Yes you do need an Apple account. Which version of iOS are you on ? That

dictates whether or not you actually need iTunes. If you are on iOS5 or higher you don't necessarily need iTunes - you can actually just do it all through WiFi. (Although iTunes is the easiest way of managing it properly, e.g. backups, music etc, assuming your compooter isn't an ancient one which iTunes will struggle on as it seems CBeebies is experiencing).

Anyway, normally you would install iTunes, plug the phone in with the USB cable, then it will ask if you want to install it as a new phone or from a backup. You'd install as a new iPhone, and then during the process it will ask you to log in to, or create an Apple account. An Apple account is basically linked to an existing email address (I use my GMail account), and then iTunes will guide you through the rest of the process.

To get apps, you then just go to the App Store icon on the phone (not needed to be plugged in at this stage), choose what you want to download and then it will ask you to authenticate your Apple ID you just created, and then it downloads and (if not free) charges to your credit card.

HOWEVER, you can also do it without iTunes by just going to the Apple Store and creating an Apple ID from the phone. It's not as easy and involves filling in security questions etc but it is possible as I discovered whilst doing it for my girlfriend's mother.

And what is also possible, much to my surprise, is to create an account WITHOUT a credit card, which only allows you to download free apps. Can't remember how but I did that for the missus' mother as otherwise she'd end up costing us a fortune. LOL.

Your 3GS might struggle with some of the newer apps of course, simply because they are designed for the newer iPhones with far superior processing power, but if it is free I am sure you can live with that :-)

I still think the 3G and 3GS were the best designs!

Posted By: Steve in Holland, Jul 11, 10:21:39