Can I just use WiFi overseas?

[gstager]

Hi,

I'm traveling overseas in a few days and don't wish to pay for international roaming, but do wish to use my iPhone when WiFi is available.

How can I be sure that the cellular network is NOT connecting me to the Internet? Is there a way to turn it off or to favor WiFi?

Many thanks,

Gary

 

[Lacrosse4life31]

I'm pretty sure you just turn on Airplane mode and leave it on. Unless you want to use the internet and email, but not the phone, I think you need to call AT&T.

Just for the record, where are you going?

 

[gstager]

need WiFi, but don't want roaming charges

Yes, I wish to use the WiFi, not just iPod.

Heading to eastern Europe.

-=Gary

I'm pretty sure you just turn on Airplane mode and leave it on. Unless you want to use the internet and email, but not the phone, I think you need to call AT&T.

Just for the record, where are you going?

 

[Marianne]

there's no way in the iPhone's settings to turn off the cellular radio and only use wifi. but there's a workaround i read about here (see comment #12) where you can turn on the sim PIN feature, and simply not enter the PIN to keep the cellular radio off. i think this would be your best option...

 

[Lacrosse4life31]

I don't think you get roaming charges for WiFi or internet and such, just the phone, text messaging and MAYBE email. But I'm not totally sure, hopefully someone else will know.
Also, I think there are some posts about this... try the search button, you might find better results. Good luck!
Nice, I was in Germany and Austria for 3 weeks, had to visit family and such. Have a good time!

I love Europe

 

[ps49556n]

There is currently no way to turn off the phone radio while keeping WIFI on. Either everything off or just wifi off.

 

[BigOrangeSU]

There is currently no way to turn off the phone radio while keeping WIFI on. Either everything off or just wifi off.

Can you take the sim card out and keep the wifi on?

 

[Tinman]

Can you take the sim card out and keep the wifi on?

Yep. That's the only way I know of to use WiFi without having the phone radio active.


--
Mike

 

[Tinman]

You could also just remove the SIM. WiFi, etc. will definitely still work but you'll know for sure the phone won't be on.


--
Mike

 

[Silverado]

I'm in the UK. I took the SIM out and using the internet features using WiFi.

 

[monstermonkey]

Yep. That's the only way I know of to use WiFi without having the phone radio active.


--
Mike

i called AT&T and the rates for international roaming. it's astronomical. they have a glorious plan that is also expensive and reduces the rates only slightly. so i too want to popl out the SIM card and use the wifi feature and the ipod and email (through wifi). so has anyone tried this? the AT&T guy was telling me that popping out the SIM card is a delicate process and i might damage the "door" or something. any help here is greatly appreciated. i am leaving in 36 hours ...

 

[asuandy]

i called AT&T and the rates for international roaming. it's astronomical. they have a glorious plan that is also expensive and reduces the rates only slightly. so i too want to popl out the SIM card and use the wifi feature and the ipod and email (through wifi). so has anyone tried this? the AT&T guy was telling me that popping out the SIM card is a delicate process and i might damage the "door" or something. any help here is greatly appreciated. i am leaving in 36 hours ...

just insert a paper clip into the hole on the sim slot and it pops right out. You can't miss

 

[Martlet]

Just got back from the UK.

I popped the sim out before my flight, stuck it in the plastic case that comes with an SD card (along with Apple Tool #1(tm)... aka, a small bent paperclip) and kept it in the hotel safe.

Free Wi-Fi in London was tough, I really only found one place that had it other than the Apple store, and found nothing in Edinburgh.

Popped the sim card back in when I landed in the states.

The iPhone camera was great... ~650 photos from the trip.

 

[mexicobound]

I'm going to mexico for a month and would like internet access. Could I buy a used iPhone without a contract and use it as a wifi appliance at internet cafes?

 

[OJsakila]

I'm going to mexico for a month and would like internet access. Could I buy a used iPhone without a contract and use it as a wifi appliance at internet cafes?

Yes You could also just remove the SIM. WiFi, etc. will definitely still work but you'll know for sure the phone won't be on.

 

[Europa]

If your contract was up and you cancelled your AT&T service, do just the phone features cancel out so it still works, kind of like an iPod Touch, with working wifi?

 

[WPeterson]

maybe turn on Flight Mode, and just with Wi-Fi connected when doubting? I guess it works well.

 

[danipoak]

There is this setting called international data roaming. Just turn it off, it's pretty simple. I use it every time I go to Canada with success.