Wave an Apple, Mac, or even iOS technician question? We’ve got the answer.
We’ll tackle one of our most ordinary questions: how to use an iPhone with no SIM card so that it essentially functions like an iPod touch
Question
I would like to pass along an older iPhone 4s to my children to use for texting, FaceTime, or to email their friends.
You don’t need to have it function as an iPhone.
Whenever I try to set up the phone, it asks me to add a SIM card.
What can I do to create this iPhone only work over Wi-Fi?
Response
You can use the iPhone as a device that may still utilize apps, FaceTime, and iMessage included on iOS and that you have downloaded from the App Stores.
It seems like you have restored the unit.
If you haven’t, visit the phone’s settings and select General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
After through the setup procedure, and restoring, you’ll need to insert a SIM card temporarily.
Once you’ve completed the setup process, remove in the device that is old, and you’ll be able to use it with no issue.
You will need a SIM card to set up your own iPhone but just temporarily. Following that, it’ll work SIM-free.
Note that after rebooting your device, you might get the notification to insert a SIM card nevertheless, this message is easily dismissible with the”Cancel” button in the alert. If you’ve got a non-operational SIM card handy, then you can insert it in the iPhone to maintain the messages.
