Switching SIM cards between iPhones becomes necessary when you wish to get some more out of a new mobile service network and get benefits of competitive rates of operations.
Your SIM card helps the phone to connect to GSM networks. While inserting the SIM card into a different unlocked phone, you can utilize the service on it. Similarly, if the phone is unlocked, you can insert SIM cards from different carriers into it, which can be useful while travelling to a newer area or country.
While switching between phones, you’ll require to ensure that the new phone will accept the SIM card from the carrier. The following steps will be needed to complete the switching SIM cards of iPhones.
- Backing up the Contacts
- Preparing to Transfer
- Transferring the SIM Between Phones
- Activating New Phone
Backing up Your Contacts
- Open the contacts list on the original phone. It’s possible to back up the contacts to the SIM card before transferring it. It may not be always the most convenient option. It is better to use if you’re downgrading to a to a dumb phone. No need to worry when you’re using smartphones. Your contacts get synced with Apple ID.
- Open the menu to select “Export” or similar option.
- Select the SIM card to be used as the destination for the exported contact list.
Preparing to Transfer for Switching SIM cards
- Check the size of the SIM card each phone uses.
- SIM cards come in three major sizes, and check which your phone is using. It may use different ones than you prior had. This is especially true in case when the year of manufacturing is several years apart.
- Many carriers will offer with the correct size for free. You may cut larger SIMs down with the help of a special SIM cutter tool, or new sim card have pre-cut markings on the SIM to help pick your size. Ask for a compatible one from the network carrier. Smaller SIMs can fit into larger slots by being placed in an adapter card.
- Get a new SIM if you wish to switch carriers. Whenever there is a switching of carriers, you have to have a new SIM card. You’ll get a SIM card when you sign up for a new plan. If you switch carriers and then require a different sized SIM card, you can typically get one for free when you contact customer service.
- Some carriers operate CDMA networks instead of GSM networks, which don’t require SIM cards to operate. Most 4G networks are GSM networks, and will need a SIM card. Like, Verizon Wireless is a CDMA network but their 4G LTE service is a GSM network, therefore, a SIM card is needed to access 4G.
Switching SIM cards Between Phones
- Remove the old phone from its case. If the phone is placed in a protective case, you’ll be required to remove the case so as to get the SIM card out.
- Find the SIM card which depends on the model of the phone you have. Typically, the SIM card will be located in different spots.
- Check for a SIM tray. Modern smartphones have SIM trays on one of the sides of the phone.
- The SIM tray can be opened by inserting a SIM removal tool or any random straightened paperclip into the small hole provided on the side of the tray.
- For SIM trays, they will pop out with the tool or paperclip and then pull it all the way out of the phone. You are, then able to remove the SIM card from the tray.
- Check for the battery. Check whether your battery of the phone is removable. Typically, the SIM is inserted behind it.
- Remove the SIM card from the phone. Once you have made it to the SIM card, remove it from your phone.
- If the SIM card is placed behind the battery, you can do either of the two things; slide it out or press it in a little to pop it out. It will entirely depend on the model of the phone.
- Insert the SIM card into the new phone. Go on reversing the removal process stated above to put the SIM into the new phone.
Activating New Phone
- Start the setup process when the phone is new and it is applicable. If you are trying to set up a new smartphone, you will be definitely taken through the whole initial process of setup. Your SIM will typically gets activated for the new phone automatically during the process of installation.
- Insert the SIM and wait in case the phone is already set up. In case, the phone had been already set up, you will usually get service a few moments after you insert the SIM card.
- Just place and insert the SIM card, power on the phone if it was not switched on already. Wait to see if you get connected. You are going to see the signal bars appear in the phone’s upper notification area. You usually, will be able to see the carrier name or abbreviation next to them.
- Contact the carrier in case you cannot connect. When your SIM is not activating in the new phone, then you must need to contact the carrier. Because the phone isn’t connected, you’ll require to either call from another line or visit a carrier store to have the phone activated.