I have an old iPhone 3G (actually it may be a 3, I can't tell). Anyway, I updated it to the latest software, it flushed everything and now wants to activate it. However, it won't activate it without a SIM card. Keeps asking me to insert it. I don't have one, and don't want to activate it that way. Just want to use it as basically an iPod. Anyone know how to deal with that?
That's a big help. Thanks.
It is not physically possible to activate any iPhone without a SIM (except the CDMA iPhones, of course, which do not use SIM cards).
The SIM does not need to be live, in that the service does not need to be active, but if the phone is carrier locked, it must be from the correct carrier.
Thanks. That blows. I guess I'm stuck or would have to jailbreak it or something. It would be a good device as an iTouch..
Just go to your carrier and ask for an unactivated SIM card... they'll probalby give you one for free.
Or borrow one from a friend or family member. You only need it to activate, not use the device.
Cool. Will AT&T charge me an activation fee?
No. You're not activating a phone plan, just the hardware.
very cool. Thanks.
Thanks. Works perfectly. I just stuck some random old SIM card I had lying around, probably from years ago. It now works just fine.
You're welcome.
Hey buddy which old random sim card did u use to activate it?
Very interesting. I paid $10 to ATT for a prepaid SIM card. ATT says they have activated it and even give me a phone number for it. But, I still stuck in "No Service" and "Insert a SIM card".......I have a 3GS and IOS 6.0.1.
sim not valid
sim not valid ...how i can activate
please...reply
The sim, active or inactive should be from the carrier who sold the iPhone.
If the iPhone is unlocked any sim will do.
Activated Old iPhone without SIM Card
