Using an iPhone 5s without sim card?

[digitallegend]

since apple hasn't updated the ipod in 2 years. i wanted to buy an iPhone 5s for my 8 year old sister. i am not going to put a sim card in it. will FaceTime, messages , app store , apple music and other features still work?
i just wanna know what will work and what will not? thanks.

 

[hovscorpion12]

Yes. All functions of the iPhone except for calling will work on. The iPhone will rely heavily on Wi-Fi so every app, function will still work. iMessage will work with an email account since a phone number will not work. In short, as long as the iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi your sister will be able to enjoy 98% of that iPhone!!.

 

[Bulldog3777]

Get a $199 iPod Touch. Does the same as a 5s without the sim.

 

[ftaok]

Not sure if there is a way around this, but if you don't have a SIM card, an annoying pop up screen comes up reminding you hat you don't ha be a SIM card. Very annoying.

I just put in unactivated tmo SIM cards and the message went away.

 

[geoff5093]

Get a $199 iPod Touch. Does the same as a 5s without the sim.

Did you even read his post? He said he want's a newer iPhone since the iPod Touch hasn't been updated in a while.

 

[Bulldog3777]

If he is going to use it as a iPod Touch, I would save and get an iPod Touch. That's still my advice.

 

[bhayes444]

If he is going to use it as a iPod Touch, I would save and get an iPod Touch. That's still my advice.

That's fine advice, but not answering his question at all. He wants the 5S because the touch has 2 year older tech than the 5S and wanted to know if the same functions would work on the phone as a iPod if there is no SIM card.

 

[geoff5093]

If he is going to use it as a iPod Touch, I would save and get an iPod Touch. That's still my advice.

He wasn't asking for your advice on whether he should get an older iPod touch.

 

[MacAndMic]

iPod touch does not have a rear camera unless you get a 32gb version so going the phone route is a great option for future needs.

 

[Applejuiced]

Every time you update the ios or restore it you will need a sim in order to get passed the activation screen. Has to be a sim that the phone is compatible or network that it is locked to. Or if its an unlocked iphone you can activate it with any gsm sim.
But remember that you will need one to initially activate it after each ios restore or upgrade.

 

[ProtectoBrand]

ipod touch 5th gen is the best choice for your 8 year old sister. and it is less cheaper than the iphone5s. imessage will work on iphone even without sim card because you can use you email address or your apple id.

 

[Andres Cantu]

Might be worth waiting until July 14, as there will probably be a new iPod touch released that would be a more affordable alternative.

 

[iOSUser7]

iPod touch does not have a rear camera unless you get a 32gb version so going the phone route is a great option for future needs.

This was before. Now the new 5th gen iPod Touch 16GB also have the rear camera like the 32GB version.

 

[nox5]

Not sure if there is a way around this, but if you don't have a SIM card, an annoying pop up screen comes up reminding you hat you don't ha be a SIM card. Very annoying.

I just put in unactivated tmo SIM cards and the message went away.

after you put it in airplane mode turn on Wifi only and the message will never show up no sim needed.

 

[Jedi5]

Not sure if there is a way around this, but if you don't have a SIM card, an annoying pop up screen comes up reminding you hat you don't ha be a SIM card. Very annoying.

I just did this for my daughter, gave her my old 5s to use as an iPod.
The no number message popped up for me as well.
I just added a number and it went away.
I made up some random number and problem solved.
No airplane mode or sim card needed.

 

[ftaok]

after you put it in airplane mode turn on Wifi only and the message will never show up no sim needed.

I just did this for my daughter, gave her my old 5s to use as an iPod.
The no number message popped up for me as well.
I just added a number and it went away.
I made up some random number and problem solved.
No airplane mode or sim card needed.

Good to know there are workarounds. I figure the next time we upgrade, we may go with the SIM Free, which means the hand-me-down phones would not have any SIM card.

 

[Martin81]

Check out the "new" iPod. With much improved spec it would be a good solution.

 

[ftaok]

Check out the "new" iPod. With much improved spec it would be a good solution.

Perfect timing ... maybe.

I'm actually thinking about selling my two iPhone5 and buying 3 new iPod touches. That way, all 3 of my kids can have their own and I won't have to "lend" my own iPhone to the odd kid out.