Puretalk now Apple authorized- requires update to IOS9 on a 4s

[Randalls]

Bought my wife a 4S and got a PURETALK account (ATT). Seemed to be working fine on ios7 until this weekend when she tried to use Data. Get a warning, you do not have an account. Gee, worked good when we signed up. So I called their tech number and was told since they are now selling Apple products everyone has to update to ios9 or no worky.

This seems a bit odd. So do I have to bite the bullet and update from ios7 to ios9 or is this an ill informed techie? She said I would have to back up (done), delete the profile and then update the ios. Does this sound right. I am a newb with phones.

[Ombligo]

My pure talk is working fine for talk and text on my 4s. I don't have a data plan, so that may be the difference.

[Randalls]

Yes, phone works fine and Wifi is fine. Just the data is not working.

[rgG]

I would call another tech and ask again. That doesn't sound right to me.

[OWC Jamie]

You'd think they'd update their website:
https://www.puretalkusa.com/phone_programming.php#ps

[Randalls]

The site has always been pretty spartan

[Bimwad]

As long as the phone has the correct data APN settings, it doesn't matter which OS it's running, iOS or Android.

Their site shows the standard AT&T MVNO APNs, and no authentication, but it might not have been updated.

Android allows pretty easy manipulation of APN settings, but iOS is much different. Some SIMs like T-Mo's allow it, and some like AT&T's don't.

For iOS 7.0x and prior, it was possible to temporarily use a different SIM, change the settings, and then swap back, but that loophole was closed in 7.1.

My MVNO sets the APN by requesting, and then texting a link to a configuration profile (check Settings/General/Profile and see what it says).

This site also provides APN profiles, but may not be up to date either.

I'd double check. There's nothing specific about iOS 9 which should make a difference.

[Randalls]

OK, thanks for that info. Worst case is I upgrade the iOS. Just thought the 4s would be slower to respond with 9 but I realize nothing lasts forever and there would be advantages as well (better battery management.) I think I spoke to a low level tech that was offering a standard company statement that would make it easier to manage their apple customers using data.

[Randalls]

Had to backup and upgrade to 9 per 2nd techie (downloaded via wifi).. Then restore and restart. All is now working OK. The 4s seems to be working fine. As I don't do much heavy lifting any slowdown is not noticeable. FYI.