Using a phone without data plan for multiplayer game dev

Question

I would like to try out android programming and specifically try my hand at some multiplayer development, but I no longer have an active phone plan for my android phone. Is it possible to just use wi-fi without having a 3g data plan? There is no need to make calls, only access my wireless network.

[Edit] The phone is a Galaxy S Mesmerize if that helps. I'm at work, so I can't take a look at the phone to see if it needs a SIM card. It was from US Cellular so I don't think it needs one. Not sure tho.

@eldareathis I think that's the right idea but my answer there is so old (a G1!!!). — Bryan Denny, Feb 25 '13 at 21:51
To the op: if you have a phone that requires a SIM card, you will most likely need to flash a custom rom like CyanogenMod so you don't always have to have a SIM card plugged in. Otherwise... you should just be able to use a phone as is, unactivated. — Bryan Denny, Feb 25 '13 at 21:52
I don't know about GSM models, but my Verizon Galaxy Nexus works fine without its SIM card. — Wyzard, Feb 26 '13 at 02:54
@Wyzard the SIM card on a GN is only for 4G (I have one too) — Bryan Denny, Feb 26 '13 at 20:11

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 25 '13 at 21:51

2

Depending on the model/carrier - your unit could block the access to the UI (past the "Emergency calls only" screen) without being activated. If you can root the unit - this can be easily bypassed.

answered Feb 25 '13 at 21:51

Using a phone without data plan for multiplayer game dev

1 Answers1