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Can an iPhone be used without a cell service provider? | MacRumors Forums
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iPhone SE (2020) Can an iPhone be used without a cell service provider?
Sep 4, 2010
California
Can you use your iPhone as an MP3 player without it being activated by a cell service provider? I was considering getting a 7th generation iPod for taking to the gym, but quickly realized that the prices on eBay are close to the price of an iPhone.
Shadowbech
macrumors G3
Oct 18, 2011
9,025
5,866
Yes you can use your iphone without a cell service without any issues.
Reactions:
Splitrail and eyoungren
eyoungren
macrumors Penryn
Aug 31, 2011
26,239
22,213
As @Shadowbech stated, yes.Can you use your iPhone as an MP3 player without it being activated by a cell service provider? I was considering getting a 7th generation iPod for taking to the gym, but quickly realized that the prices on eBay are close to the price of an iPhone.
But you can also still use it as a phone too - without a carrier. All you need is the Google Voice app and a Google Voice number (which the app can give you). Free calls, free texts all over WiFi. And iCloud/iMessage also works over WiFi too (you just use an email address for iMessage instead of a phone number).
Last edited: Friday at 2:18 PM
Splitrail
macrumors 6502a
Dec 26, 2021
That's very interesting to know!As @Shadowbech stated, yes.
But you can also still use it as a phone too - without a carrier. All you need is the Google Voice app and a Google Voice number (which the app can give you). Free calls, free texts all over WiFi. And iCloud/iMessage also works over WiFi too (you just use an email address for iMessage instead of a phone number).
I have a retired 4G flip phone.
From what you say, I should be able to set that up to use with Google Voice?
Reactions:
Shadowbech
eyoungren
macrumors Penryn
Aug 31, 2011
26,239
22,213
Well, the Google Voice app is going to have certain minimum requirements - especially where it concerns iPhone. I'm not sure about flip phones. But any phone that can still run a reasonably current version of Google Voice can be used over WiFi.That's very interesting to know!
I have a retired 4G flip phone.
From what you say, I should be able to set that up to use with Google Voice?
Reactions:
Shadowbech
blacksurfer
macrumors 6502
Mar 15, 2011
In the good old days you could use Freeup Mobile (which I still use) but there are super cheap talk/text only plans if you ever needed one.
BrianBaughn
macrumors G3
Feb 13, 2011
8,934
1,914
Baltimore, Maryland
Presently, the Google Voice app requires iOS 14…so you need an iPhone 6S or newer. It's an odd requirement as no iPhone out there has iOS 14 as its official final version.
There is free cellular providers too but it is limited on gigs of data, talk time, and text amounts.
@eyoungren didn't mention, you will need an app for Google Voice 😉 so likely not on a flip phone.That's very interesting to know!
I have a retired 4G flip phone.
From what you say, I should be able to set that up to use with Google Voice?
Splitrail
macrumors 6502a
Dec 26, 2021
eyoungren did indeed mention that.@eyoungren didn't mention, you will need an app for Google Voice 😉 so likely not on a flip phone.
It has internet access.
It's a Nokia 2720 V Flip!
It's a very sophisticated crummy phone!
Kind of like the Corvair of phones. 🤣
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