iPhone 16 Pro Max How do you switch between two iPhones with same number?

[Lucas Curious]

I have the mini 12 and got the 16 Pro Max. Was hoping to use both phones depending on circumstances. 16 doesnt have a sim tray. When I was activating 16, it said my mini SIM card will become deactivated and it did indeed deactivate the sim. So now its not possible to use two phones and switch between them?

 

[StumpyBloke]

Correct

 

[eyoungren]

You should be able to switch eSIM from phone to phone. I've never done this myself, but the question came up a while ago on the T-Mobile Reddit. In Settings>Cellular you'd add an eSIM and then transfer. Both phones need to be together.

Alternatively, calling your carrier to switch is also a thing.

 

[FlyingDutch]

You should be able to switch eSIM from phone to phone. I've never done this myself, but the question came up a while ago on the T-Mobile Reddit. In Settings>Cellular you'd add an eSIM and then transfer. Both phones need to be together.

Alternatively, calling your carrier to switch is also a thing.

To switch phone you need to deactivate the eSIM on the older one before. So basically you cannot use the same number on two different phones

 

[eyoungren]

To switch phone you need to deactivate the eSIM on the older one before. So basically you cannot use the same number on two different phones

I interpreted OP's question as similar to swapping a pSIM between phones. Pull it out of one phone, put it in another. Same number, swapped between two phones.

OP is just trying to do that with eSIM and not a pSIM. Again, that's how I read it.

You're right that you can't use the same number at the same time in two different phones.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I interpreted OP's question as similar to swapping a pSIM between phones. Pull it out of one phone, put it in another. Same number, swapped between two phones.

OP is just trying to do that with eSIM and not a pSIM. Again, that's how I read it.

You're right that you can't use the same number at the same time in two different phones.

Deactivate the eSIM on one phone and activate it on the other could be an option, but not a very handy one. And I don’t know if the carrier will allow that indefinitely 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[adrianlondon]

eSims can be transferred between phones, but whether that can be done without network-provider confirmation, or whether there's a limit on the number of transfers, will depend on your provider.

Most likely, it can be transferred easily but only a small number of times. Speak to your provider.

 

[FlyingDutch]

eSims can be transferred between phones, but whether that can be done without network-provider confirmation, or whether there's a limit on the number of transfers, will depend on your provider.

Most likely, it can be transferred easily but only a small number of times. Speak to your provider.

My provider, when I switched from iPhone 14 PM to the 16 PM, told me the eSIM deactivation must be done under WiFi network, not under the carrier, otherwise it could be stuck. I don’t know if this is valid worldwide.

 

[eyoungren]

Deactivate the eSIM on one phone and activate it on the other could be an option, but not a very handy one. And I don’t know if the carrier will allow that indefinitely 🤷🏻‍♂️

Yeah, this is one limitation of eSIM I am seeing. I'm still using a physical SIM and that was intentional way back in 2021 when I got my 11PM. I wanted to see how eSIM would play out so by the time I end up upgrading, I understand it quite a bit more.

Not easily being able to shift eSIM like you can a physical SIM is a problem for some.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Yeah, this is one limitation of eSIM I am seeing. I'm still using a physical SIM and that was intentional way back in 2021 when I got my 11PM. I wanted to see how eSIM would play out so by the time I end up upgrading, I understand it quite a bit more.

Not easily being able to shift eSIM like you can a physical SIM is a problem for some.

Well, once you try an eSIM, you wont come back…
BTW I never felt the need to swap SIM in different phones on a regular basis.

 

[eyoungren]

Well, once you try an eSIM, you wont come back…
BTW I never felt the need to swap SIM in different phones on a regular basis.

That'll happen sometime next year when I plan to upgrade. I don't have a need to switch SIMs either But I do have two iPhones on separate lines (my 11PM and a 6s Plus).

And, I have a 6 Plus that's unlocked. Having the ability to switch a physical SIM to it if necessary is nice. I've never had to do that, but I could if I needed to. Once I switch to a eSIM, I wouldn't be able to do that with the 6 Plus.

It's all academic for me anyway as I've really no intention of switching SIMs (physical or otherwise) around. But I guess for OP, it's a concern.

 

[Lucas Curious]

My provider, when I switched from iPhone 14 PM to the 16 PM, told me the eSIM deactivation must be done under WiFi network, not under the carrier, otherwise it could be stuck. I don’t know if this is valid worldwide.

probably true because I did it yesterday without wifi connection an dit got stuck. Then I had no sim on either phone. Called T-mobile and was told to restart phone and connect to wifi. if it gets stuck, it will want to erase the whole phone and then you have to restart the process but no cell connection on either phone.

 

[Lucas Curious]

my original question was about the possibility to use two phones but swapping the sim between them since I dont like to go running with a big phone and dont want to travel with it either.

 

[FlyingDutch]

my original question was about the possibility to use two phones but swapping the sim between them since I dont like to go running with a big phone and dont want to travel with it either.

I think there is no practical solution for that

 

[CharlesShaw]

my original question was about the possibility to use two phones but swapping the sim between them since I dont like to go running with a big phone and dont want to travel with it either.

