Nice one. Can I ask you handle the switching? I have a 16 Pro but would like to return to the 13 mini occasionally. The thing is, I haven’t turned it on in about a year and wondering how many hoops I have to go through to get my banking apps and work verification apps like Okta, Authenticator (Google/MS) and telegram/signal/whatsapp without a major hassle. Is there a quick and foolproof way to do this and then switch back to the 16 without any hassle a few weeks later?
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iPhone 13 mini Goodbye to my 13 mini
- Thread starter ger19
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Macdctr
macrumors 68000
On my 13 mini I access my banking apps, home security system and in-ground sprinkler setup using this device. I enjoy doing this while just using one hand. I find the 13 mini's compact size very useful in this regards. Especially when getting numerous alerts of vehicles driving by my home.
With my 13 series iPhones, I have a physical SIM from Visible that I use go to around those iPhones however this time around I used my physical SIM card in my 13 Pro and just transferred the eSIM from my Air into my 13 mini to use for the week. Doing this was very straightforward and I can easily swap my eSIM back to my Air or 15 Pro if I wanted to use that iPhone for the week.
I just access Cellular from the settings menu and select the "Set up Cellular" link and follow the prompts. When you click on the "Set up Cellular" link the next thing that comes up is the "Transfer from iPhone" which is the one you want when transferring your eSIM from one iPhone to another. Once you select the Transfer from iPhone just select the eSIM number you desire to transfer into the new iPhone. Once you select the number the phone will confirm by asking you to select "Transfer" and it will ask you to confirm on the phone that currently has this eSIM installed on it. Then on the iPhone the eSIM is currently on it will ask you to confirm by pressing the power button and then transfer of the eSIM from the old phone to the new one is complete. Then on the new iPhone just wait for the cellular setup to complete then acknowledge it and you have your new iPhone to use.
Oh, I don’t have a problem with the sim card. I can just take it out and put it in my old phone. I just remember last tome
I changed phones, I had to go through a number of verifications to get messaging apps and banking apps to work, that didn’t just work through the restore backup feature. Then there’s the Authenticator apps which I have to contact my work IT department to give me access to on the new phone.
Is there any way to overcome this and do a hard transfer of everything to my old phone, but then also transfer it back when I go back to the 16?
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
As I type this response I want to add that while explaining how I transfer eSIMS between on iPhone to another, I transferred the eSIM in my 13 Pro over to my 15 Pro for the upcoming week. Everything transferred without issue and I just brought up my banking app on my "current iPhone" for the week and everything, including Face ID, worked out without issue. I did not have to verify anything as everything, my credentials, carried over from one iPhone to the new one. At least from my experience this is how it has been since I began doing this last month.
Thanks. I just don’t think it’ll work for what I’m after so I won’t try. Don’t want to take the risk of being forced to update to iOS 26 either!
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
I don’t think transferring your eSIM from one iPhone to another will force you to update the iOS on your iPhone to iOS 26. Unfortunately some of my 13 minis came with iOS 26 installed on them. The ones I have that has the older iOS installed on them (17 and 18) will have those iOS on them.
Macdctr
macrumors 68000
Even easier going between iPhones. I do this with all my iPhone 13 devices . . . swapping in my physical SIM card into the device I want to use.
actcyclist
macrumors 6502
I had to buy a new iPhone immediately because my 12mini died.
I despise its larger size, which I suppose is good because I’ll use it less, leave it at home or in my car more often.
I despise its larger size, which I suppose is good because I’ll use it less, leave it at home or in my car more often.
splifingate
Contributor
If you hold it, you can use it.
A bit on the small-side. I would adapt.
A bit on the small-side. I would adapt.
I've found it healthy to deliberately leaving my phone at home. It does require going back to thinking and planning (e.g. are we firm on the plans where to meet, what will I need when I get there, do I know how to get where I am going before I leave the house, etc).
Another thing I found healthy is to enable the grayscale color filter. Picking up my phone after I first made it the default was like drinking water after Pepsi. Vice-versa now when I enable regular color (e.g. for camera/photos), it's like someone dropped a tablespoon of saccharin into my water.
actcyclist
macrumors 6502
I returned the 16e 3 days ago, just using my iPad which has cellular, iPhone 13 mini coming today
It’s been interesting without my Apple Watch and phone. I think I’ll start non technology days when I can.
It’s been interesting without my Apple Watch and phone. I think I’ll start non technology days when I can.
actcyclist
macrumors 6502
It had Bluetooth problems. I couldn’t listen to AirPods as far in my home or gym compared to my 12 mini, so it was a downgrade when considering I didn’t want a bigger phone anyway. I also saved $AU500 and the battery is new so should last 3-4 years