Can I use a deactivated iPhone 4 as a camera and download a few camera enhancement apps through wifi? Would like camera for my young neice.

Hi EllenBe,

Welcome to the Support Communities!

The article below may be able to help you with this.

Using an iPhone without a wireless service plan

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3406

Cheers,

- Judy

I have an old iPhone 3GS sitting around collecting dust. This morning I saw the phone can be re purposed to use for games, camera, etc. According to a forum thread I found, I have to do the following:

1) Insert the SIM card from the new or current phone into the old iPhone

2) Connect the old phone to iTunes on a computer connected to the internet

--->Once iTunes activates the device you're free to use the iPhone as if it were an iPod touch.

I've never used an iPod touch. I want to be able to download a free app (or two) and connect it to my current phone via wifi. Here are my questions:

How do I download an app to the old phone without syncing my library to it?

After the app(s) are installed, do I simply unplug the phone, remove the SIM card and re-insert into my current phone and all is good?

*Notes. I did not upgrade my iPhone 4G software during the last update earlier this year. I have kept up to date with iTunes. My old iPhone is running on software from 4 or 5 years ago.

You will be able to download apps over WiFi, however, many apps now require a later version if iOS than the 3 GS supports, so it will be limited in what apps you can have. You can download apps using the App Store app on the phone. You should first go to Settings/iTunes & App Stores and sign in with your iTunes store ID so you won't have to pay for the apps. You can also connect the phone to your computer and download just the apps you want from it. iTunes "knows" about multiple devices and can keep them separate from each other.

The SIM card only needs to be in the phone during activation; after than you can remove it. And the SIM does not need to be currently active. In fact, if the deactivated SIM that it was originally used with is still in the phone that's good enough.

Assuming the 3GS software version is outdated, will it be safe to update thru iTunes without killing my 4S or iTunes files?

Yes, it is safe. To be extra safe make sure the 3GS has a different name from any other devices.