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User profile for user: Marlinespike
Marlinespike Author
User level: Level 4
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US Verizon iPhone 4 - visiting Japan help needed to avoid roaming

hi


I've got an original Verizon iPhone 4 running iOS 5 and will be going to Japan. I want to avoid roaming charges but I would like to be able to use my apps on wifi.


After talking to Verizon, it sounds like if I break down and update to iOS 7, then I can put my phone on "Do not Disturb" and I won't get calls or texts, but can use wifi.


Does this sound right? Or should I just plan to turn my phone off before leaving the US and turn it back on only upon my return?


Thanks

iPhone 4, (Verizon)

Posted on Mar 16, 2015 7:22 PM

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User profile for user: chattphotos
chattphotos
User level: Level 4
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Posted on Mar 16, 2015 9:16 PM

No need to update your phone, and that VZ rep you talked to is not telling the truth. Don't Disturb merely silences the phone's notifications, it has nothing to do with disabling international calls and messages.


Airplane mode turns off the mobile radio, but you can turn wifi back on if you wish to keep your current phone and not use the VZ international services.


I would recommend getting an unlocked iPhone 5 (or newer) and using a local SIM there in Japan.

You can also unlock At&t devices yourself - https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/


I unlocked an iPhone 5S I bought on eBay a while back, it was completed instantly.

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User profile for user: chattphotos
chattphotos
User level: Level 4
2,499 points

Mar 16, 2015 9:16 PM in response to Marlinespike

No need to update your phone, and that VZ rep you talked to is not telling the truth. Don't Disturb merely silences the phone's notifications, it has nothing to do with disabling international calls and messages.


Airplane mode turns off the mobile radio, but you can turn wifi back on if you wish to keep your current phone and not use the VZ international services.


I would recommend getting an unlocked iPhone 5 (or newer) and using a local SIM there in Japan.

You can also unlock At&t devices yourself - https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/#/


I unlocked an iPhone 5S I bought on eBay a while back, it was completed instantly.

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User profile for user: Marlinespike
Marlinespike Author
User level: Level 4
1,899 points

Mar 17, 2015 9:56 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you both for your replies. Is it possible to turn on only wifi with Airplane mode? I guess I should try that.


I have a dumb cell phone - prepaid AT&T phone _ that I used temporarily while moving. I think it has a SIM card maybe I could use that for the phone if I can turn on airplane mode and wifi.


I will test out that suggestion. Thanks!

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User profile for user: Ethmoid
Ethmoid
User level: Level 6
11,482 points

Mar 18, 2015 2:10 AM in response to Marlinespike

No you CAN'T use that AT&T sim card for a Verizon phone.


You have a Verizon iPhone 4, which is a CDMA phone only and does NOT come with a sim card tray. It was the Verizon iPhone 4s and above that came with the sim card tray to be used for international travel only. There is nowhere for you put a sim card in a Verizon iPhone 4, so you can't do that.


If you want to be able to do that and use local sim cards, then you will have to buy a new Verizon phone such as an iPhone 5s that comes with a sim card tray that is unlocked for international use, but you CANNOT use it in a Verizon iPhone 4 because there is no sim card tray.

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US Verizon iPhone 4 - visiting Japan help needed to avoid roaming

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