Using iPhone 7 without a data plan?

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Level 1

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Using iPhone 7 without a data plan?

I’m a very frugal cell phone user. Only recently upgraded to a talk and text plan, from pay as you go, so no data plan for me. My daughter has offered to give me her old iPhone 7 as she has a newer iPhone now. I’m currently using a BlackBerry. We put my SIM card into the iPhone and found that I could not receive iMessages from my daughter, though her phone said the message was delivered. She thought I would need a data plan. Is this a matter of settings? I’ve tried to find an answer online. We did turn off iMessages on my end but that didn’t work (or does this take time for the Apple servers to process?) and I’m now realizing that we left my daughter’s Apple ID on the phone which may have added to this issue. Is there going to be a successful workaround for me.? My daughter had a hunch that I would need to get data service, but I want to believe that I shouldn’t be forced to do that in order to use an iPhone. But I get it, most users would want the data. And are there other issues I would encounter by not having the data plan?

iPhone 7

Posted on Jan 27, 2020 11:03 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Jan 27, 2020 11:10 AM in response to NotTechyMom

Before your daughter provided you with the iPhone, she needed to wipe it, according to the instructions here, What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

You will also need an Apple ID, and you will need to activate the iPhone. Your carrier will need to know that you have an iPhone for the upgraded voicemail for the iPhone. It you are going to use wi-fi you would not need a cellular data plan, but if you wish to receive iMessages when not at home, you would need one. There are a number of things that use data, such as email, iMessage, and others if you use them. Once your iPhone is registered for iMessage, it will continue to try and use that for all messages, even if you are not connected to data at the time.

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Answer 2

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,351 points

Jan 27, 2020 11:24 AM in response to NotTechyMom

You can deregister, and that does take a bit of time to complete. From there, you need to ensure that you have an SMS plan for the iPhone. You will not be able to receive MMS, since that requires cellular data, so people would not be able to send you photos or other media.

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Answer 3

NotTechyMom Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 27, 2020 11:20 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

I read something about de-registering iMessages with Apple for someone who is leaving their iPhone to go to an Android. So I wondered if I could do the same if keeping the iPhone.

My issues are due to iPhone to iPhone messages. They didn't convert to texts as I needed. I had no issues with iPhone to Blackberry texting, and I used wifi for other things when needed.

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Answer 4

Jan 27, 2020 12:03 PM in response to NotTechyMom

Not all carriers will allow you to activate a phone like an iPhone without a data plan. So, your daughter may be right on this one.

If Chris's excellent suggestions don't work, you'll probably need to contact your carrier.

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Using iPhone 7 without a data plan?

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