Perhaps a cellular Apple Watch could allow you to leave the big phone at home while running.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Perhaps a cellular Apple Watch could allow you to leave the big phone at home while running.

A perfect solution for running. Not for traveling.

 

[eyoungren]

Perhaps a cellular Apple Watch could allow you to leave the big phone at home while running.

LOL. No offense, but here's the subtext…

Perhaps buying an additional expensive Apple device to do what the iPhone could easily do in the past with a physical SIM could allow you to leave the big phone at home while running.

I don't disagree with you and I'm not saying you're wrong, but…'get another device on top of the one you already have just to do the same thing'?

Uhm…yeah.

 

[CharlesShaw]

A perfect solution for running. Not for traveling.

While I would never leave my phone at home while traveling, I would never travel without my cellular watch. Apple Pay, notifications without taking phone out of pocket, and the peace of mind of having calls and texts if something happened to the phone.

 

[TracerAnalog]

I have the mini 12 and got the 16 Pro Max. Was hoping to use both phones depending on circumstances. 16 doesnt have a sim tray. When I was activating 16, it said my mini SIM card will become deactivated and it did indeed deactivate the sim. So now its not possible to use two phones and switch between them?

Some providers have a dual-SIM or multi-SIM option, look into that.

 

[CharlesShaw]

LOL. No offense, but here's the subtext…

Hehe, none taken. The subtext that I see is that the OP finds the Max too big some of the time (a common scenario), but still wants to keep the small phone (less common). If the OP is age 55+ then their carrier, T-Mobile, has two-line plans that are affordable. If you log into the same Apple ID on both phones (that have different numbers) at least you could have the same iMessage (and forwarded sms) on both phones. I do this. I think TM might even have the ability to have the calls go to both phones, similar to how the watch works, but I've never explored it.

 

[sw1tcher]

my original question was about the possibility to use two phones but swapping the sim between them since I dont like to go running with a big phone and dont want to travel with it either.

I suppose you could do this every time you want to switch iPhones

About eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support

Learn what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone, and how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM.

support.apple.com

Use eSIM Quick Transfer on iPhone​

Some carriers support SIM transfers from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them. You can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM.

Transfer a physical SIM or eSIM on your previous iPhone to an eSIM on your new iPhone after setup​

1. On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan (or Add eSIM)
2. Choose a cellular plan to transfer from another iPhone. If you don't see a list of numbers, tap Transfer From Another iPhone. This requires both devices to have iOS 16 or later.
3. Check for instructions on your previous iPhone to confirm the transfer. To confirm, tap Transfer or, if asked for a verification code, enter the code that's displayed on your new iPhone.
4. Wait for the cellular plan to activate on your new iPhone. Your previous SIM is deactivated when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates.
5. If a banner appears on your new iPhone that says Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan, tap it. You will be redirected to your carrier's webpage to transfer your eSIM. If you need help, contact your carrier.

Set up cellular service on iPhone

The cellular connection on your iPhone requires an eSIM or a physical SIM from a cellular provider.

support.apple.com

If you already completed setup, you can do any of the following:

• eSIM Quick Transfer: Some carriers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them (requires iOS 16 or later on both devices).
  
  On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number. On your previous iPhone, follow the instructions to confirm the transfer.
  
  Note: After your phone number is transferred to your new iPhone, it stops working on your previous iPhone.
  
  
• Scan a QR Code provided by your carrier: Go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Use QR Code. (You may need to tap Other Options first.) Position iPhone so the QR code appears in the frame, or enter the details manually. You may be asked to enter a confirmation code provided by your carrier.

I should also point out that not all carriers support Apple's eSIM Quick Transfer. In my case, when I got a new iPhone and needed to transfer the eSIM over, I had to use the Mint Mobile app.

 

[CMoore515]

Use eSIM quick transfer.

 

[3304614]

my original question was about the possibility to use two phones but swapping the sim between them since I dont like to go running with a big phone and dont want to travel with it either.

This is not an answer to your question, but it might be the best solution for you:

I also don’t like running with a large phone. If I owned the Pro Max (and it was still within the return window), I would definitely return it and get a Pro (normal) instead.

If you don’t want to run with OR travel with the Pro Max, it very much seems like you don’t actually want the huge Pro Max. If so, I very much understand that. I’m also a 12 Mini user and love the smaller form factor. If you are able to, maybe returning your huge phone for a slightly-smaller phone is the best option for you.

 

[whattodo11]

I have the mini 12 and got the 16 Pro Max. Was hoping to use both phones depending on circumstances. 16 doesnt have a sim tray. When I was activating 16, it said my mini SIM card will become deactivated and it did indeed deactivate the sim. So now its not possible to use two phones and switch between them?

You can do it with two phones that have esims or two phones that have SIM cards. I use a 15 pro and 16 pro max and just transfer the eSIM when i switch

 

[Harthag]

If you have multiple lines with T-Mobile it is very easy to do using Digits. I use an iPhone 16PM and Pixel 9 Pro XL and don’t need to do anything aside from installing the Digits app on both phones. Calls and messages (I use BlueBubbles + Mac Mini always connected as my server for iMessage) get forwarded to whichever phone I happen to be using.