHONE

Darren Grogan said, on August 31, 2009 3:09 AM:

Hi mate - my nameis Darren and I am a tech rock... I have a 3G Iphone that I purchased in Australia through one of our regular carriers (actually Virgin). I am currently traveling and I got international roaming but two days away my phone has locked up. When I plug it into my laptop (the same one I have at home) it won't turn on or synch. The iTunes page comes up and it says - "iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes". From my understanding of what this means if I do this I will loose all my contacts and photos and apps etc - is that true? If so is all my data saved somewhere on my laptop through iTunes from everyother time I synch'd it? Does that make sense? I know I'm probably pushing my luck but hopefully it is automatically saved somewhere for me to retrieve. If not can you please tell me how I can save this data once I reload it all for future reference! Thanks in advance for your assistance - you rock! Cheers, Darren from Australia

Slim said, on September 2, 2009 5:16 AM:

hello. I have an 8G iPhone 3G running a 2.1 firmware . My iPhone is unlocked and I'm using a different sim other than AT&T. I need to know if it is possible to update to 3.0 without getting the iPhone to lock. I manually installed the new firmware from a website; if it won't lock how can I update?

Thanks a lot

elio said, on November 22, 2009 7:09 AM:

Hello!
i have an iphone 3G, i jailbroke it a while ago.
Today i updated my iphone to 3.1 using i tunes
since i'm not in the usa and don't use AT&T my iphone only shows a picture of a USB connecting to itunes.
Please help what can i do?
10x a lot.

uma enessi said, on January 30, 2010 3:39 PM:

after i download my iphone softwere update( 3.2.1 )download only how will i install it wit my itunes manually

anju said, on May 1, 2010 7:48 AM:

i have 3g iphone i have upgreat 3.1.3 throught itunes my iphone only shows a picture of usb connecting to itunes and a lock sine

Shaista said, on June 16, 2010 1:30 PM:

I love u

Patricia Dunaway said, on September 8, 2010 6:53 PM:

i plugged my iphone into my computer, i am on the internet but it wont sync my iphone. i need to download the newest software updates. apple says im 8 updates behind. HELP

Jason said, on September 17, 2010 11:00 PM:

Hello

I went to update my iphone 3g I down loaded new version of 9.2 and now my IPHONE has got emergengy calls only can you help me please

alistair said, on December 26, 2010 6:20 AM:

ive just bought refurbished 3g 8g ulocked phone but tried to download APPs and it says i need version 3.0 or 3.1 my version is 2.1 how can i upgrade without locking the phone

Patrick said, on December 26, 2010 10:14 AM:

Hi
My IPhone is unlocked and has thr 3.1.3 Version.
I sync. it with iTune without problem but I am scared to upgrade to new version. I need my phone for work !.
If doing that I crash my phone, can I bring it back alive with the saved Sync. ?.

Please help me.

Pat

Ntombethongo said, on March 27, 2011 6:41 AM:

I have an 3g breaked jailed about a year ag. I have worried to updat it for a new version. can I upgrat it without locking the phone please help

Darren said, on April 2, 2011 1:32 AM:

Shy just hook ur iPhone up to ur comp and it will download iTunes bingo ur phone will start up I was stuck on that to but the pic that it shows you is telling. U what to do

Joy Acuff said, on April 7, 2011 9:11 PM:

I lost my contacts, photos, calendar info while updated my 3G Iphone. How do i get it b ack??

alfred said, on June 9, 2011 3:22 AM:

i have downloaded ios 4.3 so how do i install it manually

Esayas said, on August 28, 2011 1:45 AM:

thanks dave my I pone its work!!!

Rafaqat said, on August 28, 2011 3:06 AM:

I have an 3g breaked jailed about a year ag. I have worried to updat it for a new version. can I upgrat it without locking the phone please help

Kathy said, on August 30, 2011 6:45 AM:

When I plug my 3g iphone into computer all it does is shut the computer system completely off- I tried it twice...

Azer said, on August 31, 2011 5:27 AM:

I have an 3g 16GB unlocked by the carrier in Canada about a year ago. I'm worried to updat it for a new version. can I upgrat it without locking the phone? please help

Bharati said, on September 20, 2011 6:51 AM:

Hi
I tried to upgrade my iphone3 to 3.1.3 using my mackbook air but got the msg that i need a sim that supports it (had bought the phone from US & am presently in India). Now my iphone just shows a USB connecting to itunes & to slide for emergency calls .... pls help

Keith said, on September 21, 2011 8:34 PM:

I upgraded my iPhone 3G to Version 4.3.5. All is well except for the fact that now my network has "no service". What should I do?

