Can I update my iPhone to 7.1 without a SIM? (this isn't an activation right?)

[patent10021]

Can I update my iPhone to 7.1 without a SIM?

There was another thread re: 7.0.6 but no one knew for sure.

Many people said the phone won't activate without SIM but an update doesn't require an activation so....

 

[zorinlynx]

Can I update my iPhone to 7.1 without a SIM?

There was another thread re: 7.0.6 but no one knew for sure.

Many people said the phone won't activate without SIM but an update doesn't require an activation so....

Developer betas, you will have to activate again.
Release versions (like 7.1 released today) you do NOT have to activate again.

This is in general. It's a good idea to always keep a sim card compatible with your phone around just in case. It doesn't even have to be subscribed to a line of service; it only has to be for the provider the phone is locked to, if any.

 

[patent10021]

Developer betas, you will have to activate again.
Release versions (like 7.1 released today) you do NOT have to activate again.

This is in general. It's a good idea to always keep a sim card compatible with your phone around just in case. It doesn't even have to be subscribed to a line of service; it only has to be for the provider the phone is locked to, if any.

I know. Stupid me I threw it out thinking I'd never need it again. ALWAYS VERIFY with Mac forums first!

 

[patent10021]

What about restores? They need activation right? No? Both factory restore and restore from backup are the same? Both require activation?

 

[Bacong]

why would you throw it away? why not just leave it in the phone?

 

[sammy-boy]

I had to use a sim to re-activate my factory reset iPhone 4 to update to iOS 7.1, though that was OTA and not through iTunes - not sure if the iPhone needs to be activated to do it via that route?

 

[nebo1ss]

Restore through Itunes and you need SIM to activate.

Update through Itunes and No SIM necessary since phone should already be activated.

Update also protects all your data, settings etc. Nothing changes but the version of IOS.