Setting up my old 3GS so my son can text me...?

[JrFreak]

My son is 8 now and he wants to be able to text me while I'm at work. Can I set up my old 3GS to do this over wifi without activating it?

Also, could he use it to FaceTime over wifi too?

Thanks

 

[evamoree]

My son is 8 now and he wants to be able to text me while I'm at work. Can I set up my old 3GS to do this over wifi without activating it?

Also, could he use it to FaceTime over wifi too?

Thanks

There isn't FaceTime on 3GS and the WiFi you would need patience with as you'll be used to the much faster speeds of your iPhone 6. Also, it is not possible to activate any iPhone without using a SIM. Also you didn't ask this but I assume this is what you mean when want you son to be able to text you: iMessage is available on the 3GS but again you'd need to set it up with a SIM first. After that the SIM isn't needed

 

[Carmenia83]

If you want him to be able to use FaceTime and/or you don't have a SIM card to activate the 3Gs, maybe you want to look into picking up an old iPod Touch for cheap? 4th gen was the first with a FaceTime camera and run up to iOS 6, 5th gen are upgradeable through iOS 9.

 

[JrFreak]

I forgot just how old my 3GS is. I still have my old 5. I still believe it has the sim installed. It's just not active.

 

[evamoree]

I forgot just how old my 3GS is. I still have my old 5. I still believe it has the sim installed. It's just not active.

Then use that instead for him 🙂 Honestly anything is better than the 3GS

 

[Gjwilly]

You'll also need a separate Apple ID for your son's device. If you use your own Apple ID, he'll have access to all your iMessages.

 

[pmcjr]

My understanding is that any deactivated iPhone can be used as an iPod Touch. It does not have to be activated by a carrier. You activate it only on iTunes. You only need a SIM to avoid getting a screen message "no SIM installed". I plan on keeping my 5S after I get a 6S and will use the 5S as an iPod. Primarily for Pandora at the gym, but all the installed apps will work over wifi. Wifi still works on a deactivated iPhone. Here's a link describing the iPhone to iPod conversion. http://www.gottabemobile.com/2016/02/23/turn-old-iphone-ipod-touch/

 

[Gjwilly]

My understanding is that any deactivated iPhone can be used as an iPod Touch. It does not have to be activated by a carrier. You activate it only on iTunes. You only need a SIM to avoid getting a screen message "no SIM installed".

Itunes wont activate it without the SIM card. You can remove the SIM after its activated but activation requires a SIM.
Even the guide you linked says getting a SIM is the first step.

 

[pmcjr]

Itunes wont activate it without the SIM card. You can remove the SIM after its activated but activation requires a SIM.
Even the guide you linked says getting a SIM is the first step.

That's why I included the link in case I didn't remember to mention everything. When I mentioned the pop up message, I was referring to this in the attached instruction link..."You can certainly use an old iPhone without a SIM card, but you’ll get an annoying pop-up message every time you reboot. Plus, without a SIM card, you won’t be able to restore the iPhone if you ever need to."