[suzieque]

I use a basic mobile phone a Doro, my granddaughter has given me a fully working iphone 4 model A1387.
I do not wish to use apps of any kind just make and receive calls and texts and use the camera, can I fit a pay as you go sim and top it up ONLY as and when required as I do now and not every month.

[-ajm-]

Yes, but you would need to turn off data as this will eat at credit.

[Bagov]

Of course you can. It's a bit like owning a Bentley and only driving it to the paper shop, but you can if you want. You'd need to go into the settings and turn off the internet, otherwise the apps have a habit of trying to go online to update, and that will use up your credit quite quickly. Otherwise, no problem.

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -ajm-

Yes, but you would need to turn off data as this will eat at credit.

Flight mode should do it.

[swb1964]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

Flight mode should do it.

A rather silly suggestion if you don't mind me saying so. Flight mode will stop calls coming through.

Just turn off mobile data. If you don't know how to do this google or post again for assistance.

Then you will have a basic pay as you go phone which will also (if you want)let you run apps and surf the web whenever you are on WiFi.

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

Flight mode should do it.

That would make it an iPod Touch .

[moox]

Yeah, why not.

I have a 4S with a cheap SIM card in it. I have "mobile data" turned off in the settings. It won't spend any money unless you send a message or make a call. If you are looking for a new SIM card or network, I'd go for 3's pay as you go plan because it's only 3p per minute or 2p/text

You can still use wifi when at home, of course.

I would recommend that your granddaughter turns off "find my iPhone" and does a factory reset on the phone to erase all of her data. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201351 gives instructions on what to do.

You will also need a micro SIM, your Doro phone may not use that size.

[treefr0g]

I recently moved from an old Nokia flip phone to my first iPhone.

You may find that your current SIM card will not fit in the iPhone but that's not a problem, it's just a matter of getting a blank SIM card and transferring your number to it. In my case I did this myself but your service provider should be able to do this for you free of charge.

I'm with o2 and after transferring to the iPhone, there was no difference in the way I was charged for calls and texts. In fact it was a lot easier to keep track of using the o2 app. Regarding data, Initially I was charged at £1 per day if I used it. Providing you only use data over wifi there is no charge.

I opted for what o2 call a bolt-on that costs £6 per month and entitles me to 500MB per month of data and 20 picture messages. So far this has been ample for my needs. What I like about the bolt-on is that it is in no way a contract. The £6 is taken from my top-up balance. They do not have my account details and cannot charge me any more than I have topped up.

Personally I would not dismiss apps in their entirety. There are some extremely useful apps out there e.g Google maps if you're lost

[swb1964]

Quote:

Originally Posted by moox

You will also need a micro SIM, your Doro phone may not use that size.

Good point- it maybe a combi sim, in which case you just need to pop out the bit you need. If it is a 2-way combi sim, you need the smaller part. If it is a 3-way combi sim, you need the middle and smaller parts together (this will make more sense when you look at the sim, under a magnifier if needed). If your sim is old, it may be neither, in which case you need to contact your network- this is a common problem and they will be able to sort you a newer sim card.

My only other thought is the age of the battery on a 4s- it could be up to 4 and a half years old. Iphone batteries can be replaced, but it is a repair shop job- a reputable local shop/stall will be much cheaper and quicker than involving Apple, and the phone is now well outside its warranty.

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by -ajm-

Yes, but you would need to turn off data as this will eat at credit.

Warning

If you have virgin mobile PAYG sim inserted, if you have exceeded your free 1GB or 3GB of data before the end of the calendar month, they charge 1 quid per day for 100MB, but you are charged the quid for consuming just 1MB. It’s not exactly 1p per MB unless you consume 100MB in the day and no more.

So having 3G, H or H+ showing at the top right of the screen even for a second before switching mobile data off will cost you as there is likely to be background tasks you don’t even realise using the mobile data

[david16]

Quote:

Originally Posted by d123

That would make it an iPod Touch .

You can still switch (back) on wifi even in flight mode.

[swb1964]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

You can still switch (back) on wifi even in flight mode.

Well, yes, but that would achieve the exact opposite of what the OP wants, surely. They want to take calls without using the smart features, rather than vice-versa.

[packages]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

Warning

If you have virgin mobile PAYG sim inserted, if you have exceeded your free 1GB or 3GB of data before the end of the calendar month, they charge 1 quid per day for 100MB, but you are charged the quid for consuming just 1MB. It’s not exactly 1p per MB unless you consume 100MB in the day and no more.

So having 3G, H or H+ showing at the top right of the screen even for a second before switching mobile data off will cost you as there is likely to be background tasks you don’t even realise using the mobile data

Or just turn flight mode on like you suggested earlier and not be able to make/receive calls and texts

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

You can still switch (back) on wifi even in flight mode.

That still makes it an iPod Touch (they do have wifi). If you want to make and receive calls/texts flight mode makes that really difficult, well, actually impossible.

[prking]

Quote:

Originally Posted by david16

Warning

If you have virgin mobile PAYG sim inserted, if you have exceeded your free 1GB or 3GB of data before the end of the calendar month, they charge 1 quid per day for 100MB, but you are charged the quid for consuming just 1MB. It’s not exactly 1p per MB unless you consume 100MB in the day and no more.

So having 3G, H or H+ showing at the top right of the screen even for a second before switching mobile data off will cost you as there is likely to be background tasks you don’t even realise using the mobile data

Where does Virgin mobile come into it?
And even if the OP is on Virgin, they currently have a phone that doesn't use data. So what's the likelihood of them using all their data allowance in the few minutes it takes to turn off mobile data?!

[dmp]

One thing that noone has mentioned is make sure the phone is sim free or is going to be used on the same service provider as the granddaughters, if not it will have to be unlocked.
Dave

[petef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmp

One thing that noone has mentioned is make sure the phone is sim free or is going to be used on the same service provider as the granddaughters, if not it will have to be unlocked.
Dave

I think that only applies to iPhones sold by Carphone Warehouse which lock to the network of the first SIM inserted. If the phone was bought via any other channel, including Apple shops, it should have come unlocked.

--
Pete Forman
https://payg-petef.rhcloud.com/

[d123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by petef

I think that only applies to iPhones sold by Carphone Warehouse which lock to the network of the first SIM inserted. If the phone was bought via any other channel, including Apple shops, it should have come unlocked.

--
Pete Forman
https://payg-petef.rhcloud.com/

Sorry, that's wrong, the only ones supplied unlocked would be direct from Apple (newer models will be unlocked if sourced from Three, Giffgaff, John Lewis, Argos, Currys, this wouldn't apply to a 4s).

Any iPhone supplied by any other network or MVNO will be locked to the network (unless the owner has applied for an unlock from the network) and CPW sourced stock is locked to first sim.

[Stereo Steve]

4S is a lovely little phone. Miss mine now really. Good camera and worked perfectly for everything I wanted.

It's a power pack for it's time and a nice thing to hold. For calls and camera, it's perfect.

[suzieque]

Thank you all for your responses and info I am now far better informed.