How can I use an iPhone 7 without cell service?

Question

How can I use an iPhone 7 without cell service?

I have an iPhone 4s and my wife uses it about an hour a day talking to her friends via Whatsapp. After it went off a two year carrier agreement with Verizon I realized that I simply don't need cell service as I use WiFi at home most of the time. The only time I use it outside of my home is with Google Maps which doesn't need service.

I want to buy a new sim free iPhone 7s but I don't want to pay $45.+ a month for a cell service I never ever use or need, but if I NEVER activate it, it is impossible to do a reset because a reset requires a sim card. A nano-sim card from Walmart requires a carrier of some kind. Activating it via iTunes doesn't work either because my old original carrier phone number is no longer active?

I did try an iPad but Whatsapp on an iPad is not good because one will not get Whatsapp notifications when calls come in.

Any suggestions on how I can use an iPhone 7 without a carrier? Thanks!!!

iPhone 7 Plus

Posted on May 8, 2017 10:27 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,966 points

May 8, 2017 10:31 AM in response to JohnInFlorida

A: There is no such thing as an iPhone 7s. There is a 7, and a 7 Plus. There is no 7s.

B: You MUST have a SIM installed to activate (or re-activate it). It does not have to be tied to an active line of service, but it has to be present and valid. Buy an unlocked phone directly from Apple. Buy a pre-paid SIM so you can activate it. Don't renew the pre-paid service. Just leave the SIM in the phone.

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