How to Activate iPhone without SIM Card [Full Steps]

If you are running newer versions of iOS like iOS 12 or 13, then you should be able to easily activate iPhone without SIM. Even though Apple has recently removed the SIM requirement during setup, there are a lot of users who haven’t upgraded to the latest version of the company’s hardware and software. If you are using an older iOS version and you are looking for ways to activate iPhone without SIM, then this article is for you.

We are going to take a look at a few methods you can use to bypass this requirement. We are also going to discuss the reasons for activating an iPhone without SIM later on.

Activate iPhone without Simcard

4 Methods to Activate iPhone Without SIM

This is a list of four hacks you can use to set up an iPhone without a SIM. I ordered this list based on what method I find more convenient. However, you can choose whichever method you want. Any one of these methods is guaranteed to work.

1. Using iTunes

You can use iTunes on a Mac or a PC to activate your iPhone without a SIM card. iTunes has a lot of features that can help you fix the issues with your iPhone and this is one of them. You’re going to need a Mac or a PC, a lightning cable, and the latest version of iTunes. This method works great on unlocked iPhones. However, if you have an iPhone locked to a specific carrier, then the success of this method entirely depends on the carrier.

  1. Connect your iPhone to the computer using the lightning cable.
  2. iTunes will detect your iPhone and it will then show you a welcome screen.
  3. Choose the “Set up as new iPhone” option and then click on “Continue”.
  4. Select the Get Started option on the iTunes Sync screen.
  5. The process will take a few minutes to finish. After that, you can use your iPhone normally.

If you don’t have an unlocked phone, then there is a good chance that you are going to run into a There is no SIM card installed in the iPhone you are attempting to activate message. Don’t worry because we do have other methods that you can use.

2. Using an R-SIM/X-SIM

R-SIM/X-SIM is a small chip that you can place between a SIM card and the iPhone’s SIM tray. It can come in handy if you have a locked iPhone and a SIM from another carrier. The SIMs are extremely cheap but you will have to wait for it to be delivered.

  1. Buy the SIM for your phone model from this store.
  2. Simply insert the R-SIM/X-SIM in the SIM tray and place your SIM on top.
  3. Activate your iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. Remove the SIM card and restart the iPhone.

3. Borrow A SIM Card

To be honest, this is the easiest method to activate an iPhone without your SIM card. If you have an unlocked iPhone, contact a friend or a family member and borrow their SIM card. Any SIM would work in that case. If you have a locked iPhone, make sure that the SIM card belongs to the same carrier. After you get the card, all you have to do is pop it in, activate your iPhone, pop it out and then return it to its owner.

4. Jailbreak

Everyone who owns an iPhone has probably heard of Jailbreak. Jailbreaking your device will take away the restrictions that iOS places and will grant you more control over your iPhone. However, it has its risks. Jailbreaking your iPhone will void your warranty and will also make you more susceptible to attackers. You can also brick your iPhone if you don’t know what you’re doing. Use this method as a last resort or if you have an old iPhone. Make sure that your iOS is updated to the latest version.

  1. Launch Safari on your iPhone.
  2. Visit ignition.fun.
  3. Hit Install Now(App).
  4. After the app is installed, go to Settings.
  5. Tap on General and then hit Device Management.
  6. Select the developer name and then tap Trust the Certificate.
  7. Open the unc0ver app and wait for the jailbreak to finish.

We do not recommend this method if you still have your warranty. However, if you still want to see how you can do this, you can check out this video:

YouTube video

Why Should You Activate iPhone Without SIM?

Like we mentioned earlier, if you have an older iPhone, you’re going to need a SIM to set up the device for the first time. If you just got a pre-owned iPhone, there’s a good chance that the previous owner wiped everything and you have to set up your iPhone. However, if the phone is carrier locked and if you don’t use this carrier, you won’t be able to use your phone and that’s why you need to know how to activate iPhone without SIM. This knowledge is also helpful if you want your kid or a younger sibling to have a phone but not have their own SIM card.

Final Take

That’s all there is to know about activating iPhones without SIM. I hope that you found this article helpful. If you have any doubts about the methods or any other suggestions, please let us know in the comments section down below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.