No Text Message Plan? No Free iPhone WiFi

Last week, AT&T introduced free WiFi access for iPhone users at sanctioned hotspots nationwide, including many Starbucks locations.

Now, in addition complaints over the lengthy sign-in process, users report that disabing SMS capability on the iPhone also disallows access to the authorization SMS that is required to access free WiFi; this despite the fact that users with SMS turned off can still receive official text messages from Apple and AT&T.

One iPhone Atlas reader writes:

"Looks like those of us with text messaging disabled cannot receive the code to get on attwifi. I gave it a try at my local Starbucks, never received a message even though I still get official AT&T texts."

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