What are you trying to do, what capability or activity are you looking for on the device? What app did you think was of interest to you?

Husband went fishing, caught nice fish and his phone is somewhere at the bottom of the Colorado River. Daughter gave him an old phone she had. He took it to AT&T they put in a new SIM card and he was told to put in the security code and it would work for. Him. Code was wrong and after several tries the phone locked and only instructed to connect to iTunes. I looked at about five or six of the iTunes apps, then downloaded one of them. When I searched the PC it told meNO iTunes app. I obviously need to get to an Apple Store and turn this problem over to them.

Hmm.

I think an iphone can function as like a PDA, and like an iPad, without a SIM card. The SIM card just allows it to connect to a mobile signal. Wouldn't the security code would be whatever your daughter had previously set it up with?

From a quick Google search, which you can also do, it looks like it needs to be put through a Recovery Mode procedure and as you suggest, that can be done at an Apple Store if you're not able to do it at home.

Apple security is set up so that the phone turns into a brick if you enter an incorrect security code several times. This is a great feature that makes the phones much less attractive to a thief. At the Apple store, be prepared to prove that you are an actual owner of the phone or take your daughter along to prove it. Best to call in advance and find out what they consider to be proof of ownership.

Android phones have similar features though of course the recovery of access is different and doesn't involve an Apple Store or iTunes.

Went thru DL procedure for iTunes and 'puter screen said nothing about Set Up! It told me to go to my device to respond. Device only says to 'go to iTunes'. So how can I set up?

See comment above re: Apple Store

Called Apple Store. Our daughter didn't even know that she couldn't give this old iPhone to her Dad. She no longer has proof of purchase and doesn't remember the pass code she used two/three yrs. ago. We live in two different cities about 180 miles apart....can't just take her along to the store. She's a very busy young woman.. I think we've hit a brick wall! If my hubby wants a phone, he's going to have to buy another one,

thanks everyone for your input.

One would think that APPLE store could access purchase records and contact daughter to verify transfer. But, that wouldn't be in Apple's interests.

Sheila-

If your daughter paid for the phone with a credit card, she should be able to get a copy of the statement proving purchase by calling the credit card company. Most of them have records going back several years.

Will be talking with daughter tomorrow. Perhaps she'll come up with a quick solution.

kudzu9,. My daughter will probably be very upset that they wouldn't believe her father, then SIL will point out exactly what you had to say.

Something to get chalked up to the times we live in.

In the meantime he's receiving calls and while he can't make calls out, there is an emergency calling programmed into the disabled phone. This gives me (and him) some peace of mind. He's a rancher trying to care for cattle on two pieces of land and most always working by himself.

thanks for all the input!

sheila

If this is a question of safety and security, why not buy a used or refurbished basic phone (like a flip phone)? You can probably find one, with no need for a service plan contract, for $25 or less.

He has told me the same thing! He has enjoyed taking pictures in the past and the ease of texting them on to fishing buddies or family. We'll see. He'll have to make a decision soon.