I'm migrating to a more capable iPhone. I could ask for a rebate on my old one, but it isn't going to be large. Can I assume that my old iPhone will still be functional as a "terminal" for my wifi? That is, using just wifi, can I assume that I can browse, e-mail, and even take pictures with an iPhone that no longer has a cellular connection? Strange that sites talking about "what to do with your old iPhone" don't refer to this.
If you are getting a new iPhone, and dropping cellular service on the old one, then the old one would be kind of like an iPad.
without Cellular data, your old phone could be used like an undersized iPad. It can browse the web, send and view emails, take photos, use iMessage (which is an apple based messaging system that lets you message people on Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod without cellular service. But you can ONLY message people with apple devices. But yes, you can message using iMessage, and no data).
Really, the only things that you can’t do are: send text messages, make phone calls, and use it in locations without WiFi.
If you are getting a new iPhone, and dropping cellular service on the old one, then the old one would be kind of like an iPad.
without Cellular data, your old phone could be used like an undersized iPad. It can browse the web, send and view emails, take photos, use iMessage (which is an apple based messaging system that lets you message people on Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod without cellular service. But you can ONLY message people with apple devices. But yes, you can message using iMessage, and no data).
Really, the only things that you can’t do are: send text messages, make phone calls, and use it in locations without WiFi.
Hello Dannymac22,
It sounds as though you’re wanting to continue using your older iPhone via a Wi-Fi connection after you transfer to a new device. You’ve come to a great place for help! After transferring your data your older iPhone can still be used when connected to a Wi-Fi network. You may notice No SIM appear on the display and/or an alert indicating the iPhone can’t be activated. More information about both of those alerts can be found in the following article.
If you can’t activate your iPhone
If you see ‘invalid SIM’ or ‘no SIM’ on your iPhone or iPad
Have a great day!
Thank you, Alex and Jeff. That's exactly what I was figuring. I'm a little astonished that the many websites about "what to do with your old iPhone" don't say anything about this. The standard advice is (1) dump it, (2) give it away to someone needy, and (3) all kinds of silly things, like a music player or a TV remote.
In fact, over wifi, you can send text messages, using SMS. For that matter, with a voice app, like Google Voice, you can make phone calls over wifi as well.
https://www.macworld.com/article/232833/make-use-of-old-iphone.html
iphone terminal
