Is there a way to test very old iPhones' cellular phone services (voice & SMS) for emergencies without actually contacting 911?

[Ant]

Hello.

Is there a way to test very old iPhones' cellular phone services (voice
& SMS) for emergencies without actually contacting 911? I want to be
sure the old iPhones (6 + & 4S) can still be used for them. I do see
cellular data showing 1-3 solid circles (4S) and 3G-1X (6 +) since they
still have their old SIM cards, but no active lines since they were
moved to the newer iPhones.

I know after Verizon Wireless drops its 3G and older after this year
ends, then this decade old 4S will be useless since it can't do 4G and
5G. I keep the older iPhones since cellular coverage is very bad in my
rural areas, but older iPhones still work better. :(

Thank you for reading and hopefully answering soon. :)

[nospam]

Post by Ant
Is there a way to test very old iPhones' cellular phone services (voice
& SMS) for emergencies without actually contacting 911?

if it shows 3g/lte in the status bar, it has a link to the network.

you can try calling customer service. for verizon, which you mentioned,
it's *611.

you can also try making a call, which will result in a reorder.

Post by Ant
I want to be
sure the old iPhones (6 + & 4S) can still be used for them.

the 4s will cease to have cellular connectivity when 3g is turned off,
at which point it can only be used on wifi.

Post by Ant
I do see
cellular data showing 1-3 solid circles (4S) and 3G-1X (6 +) since they
still have their old SIM cards, but no active lines since they were
moved to the newer iPhones.

that means they work. for now.

[Ant]

Post by nospam

Post by Ant
Is there a way to test very old iPhones' cellular phone services (voice
& SMS) for emergencies without actually contacting 911?

if it shows 3g/lte in the status bar, it has a link to the network.
you can try calling customer service. for verizon, which you mentioned,
it's *611.

Thanks. It worked.

Post by nospam
you can also try making a call, which will result in a reorder.

Yeah, I don't want to call 911 to test.

Post by nospam

Post by Ant
I want to be
sure the old iPhones (6 + & 4S) can still be used for them.

the 4s will cease to have cellular connectivity when 3g is turned off,
at which point it can only be used on wifi.

Yeah, supposedly at the end of this year.

Post by nospam

Post by Ant
I do see
cellular data showing 1-3 solid circles (4S) and 3G-1X (6 +) since they
still have their old SIM cards, but no active lines since they were
moved to the newer iPhones.

that means they work. for now.

Yeah, wanted to see if 911 would still work but didn't want to make test
calls since they're not emergencies.

[nospam]

Post by Ant

Post by nospam
you can also try making a call, which will result in a reorder.

Yeah, I don't want to call 911 to test.

i meant a normal call.

[Ant]

Post by nospam

Post by Ant

Post by nospam
you can also try making a call, which will result in a reorder.

Yeah, I don't want to call 911 to test.

i meant a normal call.

Oh, a random number? If so, then it said "Unable to place your call..." So, that
worked like *611.

[Andy Burnelli]

Post by nospam

Post by Ant
Yeah, I don't want to call 911 to test.

i meant a normal call.

To add further value... (since Usenet is a team sport)... we all pitch in.

As you found out, 611 should work for all the major carriers in the USA
(even though Steve only mentioned that it works for Verizon but I don't know
what carrier Ant is on so I'll make it clear to all that it should work for
all in the USA, AFAIK).

Given that every Usenet post should _add_ value, I tested a few for Ant.
211 === Worked & said "Welcome to 211 for your county."
411 === This brought me to "Directory Assistance" (does it cost money?)
511 === This connected to the California transportation folks
711 === This connected to a "CA Hear" connection program for deaf people
811 === Was a USA North underground utility damage prevention specialists
911 === This went to CHP in Vallejo CA which is odd as that's far away

The rest were not available:
111
311
611

Hope this purposefully helpful kind-hearted post helps Ant, and others.

[sms]

Post by Ant
Hello.
Is there a way to test very old iPhones' cellular phone services (voice
& SMS) for emergencies without actually contacting 911? I want to be
sure the old iPhones (6 + & 4S) can still be used for them. I do see
cellular data showing 1-3 solid circles (4S) and 3G-1X (6 +) since they
still have their old SIM cards, but no active lines since they were
moved to the newer iPhones.
I know after Verizon Wireless drops its 3G and older after this year
ends, then this decade old 4S will be useless since it can't do 4G and
5G. I keep the older iPhones since cellular coverage is very bad in my
rural areas, but older iPhones still work better. :(
Thank you for reading and hopefully answering soon. :)

You can stick in a SIM card and dial 611 which will connect you with the
underlying carrier's customer service. That's an indicator that the
phone has service.

Why do you think you'll get SMS with no SIM card?

Used to be that an unactivated, unregistered phone would contact ARN
(American Roaming Network) where you could place a credit card call, but
that doesn't always work.

You can get a Mint 7 day trial with SIM card for $2 to test out T-Mobile
GSM
<https://www.bestbuy.com/site/mint-mobile-prepaid-sim-card-starter-kit/6310601.p?skuId=6310601>.

For the 4s, if you activate a SIM on an LTE phone you may be able to
stick the SIM into the 4s to use T-Mobile 3G until it is shut down.

[nospam]

Post by sms
For the 4s, if you activate a SIM on an LTE phone you may be able to
stick the SIM into the 4s to use T-Mobile 3G until it is shut down.

that will not work, for reasons you do not understand.

your unfamiliarity with iphones is even greater than originally thought.

[Joerg Lorenz]

Post by nospam

Post by sms
For the 4s, if you activate a SIM on an LTE phone you may be able to
stick the SIM into the 4s to use T-Mobile 3G until it is shut down.

that will not work, for reasons you do not understand.
your unfamiliarity with iphones is even greater than originally thought.

It is rare that I agree with you but in this case I do.

Just by chance I found this posting. You both tend to go in circles for
years now. That is too boring and all of your and sms's postings are
marked read by my TB.

[Andy Burnelli]

Post by Joerg Lorenz
That is too boring and all of your and sms's postings are
marked read by my TB.

This is why people like Joerg, who are ignorant, will _remain_ ignorant.