iPhone 5 or earlier Can you activate/use old iPhone 3GS from ATAT without a sim card?

[Gandek]

Just found a sweet deal on a White iPhone 3GS (16GB) ATAT on Swappa for only $20 I was actually looking for one for a loooooong time and had my alerts set up if there was any listings. I used to have a old 3G and wanted to relive the design and memories. + The 3GS is actually much faster than the 3G ever was. Anyways I'm wondering if there would be any issues to activate it... I have no idea if its unlocked OR if I will need a old large ATAT sim just to get past the setup. I assume its on iOS 6 too.
If anything would there be a possible way to bypass any sim requirements by plugging into iTunes or using some type of other method? (PC only)

 

[Bluetoot-]

I can't remember that far back, but I did find this. I hope that helps, at least.
If worse comes to worse, you could get a SIM adapter and put in a nano SIM to activate it.

Does an iPhone 3GS running iOS 6.1.6 require SIM card setup after iTunes restore?

A few days ago, I bought a used iPhone 3GS. I need to restore it, because I bought it broken and when I disassembled it and cleaned it up, some how it worked again, so the seller didn't have the

apple.stackexchange.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't think any of the carriers allow activation on the old phones anymore.

 

[Gandek]

I can't remember that far back, but I did find this. I hope that helps, at least.
If worse comes to worse, you could get a SIM adapter and put in a nano SIM to activate it.

Does an iPhone 3GS running iOS 6.1.6 require SIM card setup after iTunes restore?

A few days ago, I bought a used iPhone 3GS. I need to restore it, because I bought it broken and when I disassembled it and cleaned it up, some how it worked again, so the seller didn't have the

apple.stackexchange.com

Yep I'll order that as well, do you think it would still have to be any ATAT sim though? I only have T-Mo and Verizon sims

 

[Gandek]

I don't think any of the carriers allow activation on the old phones anymore.

Worst case scenario I can resell it for more or frame it lol. That would be pretty awful though if they don't let you use a old device just for Wifi purposes. I know when I got my SE which was prepaid at the time on either iOS 12 or 13 I had to use the included sim it came with to get past anything (didn't have to be active)

 

[braddick]

With AT&T yes. With AT&T's "FirstNet" NO! From my experience: You have to have an iPhone 7 or greater for activation. If you pop the SIM into an older iPhone it'll work for a few minutes and then you will start losing internet followed by texting and concluding with phone abilities.
With regular AT&T it will work although I have heard 3G is next on the chopping block (after EDGE was removed). Perhaps an iPhone 4S running 4G or an iPhone 5 running LTE works a bit better on their system.

 

[Gandek]

With AT&T yes. With AT&T's "FirstNet" NO! From my experience: You have to have an iPhone 7 or greater for activation. If you pop the SIM into an older iPhone it'll work for a few minutes and then you will start losing internet followed by texting and concluding with phone abilities.
With regular AT&T it will work although I have heard 3G is next on the chopping block (after EDGE was removed). Perhaps an iPhone 4S running 4G or an iPhone 5 running LTE works a bit better on their system.

I believe its standard ATAT and I don't plan on using it as an actual phone lol.

 

[acorntoy]

Your easiest bet would be to use a jailbreak to bypass the setup. No SIM card no problem. Finding the software might be a challenge 10 years after however.


But this was a reason people jailbreaked since the beginning, and one is certainly available for the 3GS.

here’s a tutorial for you, finding the specific Redsn0w software might be a bit hard now

 

[now i see it]

Since it will only be used via wifi or tethered to a modern iPhone- it can be used no problem on any network (via wifi). It also doesn't need a SIM card to use it that way.

 

[loybond]

You can even use a dead sim card from anywhere to activate, doesn't need to be an active line. I guess if its locked though, you might need a sim from that carrier though, even if it's inactive.

 

[Bluetoot-]

Off topic, but what was the rationale behind requiring this in the past?

 

[MacCheetah3]

Off topic, but what was the rationale behind requiring this in the past?

In most cases, the device was subsidized (i.e., cost added to the monthly service bill). Therefore, carriers would want to make dang sure you activated the service plan.

 

[acorntoy]

Also one

Since it will only be used via wifi or tethered to a modern iPhone- it can be used no problem on any network (via wifi). It also doesn't need a SIM card to use it that way.

Old iPhones required a valid sim to get past the setup.

 

[acorntoy]

Off topic, but what was the rationale behind requiring this in the past?

In most cases, the device was subsidized (i.e., cost added to the monthly service bill). Therefore, carriers would want to make dang sure you activated the service plan.

And I imagine for second hand devices it was a good way for Apple to nudge people who didn’t want a hassle to just buy a touch when they were popular.