Apple CarPlay users advice please - do I really need a SIM card and contract to use ?

[Marc777cars]

I have a 2016 SL400 that has been factory fitted with Apple CarPlay. NOT Android Auto.

I’m a Samsung user and don’t plan on changing. So I thought I’d buy an old iPhone and plug that it, and hotspot off my Samsung. However that doesn’t seem to be enough and Google tells me I need an actual SIM in the I Phone and a data contract. What a pain! Seems I have to pay each month for a SIM card and so undermined what I thought may be a shortcut and do promise.

Is this really the case? I want Car Play for Maps, Spotify and Waze. I’m really not interested in making or receiving phone calls .

Any thoughts ? Many thanks in advance .

Marc

 

[Mickyh7]

For the amount of data you'll use, get a sim only deal for £3-£4 month 1gig will last forever!

 

[Marc777cars]

For the amount of data you'll use, get a sim only deal for £3-£4 month 1gig will last forever!

I just don’t understand why Apple would be bothered whether you’re accessing their software via WiFi. To insist on a SIM seemed peculiar.

 

[rf065]

I just don’t understand why Apple would be bothered whether you’re accessing their software via WiFi. To insist on a SIM seemed peculiar.

You can make calls without a sim card in a phone, in an emergency for example. My understanding is the sim card is simply a way of identifiying who is using their network/service and who they can bill if required.