My iphone 3gs won't keep service!

My iphone 3gs randomly goes from full service to searching... to no service. I was gone to basic training for the Army, then more training. When I returned in mid July I plugged my phone into the computer to sync and update since I had been gone for 7 months. As soon as it was completed and I started using it I started having this issue. I have been to the AT&T store many times and the nearest Apple store is an hour away. They have replaced the sim card twice and have recommended that I restore it to the factory settings and try that for a while. I have done that, with no apps or anything extra on the phone and it still won't work right. I can't upgrade until November 11 and cannot afford to buy a phone otherwise. Is there a way to revert back to the previous software update?

There is no officially supported way to downgrade the iOS.
If the device is not working properly after a restore as new then a hardware issue exists. This assumes there is not a SIM card or network issue.
An out of warranty replacement is $149 at the Apple store. But if it were me, as annoying as the connectivity issue is, if I could live with it... I would simply tough it out until November. Maybe get a cheap dumb phone on ebay or craigslist that you could pop your SIM into should you need to make a call in an emergency. You could easily get one for less than $20. It certainly is not an ideal solution, but it is a workable and very inexpensive work around.

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IPhone 3GS won't start at all...please help

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while turned off, connect that to the wall charger, it should start normally
after few minutes.
if it dont start then put your phone in dfu mode and connect to itunes for
a restore. for dfu mode search google.

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Regarding iPhone 3GS won't charge:
I have the same iPhone, and also sync with iTunes on my Mac Book Pro computer. After just a few months after purchasing my NEW iPhone 3GS, the charger stopped working and would not show up on the computer. After trouble shooting my equipment, I discovered that the USB CORD was no longer working, NOT the AC Jack Component. My phone was still under warranty for 1year with Apple Care and extended purchased insurance with VerizonWireless. I contacted VerizonWireless as per my contract agreement, and was transferred to Apple Care Support. Apple Care informed me: A new [Apple Manufactured Original Equipment parts] would be replaced free of charge, BUT, I would first need to secure the return of the defective equipment with a deposit of the purchase price on my credit card. After the receipt of my returned defective equipment, my credit card would be credited back for the full deposit amount. This was NOT acceptable to me. I called Verizon and they mailed me a new [VerizonWireless Manufactured part] USB Cord. After a time, I had to replace that USB cord also. Apparently the USB Cord burns out after a time of use. SOLUTION; I keep about 4 new USB Cords in stock at home!! You may also need to check if your iPhone software is up to date, this could effect it's performance also.
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My iPhone 3GS won't take a charge or turn on. How do I get my photos from it onto my laptop or another iPhone?

My iPhone 3GS won't take a charge or turn on. How do I get my photos from it onto my laptop or another iPhone? I tried to put my sim card in another working 3GS but it didn't work.

you can't the photos are not stored on the sim card they are stored in the memory modules of the phone

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My iPhone 3GS is showing no service, I have reset the network settings but that didn't seem to work. I then restored the phone iteself but it still shows no service.
The phone is on O2 and I have tried a few other sims, but it still doesnt seem to work. The iOS is 6.1.3, I have been told this may be the problem but it was working a couple of days ago.
I was also told to try these steps which didn't seem to work:
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2. Power off the iPhone by holding the top lock button down then sliding to power off, leave the phone off for 30 seconds
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4. Reset network settings in Settings/General/Reset
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Basic troubleshooting steps
Reset the iPhone by Holding both Power and Home Buttons together till Apple logo appears.
Restore to a backup.
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HT1688 My iphone 3GS is showing no service your network is restriced you can choose a different network in settings ive tried a restore and upgrading software/downgrading still no fix just no service searching...

My iphone 3GS is showing no service your network is restriced you can choose a different network in settings ive tried a restore and upgrading software/downgrading still no fix just no service searching...
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Sounds like it's been blacklisted.
Even if it hasn't, downgrading voids any warranty and forfeits all rights to support. You hacked your phone. You can't get help here.

