Can iPhone not on a cellular network use iMessage?

[Chris_18]

Hello,
I've got an old iPhone 5C (8 GB) from work that is not on a cellular carrier anymore. My 8 year old is looking to have a "phone" to message her big sister. This phone does not have a phone number or carrier, so I was wondering if I could use wifi to do this somehow. The main reason we gave it to her was so she could have something like an iPod, without us buying one. Being able to iMessage her sister would be a great bonus.

Thanks for any help!
Chris

 

[pm-r]

I believe it will work as long as there is a wireless access point she would be able to connect to and access.

She would have other access apps to use as well such as Skype and even Facebook and others using the wireless connection.

 

[chscag]

Welcome to our forums.

I'm not so sure it will work on a non-activated iPhone that has no Apple ID associated with it. Also your 8 year old would have to know the email address or phone number of her sister in order to send an iMessage to her. (assuming it will work) I would test it first before setting it up for your 8 year old. However, the 5c will make a nice music iPod in any event.

 

[Rod]

WhatsApp should work via WiFi as should Viber.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac Forums

 

[KevinJS]

It will work as you intend. I used my iPhone 4 in similar fashion after I replaced it with a 5s.

You will need to set up an AppleID for the phone in order to use iMessage and FaceTime, and to download apps.

One thing I was not aware of, because I simply kept my SIM card in the phone after it ceased to function, was that the phone needs a SIM card installed after it has been restored. If I remember correctly, it's something to do with validating itself with Apple's servers. It's a one time operation. Once this validation is done, the SIM card can be removed and the phone will continue to function, until the next time it is restored. The SIM card does not need to be functional. It just needs to be present.

 

[pm-r]

You will need to set up an AppleID for the phone in order to use iMessage and FaceTime, and to download apps.

Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child
Children under 13* can't create an Apple ID on their own. However, as a parent or legal guardian, the family organizer can provide verified parental consent for a child to have their own Apple ID, then create it on the child’s behalf.
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201084

Maybe I'm just an old curmudgeon and out of date fuddy ruddy, but an eight year old being exposed to the 'net seems a bit risky to me.

Just saying… or is that what the "Parental Controls" are for if those devices have such a thing.






- Patrick
==========

 

[chscag]

Maybe I'm just an old curmudgeon and out of date fuddy ruddy, but an eight year old being exposed to the 'net seems a bit risky to me.

Have to agree with Patrick. However, as parents you know your children best. Act accordingly. ;D

 

[Chris_18]

Family Sharing and Apple ID for your child
Children under 13* can't create an Apple ID on their own. However, as a parent or legal guardian, the family organizer can provide verified parental consent for a child to have their own Apple ID, then create it on the child’s behalf.
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201084

Maybe I'm just an old curmudgeon and out of date fuddy ruddy, but an eight year old being exposed to the 'net seems a bit risky to me.

Just saying… or is that what the "Parental Controls" are for if those devices have such a thing.






- Patrick
==========

She knows she is allowed to do no more than iMessage her sister and us. Neither her, nor her big sister, are allowed to bring any net-capable devices into rooms with closed doors, etc. We keep a very close eye on things.
We're also curmudgeons. I don't like having this much technology around, but it's just the way of the world. Believe me, they're outside playing FAR more often than they are sitting inside clicking away.

 

[Chris_18]

It will work as you intend. I used my iPhone 4 in similar fashion after I replaced it with a 5s.

You will need to set up an AppleID for the phone in order to use iMessage and FaceTime, and to download apps.

One thing I was not aware of, because I simply kept my SIM card in the phone after it ceased to function, was that the phone needs a SIM card installed after it has been restored. If I remember correctly, it's something to do with validating itself with Apple's servers. It's a one time operation. Once this validation is done, the SIM card can be removed and the phone will continue to function, until the next time it is restored. The SIM card does not need to be functional. It just needs to be present.

Thanks!