Can I use an iPhone solely as an MP3 player?

Question

Level 1

19 points

Can I use an iPhone solely as an MP3 player?

I have an unusual situation here. I recently won a new, first generation 8GB iPhone in a raffle. (Yeah, I know. Lucky SOB.) After speaking with AT&T and looking at my cel & internet use, I decided it's not worth my while to use the iPhone as a cel phone and internet source. I'm sticking with my old cel phone and the dirt-cheap service I currently have.

The iPhone screen looks so cool, though, and it's got 8GB of memory, which could hold quite a bit of audio and video.

How can I use my iPhone solely as an MP3 player - or maybe to watch the occasional video on a plane - without having cel service? I've hooked it up to iTunes, and iTunes doesn't seem to even want to start the conversation until you're activated and registered, which makes me wonder if using the thing as just a media player can even be done.

I googled the issue and didn't find any authoritative answer. Just some vague guesses from people who don't seem to really know.

Does anyone know for sure what I can or can't do here?

-JOHN

PowerBook G4 running 10.4.10

Posted on May 5, 2009 2:34 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

742,079 points

May 5, 2009 2:37 PM in response to Plenty7

How can I use my iPhone solely as an MP3 player - or maybe to watch the occasional video on a plane - without having cel service? I've hooked it up to iTunes, and iTunes doesn't seem to even want to start the conversation until you're activated and registered, which makes me wonder if using the thing as just a media player can even be done.

The iPhone isn't intended for that. Your best option is to sell it and put the money toward another device.

(43202)

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Answer 2

EllisG93

Level 1

4 points

May 5, 2009 3:09 PM in response to Plenty7

Hey, You could use it as just a MP3 and video player by using the iPod features that come with the phone and going into settings on the phone and turning on airplane mode? Therefore you could still use the internet settings in Wi-Fi hotspots with the Wi-Fi connectivity? You would just need to activate the phone first then remove the sim or place a blank AT&T sim into the phone. It's that or sell it and get a GIANT MEMORY iPod Touch 🙂
Hope this helps

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Answer 3

May 5, 2009 3:04 PM in response to Plenty7

yes it can be done. i'm using my old 2g iphone as an ipod for my son and i use my 3g for me. now with mine it was simple, i already had and account so i just activated my 3g. there are way around it for you but if we post them, the mod will delete them.

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Answer 4

Plenty7 Author

Level 1

19 points

May 5, 2009 3:22 PM in response to BIG_ron_STUD

Well, for starters, is there a way to simply access any screen on my iPhone without activating through iTunes? I can't even see the iPhone's screen other than the basic "connect USB to iTunes" screen at this point. I'd like to be able to explore around this thing without having to activate it.

any advice? personal92082 (at) yahoo.com

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Answer 5

May 5, 2009 3:25 PM in response to Plenty7

If the iPhone has not been activated with AT&T, none of the iPhone functions work except for placing an emergency call until the iPhone is activated. If the iPhone has nor been activated, I agree with the advice that it would be better to sell the iPhone to someone else who is interested in using the iPhone as designed and intended, and use the proceeds to purchase an iPod Touch.

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Answer 6

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

May 5, 2009 3:34 PM in response to Plenty7

If the phone is not activated with an ATT plan, none of the features will work.

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