Using an iPhone as an iPod Touch

[theabacus]

Recently I was looking into purchasing a iPod Touch. Can I purchase a used iPhone (already activated) and use it as a Touch? I did some research from Apple about it and ran across the following article: support.apple.com/kb/HT3406

The article clears up the question somewhat, but not fully. I realize that a SIM card will be necessary to upgrade the iPhone. However, can I just use a friends iPhone SIM card to activate the phone after upgrades? Do I have to continue to use the same SIM card on each upgrade or can I use any iPhone SIM card every time I upgrade? I hope to be able to purchase a used iPhone (without a sim card). I work with iPhone app developers, so borrowing an activated iPhone SIM card on upgrade will not be a problem.

I would like to purchase an iPhone instead of an iPod Touch because they are generally cheaper (1/2-2/3 the cost used...) since people purchase them at a low cost when bundled with a cellphone plan. Also the iPhone has a GPS and if, in the future, I decide I want to pay for a data plan and activate the phone, I have that option.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mth785]

Just jailbreak the iPhone with Blackra1n and no sim is required.

 

[theabacus]

I would prefer not to have to Jailbreak the phone if I can avoid it...

 

[mth785]

Then you will have to keep a sim in it all the time. Jailbreaking it is the easiest way.

 

[theabacus]

Apparently you did not read the article which I cited from Apple.com. See above...you do not need to keep the SIM in all the time. The only time you need to keep the SIM card in is to re-activate upon upgrade...which you can use another SIM card for that.

 

[theabacus]

Question answered.

For those who may be seeking the same answer:

If you want to use an iPhone as an iPod Touch (i.e without cell service), you have to use the same deactivated SIM card that was last used in the iPhone when it had cell service. Note again, that SIM has to be first deactivated by your carrier. Otherwise, iTunes will try (and fail) to activate it as an iPhone.

You will be able to update the firmware without activating cell service

(discussions.apple.com/message...ageID=10953768)