Use iPhone Without SIM Card or Service Plan
In general, smartphones are always used with a SIM Card, which allows them to send text messages, make Phone Calls and perform other tasks using the Service Providers Network. However, using a SIM Card also means getting into a Contract with a Service provider and Paying a Monthly Fee, Taxes and other usage charges. If you are interested in avoiding these, you might be pleased to know that it is possible to use iPhone without an active SIM Card or Phone Number. Even if your iPhone lacks a SIM Card, it can still send and receive iMessages, use Google Maps, Play Videos, Play Movies and perform other tasks using WiFi Network.
1. Activate iPhone Without SIM Card
If you have an iPhone running iOS 11.4 and above, there is really no need for a SIM Card to activate an iPhone. Start iPhone > Slide Right > Select Language > Select Country > Select Set Up Manually > Select WiFi Network > Enter your WiFi Password > tap on OK to dismiss “No SIM Card” pop-up. After connecting to WiFi Network > tap on Continue > tap on Later > Setup Lock Screen Passcode and select Set UP As New iPhone option and follow the remaining on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.
2. Activate iPhone Using iTunes
If you have an older iPhone (iOS 11.3 and below), you won’t be able to complete the Setup process without inserting a SIM Card into your iPhone. The solution in this case is to borrow a SIM Card from another iPhone, complete the setup process and return back the SIM Card to the original device. If you do not want to borrow SIM Card, you can still activate your iPhone by connecting it to Mac or computer with iTunes installed on it. Once iPhone is detected by iTunes, it will first prompt you to download the latest version of iOS and then provide the options to “Setup as New” or “Restore from Backup“. Select, Setup As New option > tap on Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the Setup process.
3. Activate iMessage Without Phone Number
Apple’s iMessage service allows you to send free iMessages and make FaceTime Calls to anyone using an Apple Device. The good news is that iMessage can be activated using your Apple ID and it is not necessary to have a Phone Number to send and receive iMessages. Go to Settings > Messages > move the toggle next to iMessages to ON position and make sure your Apple ID is listed under “Send & Receive” entry.
If it is not listed, tap on Send & Receive and select Use Apple ID for iMessage option on the next screen.
On the next screen, sign-in using your Apple ID and Password. After this, you will be able to send and receive iMessages and make FaceTime calls from your iPhone, without having an active Phone Number.
4. Use WhatsApp for Texting, Voice & Video Calls
If your friends or relatives are not using Apple devices, you won’t be able send them iMessages or make FaceTime Calls with them. However, there are plenty of VOIP Apps like WhatsApp, TextNow, Telegram and others that can be used to make Voice/Video Calls to anyone located anywhere in the world. If this sounds interesting, you can refer to our popular guide How to Use WhatsApp Without Phone Number or SIM to get started with WhatsApp.
5. Use Safari or Chrome for Web Browsing
Depending on your preference, you can either use the default Safari browser for web browsing or Download and Install Google’s popular Chrome browser from the App Store on your iPhone.
6. Project Movies & Videos from iPhone to TV
To fulfill your entertainment, knowledge, discovery and learning requirements, you can download media streaming Apps like YouTube, Netflix and others from the App Store. If you have a Chromecast device, you can easily project Movies and Videos from iPhone to the larger screen of your Home Television.
7. Use Google Maps Offline
Even if your iPhone is not connected to Cellular network, you can use Google Maps in offline mode to get turn-by-turn directions. For more information, you can refer to this guide: How to Use Google Maps Offline On iPhone.
8. Use Skype to Call Landlines
To Call Landline Phone Numbers, you can make use of VOIP Apps like Skype, Google Hangouts and others. Google’s Hangouts Dialer App is an outstanding service that allows you to place calls to landlines and mobile phones within North America for free. All that is required to get started with Google Hangouts is your Gmail Account, there is no requirement to have an active SIM Card or a Mobile Phone Number. Microsoft’s Skype App allows you to place Voice and Video calls to other Skype users for free and also allows you to call Landlines and Mobile Phone numbers, within United States/Canada for a reasonable monthly fee.
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