How to Use an iPhone Without a SIM Card

Can you use an iPhone without a SIM card? Normally, a SIM card is necessary for making calls and using cellular data, allowing you to get the full functionality of your device. So what’s the real answer? Let’s dive into the details. If you need to activate a carrier-locked iPhone without a SIM from the specific carrier, we’ll show you how to unlock your iPhone with Passixer so you can use a different SIM on your unlocked device.

Can You Use an iPhone Without a SIM Card?

Yes, of course. An iPhone without a SIM card is like the iPad Wi-Fi models or iPod Touch models. You can power it on, connect to Wi-Fi, download apps, stream movies,etc., and use it almost like normal.

The only catchis that the phone has to be activated first. If you’ve never set it up, you’ll hit the “Hello” screen to move forward. Once that’s done, the SIM isn’t important anymore.

What Can You Do with an iPhone Without a SIM Card?

You can use the WiFi-based functions or offline apps. For example:

• OpenCameraand take photos or videos.Use iMessage and FaceTime as long as you’re signed in with an Apple ID.
• Browse the web, watch YouTube, scroll through social apps, download apps fromApp Store.
• Play games, listen to music, podcasts, etc.

The only thing missing is the Cellular service, meaning that you can’t use online services when you are out of a Wi-Fi zone.

Can You Use an Old iPhone Like an iPod?

Yep, tons of people do this. Theold iPhone 6 or 7 you’ve got in a drawer? Pick it up, pop the SIM out, reset itanduse it on Wi-Fi. The old iPhone willworkthe same way an iPod Touch used to.

On Reddit, you’ll see people say things like “My old iPhone 8 is my gym iPod now, no SIM inside, still perfect for Spotify and camera.”

How to Activate an iPhone Without a SIM Card for Use

Apple has made it possible to activate the iPhone in other ways too.

• On iOS 12 and later, there are official waysto set up iPhone without SIM.
• OniPhone runningearlier iOS version, there are workarounds that will let you activateiPhone withoutSIM.

Let’s look at both.

For iOS 12 or Later

Apple officially providesseveral ways to activate an iPhone running on iOS 12 and later, even when you don’t have a SIM card. And the process is far easier compared to older iOS models.

Way 1. Activate iPhone via Wi-Fi

The simplest and Apple-endorsed method is Wi-Fi activation. Here’s how it works:

Step 1. Power on your iPhone and select your language and country.

Step 2. On the Quick Start screen, tap Set Up Manually.

Step 3. When you see the option to choose a Wi-Fi network, pick your network and enter the password to connect.

Apple will then allow you to activate your device over the wireless internet.

Way 2. Set up iPhone with iTunes

Another official method is through iTunes on your computer. Here are the steps:

• Launch iTunes on your Windows PC or older Mac.
• Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
• iTunes will automatically detect your device and show the setup options.
• You can choose to restore from a backup or select Set Up as New iPhone.

Once you choose to set up a new iPhone, iTunes will activate your iPhone and let you continue with the setup, even without inserting a SIM card.

Way 3. Use eSIM to Activate iPhone

Apple beganadding eSIMto iPhone starting with iPhone XS and XR. So if you have an eSIM-compatible iPhone, you can follow this method.

To get started, you need an eSIM plan. If you already have one, follow the steps below.

1. Once the phone is powered on, connect to a Wi-Fi network first.

2. You’ll then see the Set up Cellular Setup screen. Tap Continue, scan your QR codeor type the numbers manually.

3. The eSIM plan will be added to your phone and the activation is completed.

Note: To bring over an eSIM from your old iPhone,make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi.

• When you turn on the iPhone, you’ll see the option Transfer from Nearby iPhone. Confirm the number to finish the setup that way.

For iOS 12 Earlier

The following methodsbecomepopular with older iOS versions, though a fewof themcan work on newer iPhone models as well. You can try the one that fits your situation best.

Way 1. Activate iPhone Through Emergency Call

Success rate

On iOS 7 and later versions, the success rate is practically zero. Apple patched this loophole years ago. On very old iOS builds (like iOS 4/6, often seen on early iPhones in Asia), it sometimes worked because of a glitch.

Intro to the Way

Back then, this was a security vulnerability. Apple noticed people using it not just for bypassing the lock on their own devices but also for unlocking stolen ones. So the company quickly fixed it.Today, it’s more of a historical trick. If you still have an ancient iPhone lying in a drawer, this method will apply.

How to Use This Method

• Press the Home button on your iPhoneand tap on Emergency Call.
• Dial 112 (or another regional emergency number).
• Immediatelypress the Power button tocut off before the call connects.
• When you’ll see the promptwith a Cancel option, tap Cancel.
• In rare cases on older iOS versions, the phone will skip the activation screen and take you to the home screen.

Way 2. Jailbreak iPhone for Activation

Success Rate

Relatively high – provided you use the correct jailbreak tool for your iOS version and iPhone model.

Intro to This Way

Jailbreaking simply means removing some of Apple’s built-in restrictions on iOS. It lets you use the iPhone more freely and run advanced utilities that Apple normally blocks. Over the years, people have used it to bypass things like SIM restrictions or just to push the device beyond Apple’s limits.Apple does not recommend jailbreaking. Still, it is a practical optionand tech enthusiasts use it very often.

How to Use This Way

• Download checkra1n on your Mac.



• Launch the checkra1n application.



• Connect your iPhone to the Mac.
• Put your iPhone into DFU mode.
• Wait for the jailbreak process to complete.
• After this, you can use third-party utilities, which lets you bypass restrictions like SIM Lock or Activation Lock from the iPhone.

Bonus: How to Activate a Carrier-Locked iPhone Without a SIM Card

If your iPhone is locked to a carrier, it needs to be activated via the SIM card from the specific carrier.To unlock the carrier-locked iPhone without SIM, you have toremove the carrier lock first.You could contact the carrierfor help,which often takes days. Or use online IMEI services that has a low success rate or is costly. The simplest way is by using Passixer iPhone Unlocker.

Passixer is an advancediOS tool to handle carrier locks from popular networksworldwide, such asAT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobileor others. You don’t even need to know which carrier locked your iPhone, as Passixer doesn’t ask for that information.

All you do is install Passixer on your computer. In about 30–40 minutes, the carrier lock will be removed. Once that’s done, your iPhone will work with another local or internationalSIM cardor you can follow the above ways to use iPhone without SIM.

How to Unlock iPhone from Carrier with Passixer

Final Words

So yes, an iPhone without a SIM card still works fine once activated. You can treat it like a mini-tabletand use Wi-Fi appslike FaceTimeor offline tools like Camera.

And if you cannot use a SIM on your iPhonebecause of carrier lock, Passixer iPhone Unlocker clears that roadblock.It allows you to remove such carrier restrictionswithin an hour, so your iPhone is free to accept any SIM.