Carrier Prepaid iPhone Use Question

[Yebubbleman]

I'm looking to acquire an iPhone 7 Plus or 8/8 Plus for use for testing. I definitely don't plan on using it as an actual phone; it will get its internet solely from WiFi or tethering from some other cellular device. The cheapest/easiest ways to get such an iPhone seem to be by way of buying them as Simple Talk/Simple Mobile/Tracfone type of pre-paid phones along with 30-days of pre-paid phone service. Given that I'm basically going to use whatever I get as an overglorified iPod touch, does the fact that I'd be buying (what appears to be) a locked phone with a pay-as-you-go plan I'm not even going to use make things difficult in any way? Or will I be able to just either ignore the prepaid phone functions until my 30 days are up and then still be able to use the device in my desired fashion?

My other option is to not mess with that and seek avenues to buy them unlocked. Would that be better?

 

[heyyitssusan]

Well it depends. If there is a good deal going for those prepaid options, I’d just get one, pop the SIM in just to activate it and remove it once it lets you get past the screen and then use it as an iPod touch. I’d prefer to go the unlocked route, but most of the time they tend to be more expensive.

 

[Michael Scrip]

My sister gave me an old Android TracPhone and I removed the SIM card to use it as an MP3 player.

It works fine. It connects to WIFI and doesn't touch the cell towers at all. All apps work, Google Play Store, etc.

It should be noted that this phone was previously activated... so I don't know what will happen if you buy a new unactivated iPhone and try to use it solely on WIFI.

Keep us posted... I've always been curious about this.

 

[ian87w]

I'm looking to acquire an iPhone 7 Plus or 8/8 Plus for use for testing. I definitely don't plan on using it as an actual phone; it will get its internet solely from WiFi or tethering from some other cellular device. The cheapest/easiest ways to get such an iPhone seem to be by way of buying them as Simple Talk/Simple Mobile/Tracfone type of pre-paid phones along with 30-days of pre-paid phone service. Given that I'm basically going to use whatever I get as an overglorified iPod touch, does the fact that I'd be buying (what appears to be) a locked phone with a pay-as-you-go plan I'm not even going to use make things difficult in any way? Or will I be able to just either ignore the prepaid phone functions until my 30 days are up and then still be able to use the device in my desired fashion?

My other option is to not mess with that and seek avenues to buy them unlocked. Would that be better?

Unless you want to use it on a different carrier, it shouldn't be an issue. Depending on the carrier, you might have to at least insert the SIM to activate it.

Having said that, imo an iPhone as a glorified iPod Touch is kinda expensive when you calculate the $$ per GB if you have a lot of media.

 

[now i see it]

Just buy a used iPhone. Problem solved. Much cheaper too.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I'm looking to acquire an iPhone 7 Plus or 8/8 Plus for use for testing. I definitely don't plan on using it as an actual phone; it will get its internet solely from WiFi or tethering from some other cellular device. The cheapest/easiest ways to get such an iPhone seem to be by way of buying them as Simple Talk/Simple Mobile/Tracfone type of pre-paid phones along with 30-days of pre-paid phone service. Given that I'm basically going to use whatever I get as an overglorified iPod touch, does the fact that I'd be buying (what appears to be) a locked phone with a pay-as-you-go plan I'm not even going to use make things difficult in any way? Or will I be able to just either ignore the prepaid phone functions until my 30 days are up and then still be able to use the device in my desired fashion?

My other option is to not mess with that and seek avenues to buy them unlocked. Would that be better?

My sister gave me an old Android TracPhone and I removed the SIM card to use it as an MP3 player.

It works fine. It connects to WIFI and doesn't touch the cell towers at all. All apps work, Google Play Store, etc.

It should be noted that this phone was previously activated... so I don't know what will happen if you buy a new unactivated iPhone and try to use it solely on WIFI.

Keep us posted... I've always been curious about this.

I've used unlocked iPhones before. It can be tricky getting past activation, which you have to do whether it is a new or used phone (since that's a part of iOS; not just the phone itself), but if you have the right kind of SIM in there it goes okay. It's less of a hassle on Android phones; I've been getting Pixel and Nexus phones and using them without a plan for years. There's absolutely nothing special you have to do in order to use those without a plan whatsoever.

Unless you want to use it on a different carrier, it shouldn't be an issue. Depending on the carrier, you might have to at least insert the SIM to activate it.

Having said that, imo an iPhone as a glorified iPod Touch is kinda expensive when you calculate the $$ per GB if you have a lot of media.

I'm doing testing. This isn't one of those "Hey, I'm going to use this as an iPod because iPod touches are old with screens that are too small" kind of thing (though that isn't an inaccurate statement).

Just buy a used iPhone. Problem solved. Much cheaper too.

Used iPhones are actually a bit tricky to shop for. I've done it before. Swappa is the best place I've found so far; but even then, my results there haven't been totally without headache. Plus, that doesn't sidestep the fact that I still have to wipe the phone and deal with getting past the activation screen.