Adding mom to my ATT family plan. Give her my 4S and get a 5 for me? How?

The iPhone 5 uses a smaller SIM than the iPhone 4s, so you can't just swap them out. The people at the AT&T store should be able to help you do the swap, though (from what I've read).

If your mom's telephone number is the same area code as you, she should be able to keep it. I live in VA and my mom lives in PA, so there was no way for met to add her without her getting a new VA number (so we all went to Verizon, which doesn't have this restriction).

She will have to assign responsibility of her account over to you. There's a web-based process to start this.

You can always go to AT&T's website and chat with an associate. They were always very helpful with information when I was thinking about doing what you're about to do.

GhostMac24 said:

If so, is it as simple as just moving the SIM card from my phone to the other?

Click to expand...

Basically, yes, except for the fact that the iPhone 5 has a new smaller SIM card.

So, yes, that's right, except you can't do it!

The short answer is, go in to an AT&T store. They can do absolutely everything you've asked for. I find it easier to deal with them in person which is why I suggest going to their store instead of buying the phone online and having to call them.

You're not really porting if you're sticking with the same carrier. They can merge her account into a family account with a transfer of responsibility as outlined above. I'd suggest calling and seeing what your options are and selecting whatever sounds like it would suit the both of you best.

Take over responsibility of her line and upgrade. Once they activate her iPhone 5 if you do get it just have them get a micro sim and nano sim for the switch. I ported the gfs mom over from sprint and added her to my account to make it a family plan and everything went smoothly. I suggest getting the iPhone 5 tho since our mom is upgrade eligible so you don't miss out on the upgrade.

I think people are misreading the OP's post. The OP is getting the iPhone 5 with the nano-SIM. No problem there - AT&T will simply activate it on his number. The 4S has a micro-SIM, so assuming that his Mom's phone has a micro-SIM, that micro-SIM can easily be moved into the iPhone 4S. If not, a visit to the AT&T store will be required to get a new micro-SIM for the iPhone 4S.

Otherwise there is no need to go to an AT&T store - everything else can be done over the phone with AT&T.

getting a nano-SIM should be free from AT&T

KeepCalmPeople said:

I think people are misreading the OP's post. The OP is getting the iPhone 5 with the nano-SIM. No problem there - AT&T will simply activate it on his number. The 4S has a micro-SIM, so assuming that his Mom's phone has a micro-SIM, that micro-SIM can easily be moved into the iPhone 4S. If not, a visit to the AT&T store will be required to get a new micro-SIM for the iPhone 4S.

Otherwise there is no need to go to an AT&T store - everything else can be done over the phone with AT&T.

Click to expand...

I think you need to re-read. He will be getting the upgrade on his moms line since she is not under contract and has an upgrade. In that case once he gets the 5 under his moms line it will need to be activated on her line then he'll need a nano sim on his line to go into the 5 and a micro sim for his moms line for the 4S.

GhostMac24 said:

Looks like the easiest thing to do is just close her account and we will get a new phone added to our family plan to give her. She is fine with having a new number. Just need to figure out now if I really want the 5 and give her my 4S or if I am fine with the 4S and get her a "free" 4.

Click to expand...

I say might aswell get the 5 and give her your 4S.

GhostMac24 said:

Jordan, funny you should say that as I was just thinking about it on my way home. I am thinking since she is able to upgrade right now and I am next year, I could get the 5 now giving her my 4S and then if I were to want to upgrade next, our two phones would be one alternating years upgrading which would theoretically give me the ability to upgrade every year if I so choose.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan to me! I would love to update my iPhone every year.

GhostMac24 said:

Jordan, funny you should say that as I was just thinking about it on my way home. I am thinking since she is able to upgrade right now and I am next year, I could get the 5 now giving her my 4S and then if I were to want to upgrade next, our two phones would be one alternating years upgrading which would theoretically give me the ability to upgrade every year if I so choose.

Click to expand...

It's worth it to just upgrade instead of getting a free 4. Now you can upgrade every year and if your mom is happy with the 4S for awhile you can sell the 5 next year for a profit.