OCTKDGAL
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: If I buy a new iPhone 4 can I use it without service like an iPod?

Help!  Not iPhone savvy!  Will I be able to download games/apps and have full functionality (no phone use) using WiFi?  Do I just pull out of box and go?  Could I buy from this wireless distributor and just use for games/apps/music? 

Found this on Amazon:

Apple iPhone 4 8GB White - Verizon 

The buyer will receive a Brand New Apple iPhone 4 8GB White for Verizon that has a clean ESN and a Brand New USB Cable

iPhone 4

Posted on Nov 29, 2013 2:02 AM

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OCTKDGAL

Q: If I buy a new iPhone 4 can I use it without service like an iPod?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Ethmoid,Helpful

    Ethmoid Ethmoid Nov 29, 2013 2:10 AM in response to OCTKDGAL
    Level 6 (11,282 points)
    Nov 29, 2013 2:10 AM in response to OCTKDGAL

    No, because this is a Verizon phone which is a cdma phone.  As it is an iPhone 4, this means that it does not have a sim card tray and unfortunately, you will need to get a contract with Verizon to be able to activate the phone in the first place.  Taking out a contract with Verizon is a rather expensive way of activating a phone that you just want to use as an iPod.

     

    Don't buy it, you will be wasting your money as you will have to set up a contract with Verizon that you may not need and you won't be able to use the phone anywhere else or with a sim card.

     

    If you want an iPod then buy and iPod instead, but not this phone.

  • by wjosten,Helpful

    wjosten wjosten Nov 29, 2013 2:19 AM in response to OCTKDGAL
    Level 10 (94,634 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 29, 2013 2:19 AM in response to OCTKDGAL

    Actually, you can activate the phone without service from Verizon. All you do is plug it into iTunes & activate it that way. I'd recommend you go back into settings & turn Airplane Mode on, otherwise the cellular radio will drain your battery as it constantly searches for service. Once activated, you can then use it just fine as an iPod touch.

  • by OCTKDGAL,

    OCTKDGAL OCTKDGAL Nov 29, 2013 9:16 AM in response to Ethmoid
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 29, 2013 9:16 AM in response to Ethmoid

    Conflicting info with you and wjosten.  I've read other posts and some seem to have problems with activating with iTunes, others successful.  Any more advice?

     

    We are spending ~$200 so I want this to be a "sure thing" on the activation.  Wjosten--are you sure about the success of activation and functionality without service and just through iTunes?

     

    Also, please send link on how to do it.  Thanks guys!

  • by stevejobsfan0123,

    stevejobsfan0123 stevejobsfan0123 Nov 29, 2013 9:17 AM in response to OCTKDGAL
    Level 8 (44,007 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 29, 2013 9:17 AM in response to OCTKDGAL

    Just wondering... why not just buy an iPod?

  • by OCTKDGAL,

    OCTKDGAL OCTKDGAL Nov 29, 2013 9:20 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 29, 2013 9:20 AM in response to stevejobsfan0123

    I agree!  But my daughter is stuck on owning a "phone".  She is the one buying it.  I'm trying to convince.  We'll see.  It will go that way unless I can confirm success with activating the phone through iTunes. 

  • by robnuti,

    robnuti robnuti Nov 29, 2013 9:26 AM in response to OCTKDGAL
    Level 1 (125 points)
    Nov 29, 2013 9:26 AM in response to OCTKDGAL

    Wjosten is correct. You have to activate the phone through iTunes and then it will be used just as an iPod. Definatly put it into Airplane mode.

     


    Side Note: Once you put it into Airplane mode your wifi will shut off, but you can re turn-on the wifi right after.

  • by EdgaR j,

    EdgaR j EdgaR j Nov 29, 2013 11:43 PM in response to OCTKDGAL
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 29, 2013 11:43 PM in response to OCTKDGAL

    i have a similar problem, my cousin gave me his old iphone4 so i reset it and now after picking the language, the region and the wifi it says " your iphone could not be activated because the activation server is temporarly unavailable. try connecting your iphone to itunes to activate it". so i go to itunes and it tells me the same thing. PLEASE HELP ME.

  • by imobl,

    imobl imobl Nov 30, 2013 8:15 AM in response to EdgaR j
    Level 5 (7,186 points)
    iPhone
    Nov 30, 2013 8:15 AM in response to EdgaR j

    Generally this is a sign that the iPhone had previously been

    hacked/modified/jailbroken and the update relocked it to the

    original wireless carrier. If this is the case, only that wireless

    carrier can unlock your iPhone. You must contact them to see

    if they offer unlocking and if you qualify.

     

    Does the app Cydia appear on your iPhone?

    What does it say when you look at Settings=>General=>About=>Carrier?

     

    Unauthorized modification of iOS

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3743

     

    If your iPhone has not been jailbroken, see the troubleshooting suggestions here:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3424?viewlocale=en_US

  • by Wheat Williams,

    Wheat Williams Wheat Williams Mar 7, 2014 1:21 PM in response to OCTKDGAL
    Level 3 (759 points)
    iBooks
    Mar 7, 2014 1:21 PM in response to OCTKDGAL

    What do people mean when they say "plug it into iTunes and activate it that way"? Have any of you actually tried this and worked through the steps necessary?

     

    I have tried this with a used iPhone 5c on Sprint, with a new unused Sprint SIM card (although I do not have Sprint service) and all I get are endless error messages like "The iPhone failed to activate. Please try again later", and "iTunes could not check for an update to the carrier settings for you iPhone. An unknown error occured (1651)."