Apple is always thinking of improving its devices’ performance, evidenced by releasing newer models. If you have bought a new iPhone, you can either sell the old one or convert it to an iPod Touch. If reselling may not be lucrative, this article helps you turn your iPhone into an iPod.
So, how can you use an old iPhone as an iPod? You can use an old iPhone as an iPod and will need an old, previously used SIM card, preferably one that matches the phone’s carrier if it is locked. You will then insert it in the SIM slot and connect the phone to a PC with iTunes or MacOS Finder. Next, fill in the credentials as the system prompts, then activate the phone, which converts it to an iPod Touch. Remember to reset and erase the data if donating the iPhone or gifting it to friends or family for use as an iPod.
Getting quality Apple products means digging deeper into your pockets. If you need an iPod touch, you will be glad to know that you can easily use your old iPhone as one without the extra cost, and the following is a detailed guide to get started.
To use your old iPhone as an iPod Touch, you will need a previously used SIM card and an old but functioning iPhone. The sim card should be of the same carrier to which the phone subscribed.
Next, link the phone to a computer with iTunes or macOS Finder, enter your credentials if the system asks for the Apple ID or passwords, then use either application to activate the iPhone, successfully converting it to an iPod Touch. However, if you are gifting it to a loved one, you should first reset it and erase all your data to avoid accidentally sharing personal details.
The difference between an iPod touch and an iPhone is that you can use the latter over cellular networks. The iPod has all the iPhone features except its ability to call, send and receive messages, and access the internet.
If you bought the latest iPhone and have an older model lying around, you can always transform it into an iPod Touch to make the most of it and avoid spending more on a new gadget.
Although it is relatively easy, there are some essential steps to take before using your phone as an iPod, especially if you are handing it over to a family member, friend, or donating it. First, it is crucial to enable the activation lock, then check that you have reset it for privacy reasons.
It helps keep your private data safe and avoid accidentally sharing personal details. Your best bet is to erase all the information from the old iPhone before letting others use it as an iPod.
Start with disabling “Find My iPhone” and then signing off iCloud; otherwise, your device will stay on Activation Lock. From the Settings, go to General, then click Reset and delete all the data.
To sign off iCloud, if you have an iOS 12 or older system, scroll down iCloud settings and tap Sign Out. However, if you have an iOS 10.3 or better version, go to the Apple ID settings, click Sign Out, enter the password, then tap Turn Off.
After resetting the iPhone, you are now free to start the process.
- Step 1
You first need to insert another SIM card into the old iPhone. It doesn’t have to be active as long as you had previously used it. Most users prefer using a card from the carrier the iPhone has subscribed to, which is rational because it is only possible to use the same carrier’s SIM card that is locked to a service provider. The difference is insignificant, but it serves as reassurance if there are issues with the phone.
Getting a SIM card doesn’t mean that you will have to subscribe to a plan; hence you won’t have to pay monthly charges. If you don’t have an old line, you can ask for one from people around you or buy one online.
You may ask why not leave the iPhone without a SIM card. While using it minus a line inside is possible, the system will remind you that the SIM tray is empty through several pop-up texts.
- Step 2
The next step is to insert the SIM card into the phone and make the necessary settings. Switch it on, link it to a PC, and open Finder or iTunes; else, you will see “Hello” pop up on the screen.
You can follow the prompts on the tab for the setup process, allowing you to activate the old iPhone. Connect using your Apple ID and back up data if you must. Your app will see the phone as a new gadget, and the activation process will start.
iTunes or MacOS Finder will request your ID and iCloud credentials and that of other private Apple platforms. If the system shows the lock screen, you did not complete the resetting process when erasing data in the initial step.
If someone handed down the iPhone to you and the system asks for the owner’s Apple ID, you should ask them to sign in to iCloud and detach their account. With everything set, you will only wait for the program to update.
- Step 3
Lastly, you need to turn Wi-Fi on since you don’t have an active SIM card for cellular data. If you don’t have a plan, your safest bet is to turn off the network data; otherwise, the iPhone will keep syncing, looking for a signal, and losing the phone a lot of cell power in the process.
Go to the Settings and select Cellular. You can turn it off and ensure that the icon turns gray. Now that you don’t have cellphone service, you can exclusively use Wi-Fi for the internet.
Navigate again to Wi-Fi settings and switch it on, turning the icon green. Choose your network and enter its password if it is secure. On the other hand, you can opt to use the iPhone without inserting a SIM card, but you will have to cancel the “No SIM card” reminder frequently. It is also advisable to insert one because it may help when you want to reuse the old iPhone with a network.
Can I Use My Old iPhone as an iPod Without a SIM Card?
