Is there a way to use an iPhone's internet (not wifi) without service?

[CamCracker]

Hi. I'm not sure about this, I have done a lot of researching, and I haven't found anything that is recent. Any forum threads are outdated and maybe this wasn't possible then.

Basically, I'd really love to buy an iPhone 4 or 4s without a contract. I am not financially able to pay for the fees of data for the iPhone and for the voice and messaging plan. I already have a phone, but I'd really like to own an iPhone.

I have a few questions:

1.) If I buy an iPhone 4 or 4s from ebay or craigslist and it's unactivated, I'm sure I won't be able to do anything but dial 911, and maybe just basic things. I'm sure I can't download any apps from the app store even on wifi, or those are things I've read, you have to unlock the phone first, right? Or am I wrong?
And if I'm right, what do you have to do to unlock it? Jailbreak it, and then what (if that's what you have to do)? I have tons of experience with the iPod touch and jailbreaking and using it, so jailbreaking isn't a problem, I'd just like to know what I'd have to do to use the iPhone without activating it on a wireless carrier.

2.) Once I get it unlocked/jailbroken, is there ANY way to use the 3G internet on the iPhone without having it connected with a wireless carrier? Like downloading an app or something from cydia to be able to unlock/use the 3G? I don't have a data enabled phone now, so I wouldn't be able to share my current phone's internet with the iPhone. I also don't have wifi, and it's very hard to find wifi and get to it. That's why I want to know if I can use the 3G or any way to get internet on the go without paying, or maybe if there was a small fee to do this, I would pay it. I just can't afford to pay the current data cost for the iPhone, or activate it with a wireless carrier at all. I'd like to use it for google voice and also to download apps from the app store and use the internet on the go, without being connected to wifi.

Maybe I am wrong about number 2. But is there any way to get internet on the go with the iPhone without having it activated on a wireless carrier? Any way at all? No matter how complicated, I would like to try.

Thank you for any help.

 

[Kyotoma]

Hi. I'm not sure about this, I have done a lot of researching, and I haven't found anything that is recent. Any forum threads are outdated and maybe this wasn't possible then.

Basically, I'd really love to buy an iPhone 4 or 4s without a contract. I am not financially able to pay for the fees of data for the iPhone and for the voice and messaging plan. I already have a phone, but I'd really like to own an iPhone.

I have a few questions:

1.) [Snip] Incorrect. You don't have to unlocked it or Jailbreak it to buy and/or download apps from the App Store. You just need an internet connection via WiFi.

2.) [Snip]No. This is highly illegal and will not be discussed on this forum. Try Googling you question to maybe get an answer for that.

Thank you for any help.

Why not just get an iPod Touch and use a Peel + Skype/Google Voice?

 

[phon]

Hi. I'm not sure about this, I have done a lot of researching, and I haven't found anything that is recent. Any forum threads are outdated and maybe this wasn't possible then.

Basically, I'd really love to buy an iPhone 4 or 4s without a contract. I am not financially able to pay for the fees of data for the iPhone and for the voice and messaging plan. I already have a phone, but I'd really like to own an iPhone.

I have a few questions:

1.) If I buy an iPhone 4 or 4s from ebay or craigslist and it's unactivated, I'm sure I won't be able to do anything but dial 911, and maybe just basic things. I'm sure I can't download any apps from the app store even on wifi, or those are things I've read, you have to unlock the phone first, right? Or am I wrong?
And if I'm right, what do you have to do to unlock it? Jailbreak it, and then what (if that's what you have to do)? I have tons of experience with the iPod touch and jailbreaking and using it, so jailbreaking isn't a problem, I'd just like to know what I'd have to do to use the iPhone without activating it on a wireless carrier.

2.) Once I get it unlocked/jailbroken, is there ANY way to use the 3G internet on the iPhone without having it connected with a wireless carrier? Like downloading an app or something from cydia to be able to unlock/use the 3G? I don't have a data enabled phone now, so I wouldn't be able to share my current phone's internet with the iPhone. I also don't have wifi, and it's very hard to find wifi and get to it. That's why I want to know if I can use the 3G or any way to get internet on the go without paying, or maybe if there was a small fee to do this, I would pay it. I just can't afford to pay the current data cost for the iPhone, or activate it with a wireless carrier at all. I'd like to use it for google voice and also to download apps from the app store and use the internet on the go, without being connected to wifi.

