no sim card

If it is not unlocked, you need to take it to a carrier to get it unlocked. Another option is to borrow someone's SIM card even if its not active, then setup. You can setup with a card and then take it out and the iPhone will still work.

Cheers,

Adam

dejah2016 wrote:

how do you set up a phone that doesn't have a sim card

You don't. A SIM is required to activate an iPhone. If the phone is carrier locked, it must be a SIM from the correct carrier.