Hey everybody. I'm currently having a phone issue...

So basically, this morning I woke up and went to turn on my iPhone 5s. Then a setup page came up, which usually only happens when you first get the phone or sometimes when you update it. I'm still not quite sure why that page even came up. I chose my wifi network, then it asks for a SIM card. Now, I don't have a SIM card for this phone, so as weird as it sounds I do not have phone service. So basically now I can't use my phone unless I put a SIM card in it. Btw, I've had this iPhone for almost 2 years and it was given to my mom back in 2014 from her former boss, so it was used before I got it.

Now here's my dilemma. My mom has a Metro PCS phone plan, I'm not sure if I should get a crappy Android phone or just get a SIM card from Metro. If I get the sim card, I can continue to use my 5s, but now with a phone plan.

So what do you guys think? Should I get a new phone (most likely a cheap crappy Android), or do I just get a sim card so I can continue to use my iPhone? Also if you're gonna ask, I'm 16 so that's why I don't have my own phone plan.

UPDATE: Somehow, I was able to put the old SIM card into my iPhone and it's now working fine! Thanks for trying to help me guys.

Do NOT get Android
Just buy a cheap SIM plan. Cricket, Virgin Mobile or any other
5S still looks great

Letitgo.mp3

Getaniphone7sis.mp4

I am confused. you used to have phone service on it? you need a SIM for phone service. if you're using it on wifi only, no need for a SIM

Edit: I don't know why people say don't get an android. Nothing is wrong with Androids [besides Samsung Note 7 ]

I know but this morning I turned on my phone and a setup page came up and it's not letting me get in or activate the phone unless I put a sim in. This has never happened before

Try connecting it to your computer.

Did that earlier. It said something like unable to activate. The sim issue is why the phone isn't working. Very weird

I found this.

EDIT: Nvm. Don't do that. Some people in the comments are saying it actually calls the police.

put it in DFU mode and restore it

What's dfu mode?

Entering DFU Mode on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
- Plug your device into your computer with a USB cable.
- Turn off the device.
- Hold the Power button for 3 seconds.
- Hold the Home and Power buttons for 10 seconds.
- Release the Power button but keep holding the Home button.
- After about 15 seconds you will be alerted by iTunes saying that it has detected a device in Recovery Mode.

then, when it's done, click 'restore' in iTunes

idk tho maybe it was blacklisted by the network? icloud locked? iPhones don't usually need a SIM to be useable

I might do that, but I don't know if that could risk breaking the phone for good.

Don't get a cheap android. The 5s is a great phone and miles better than even new flagship Android phones. You'll get it to work. SIM cards are really easy to get.

nah, it's perfectly safe, it just restores it to factory settings. i've done it a million times. you might lose some data if you haven't backed up tho

Why dont you have a sim card for a phone
Just go borrow someone else's sim card, it is only needed for the setup.

Get a new SIM card sis, it's far better than getting a new phone that you won't use.

Just did the DFU mode and did the restore. Not sure if anything has happened, but hopefully it still works. But I was able to back up all my pictures which is a good thing.



Still nothing has happened
Update: I got impatient so I got out of dfu mode and nothing changed

I do have an old sim card that doesn't work and that was originally in my phone when my mom's former boss had it. I put it in this morning and my phone had no idea it was even in there....