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...

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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Comments

how can i inter my name on the screen?

Posted by: adam at August 27, 2008 5:10 AM

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

Posted by: adam at August 27, 2008 5:12 AM

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?

Posted by: Jack Stephens at November 5, 2008 4:21 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

Posted by: ralph at March 22, 2009 11:30 PM

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

Posted by: Shann at June 10, 2009 7:47 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.

Posted by: Dave Taylor at June 10, 2009 8:09 AM

i CANNOT DOWNLOAD ANY RINGTONES ON MY IPHONE

Posted by: Iris Teague at June 27, 2009 8:47 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

Posted by: Darren Grogan at August 31, 2009 3:09 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

Posted by: Slim at September 2, 2009 5:16 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.

Posted by: elio at November 22, 2009 7:09 AM

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

Posted by: uma enessi at January 30, 2010 3:39 PM

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

Posted by: anju at May 1, 2010 7:48 AM

I love u

Posted by: Shaista at June 16, 2010 1:30 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

Posted by: Patricia Dunaway at September 8, 2010 6:53 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

Posted by: Jason at September 17, 2010 11:00 PM

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

Posted by: alistair at December 26, 2010 6:20 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

Posted by: Patrick at December 26, 2010 10:14 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

Posted by: Ntombethongo at March 27, 2011 6:41 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

Posted by: Darren at April 2, 2011 1:32 AM

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

Posted by: Joy Acuff at April 7, 2011 9:11 PM

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

Posted by: alfred at June 9, 2011 3:22 AM

thanks dave my I pone its work!!!

Posted by: Esayas at August 28, 2011 1:45 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

Posted by: Rafaqat at August 28, 2011 3:06 AM

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

Posted by: Kathy at August 30, 2011 6:45 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

Posted by: Azer at August 31, 2011 5:27 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

Posted by: Bharati at September 20, 2011 6:51 AM

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?

Posted by: Keith at September 21, 2011 8:34 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

Posted by: Ariel Defiesta at December 25, 2011 4:29 PM

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?

Posted by: Dave Taylor at December 26, 2011 7:56 AM

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!

Posted by: Lesley Gordon at December 28, 2011 2:15 PM

thanking you,

Jackie

Posted by: Jackie at January 18, 2012 4:39 PM

it is possible to update i phone software withoute itunes

Posted by: Pratik at January 23, 2012 2:58 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

Posted by: Duru William at February 7, 2012 4:39 AM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

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