You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

TikTok and ByteDance Ltd. apps are no longer available in the United States, and visitors to the United States might have limited access to features. Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Can I set up an iPhone w/out a carrier - just for use with wifi?

I have an iPhone 6 (latest possible iOS, 12.5.7) that I'd like to factory reset and give to an organization to use as a second Zoom camera. Can it be set up with a new Apple ID but without a cellular carrier? How would we do that? In other words, just to use on wi-fi. Should I take out the sim card?

iPhone 6, iOS 12

Posted on Aug 15, 2024 4:43 PM

Reply
7 replies
Sort By: 

Aug 15, 2024 4:46 PM in response to abovdal

The iPhones can be used with or without cellular, and can be used on WiFi. Your iPhone can be set up with a different Apple ID, just make sure you log out of yours, also remember to take out your SIM card and data.


Here’s how you can sign out of your iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name], scroll down, tap Sign Out, enter your Apple ID password, then tap Turn Off. 


Erase all content and settings that contain personal information. If you had previously enabled Find My for your iPhone, Activation Lock is automatically removed when you erase your iPhone, making it ready for a new owner.


Sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone - Apple Support



Reply

Aug 15, 2024 5:06 PM in response to abovdal

abovdal wrote:

I have an iPhone 6 (latest possible iOS, 12.5.7) that I'd like to factory reset and give to an organization to use as a second Zoom camera. Can it be set up with a new Apple ID but without a cellular carrier? How would we do that? In other words, just to use on wi-fi. Should I take out the sim card?

What the phone can do without cellular service is limited. It won't be able to access iMessages or FaceTime. Both of those features require that the phone be able to send an international SMS in order to authenticate. Some third-party messaging apps also require a mobile number.


It will be able to access the internet through WiFi, take pictures, download apps and games (assuming the person who has it has an Apple ID. It should work with Zoom.


It really doesn't matter that much if you take the SIM out or not. If you're going to be using the same number on a new phone or are canceling the number, that SIM will be useless. But, to avoid confusion, I'd recommend taking it out and tossing it. If you forget, don't worry about it. What's really important is that you sign out of your Apple ID and erase the phone.


What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


Reply

Aug 15, 2024 9:25 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:
... What the phone can do without cellular service is limited. It won't be able to access iMessages or FaceTime. Both of those features require that the phone be able to send an international SMS in order to authenticate. Some third-party messaging apps also require a mobile number. ...

Huh. 🤔 Can you use FaceTime between two iPhones with cell service and unlimited Text (SMS) and Talk, but no data plan? I wouldn't think so.

(I know it works between an iPod and an iPad using the same wi-fi router, but that's sorta' the opposite case.)

Reply

Aug 16, 2024 8:41 AM in response to John Rose6

The way iMessage/Facetime are activated on an iPhone is different than on a device with no cellular number. I'm sure there's a reason but I don't know what it is. The iPhone has to send an international SMS to verify the activation. If you're using a supported carrier, you never see that message and you're not charged for it. iPods, iPads and Macs don't have this requirement.


That's a long way of saying that the answer to your question is "No".


It is (or at least used to be) possible to put a working SIM in the phone (obviously this means a physical SIM), activate iMessage and FaceTime ad then take the SIM out and put it back in the phone it belongs in. That will work for a while. But, eventually, the phone will need to re-verify itself (generally if it has not bee connected to data for a while). So, you'd need to repeat the process. So not a very practical workaround.

Reply

Can I set up an iPhone w/out a carrier - just for use with wifi?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.