Solved stuck in a dilemma, how to activate iphone without sim card?

[toastngravy]

Hi
I don't know much about iphones, this is my first iphone. I bought it used and looks like the seller reset it. When I turn it on, I don't see any of the usual icons like safari and the phone icon. I see a white screen that says select your language. Then it says connect to wifi. I am reading online that I need an active sim card with data. I don't have an active sim card with data. I don't want to waste money on a prepaid sim card. Based on my research, I can also activate the iphone if I connect to wifi, is that right? I don't have wifi at home. Every coffee shop around me that has wifi will not connect to the internet unless you open your browser and select I agree. So now my question is, how does an inactive iphone handle this type of authorization screen? if I connect to the coffee shop wifi it will look to the iphone as if it's not connected to the internet because I didn't press I agree. so does the inactive iphone open that page in safari and I press I agree? or it cant handle this type of authorization page?

 

[Just_Me_D]

Can you use your own Wi-Fi network or use a friend’s to activate your iPhone?

 

[toastngravy]

Can you use your own Wi-Fi network or use a friend’s to activate your iPhone?

like I said I don't have wifi at home and I don't have any friends

 

[Up_And_Away]

like I said I don't have wifi at home and I don't have any friends

1. At McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts etc click agree to their EULA. You expect to use someone else’s Wi-Fi on your own terms. Um, yea…

or

2. Go without the cost of a iphone in order to save enough funds to get Wi-Fi at your home (Wi-Fi that will also come with a EULA too). Go with an ultra cheap Android phone and a 3rd party cheap mobile lower minute plans that will suit your phone needs.

 

[toastngravy]

1. At McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts etc click agree to their EULA. You expect to use someone else’s Wi-Fi on your own terms. Um, yea…

or

2. Go without the cost of a iphone in order to save enough funds to get Wi-Fi at your home (Wi-Fi that will also come with a EULA too). Go with an ultra cheap Android phone and a 3rd party cheap mobile lower minute plans that will suit your phone needs.

OMG I could get home internet? how come I didn't think of that???? I am so stupid.!!!!!

 

[HelloNNNewman]

A

OMG I could get home internet? how come I didn't think of that???? I am so stupid.!!!!!

Yeah... if you want actual help (or to continue to take part in this community), I'd suggest a bit friendlier approach instead of being snarky.

To get past that authorization screen: If you have a few bucks (and depending on if your phone is unlocked or what carrier it is locked into), you could just hit BestBuy and grab a cheap prepaid SIM from BoostMobile for $15 or another service (ie: AT&T has one for $10 for phones on their service). Use that to just get your phone up and running and then pull the SIM and use WiFi from there on wherever you can get a WiFi signal.

 

[EdwinG]

Every coffee shop around me that has wifi will not connect to the internet unless you open your browser and select I agree.

The answer to this part of your question is: maybe. It depends on how the captive portal is implemented.

If it does not intercept Apple's Captive Portal check (looking at you BellWiFi@McDonalds), it will not popover the captive portal for you to authenticate.
If it does intercept, then the phone will issue a pop-over allowing you to authenticate to the captive portal.

I will note that it is possible that authentication still fails if the service provider (e.g.: McDonald's) blocks such requests.

One other thing you can do is go to your local Apple Store, and activate using their wireless network

 

[Annie_M]

The answer to this part of your question is: maybe. It depends on how the captive portal is implemented.

If it does not intercept Apple's Captive Portal check (looking at you BellWiFi@McDonalds), it will not popover the captive portal for you to authenticate.
If it does intercept, then the phone will issue a pop-over allowing you to authenticate to the captive portal.

I will note that it is possible that authentication still fails if the service provider (e.g.: McDonald's) blocks such requests.

One other thing you can do is go to your local Apple Store, and activate using their wireless network

That seems like a really good suggestion!

 

[toastngravy]

The answer to this part of your question is: maybe. It depends on how the captive portal is implemented.

If it does not intercept Apple's Captive Portal check (looking at you BellWiFi@McDonalds), it will not popover the captive portal for you to authenticate.
If it does intercept, then the phone will issue a pop-over allowing you to authenticate to the captive portal.

I will note that it is possible that authentication still fails if the service provider (e.g.: McDonald's) blocks such requests.

One other thing you can do is go to your local Apple Store, and activate using their wireless network

thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for, a technical analysis. so apple store wifi lets you straight through with no authentication page?

 

[EdwinG]

Yes. At least, all the Apple Stores I have been to.