Use iPhone 3G as iTouch/Wifi without provider?

[jaydee22]

Hi all!

Great forum here. Sorry if someone already posted this, but I was wondering if I could enjoy all features of the iPhone EXCEPT the phone without activating it with ATT. Sounds strange, I know, but I want to buy the iPhone now and I still have a month of contract time with Verizon. ETF is a standard $175 (no proration, as I contracted prior to 11/06). However, I LOVE the web features of the iPhone, and it'd be worth buying the iPhone now and activating it in a month (since I'll have a working phone in my Razr until then). I know, I know: I sound impatient, so no comments there... Just want to know if the device will work without ATT activation.

Thanks!

[kevlar08]

when you buy the iphone 3g you have to activate it in the store. there is no option to take it home and wait to activate at a later date

[Youngbinks]

Just as Kevlar said, you have to activate in store prior to leaving. If you don't activate in store (which isn't an option) no features of the phone will work including the iPod and Safari. Apple and AT&T are really trying to cover their behinds this time by requiring the in-store activation because of the number of unlocked phones that surfaced with the v1.

[jaydee22]

Originally Posted by kevlar08

when you buy the iphone 3g you have to activate it in the store. there is no option to take it home and wait to activate at a later date

That's really helpful. I thought you had the option of activating it online... Thanks for the quick reply!

[jaydee22]

Just so I'm clear... the Apple Store will ACTIVATE my iPhone 3G (so that it has basic functioning), but don't I set up the PHONE activation with AT&T online when I get home? I want everything BUT the phone service when I leave the Apple store.

[kisstine]

Originally Posted by jaydee22

Just so I'm clear... the Apple Store will ACTIVATE my iPhone 3G (so that it has basic functioning), but don't I set up the PHONE activation with AT&T online when I get home? I want everything BUT the phone service when I leave the Apple store.

No. They do everything (other than sync'ing with your iTunes) right in the store. You walk out with a fully functioning phone.

[kevlar08]

Originally Posted by jaydee22

Just so I'm clear... the Apple Store will ACTIVATE my iPhone 3G (so that it has basic functioning), but don't I set up the PHONE activation with AT&T online when I get home? I want everything BUT the phone service when I leave the Apple store.

nope in the apple store they will activate your phone on what ever att line you choose. so when you leave the apple store the iphone you bought will be 100% activated all calls and text will now go to that phone

[jaydee22]

Awesome; you have all been quite helpful. Thanks so much!