can you pay month to month on an iphone instead of getting a contract

Yes, but you have to pay the full retail sales price for a new iPhone in order to do so.

This is a post-paid account on a month to month basis, which may require a credit check as with a contract.

The full retail sales price or the no-contract or no-commitment sales price for the iPhone 3G is $499 for the 8GB & $549 for the 16GB.

The full retail sales price or the no-contract or no-commitment sales price for the iPhone 3GS is $599 for the 16GB & $699 for the 32GB.

AT&T's subsidized or discounted price for the iPhone 3G is $99 for the 8GB & $149 for the 16GB.

AT&T's subsidized or discounted price for the iPhone 3GS is $199 for the 16GB & $299 for the 32GB.

AT&T's subsidized or discounted price requires signing a two year contract.

AT&T's no-contract or no-committment price for the iPhone is $400 more than their subsidized or discounted price for the iPhone.

For no contract with a post-paid account on a month to month basis will cost you $400 more for the iPhone - only $100 less than the deposit. The deposit should be credited after paying your monthly bill in full and on time for 12 months.

As already provided, AT&T does not offer a gophone or pre-paid SIM card and account for the iPhone. AT&T offers a post-paid account which is on a month to month basis - just like a contract account but on a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time with no penalty since there isn't a contract - or there is but on a month to month basis only. AT&T's data plan for the iPhone is required and not optional.

Since this is a post-paid account, not a pre-paid account, a deposit amount may still be required if you have no credit history or a poor payment history.

Call AT&T and ask.

I assume your questions relate to your previous Bad Credit thread. You are going to need to sign a contract and you will need to pay a deposit.