Turn My iPhone 4 into an iPod Touch?

You just need to change the "name" of the older device. I'm not in front of the workstation that I use for iTunes, so I can't explain how to do it, but you click or double-click on the name of the older device, and change it. Once that's done, it should keep the two devices separate. Do a backup of the old phone with the new name, and then connect your new phone, and back it up under its current name.

I JUST did this exact process - upgraded from an iPhone 4 to a 5s, and then turned the 4 into an iPod for my daughter.

1. Leave the old SIM in the old phone. Yes, it'll have the same number associated with it, but it's not "live" so it doesn't matter.

2. Change the "name" of the old phone in iTunes (click on the name of the old phone on the summary page).

3. To activate iMessage so you can text with it when in WIFI, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Remove all "checkmarks." Also make sure the phone number associated with the phone is UNCHECKED.

4. On the same Message settings screen, Add another email (my daughter's in this case). I had to go in and verify it with Apple - it sends an email to facilitate this. Make sure the new email is checked.

I then had to wait overnight before it would work. It said "activating" on it for quite awhile. It could receive iMessages immediately, but couldn't send them until the next day. (Or rather, you could send on it, but they were showing up as texts, and were never received). It started working the next morning.

fingers crossed ours works in the morning. i have the waiting message for the last 4 hours. but I can't access itunes on my pc under that email, even though it has been verified... hoping all works out in the wash?!

I am in the process of doing this now for my daughters phone. Very helpful info..thanks!

Do you know if I can take out the sim card once all of this is done, or does it have to stay in? I'm only letting her use if with WiFi, but not activating the cell service. I'm asking because I'm using a sim card from another phone, and was hoping to be able to remove from her phone once I got it set up.

THanks!

You should be able to remove the sim once the iPhone is activated.

You will need a sim again if the iPhone is restored or the iOS updated.

In response to

CLnCEWOct 4, 2013 10:51 AM

Please read the above post first.

Yes, a little late here, but just now attacked this project - old iPhone 4S converted to iPod touch.

I opted to change the name of the old device to iPod, within the device, before opening iTunes on the Mac.

To do so, first, put the 4s in Airplane Mode, and turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Then, in your iPhone 4/4s, go to Settings > General > About > Name and change the name to iPod or whatever you prefer.

Later, when you open iTunes on your Mac you will see the button for "2 Devices", in my case 3 Devices including my iPad.

Click on your new iPod touch device in iTunes and set it up to your taste - remove apps, Back Up to iCloud or This computer, Sync, etc.

I suspect that it's not really necessary to turn on Airplane Mode if your old iPhone is no longer associated with your phone number, but I left it on anyway.

II've read all of these posts and they are very helpful for most. I use AT&T and my iPhone's do not use SIM cards, when my new iPhone is activated the old phone just shuts off. How can I do this when I can't put in an active SIM card? Does it just automatically let me do it as you would if you had a SIM card plugged into it?

Holistik wrote:

This thread is over a year old and marked Solved by the person who started it and will be largely ignored because of that. To get the best help you should start your topic.