Ariel Defiesta said, on December 25, 2011 4:29 PM:

hello! I tried to upgrade my iphone3 to 3.1.3 using my mackbook pro but got the msg that i need a sim that supports it (had bought the phone from US & am presently in Philippines). Now my iphone just shows a USB connecting to itunes & to slide for emergency calls ....many tnx pls help

Dave Taylor said, on December 26, 2011 7:56 AM:

Keith, I am guessing that it just took a few minutes for your phone to query the cellular network and be unknown, then it registered itself anew and you were fine. I've seen this when I've upgraded and it acts like it's brand new with no service then fixes itself. If that didn't work, I'd take it into the local cellphone carrier retail store and ask for help.

Ariel, I'm afraid I don't know what to advise. Can you "Restore" from a backup in iTunes and try to reverse the process?

Lesley Gordon said, on December 28, 2011 2:15 PM:

Hi Dave, I have a 3G iphone with OS 3.1.2, BB 05.11.07. It has been JB. UL with ultrasn0w. (Both done before I bought it) I want to update the OS. What is the maximum OS I can upgrade to?? 4.2.1 or 4.1.1?? I have heard that OS 4 and above have problems for the 3G! I also presume I will have to re-JB & UL again after the update? Due to the fact that it has previously been UL'd using ultrasn0w does that mean that it will relock again without the possiblity of UL?? You help would be highly appreciated as I am new to the JB community!

Jackie said, on January 18, 2012 4:39 PM:

while trying to download the games from itune store via downloading new version of itune (feat. genisis) as you have mentioned a formula for downloading new softwares from itune to iPhone. While doing that my iPhone got unfunctionable. Itunes states a message saying that the SIM I have inserted is not supported and have to use a SIM which comes along with iPhone but I didn't get any. Please, suggest me a kind solution for it.

thanking you,

Jackie

Pratik said, on January 23, 2012 2:58 AM:

it is possible to update i phone software withoute itunes

Duru William said, on February 7, 2012 4:39 AM:

Pls,Dave, how can I upgrade my iPhone 3G iOS 3.1.3 to 4.2 or later version. I am not in the USA ,so I'm using a different sim in Nigeria .Your help will be highly appreciated. Thanks. Duru William

EMMANUEL MANFORD said, on March 20, 2012 10:09 PM:

please if you can help me to update my iphone i need the software

julie said, on April 8, 2012 11:45 AM:

I cannot get my moms iphone 3g to update. When I connect it to my computer it does not even show up in itunes.

Can you help?

adebayo adeniyi said, on May 24, 2012 11:32 AM:

i have 3g iphone 16gb i want to upgreat my phone 4.2 throught itunes my iphone only shows a picture of usb connecting to itunes and a lock sine pls what can i do

Maxwell said, on May 31, 2012 11:52 AM:

Please can you tell me the maximum upgrade I can do for my iPhone 3g ios is 3.1.3 your advice will be highly appreciated.thanks

palwika said, on June 10, 2012 4:31 AM:

i have 3g iphone of8GB,Today i lost all my application from screen.what i did i dont know only USB poard is shown towards itunes.and my SIM card is also not working with this iphone..plz help me out what can i do to solve this problems

saima said, on June 17, 2012 1:55 AM:

hi, i want to download skype for my iphone 3g but it keeps saying update software. i did check on itunes and it says i have the latest software availble. can anyone please advise me what to do?

shivek said, on June 18, 2012 1:41 AM:

Hi Sir - my nameis shivek and I am a tech rock... I have a 3G Iphone that I purchased in Australia Virgin 4.2,8gb how to install new version download please if you can help me to update my iphone i need the software

Eunice said, on August 23, 2012 4:48 AM:

I got my unlocked 3g phone from the US while I was there visiting. I started using it in my country (Nigeria) . One day after plugging it to my PC to upload my picture it asked me to download to a new version and upgrade ,which I did but since then it displayed a plug with the iTunes logo. I have been trying to bring it back to the normal mode but has not being successful. What do I do.

Gwankat zenret said, on October 18, 2012 8:22 AM:

I want to upgrade my 3G iPhone to a better software and I don't know how to go about it.

Sanjeev singh bhandari said, on October 24, 2012 5:22 AM:

Dear sir
I have a iphone 3GS with ios 4.1. With this the big problem is i couldnot download facebook for iphone. It needs ios 4.3 or like that. How can i upgrade it?
I am waiting for the solution
Thank You
Sanjeev
Pokhara, Nepal

Farhan Khan said, on November 2, 2012 12:58 PM:

Hi Dave
I have a iphone 3G with ios 4.2.1. I am facing the problem of running face book and other applications on it. The applications demand an update of operating software
How can i upgrade it? Please help
I am waiting for the solution
Thank You
Farhan
Islamabad, Pakistan

khaled toby said, on November 11, 2012 1:21 PM:

i have iphoe 3g and i dont know how to add a new version to it !! please help me very soooon.... toby !!

