Introduction

Yes, I drank the Kool-Aid and purchased an iPhone 4S yesterday, and I am very happy with the new video, photo and Siri features.  However, I have other interests this weekend where an iPhone 4 would be perfect for using Square to take credit cards, photos and videos with people that are fans of the Big Eagle Band.  I will not be at the event tonight, so giving my phone away is not an option.  So, I thought I’d try to convert my old phone into a general purpose iPod that can connect to Wifi and do

 

Step One: Connect Your iPhone to a Computer

Get out your trusty iPhone charging cable and connect it to your computer of choice.  Make sure the latest version of iTunes is installed.

 

Step Two: Backup (Optional)

For this I normally first choose to Transfer Purchases and then choose to Backup as a second step.  To do this you can just right click (or option-click)on your device listed in the left column and select the appropriate action.

 

Step Three: Restore

Now that you have a backup (if desired), you may now restore your phone to factory defaults.  Click on your device in the left column and you will see a screen with options to Check for Update or Restore.  Click on Restore.  You will be warned that you are about to restore your phone.  Click OK.  Then you may be warned of purchases being on your phone.  You backed up and transferred purchases, so click on Continue.

The next screen will be a note about the latest software update and all the new changes.  Click on Next.  Now the fascinating read that is the iPhone Software Update terms will be displayed.  Click Agree.

Now we wait.  How long?  Well, depending on your Internet Connection this could be a while.

iTunes will automate the entire restore process until you are greeted with a welcome screen to either setup your new iPhone or restore from a backup. Choose Setup a New iPhone and name it whatever you want.  Uncheck the options to automatically sync contacts, calendars… andapplications and click Done.

Finished!  Oh wait, we need to sync it!  Personally, I’m scared if I walk through the new iPhone setup on the phone it will reactivate my old phone, so I am just going to use iTunes.

 

Step Four: Sync!

On the screen that displays your iPhone information, Click on Info (located at the top).  This is where you choose what you want to do with this phone.  Since I don’t want to sync any mail, contacts or calendars, we will just move along to Apps.  Click on Apps at the top and check Sync Apps.  Choose the apps you want to sync and move along to Music.  If this is your iPod start selecting music to sync to the device.  When you have selected everything you want to sync to your new iPod click on Sync at the bottom of the iTunes window.

 

Step Five: Survive!

Now that everything is synced, wait, what’s this?  The iPhone still wants me to walk through the iOS5 setup.  I stepped through the process quite easily and added my Apple ID to the phone.  I opted to use iCloud and backup to iCloud, but we’ll get to that in a minute.  Keep working through the setup like its a new phone and click on Start Using iPhone.  Now that you are at the home screen, CONFIGURE!

 

Step Six: Cripple iCloud for Fun and Profit

You may have a different opinion, but I do not want all of my calendars, contacts and more added to this device.  To modify iCloud, tap Settings, selectiCloud and turn off Contacts, Calendars, Reminders and Bookmarks by default.  Keep Find My iPhone on if you have any hopes to finding this thing when it inevitably gets lost.

 

Step Seven: The FaceTime Conundrum

We learned this the hard way.  My dad tried to FaceTime me and my desk lit up like a Christmas tree.  The iPad, both laptops and my iPhone went off.  I don’t want FaceTime on my iPod, so, click back on Settings, go to FaceTime and turn it off.

 

Step Eight: No More Messaging

The same theory as FaceTime applies here.  Click back on Settings, go to Messages and turn off iMessage.

 

Step Nine: Let’s Get This Over With

Time to customize your new iPod.  I personally moved the Mail and Phone icons to a folder called “Apple” then put any unnecessary built-in app into that folder or the “Utilities” folder.

 

That’s all there is to it!  Enjoy!