Ah yes! The issue almost every iPhone user in Pakistan faces – is the non-PTA iPhones. Without authorization from the PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority), no device can work in Pakistan. It’s especially true for the latest version of iPhones which is the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

However, there are some workarounds to using a non-PTA device which I’ll be telling you about in this article. Keep in mind that the methods I’ll be mentioning will all be legal. They are just workarounds for this whole PTA issue.

In this article, I’ll be covering the following:

• What is a PTA & non-PTA device
• Methods to use non-PTA iPhone 14 Pro Max

For those who just came from abroad, let me shed some light on what I’m talking about.

What Is a PTA & Non-PTA Device

You might be wondering, “What is PTA?”. It stands for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, whose purpose is to approve or disapprove the usage of any communication device in Pakistan. Normally, there are two types of mobile phones currently in Pakistan. One of them is those who have been approved by PTA.

PTA devices are those which have been approved by the PTA for use in Pakistan and meet all necessary requirements for mobile communications. These phones, such as iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 13 Pro Max, must be registered with the PTA, submit biometric information, and comply with local telecom laws. PTA devices are more reliable and secure and have better coverage in the country due to their compliance with local regulations.

Non-PTA devices, on the other hand, are those that the PTA does not approve for use in Pakistan due to either not meeting all necessary requirements or not being registered. Non-PTA devices may have limited coverage (or, in most cases, none) and security features, so they are more prone to being hacked or used for malicious activities. Overall, it’s important to make sure that any mobile phone you purchase in Pakistan is a PTA device, as this will ensure that you get the best coverage and security possible.

Benefits of using a PTA device:

• PTA devices are secure and compliant with local telecom laws. 
• They have better coverage in the country due to their compliance with the law. 
• The data stored on a PTA device is less likely to be hacked or used for malicious activities. 
• You can get help from the PTA if something goes wrong with your phone or service. 
• Buying a PTA device may also make it easier to get insurance for your phone. 

Benefits of using a PTA device:

• The PTA approval is just as expensive as the phone (in some cases).

It might be appealing to go for the Non-PTA option because it’s cheaper, but you won’t be able to make any calls or SMS to your contacts.

Methods to Use Non-PTA iPhone 14 Pro Max

Even though getting your device the PTA approval may seem like the easier option, not everyone can afford it. In that case, most people go towards the non-PTA option since it’s cheaper. The only drawback of using a non-PTA iPhone 14 Pro Max is that you won’t be able to use your sim on that device. There are some illegal ways, but they can get you in a boatload of trouble if you use them. However, there are a few methods by which one can still use these devices without breaking any laws.

Method 1: Using a SCOM Sim

Most people living in Pakistan never heard of a SCOM sim because this network is a northern network that the army manages. The inserting this sim in your iPhone 14 Pro Max, you’ll start getting signals, and you’ll be able to make phone calls.

The only downside to using this sim is that you’ll need to change your number, which most of us don’t like to do. According to my knowledge, they don’t have the option to convert your current network to the SCOM. Normally, this sim is available in northern areas. That’s why you’ll need to buy this because some will get the sim and try to sell it on the online market.

Method 2: Using the eSIM Option

Nowadays, many mobile manufacturers and network providers have started to create the eSIM option, which is a digital sim that you can use on your phone. You simply need to ask your network provider to convert your current physical sim into an eSIM. After that, you’ll scan it with your iPhone 14 Pro Max, and you’ll be able to use it. The major drawback of using an eSIM is that it’s a temporary solution. It’s available for 2 months, after which you’ll need to get the PTA approval. Otherwise, you’ll need to use the phone without a sim.

Method 3: Buying An Older iPhone

Ok! Hear me out. The separate PTA approval is only applicable to iPhone devices older than iPhone 8. So if you want to use an iPhone 14 Pro Max for calls, you’ll need to buy an older iPhone, which won’t require PTA approval.

But you might be wondering, “How is that possible?” Actually, all Apple devices have an amazing ecosystem with exceptionally good connectivity. There’s a feature in iPhone that if you turn it on, you can receive calls on any of the devices that have the same Apple ID. To use this feature, you’ll need to toggle the “Allow Calls on Other Devices” switch. This way, you can get calls on all of the Apple devices you want.

Method 4: Getting a Smaller Phone

Another method of using a non-PTA iPhone 14 Pro Max is to get a smaller and cheaper phone. You can get any android phone or a phone with buttons and put a sim in it. With the smaller phone, you can make calls and even use a hotspot (if your device supports it). It’s the most commonly used method in Pakistan since it only costs Rs. 4-5k to buy such small devices rather than getting the PTA approval.

Method 5: Use the IKOS Device

For those who don’t know, IKOS is an amazing device that allows you to use two SIM cards for your phone. This device utilizes two slots for the insertion of two separate SIMs, allowing them to be accessed and used simultaneously. 

The majority of devices that did not have dual SIM slots used this feature. However, you’ll still need to get the PTA approval for the device, but it’s significantly cheaper than getting PTA approval for the iPhone.

Conclusion

Hopefully, there was at least one method of using a non-PTA iPhone that worked for you. If you had to ask me, I’d recommend the iPhone method. The reason is that not only you can get the older versions of the iPhones significantly cheaper, but you’ll also be able to get calls on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

After that, I’ll recommend the smaller phone method if you want to save some extra money. If you’re planning on buying an iPhone 14 Pro Max, then I’ll recommend Wise Market Pakistan. In addition to the 14 Pro Max, we also sell iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, etc. You can also get these devices in used or refurbished condition if you want to save some bucks. So, why wait? Head on over to Wise Market Pakistan and get the best devices for the best prices.