There are lots of people who enjoy a cool and functional iPhone, but not everyone is willing to pay the price for an expensive data plan. The good news - you can easily activate your GoPhone SIM card and enjoy all the benefits without paying a fortune! While the way to do this varies slightly depending on the type of iPhone you're using, you only need to do a few simple steps.
Step
Method 1 of 3: iPhone 5 or 6
Step 1. Buy an unlocked iPhone
Look for iPhones on eBay or a retail store that sells them directly. iPhone must be unlocked in order to use the GoPhone SIM card.
Step 2. Get a prepaid AT&T GoPhone
The phone is available at AT&T stores, eBay, Target, Best Buy, and many other electronics retail stores. GoPhone phones don't matter-only the SIM card matters-so look for the cheapest phones.
Step 3. Turn off iPhone
Make sure that the GoPhone is also turned off.
Step 4. Remove the iPhone SIM card
Use a SIM card receptacle or a simple paperclip and insert it into the hole on the right side of the phone. The nano-sized SIM card tray will pop out.
Step 5. Remove the SIM card from the GoPhone
Follow the guide given here and then cut the GoPhone micro SIM card into nano SIM card.
Step 6. Swap iPhone SIM card
Insert the GoPhone SIM card into the iPhone's SIM card tray, then reinsert it into the iPhone.
Step 7. Turn on iPhone
See if you can make calls (assuming you bought a GoPhone with a plan that includes calling quota).
- Find a Wi-Fi hotspot, then launch Safari on the iPhone using the GoPhone SIM card.
- Visit the unlockit.co.nz site, then tap continue, and tap Custom APN.
- From the list of available network services, select the appropriate network, either "AT&T (PAYG)" or your local network service.
- Tap Create Profile to create and download an APN file.
- When you are prompted for confirmation, select "Install", then select "Replace".
- When "Profile Installed" appears on the screen, restart your iPhone.
- When iPhone restarts, go to Settings, then turn off Wi-Fi. Check the top left corner of the iPhone screen, it should say the word 4G/LTE will be displayed.
- Turn Wi-Fi back on.
Step 8. Purchase a data plan
Visit paygonline.com, then buy the package you want.
Do not select the "Unlimited $50 Monthly Plan" - the plan cannot be used. Purchase the data package separately. Buy it in small quantities, to ensure that everything can be used normally
Method 2 of 3: iPhone 4
Step 1. Get an AT&T iPhone 4
You can find the phone on eBay for around Rp. 340,000.00. Make sure that the phone is not tied to any contract, and make sure that it comes with a SIM card.
Step 2. Get a prepaid AT&T GoPhone
The phone is available at AT&T stores, eBay, Target, Best Buy, and many other electronics retail stores. GoPhone phones don't matter-only the SIM card matters-so look for the cheapest phones.
Step 3. Contact AT&T
The free customer service number to call from the United States is 1-800-331-0500. When you are prompted for further action, say "Customer Service" to speak to the AT&T representative who will serve you.
- Say that you need help moving the data plan on your old GoPhone card to a new SIM card.
- Provide the ICCID number of your GoPhone SIM card (found on the SIM card) and the ICCID number on your micro SIM card (available via the "About" screen on iPhone 4 or iTunes).
- Provide your iPhone's IMEI number, which is printed on your micro SIM card holder or the "About" screen on the iPhone.
- AT&T will know that you are using iPhone 4 via IMEI and ICCID numbers, and they will tell you that the transfer can be done, but internet usage cannot be activated. Agree to this, and continue the process of moving your GoPhone account to your new micro SIM card.
Step 4. Connect iPhone with iTunes
Start iTunes, connect your iPhone, then follow the prompts that appear to activate your phone.
Once the phone is activated, you can make calls at a cost according to the number of calls you make
Step 5. Activate the data and internet plan
In most cases, the wireless network service on the SIM card is disabled, but try these steps:
- Find a Wi-Fi hotspot, then launch Safari using an iPhone equipped with a GoPhone SIM card.
- Go to unlockit.co.nz, then tap Continue, then tap Custom APN.
- From the list of available network services, select the appropriate network, either "US-AT&T" or your local network.
- Tap Create Profile to create and download an APN file.
- When prompted to confirm, select "Install", then select "Replace".
- When "Profile Installed" appears on the screen, restart your iPhone.
- When iPhone restarts, go inside Settings, then turn off Wi-Fi. Check the top left corner of the iPhone screen, it should say Edge or 3G will be displayed in that section.
Step 6. Turn Wi-Fi back on if you want
Method 3 of 3: iPhone To iPhone 3GS
Step 1. Get an old AT&T iPhone
You can find them on eBay for around $1,400, or maybe in your desk drawer.
Step 2. Get a prepaid AT&T GoPhone
The phone is available at AT&T stores, eBay, Target, Best Buy, and many other electronics retail stores. GoPhone phones don't matter-only the SIM card matters-so look for the cheapest phones.
Step 3. Turn off iPhone
Make sure that the GoPhone is also turned off.
Step 4. Remove the iPhone SIM card
There is a small hole on the top of the iPhone, which is near the hole for earphones. Insert a straight paperclip into the hole and press: the SIM card tray will pop out. Remove the SIM card, and remember the position of the SIM card in the tray.
Step 5. Remove the GoPhone SIM card
Follow the guide given on the GoPhone for more details.
Step 6. Replace the iPhone SIM card
Insert the GoPhone SIM card into the iPhone's SIM card tray, then reinsert it into the iPhone.
Step 7. Make a call
You have activated the GoPhone prepaid data plan! You can also still use Wi-Fi to connect your device to the internet.
Step 8. Enable wireless data
Wireless service on most SIM cards is disabled, but try these steps:
- Find a Wi-Fi hotspot, then launch Safari using an iPhone equipped with a GoPhone SIM card.
- Go to unlockit.co.nz, then tap Continue, then tap Custom APN.
- From the list of available network services, select the appropriate network, either "US-AT&T" or your local network.
- Tap Create Profile to create and download an APN file.
- When prompted to confirm, select "Install", then select "Replace".
- When "Profile Installed" appears on the screen, restart your iPhone.
- When iPhone restarts, go inside Settings, then turn off Wi-Fi. Check the top left corner of the iPhone screen, it should say Edge or 3G will be displayed in that section.
Tips
- A SIM card can also be purchased directly from the AT&T store, for around Rp. 65,000.00. At the store, you can also set up an account and add balance, without having to do it via your cellphone.
- Another option: The H20 Wireless also offers a prepaid data plan similar to the GoPhone data plan. They have a contract with AT&T in order to use the AT&T network. Unlike AT&T, they don't make it difficult for users who want to use the provided data plan on an unlocked iPhone. Buy a SIM card directly from them, or buy an H20 Wireless SIM card from Ebay. Make sure that you get a card in micro size.
- You can purchase a data plan or a messaging plan using AT&T, but in order for a data plan to work, you'll need to change your APN.
- AT&T may find out that you're using your iPhone in a way you shouldn't, and they may deactivate your account or charge you. But maybe they won't!
- If you want to use a T-Mobile SIM card, you'll need an unlocked iPhone.
Warning
- Verizon iPhone does not have a suitable SIM card to implement this method.
- For T-Mobile data plan users: You can only use the Edge network on your phone; T-Mobile's 3G service cannot be used on iPhone.
