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can a brand new Verizon iPhone be used as a wifi-only device without ever having a SIM card inside?
- Thread starter Taisiya
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what's "iTunes" ?
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Edit: Oh.. wait.. I just realized you meant iTunes the music player. I have not used it in over 8 years.(not even on my Macbook) How does that work for iPhone activation?
You need a SIM card to get through the activation screen. It doesn't have to be an active SIM but you will need one.
An LTE verizon iphone can activate with any sim card.
So just put a sim inside for a minute to get passed the activation screen and then you can take the sim out and wont need it again.
Once its activated you can use it as an ipod touch if you'd like.
So just put a sim inside for a minute to get passed the activation screen and then you can take the sim out and wont need it again.
Once its activated you can use it as an ipod touch if you'd like.
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All iPhones require a SIM in them to activate them but it doesn't have to be an active SIM and it certainly doesn't have to be activated at the time of purchase.
Once the phone is activated, you can use it as a WiFi only device.
Where are you planning on buying your device from?
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You need a SIM in the device even if you do an iTunes activation but the SIM doesn't have to be an active SIM.
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No, Verizon will only give free SIM cards to active account holders. But Apple stores will give fee SIM cards to anyone with an iPhone.
What SIM cards do Apples Stores give out?
Also... I guess that's why there are so many people selling unactivated SIM cards for AT&T and Verizon on eBay and Amazon? Always wondered what who buys those things.
it should be unlocked since its a verizon phone, you can just put a random at&t nano sim and it should work to activate your phone.
Any of the 4 carriers that you ask them for. Just take your iPhone into an Apple store and ask for 1. They will give you one for free.
Not meaning to hijack the thread...I have a related question. My mother in law needs a new phone. I want to get her an iPhone for use on wifi only. She never really leaves the house, so she will always be on wifi...I don't think I need a data plan for her. She needs to be able to make wifi calls when home though. Can I activate an iPhone on her existing number (I have an inactive SIM card already) for her to use? I know all the other features will work, I'm just concerned about the wifi calling. Thanks
No.
wifi calling only works if the SIM card and the phone number is active.
She can use FaceTime, facebooked audio, skype or other such services but will not be able to do wifi calling with a deactivated SIM cards phone number.
What carrier is she on and what plan is she on? That is what matters - her carrier and her plan.
Does Google Hangouts work on iPhones? I currently use it to make the majority of my outbound calls because it's free to call anywhere in the US.
Yes. That's what I use. My Google Voice number is my primary number and I use Hangouts to make and receive all calls.
Been using it for quite some time. Came across Sideline recently as well, but haven't made much use of that one so far.I love google voice.
That separate phone number comes in handy many times
Interesting.
Let me know about Sideline and if its better or worst compared to using a google voice number.
I like to use GV for Craigslists ads so I dont post to the public my real phone number.
I use my real numbers as extra numbers and my Google Voice number is my main one. If it ever became a problem with someone I didn't want getting ahold of my real number, I can easily change it online.I love google voice.
That separate phone number comes in handy many times
Interesting.
I had the same phone number since 1997 so I rather not change it or give it out to the public. So if my phone starts blowing up because of a CL sale posting I can just disable the google voice redirect and I will not be bothered at all.
I like walking away from sales or deals without getting bothered even after people buy from you and change their minds or want to continuously ask your for assistance etc...
I used to be on my parents' plan on AT&T with unlimited data but we were maxed out at 5 lines and my two youngest siblings couldn't join their plan. Back in summer 2011, it was the last day Verizon was offering unlimited data and I knew I'd have to leave my parents' plan eventually so I switched.
I could have taken my number with me but my brother was taking over my line and he wouldn't be allowed to keep unlimited data if I ported my number to Verizon, so I got a new number when I switched. At that point I decided to use Google Voice and save $20/month on texting. Later on I was even able to save another $25 by dropping my voice plan down to just 30 minutes.
So that's how my Google Voice number became my main number.