Is it possible to activate and use an old iPhone without having to go to the a retailer for assistance? I lost my new iPhone and don't have the money to replace it at the moment but I do have an old iPhone on hand that I can use for the time being.
iPhone XR, iOS 12
You will need a new SIM card from your carrier. You can call them and they can mail one to you, or you can visit a carrier’s corporate store or service reseller. There may be a small charge for the SIM and possibly an activation fee.
If it is not active with a carrier, you will need to contact a carrier to get it activated on their service.
It's impossible to activate an iPhone without a SIM.
This is from a carrier that doesn't provide SIM cards
Can I activate an old iPhone on my own if I have lost my new device?
