How to set up iPhone 4 without a SIM card?

My friend gave me her old iphone, which is a 4th gen and in really good shape. She reset it before giving it to me, and it won't let me past choosing the language and country without a SIM card. I heard that you can just insert someone else's SIM card to start it up, if you're planning on using it as just an ipod instead of a phone, with no plan. If so, how do I do it?

You can try to borrow a friend's sim card, but here's a chance to bypass it if you are just using as an iPod. Best luck.

  • How to set up iPhone without sim card? Last night I had to erase my iPhone and reset it due to a system error. When it came back on, it said I needed a sim card in order to use it. Is there any other way to get oass the SIM activation stage? My dad has a sim card I could use and I've already asked him but he said he doesn't want his iPhone broken. He has an iPhone 5s from Verizon.
  • How to set up an AT&T iPhone without a SIM card? I got an AT&T iPhone 4s yesterday and I ordered the SIM card for Straight Talk but it hasn't arrived yet, so I was just wondering if there was a way I can set up the phone (add contacts, etc) without the SIM card. It won't seem to let me get past this activation process
  • Changing from normal sim card to iPhone 4 sim card? I'm an AT&T customer with a smart phone. I'm wanting to buy an iPhone 4 but I know they take smaller sim cards than normal phones. If I buy an iPhone from an individual, can I take it to AT&T and have them give me a smaller sim card & transfer my information? Would I have to pay extra for it? Is it even possible?
  • Can you use an old sim card in a new iPhone after transferring the info to a new sim card? I'm borrowing an iPhone from a friend, but it requires a sim card. He transferred all his information to a new sim card in a different phone. Can I use the old sim card on a different iPhone?