iPhone iTunes activation with inactive sim

[miknos]

Guys,

I gave an iPhone 4 locked to Softbank Japan. If I buy a sim card from the same company, can I activate my iPhone? I know I won't be able to use another carrier (not place calls) but will push notifications work?

 

[braddick]

I was able to get a Softbank SIM card off of eBay for one of their iPhones. It was a painful process, but eventually I gave up ever trying to unlock it.

I was able to turn it into a glorified iPod (yet forget the exact method).

I think it requires Softbank to activate the iPhone.

 

[eyoungren]

One thing to note here. Softbank is the equivalent in Japan for unlocking as Sprint is in the US. Even worse now as Softbank owns Sprint.

 

[dhlizard]

Yep, anyone selling a SoftBank phone to anyone outside of Japan should be required to warn them they are buying a device they can never realistically use !



As always - BUYER BEWARE !

 

[miknos]

Thanks to a friend (who deleted the setup file to bypass the activation screen) I was able to update to the latest iOS version (7.1). I can use another Android phone to tether my 3G connection and it works fine. I'm just having problem with some apps by not having PUSH notifications. I was wondering if using an inactive SIM card from Softbank I would be able to receive PUSH notifications (even when not able to make calls).

I use it most as a GPS for my car and for messaging. PUSH notifications would make it much more useful.