HT4972 i am trying to download some apps onto my iphone 3gs and it keeps saying i need to update it for this but ive trying and there is no update option on the phone or through itunes, it keeps saying its up to date, can anyone help please?

i am trying to download some apps onto my iphone 3gs and it keeps saying i need to update it for this but ive trying and there is no update option on the phone or through itunes, it keeps saying its up to date, can anyone help please?

Would this matter then? can you not update the 3g to the lastest software?

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i have an iphone 3gs, and i keep getting blocked number calling me (prank calls) im getting really fed up with it all now i have had 12 calls from the same person! i was just wondering if there is any way i could block this caller from calling me?

Contact your carrier and ask them.

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See Here for Device continually restarts...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

HT4623 my iphone 3gs won't charge anymore.

My wife's iphone 3gs won't charge anymore even tho we leave it charging all night.

You can clean the iPhone's dock connector with an old dry toothbrush.
You won't know for certain, but if no change after making sure the dock connector port is clean, more than likely there is some damage.
Make an appointment at an Apple store if there is one nearby where it can be determined if there is damage to the dock connector port or if there is another hardware problem.

My iPhone 3GS won't charge. It saids this accessory is not supported but the charger works on other IPhones. What do I do???

My iPhone 3GS won't charge! Whenever I plug it in it saids charging not supported by this accessory. What do I do?? Help please!!!

You can clean the iPhone's dock connector with an old dry toothbrush.
You won't know for certain, but if no change after making sure the dock connector port is clean, more than likely there is some damage.
Make an appointment at an Apple store if there is one nearby where it can be determined if there is damage to the dock connector port or if there is another hardware problem.

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I have an iPhone 3GS, and since I upgraded to iOS5 it won't send text messages! I have plenty of service, but I can't send texts. The bar will get close to the end, but never say "message sent". I've rebooted and reset everything already multiple times and it STILL won't work. I turned off my 3G and it STILL won't work. it's driving me crazy! It never did this until I upgraded the software. someone please tell me how to fix it!

If you've talked to your cell provider, to verify nothing is wrong on the account provisioning end, the next step would be a device "restore". This would be the logical next step to take after "reboot and reset".
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

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I have an iPhone 3GS its on 5.0.1
It keeps loosing signal anywhere I'm at, it goes from full bar AT&T to searching... and keeps repeating over and over again.
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If tied my sim on other phones and the service is great!

HT4623 how do i update my iphone 3gs as it keeps saying that 4.2.1 is the right update which its not

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To expand on the 1/2-answer that Diesel gave;
The first thing you should look into is which version of iTunes you have. If you're not running iTunes 10, then you're not going to be able to update your phone past iOS 4.2.
Depending on what kind of system you're using, there are several reasons why your iTunes may be out of date:
In the Mac world, if you're not running a version of OS/X newer than 10.5.x (Leopard) then iTunes won't upgrade to the latest version (10). If you have a pre-2006 G-series processor Mac, you're pretty-much stuck at 10.4.x (Tiger) or lower and, sadly, Apple/iTunes doesn't support those machines any more. If your Mac is newer than 2006 but older than 2008, you'll likely be stuck at finding a copy of Snow Leopard (10.6.x) and you need to see your local Apple service provider to see if they can get you updated.
If you're running a Windows workstation, I believe that any Windows machine that's still running XP patched to Service Pack 2 or later should still be able to install and use iTunes 10. The system requirements can be found on the iTunes download page. If for some reason your iTunes has stopped doing its updates (or won't do them) you'll probably need to re-install iTunes. Installing over-top of the old iTunes should work and you won't loose any of your data - however, just in case, you should back-up your computer prior to making any significant changes to the software.
Now, Diesel also made the assumption that you may only have a 3G phone and not a 3Gs. To verify this not the case, plus for anyone who may be reading this and has any doubt, this link will help you identify your phone. iOS 5 and later does not support phones older than the 3Gs, and its unlikely that your cellular service provider will for very long either.
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Did you try to set up your phone without using the latest backup? If you can, your other backup might be damaged and not usable anymore.
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My iphone 3gs won't keep service!

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