After about five years, older iPhones become obsolete when they lose Apple’s support. Therefore, it is common for users to possess old handsets that have lost most of their market value. The best alternative is to repurpose the device into a useful gadget like an iPod Touch.
Your old iPhone can work as an iPod without inserting a SIM card, provided that you deactivate or remove the carrier you were using. Thanks to Wi-Fi, the gadget can function seamlessly like an actual iPod touch, but the system will keep prompting you to enter a card into the SIM tray whenever you restart the phone.
You will keep receiving the pop-up text alerting you that the SIM card is missing. Generally, the line will be handy to help activate a new iPhone, but it won’t be necessary in this case because the old iPhone was already active before.
You can effortlessly use your old iPhone as an iPod since all you need is a working Wi-Fi or hotspot connection. You don’t need a SIM card because you previously activated the iPhone and used it in the past.
It was the first step when you bought it and connected the line to your carrier before performing cellular functions. As long as the iPhone was previously in use, the SIM card is not necessary if you want to convert it to an iPod touch.
Your cellular capabilities running on your new iPhone don’t qualify it to serve as an iPod unless you remove or disable your line, turn off cellular data, and switch on Wi-Fi. Thankfully, the transformation process is relatively easy, provided that your old iDevice is still in good shape.
You don’t need to worry if you don’t have an old SIM card to insert. You can turn it on and connect it to Wi-Fi if you want to use it exclusively for music.
The only difference is that you won’t have cellular capabilities on your old iPhone, and you must permanently turn off cellular data through the Settings. However, resetting the iPhone may be hectic to convert the gadget into an iPod.
If you factory reset your old iPhone, it will operate as a brand new device, hence you will need a carrier SIM card for activation to use later as an iPod. Here, you will insert the card into the slot and start the iDevice normally.
Ensure that you use a line from the carrier you used earlier or place any old SIM card. Once your iPhone is on, turn off cellular data and enable Wi-Fi to allow you to remove the line and begin downloading the apps you need for your iPod.
If you avoid resetting the iPhone, you won’t need a SIM card, and you will rely on Wi-Fi for internet access. Now, you can do almost anything apart from cellular tasks. Besides, if your old iPhone is still functional and supports a carrier, you can always revert it to the original cell phone.
Can You Use an Old SIM Card in a New Phone?
Unlike phones, SIM cards don’t degrade or lose support since they have a different build. The only issue with lines is that they differ in performance, whereby newer ones outdo older versions in terms of cellular coverage. You may have a new iPhone and want to keep using an old SIM card instead of buying a new line.
You can effortlessly swap your old SIM card between your old and new phones, provided that the two are compatible. However, if you are using a locked handset, you would have to unlock the device from your service provider first before inserting the old unsupported line.
On the contrary, if your new phone shares a carrier with the old one, you won’t have any compatibility issues and can easily activate and set up the device ready for use.
An old SIM card can function in your new cellphone as long as you registered your two phones to the same carrier or the phone is available to any service provider. Luckily, if the SIM tray and card match, it will be effortless to swap the lines.
However, if the two handsets don’t have compatible SIM cards, you can exchange the older line with your provider and retain the same number. Incompatibility usually occurs when dealing with nano, micro, and mini cards.
You will be safer if your old and new phones support the same SIM card sizes because you won’t incur extra replacement costs. Therefore, you can only get a new line when you want another number, want to replace your carrier, or when your old line doesn’t fit your phone’s SIM slot. Before you transfer your SIM to another device, it is essential to consider the following.
First, check the card and slot sizes and the carrier on both phones to determine whether they match. If incompatible, you will need a new line. Otherwise, you can back up your contacts on the old cell phone and transfer the SIM.
Make sure that you insert the card correctly and complete the setup processes. Sometimes everything seems OK even when the line doesn’t function properly, requiring assistance from your service provider.
SIM cards don’t have a defined lifespan, making them viable for years and allowing you to retain your number. Therefore, it is not common to find a defective SIM, although your carrier will likely deactivate it if you shelve your line for a long time. If the line has become obsolete because of not using it for long, it will fail to register cellular service when you insert it into your new phone.
Wrap Up
With a few steps, you can effortlessly use your phone as an iPod Touch, minus the cost of a new device. It can be an alarm clock, music player, or a baby monitor; the only thing it won’t do is perform cellular tasks like calling and texting. It will be a thoughtful gift for a friend who already has an iPhone or a safe handset for kids and the elderly.
However, remember to reset it and erase your data first. Although it is advisable to insert a line into the phone, it is unnecessary since you won’t use the cellular features anyway. You can also use your old SIM card on your new iPhone, provided that it fits into the SIM tray and the carriers are compatible.
