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Iphone 4s, Demo Model...Need Help...

B

braeburn

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 23, 2006
70
0
So I bought a 4s off of CL and come to find out it is a demo model which has some limitations...Can't remove apps or move them, restrictions button not available...Tried contacting seller with no luck of course...Wasn't aware to look out for this so its my bad...

So been trying to find out if I can somehow get the phone to become a non-demo model...I've read that demo models have their iOS tweaked compared to retail model...

Don't want to jailbreak the phone and would like to know if there is a method to remove the phone from its demo state???
 
Did u try connecting to iTunes and restoring as a new phone?
Can u erase all content and settinga from within the phone?
And why would u buy a phone that wasn't restored to its "as new" state before buying it. These days I wouldn't buy a used iPhone unless I could meet up with the seller and test the device before buying it. He prob ripped the display phone from a bestbuy or apple store and then sold it. U might not ever even be able to use it of it comes up stolen, which I am sure it will if it was a retail display.

Good luck!! How much u pay?
 
I did meetup with seller and tested it just fine with a sim card and made calls...Called and checked IMEI# and didn't come up lost or stolen thus the purchase...But didn't check to see if I can delete any apps or check to see if any settings options are removed...Who seriously does when the phone works and IMEI# is okay?

On to the actual issue, did restore via itunes but same result...Don't have reset tab either on phone...
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPod; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

wow a demo model, never seen anyone get their hands on one before. I would take it to the apple store, explain my case and see what they would do. Good Luck.
 
I would be worried about taking it into the Apple store. Aren't the demo models all owned by Apple? I am not even sure how this could have been legitimately acquired by the original owner.
 
lordofthereef said:
I would be worried about taking it into the Apple store. Aren't the demo models all owned by Apple? I am not even sure how this could have been legitimately acquired by the original owner.
Click to expand...

Neither can I but I actually called to verify the IMEI# with ATT and didn't come up as lost/stolen...Walked into corp att store and got a new micro-sim and had the device placed into my account...Can use all functions as normal but can't move/delete apps.....
 
braeburn said:
Neither can I but I actually called to verify the IMEI# with ATT and didn't come up as lost/stolen...Walked into corp att store and got a new micro-sim and had the device placed into my account...Can use all functions as normal but can't move/delete apps.....
Click to expand...

There's absolutely no difference between the "demo" models and the "regular" models other then a slightly tweaked operating system.

Do a DFU restore and you'll be fine. There's NO HARDWARE difference.
 
Jare said:
There's absolutely no difference between the "demo" models and the "regular" models other then a slightly tweaked operating system.

Do a DFU restore and you'll be fine. There's NO HARDWARE difference.
Click to expand...

There is also no hardware difference between a locked an an unlocked phone. I believe iTunes simply checks the serial and updates the software accordingly. I don;t know this for a fact, but I really don't think demo units go on sale. I know Apple takes them back from Best Buy if they break, or a new model of phone launches, and this is likely the same for any other retailer. I suspect, since the OP already did a restore, it's simply restoring this unique version of iOS based on the serial the iTunes sends the servers.

----------
braeburn said:
Neither can I but I actually called to verify the IMEI# with ATT and didn't come up as lost/stolen...Walked into corp att store and got a new micro-sim and had the device placed into my account...Can use all functions as normal but can't move/delete apps.....
Click to expand...

Verifying the IMEI with ATT might not make a difference. As I mentioned in a response to another member, I think it is all about the serial, and how iTunes itself treats that serial.
 
Jare said:
There's absolutely no difference between the "demo" models and the "regular" models other then a slightly tweaked operating system.

Do a DFU restore and you'll be fine. There's NO HARDWARE difference.
Click to expand...

This did the trick...Thanks Jare...
 
I'd take it to the apple store. See if they can fix it. If not get a refurb for 150 or whatever. I'd just play dumb the entire time.

I think you've spent enough money to keep your conscience clear even though it's still a questionable act.
 
cynics said:
I'd take it to the apple store. See if they can fix it. If not get a refurb for 150 or whatever. I'd just play dumb the entire time.

I think you've spent enough money to keep your conscience clear even though it's still a questionable act.
Click to expand...

Umm your late sir :confused:
 
FREE UNLOCKING on Demo /warranty swap iPhones.

If you ever get a new demo iPhone, then put in a tmobile card when initially turning it on, and it will unlock it, making it more valuable. I have done this with ATT warranty swaps from the genius bar too. Just dont let them put in your ATT sim card when they bring the replacement. Shannon - spArk iRepair Specialist
 
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