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Sometimes we encounter situations where a valid SIM card cannot be inserted in the iPhone. Does this mean that you can't set up and access your iPhone, how to activate iPhone without sim card?



How can I setup my iPhone without a sim card?

1. Activate iPhone with WIFI

If the iPhone you want to launch is running iOS 11 and later (iOS12/13), you can activate the iPhone without a SIM card as long as a Wi-Fi is available. Just follow the iOS setup assistant to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Turn on your iPhone.

Step 2: Swipe up or tap the "Home" button to go over the"Hello" screen and select your language.

Step 3: Click Manual Settings. Select your Wi-Fi and enter its password.

Step 4: After iPhone connect to Wi-Fi, your iPhone will be activated.


2. Activate iPhone with iTunes

Using iTunes on your PC to activate iPhone is the most effective method.

Step 1: First, please install iTunes on your computer from Apple website, and make sure you have downloaded the latest version of iTunes to ensure as few errors as possible.

Step 2: Now connect the inactive iPhone to the PC using the USB cable.

Step 3: You will see that iTunes will launch automatically and detect your iPhone. Now, select "set up as new iPhone" and continue.



Step 4: After clicking "Continue", you will be taken to a syncing interface with iTunes. On this screen, you need to click "Get Started" and wait for the process to end.

Now, once everything is done, just disconnect your iPhone from your PC and complete the setup process on your iPhone.


3. Activate iPhone with emergency call

Here are some steps to learn how to activate iPhone without a SIM card by dialling an emergency phone number:

Step 1: When you are on the "SIM Card Not Installed" error message on your iPhone, press the Home button to see the options for making emergency calls.

Step 2: Here, you can use 112 or 999 and press the power on / off button while dialling to disconnect the call.

Step 3: Finally, a pop-up window will appear on the screen to cancel the call. Select it and you will see your iPhone is activated.

Note: This method may not work, but you might try it.



4. Activate iPhone with R-SIM / X-SIM

This method allows you to use R-SIM or X-SIM instead of the actual SIM card.

Step 1: Insert R-SIM or X-SIM into iPhone via iPhone's SIM tray, and you will see a list of network providers will open before you.

Step 2: Select your specific cellular network provider and continue. If your carrier is not listed, select "Input IMSI Code List ".

Step 3: You will now be prompted for the code.

Step 4: After entering the pass code, you must first select the iPhone model type from the options.

Step 5: After choosing your phone model, the next step is to the unlocking method that works best for you.

Allow the process to complete and restart the iPhone to confirm the process. Your iPhone will now be activated without a SIM card.


5. Activate your old iPhone with jailbreak

Jailbreaking means getting rid of all the restrictions by Apple Inc. on tampering with iPhone internal settings and using its software. Keep this option as a last way, because if you plan to jailbreak a newly purchased iPhone, using this method will break the iPhone warranty. However, this method can definitely help you unlock your iPhone without a SIM card.




6. Borrow a SIM card from your friend

What to do if you don't have a SIM card available? Borrow from your family or friends. You just need to activate iPhone and return it.

If your iPhone is locked to a network operator, make sure that the SIM card you borrow is using the same network.

Insert the borrowed SIM card into your iPhone and complete the setup process. Your iPhone will be activated.


It seems impossible to set up new iPhone without sim card, but with the above methods, you can easily activate an iPhone even without a SIM card.



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