If I buy a mobile phone locked to a carrier, can I still use it as an Android device and ignore the phone part?

GreenLego on 19/01/2023 - 14:31
Last edited 19/01/2023 - 16:02

EDIT: Thank you to everyone who answered! Much appreciated.

I'm looking for the cheapest way to get an MP3 player that has bluetooth and allow me to use Android MP3 player apps and wifi to allow me to download from the Play Store.

If I buy a super cheap phone that is locked to a carrier, will it be fully functional minus the making/receiving calls/mobile data? Or will I need to activate it with a carrier for it to allow functionality for wifi etc?

Currently, I'm using an old Motorola Moto G (1st gen?) as my MP3 player and it's in airplane mode (to save on battery life) and has no SIM card in it. It works OK, but bluetooth drops out frequently.

I don't use mobile data either.

I guess the question is, how 'locked' is a 'locked' phone?

Mobile

Comments

  • GTR12 on 19/01/2023 - 14:35
    +1

    Its fine, I wanted the $19 A12 as a tablet.

  • Hybroid on 19/01/2023 - 14:38
    +1

    Should be fine on most mobile devices, you don't need to activate the telephony to access wifi for other functionality.

    Do you really need a separate device though? Playing music all day long (even over bluetooth) has negligible battery drain on most modern devices.

    Just checked and 6h 12m Spotify on background used 13% battery life.. That doesn't warrant a whole extra device to play music on.

    • GreenLego on 19/01/2023 - 16:00

      My EDC phone is too big to take jogging and I don't want to risk dropping it or losing it or breaking it. I also like the MP3 being a separate device.

      • Hybroid on 19/01/2023 - 16:03
        +1

        Time for a smart watch that plays music independent of phone and wireless headphones then!

        • GreenLego on 20/01/2023 - 00:26

          I listen to ebooks at 2x speed. I'd need to be able to put apps on it.

          I also wear Garmin fitness watch.

  • scrimshaw on 19/01/2023 - 14:38
    +5

    The phone can't make or receive any phone calls, or use cellular data or text. But you'll still be able to create a Google account on it, and run all the usual Google play apps.

    The lock is on cellular functions only, which kicks in when it detects a SIM card that does not belong to the telco. You can still ring 000.

  • JimmyF on 19/01/2023 - 15:22
    +1

    If I buy a super cheap phone that is locked to a carrier, will it be fully functional minus the making/receiving calls/mobile data?

    Yep, the only part that is 'locked' is basically the sim card slot to that telco.

    Just turn the mobile radios off, and you'll be AOK on wifi!

  • bobbified on 19/01/2023 - 15:33
    +1

    I'm looking for the cheapest way to get an MP3 player that has bluetooth…

    I'm assuming you already have a mobile phone. Don't they all have the ability to play mp3s via bluetooth?

    • GreenLego on 19/01/2023 - 16:01

      Too big to take on the armband for jogging and I don't want to risk getting it damaged.

  • orangetrain on 19/01/2023 - 17:25
    -1

    Doesn't it require a google account to use play store? If so, probably need sms for verification?

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