Iphone still works on wifi without a sim

David Drizen · 27-11-2010, 18:13

Hi
I have a old Iphone 2G which was given to me by a member of my Family which was locked to O2. The contract was cancelled so the Sim no longer works. However I can still use it on the internet, email ect via either my home Wifi Broadband or various Wifi Hotspots with old sim still in there or in Airplane mode. I thought that it had be on contract for the phone to work via broadband, but I can even take to SIM out altogether and the wifi still works.
Though I am quite happy with its present working I notice that if I try and put another O2 sim in there it prompts me to connect to the computer to do a update though itunes. If I do this will I lose my Wifi and have to pay for a bolt on.
Also if I leave things as they are (without a sim or with the old sim) how long will it carry on working via wifi

ForestChav · 27-11-2010, 18:21

A computer works on wifi without a sim.

russellelly · 27-11-2010, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForestChav

A computer works on wifi without a sim.

This. And an iPod Touch.

And if there are bolt ons for Wifi, then that's referring to some networks such as The Cloud or BT Openzone - not any network you can connect to anyway (such as your own home network!).

Daveoc64 · 27-11-2010, 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Drizen

Hi
I have a old Iphone 2G which was given to me by a member of my Family which was locked to O2. The contract was cancelled so the Sim no longer works. However I can still use it on the internet, email ect via either my home Wifi Broadband or various Wifi Hotspots with old sim still in there or in Airplane mode. I thought that it had be on contract for the phone to work via broadband, but I can even take to SIM out altogether and the wifi still works.
Though I am quite happy with its present working I notice that if I try and put another O2 sim in there it prompts me to connect to the computer to do a update though itunes. If I do this will I lose my Wifi and have to pay for a bolt on.
Also if I leave things as they are (without a sim or with the old sim) how long will it carry on working via wifi

An iPhone will only work in this manner once it has been activated.

To activate an iPhone, you have to connect it to iTunes with a valid SIM card inserted (if the phone is locked to a network - e.g. O2, you must put an O2 SIM in the phone).

Once the phone has been activated in iTunes, you can then use it without a SIM (or with a SIM that has no service associated with it).

David Drizen · 27-11-2010, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveoc64

An iPhone will only work in this manner once it has been activated.

To activate an iPhone, you have to connect it to iTunes with a valid SIM card inserted (if the phone is locked to a network - e.g. O2, you must put an O2 SIM in the phone).

Once the phone has been activated in iTunes, you can then use it without a SIM (or with a SIM that has no service associated with it).

Thanks for replys
Am I correct to think then that if I put a new pay you go O2 sim in the Iphone. The phone is just telling me to connect to itunes just for pairing the the sim to the phone ?

Daveoc64 · 27-11-2010, 19:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Drizen

Thanks for replys
Am I correct to think then that if I put a new pay you go O2 sim in the Iphone. The phone is just telling me to connect to itunes just for pairing the the sim to the phone ?

When you put a SIM in an iPhone, it attempts to download a carrier settings file.

This file must be downloaded through iTunes on an original iPhone.

It shouldn't disable the phone or anything like that.

27-11-2010, 18:13	#1
David Drizen Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 132	Iphone still works on wifi without a sim Hi I have a old Iphone 2G which was given to me by a member of my Family which was locked to O2. The contract was cancelled so the Sim no longer works. However I can still use it on the internet, email ect via either my home Wifi Broadband or various Wifi Hotspots with old sim still in there or in Airplane mode. I thought that it had be on contract for the phone to work via broadband, but I can even take to SIM out altogether and the wifi still works. Though I am quite happy with its present working I notice that if I try and put another O2 sim in there it prompts me to connect to the computer to do a update though itunes. If I do this will I lose my Wifi and have to pay for a bolt on. Also if I leave things as they are (without a sim or with the old sim) how long will it carry on working via wifi

27-11-2010, 18:21	#2
ForestChav Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nottingham -You lost the game! Posts: 31,738	A computer works on wifi without a sim.

27-11-2010, 18:53	#3
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 10,720	Quote: Originally Posted by ForestChav A computer works on wifi without a sim. This. And an iPod Touch. And if there are bolt ons for Wifi, then that's referring to some networks such as The Cloud or BT Openzone - not any network you can connect to anyway (such as your own home network!).

27-11-2010, 19:05	#4
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Quote: Originally Posted by David Drizen Hi I have a old Iphone 2G which was given to me by a member of my Family which was locked to O2. The contract was cancelled so the Sim no longer works. However I can still use it on the internet, email ect via either my home Wifi Broadband or various Wifi Hotspots with old sim still in there or in Airplane mode. I thought that it had be on contract for the phone to work via broadband, but I can even take to SIM out altogether and the wifi still works. Though I am quite happy with its present working I notice that if I try and put another O2 sim in there it prompts me to connect to the computer to do a update though itunes. If I do this will I lose my Wifi and have to pay for a bolt on. Also if I leave things as they are (without a sim or with the old sim) how long will it carry on working via wifi An iPhone will only work in this manner once it has been activated. To activate an iPhone, you have to connect it to iTunes with a valid SIM card inserted (if the phone is locked to a network - e.g. O2, you must put an O2 SIM in the phone). Once the phone has been activated in iTunes, you can then use it without a SIM (or with a SIM that has no service associated with it).

27-11-2010, 19:24	#5
David Drizen Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 132	Quote: Originally Posted by Daveoc64 An iPhone will only work in this manner once it has been activated. To activate an iPhone, you have to connect it to iTunes with a valid SIM card inserted (if the phone is locked to a network - e.g. O2, you must put an O2 SIM in the phone). Once the phone has been activated in iTunes, you can then use it without a SIM (or with a SIM that has no service associated with it). Thanks for replys Am I correct to think then that if I put a new pay you go O2 sim in the Iphone. The phone is just telling me to connect to itunes just for pairing the the sim to the phone ?

27-11-2010, 19:31	#6
Daveoc64 Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bristol (BBC1 West) Posts: 15,143	Quote: Originally Posted by David Drizen Thanks for replys Am I correct to think then that if I put a new pay you go O2 sim in the Iphone. The phone is just telling me to connect to itunes just for pairing the the sim to the phone ? When you put a SIM in an iPhone, it attempts to download a carrier settings file. This file must be downloaded through iTunes on an original iPhone. It shouldn't disable the phone or anything like that.

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Iphone still works on wifi without a sim