How to Use iMessage Without a SIM or Phone Number

Quick Tips

• You can use your Apple ID to send and receive iMessage on your device, instead of a number.
• To do so, go to Settings → Messages → Send & Receive (under iMessage) → check your Apple ID and uncheck your phone number.
• In terms of features, there is no difference between using iMessage with an email ID or a phone number.

Let’s see how to use iMessage without a number or SIM on iPad and iPhone.

How to Use iMessage Without SIM and Phone Number

You can set up and use iMessage either with a phone number, Apple ID, or both. So, if you don’t want to use a phone number for iMessage, you can use your Apple ID.

Notably, you will be identified by your Apple ID in iMessage when using it without a phone number.

What you’ll need

• A working internet connection to set it up.
• Make sure an iCloud account is added to your iPhone or iPad. To check you can go to Settings → Your name → you should see the Apple ID under your name (if not tap Add account and follow on-screen instructions).

Step 1: Open Settings → Go to Messages. Turn on the toggle next to iMessage in case it is off.

Step 3: Next, tap Send & Receive.

Step 4: Here, you’ll see your registered Apple ID and phone number. Tap the Apple ID present under ‘You can receive messages to and reply from’ to make it as default sending or receiving address.

Note: Remember to uncheck your phone number if it’s checked.

In case, no Apple ID is showing, tap Use your Apple ID for iMessage. Select your Apple account and you are good to go.

Typically, when there is no SIM card or the number can’t be verified, Apple automatically shifts the profile to an email ID. But sometimes, that doesn’t happen, and users can’t send or receive iMessage. The above method can fix that issue as well.

What Will Work in iMessage Without a Phone Number or SIM

Except for the regular SMS, all other functionalities of iMessage work fine. You can send text with effects, documents, videos, links, photos, etc., to other Apple users. Plus, you can enable or disable read receipts or even FaceTime without having a phone number or SIM.

In case the iMessages do not work by following the above steps, check out our guide to fix iMessage not working on iPhone and iPad.