Whether you can use your smartphone without a SIM card is a common concern among mobile users. Maybe you have a spare smartphone you want to utilize, but don’t want to pay for a new SIM connection. Carriers also tie SIM cards to their phones, forcing you to purchase a device you might not need. The reason could be anything but every smartphone can work without a SIM card inside. Using a Wi-Fi connection or a mobile hotspot lets a smartphone work nearly the same as with an active SIM card in it. But keep in mind that without one, it cannot make and receive regular calls and texts or access mobile data.
Connect your Smartphone to the Internet Without a SIM Card
The vast majority, if not all smartphones are equipped with Wi-Fi. Therefore, you can use a Wi-Fi connection to run the internet on your phone. Although this limits your mobility as Wi-Fi signals aren’t available everywhere, a pocket Wi-Fi can eliminate this drawback. If you are using two smartphones and one has a SIM card, then things could become easier. Just turn on the mobile hotspot on the phone with the SIM card (it should have a data bundle, otherwise you can be charged heavily from your airtime) and connect your other phone. This way, your primary phone will act as a portable Wi-Fi. Hence, you can use the internet on both phones.
Lacking a SIM Card? Smartphones Can Still Do These Things
Here are several examples of actions your smartphone can still do without a SIM card inside:
Online Activities Available to Smart Devices Without SIM
You can do almost everything the same way without a SIM card as you can do with, so long you have a Wi-Fi connection. WhatsApp and other VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) apps are becoming ubiquitous these days, hence you don’t even need airtime for calls and texts. WhatsApp can do both these functions using your data. With a Wi-Fi network, you can call anybody worldwide (as long as they have the same app) without spending a penny on international roaming or international call charges. When you are roaming and have a strong public Wi-Fi signal, you can call and send texts using social media apps at zero cost, too.
What Can I Do Offline on a Phone With No SIM Card?
Your smartphone doesn’t depend on a SIM card or even an internet connection to function. It can do many things that don’t require a network. You can play offline video games, use it as a media player to listen to downloaded music, or watch videos offline. You can use it as an e-book reader, turn it into a data bank or power bank, and much more.
A smartphone without an internet connection is much safer than it is with one. This is because the absence of a network makes it virtually impossible to hack unless the perpetrator has physical access to the device. Consequently, you can use it to store your confidential information for a long time and nobody would even suspect it.
Is There Something Smart Devices Can’t Do Without a SIM?
The basic function of any phone is to make and receive calls and forward and accept SMS. This requires an active SIM card within. Without the SIM card, the two basic functions can’t happen. But with modern smartphones, equivalent functionality is possible. For this to work, you must install suitable social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Line, Skype, Viber, Telegram, and so on. However, you need to remember that the person you are trying to contact should also use the same app. Moreover, their internet connection must be active to make the call or send an instant message on the app.
One more problem you may face is that the registration process could become difficult if your smartphone is straight out of the box. This is especially true if the smartphone is a locked iPhone, as things get complicated. But there is a solution to this for both Android and Apple phones. Just borrow a SIM card or use your SIM card from another phone to complete the registration process. After registration, take the SIM card out. This only takes a few minutes. Android phones have an option to skip the process involving a SIM card. Users of Apple devices can use jailbreak, but hardware loses the warranty.
Professionals and Unfortunate Situations
If you are a business person, it is quite unprofessional to make calls on social media apps. It is important to have a SIM card when you need to hand over a phone number to your clients and customers. Even for informal calls and texts, you will need to be in the range of a Wi-Fi connection at all times to stay connected. This becomes increasingly problematic when you are traveling and want to be in contact with your close ones.
Moreover, with the help of a SIM card, you can trace your phone easily when it is stolen or lost. A SIM card carrier can grant permission to the police to track the live or last known location. Therefore, the chances of finding your lost/stolen phone greatly decrease when it lacks one.
Don’t Forget Other Utilities of Your Smart Device
Apart from the above-mentioned uses, a smartphone is by default a multipurpose device even without a SIM or a Wi-Fi connection. It is your radio, alarm clock, desk clock, calendar, pocket watch, camera, audio recorder, flashlight, notebook, drawing pad, and whatnot. You should already be aware of all these functions. Don’t underestimate the utility of it without mobile network access. Even the oldest versions of working smartphones can be useful in your daily life when lacking a SIM card.