Maybe I am wrong about number 2. But is there any way to get internet on the go with the iPhone without having it activated on a wireless carrier? Any way at all? No matter how complicated, I would like to try.

Thank you for any help.

2. let me know if you find one. I would love to use without paying

if you do knew it is wrong, why still thinking of that???

 

[Applejuiced]

What?
I dont get what you're asking?
You think by JB or unlocking you can get free 3G internet with no carrier.
Where do you come up with this nonsense?
Offcourse you cannot get service like data without an account or a sim card inside the phone.
Internet on the go without paying.
Really?

 

[verwon]

Yeah, not going to happen, or no one would bother with a contract with a cell carrier.

 

[jaynone]

Yes, This exists. Its called "Unicorn Tethering", but you need to be within 30' of a live unicorn. Find one of those and you are set!

 

[CamCracker]

Why not just get an iPod Touch and use a Peel + Skype/Google Voice?

Thanks for all the answers, though some aren't very nice. And I have to try the Unicorn Tethering!!! (yeah...)

I do have a 3rd gen ipod touch and getting the Peel seems like THE option for me. Just a question, from what I understand, you have to use a sim card, otherwise, you don't get internet, right? Or am I wrong again? If you have to get a sim card to use the Peel (and get internet), then which carrier would be the cheapest with data included? I am aware of T-Mobile, and people say they are the cheapest, but I think there might be a less popular carrier with cheaper plans.

Basically I'm trying to spend the least money I can to have an iOS device and use data on the go, and the Peel seems like the best option. So I'm trying to figure out what the cheapest supported GSM wireless carrier would be that allows data, and possibly unlimited texting and maybe unlimited voice, but I'm fine with limits on voice. The data is what I want most.

 

[verwon]

Thanks for all the answers, though some aren't very nice. And I have to try the Unicorn Tethering!!! (yeah...)

I do have a 3rd gen ipod touch and getting the Peel seems like THE option for me. Just a question, from what I understand, you have to use a sim card, otherwise, you don't get internet, right? Or am I wrong again? If you have to get a sim card to use the Peel (and get internet), then which carrier would be the cheapest with data included? I am aware of T-Mobile, and people say they are the cheapest, but I think there might be a less popular carrier with cheaper plans.

Basically I'm trying to spend the least money I can to have an iOS device and use data on the go, and the Peel seems like the best option. So I'm trying to figure out what the cheapest supported GSM wireless carrier would be that allows data, and possibly unlimited texting and maybe unlimited voice, but I'm fine with limits on voice. The data is what I want most.

Have any friends or family that might let you get a line on their account?

That's often the super cheap option. For instance for my son's phone on a family plan with Sprint, it only adds $10 a month to my base bill.

 

[CamCracker]

Have any friends or family that might let you get a line on their account?

That's often the super cheap option. For instance for my son's phone on a family plan with Sprint, it only adds $10 a month to my base bill.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who uses a GSM network. Just CDMA.

I'd really like to know the cheapest carrier.

 

[verwon]

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who uses a GSM network. Just CDMA.

I'd really like to know the cheapest carrier.

I'm only familiar with the major carriers and in those, Sprint and T-Mobile are the cheapest. I've never explored the others. With a teen on my plan, living on the opposite coast, Sprint keeps me from going bankrupt! LOL

 

[Leonard1818]

I hate to say it and I really don't mean to be rude but it sounds like you simply can't afford an iPhone at this time in your life. Poor financial decisions lead to all kinds of problems (on small and large scales)

 

[stevelam]

sorry but why would anyone sign up for 2-3 year contracts if they could just get 3g wirelessly for free???

 

[Macman45]

Yippeee!!

Free cell service for all....err, where do I sign?

 

[verwon]

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who uses a GSM network. Just CDMA.

I'd really like to know the cheapest carrier.

I apologize for the rude comments before you read.


And who's to judge why someone is in the financial state they are?? It's not always due to their own poor financial decisions, or necessarily anyone's. With the way this economy is, someone could be temporarily out of work and temporarily short on cash. Geez!!!

And anyone like me that's divorced can tell you it causes problems for everyone involved regardless of your personal financial decisions.