Dot Hosey said, on November 20, 2012 9:25 AM:

I have the same probleam as

Farhan
Islamabad, Pakistan

please help
Dot
UK

Babar said, on November 23, 2012 10:05 AM:

Hi Dave
I have a iphone 3G with ios 4.2.1. I am facing the problem of running face book and other applications on it. The applications demand an update of operating software
How can i upgrade it? Please help
I am waiting for the solution
Thank You
Babar
Gwadar, Pakistan

Arachne said, on January 6, 2013 12:40 AM:

Hey there Dave~

I have a iPhone 3Gs with ios 4.2.1. Thus far I have not found a way to upgrade it. Mind you, I do not require a SIM card for this phone as I use it more for hot spots. I would just like to upgrade so that more apps are available to me. If you could help, I would appreciate it greatly. I

atem said, on January 9, 2013 11:44 AM:

Hi I have Iphone 3G and i wont update for 4.3 ios but i don't know how to update please help me beacouse i can't downwoad other apss i can only 4.2 softowaer help mee please

Sikhumbuzo said, on January 11, 2013 1:09 AM:

Hie dave
I'm using iPhone 3 and I need an update of 4.3 pls help

D. P. said, on January 11, 2013 10:13 PM:

Hi Dave,

Can you help me please?
I need an update of 4.3 pls for my iphone. It says I have version 4.2.1 (8c148). My friend unlocked my iphone from att to tmobile. I have problems with apps, calls well everything.

Best regards,
Des

Dalbir said, on January 17, 2013 4:01 PM:

Need your help to find, install iOS5 on i3g apple phone

Steph said, on January 21, 2013 8:54 AM:

I can't download apps on my iPhone 3GS as its saying I need the iOS 6 software. Nothing is showing up on iTunes though so I don't know what else to try!? Can you help me please?

Dave Taylor said, on January 21, 2013 9:19 AM:

Unfortunately, you're all experiencing obsolescence. Fact is, the iPhone 3gs and earlier just don't have the horsepower to run the most recent OS so you probably won't be able to upgrade it past what you are running now. It's the way of technology, and definitely the way of advanced tech. Sorry to be the bearer of such news...

M hamid said, on February 11, 2013 3:43 AM:

Hi Dave
I have a iphone 3G with ios 4.2.1. I am facing the problem of running face book and other applications on it. The applications demand an update of operating software
How can i upgrade it? Please help
I am waiting for the solution
Thank You
Hamid
Islamabad, Pakistan

Ryan said, on February 16, 2013 3:28 AM:

Im looking to update my iphone 3G to IOS: 4.3 without using itunes is this action actually possible?

Regards Ryan

June Tucker said, on February 16, 2013 11:19 AM:

I recently downloaded my Apple phone 3G to IOS 6.1. Now it won't pair with my bluetooth in my car.
Any suggestions?

alison said, on February 19, 2013 2:01 PM:

hi, i want to download facebook for my iphone 3gs but it keeps saying update software. i did check on itunes and it says i have the latest software availble. can anyone please advise me what to do?

thanks Alison

Josh said, on February 21, 2013 8:57 PM:

Hi I have iPhone 3G version 4.2 and I can't get cretin apps like Facebook,shazam stuff like that it says I need iOS 4 or iOS 5 iOS 6 and for the life of me can't figure it out I traded my android for this that did everything and I can't get what I want please help me out. Thanks josh

gurdip said, on March 13, 2013 4:42 AM:

hi dave can i update my iphone 3g to IOS 6? because my IOS is only 4.2.1

thanks

Yasser said, on March 17, 2013 4:49 AM:

Hi Dave
I have an iphone 3G with ios 4.2.1. I am facing problem when downloading whatsapp, Tongo and other applications on it. The applications demand an update of operating software (firmware have to be upgraded to 4.3 at least)
How can i upgrade it? Please help me.

your prompt response is highly appreciated.

Thank You
Yasser K. Mairgani
K.S.A

Pissed said, on March 22, 2013 11:45 AM:

all you jokers asking questions to someone that commented. Dave. He plugged in his phone, got a popup, does he know the answers? Hell No. Answer a question or "Go Somewhere Else"

We want to know answers, not that your phone has what with what and this and that. we know you need updated and so do I.

PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY MORE "QUESTIONS", THEY'VE ALL BEEN ASKED ABOVE. THANK YOU !!

Dave Taylor said, on March 22, 2013 10:06 PM:

Hey Pissed, not sure what you're expecting here. I don't even have an iPhone 3G any more for testing purposes, so what would be great would be for people to contribute their own experiences and their own solutions or workarounds. That's usually what people do here, btw, not just criticize the fact that I don't have one of each gadget every made by Apple...

yohannes melku said, on April 17, 2013 2:20 AM:

i cant update my iphone 3g

Shawkat said, on April 23, 2013 2:44 AM:

hi i have a i phone 3gs 8gb (Version 4.1) , but i have no download any song, skype, facebook in my phone
pls inform me how can load above

thanks by
Shawkat
Bangladesh

Nikky said, on May 12, 2013 1:31 PM:

i experience error 1015.how do i solve that on my iphone3

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I upgrade my iPhone 3G to the latest software?

Reader Comments To Date: 66

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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