iPhone 3GS ruined by official upgrade - any legal options?

TonyBroke

I have an Apple iPhone 3GS which dates from 2009, so is completely out of warranty and contract both.

I recently updated the phone to the latest version of Apple's iOS, iOS6, following which the phone has become completely unusable, despite working perfectly previous. Basically, it crashes after a day or two and has to be restored from scratch. I have tried multiple restores and all sorts of techniques suggested online, to no avail.

An investigation of the Apple forums revealed a few other people with what sounds like the same issue, suggesting that certain models of the iPhone 3GS just weren't compatible with this upgrade.

Unfortunately, Apple prevents users from downgrading back to the original version of the phone's operating system, so I'm stuck!


I'm wondering whether I have any legal options under UK consumer law?

Emy1501

TonyBroke wrote: »

I have an Apple iPhone 3GS which dates from 2009, so is completely out of warranty and contract both.

I recently updated the phone to the latest version of Apple's iOS, iOS6, following which the phone has become completely unusable, despite working perfectly previous. Basically, it crashes after a day or two and has to be restored from scratch. I have tried multiple restores and all sorts of techniques suggested online, to no avail.

An investigation of the Apple forums revealed a few other people with what sounds like the same issue, suggesting that certain models of the iPhone 3GS just weren't compatible with this upgrade.

Unfortunately, Apple prevents users from downgrading back to the original version of the phone's operating system, so I'm stuck!


I'm wondering whether I have any legal options under UK consumer law?

You maybe successful in the SCC if you can show the update is the reason for the phone failing.

Judges are pretty claimant friendly and if you can show evidence from forums etc you will probably be successful.

Maybe worth contacting Apple first and seeing what they say

Also if you do issue proceedings the chances of someone like Apple trying to defend the claim is small

Academic

TonyBroke wrote: »

Unfortunately, Apple prevents users from downgrading back to the original version of the phone's operating system, so I'm stuck!

Have a look at the iClarified iPhone Tutorials as there are ways to restore an older version of the iPhone firmware.

Make sure you read all the appropriate info before embarking on this as there are potential pitfalls which could leave your iPhone bricked.

TonyBroke

Academic wrote: »

Have a look at the iClarified iPhone Tutorials as there are ways to restore an older version of the iPhone firmware.

Make sure you read all the appropriate info before embarking on this as there are potential pitfalls which could leave your iPhone bricked.

I appreciate the thought, but I've been through all this and there definitely is no way to restore older firmware unless you save certain data before upgrading - which of course I didn't even know about at the time...!

sdduk

TonyBroke wrote: »

I appreciate the thought, but I've been through all this and there definitely is no way to restore older firmware unless you save certain data before upgrading - which of course I didn't even know about at the time...!

You can put old firmware back on a iPhone 3gs have a look at link below
You have to download to your computer and go though iTunes.

http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/

TonyBroke

sdduk wrote: »

You can put old firmware back on a iPhone 3gs have a look at link below
You have to download to your computer and go though iTunes.

http://www.felixbruns.de/iPod/firmware/

Thanks, but I already tried downloading an older firmware and doing a shift-restore. iTunes fails with an "Error 3194", which basically means that it tried to authenticate the firmware with Apple and Apple refused to authenticate it.

Academic

TonyBroke wrote: »

Thanks, but I already tried downloading an older firmware and doing a shift-restore. iTunes fails with an "Error 3194", which basically means that it tried to authenticate the firmware with Apple and Apple refused to authenticate it.

I'm no expert on these matters but you need to get the phone into DFU mode to restore the old firmware. I suggest you have a look at the Redsn0w software which is used to jailbreak iPhones. There is an Extras option which will allow you to get the iPhone into DFU mode and then restore the old firmware.

I reiterate my statement from above: Make sure you read all the appropriate info before embarking on this as there are potential pitfalls which could leave your iPhone bricked

Emy1501

TonyBroke wrote: »

Thanks, but I already tried downloading an older firmware and doing a shift-restore. iTunes fails with an "Error 3194", which basically means that it tried to authenticate the firmware with Apple and Apple refused to authenticate it.

You can normally use Tiny Umbrella's i think to sort out the error.

As said though while unlikely you could potentially brick your phone and not guarantee the old firmware will solve the problem.

mrochester

I would try making an appointment with your local Apple shop and see if they can help you out. Apple are usually very generous when it comes to offering service outside of the original warranty period so you might get lucky. It saves messing around with it yourself.

wkdboi

Try apple, also did you do the update from a Windows PC or an Actually Mac OS X Machine... Yes it does make a differance, USB works different on Windows to OSX in OSX USB is always on in windows it is only on when Windows recognises the device thus when the iPhone reboots it cuts the usb unlike on the apple where its constantly connected...

TonyBroke

mrochester wrote: »

I would try making an appointment with your local Apple shop and see if they can help you out. Apple are usually very generous when it comes to offering service outside of the original warranty period so you might get lucky. It saves messing around with it yourself.

I've been in touch with Apple by phone (my nearest Apple shop is 300 miles away!). No offer of service was made, the only option open to me was to replace the phone at a cost of £146, which might suggest that they are perfectly aware that certain models of the 3GS can't cope with iOS 6....

So I've decided to give up. Going through the Small Claims Court would probably be pointless since it'd be just about impossible to prove that the update was responsible for ruining the phone.