Verizon iPhone 16gb says "Connect to iTunes" when turned on

[escentz#AC]

I am thinking about buying a friends iPhone, however, when the phone is turned on, the screen says "connect to itunes." is this normal? or should i find another phone to buy? its actually my friends sister and she said she had it reset so it just needs to be activated at verizon for it to work.

 

[Just_Me_D]

First of all, did the person you're buying it from have Verizon service? If not, you're going to have to activate the phone with whatever carrier it as originally activated with. Also, you can always have the person reset the device in front of you. Secondly, which iPhone is it? ( original, 3G, 3GS, 4 or. 4S). If it has iOS 5 installed, you don't have to connect to iTunes, but with earlier versions, you do, if I'm not mistaken.


Just Me, D

 

[escentz#AC]

Thank you, Yes, the iphone is for verizon and im fairly certain it has never been updated to iOS 5

 

[anon(814679)]

JustMe'D is correct. Before iOS 5, a USB connection to a Mac or Windows PC running iTunes was required by iOS devices for initial setup, OS updates, and many other little things. Plug it in and update it to iOS 5.