Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 16 Pro Max How do you switch between two iPhones with same number?
- Thread starter Lucas Curious
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Sure me too. But I would never travel with only the Apple Watch with cellular.
Well, you are right but the reasons to get an Apple Watch are much more than just having a calling/receiving device when 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.
I did it a few days ago, but are you sure you can do that whenever you want, even multiple time a day ? I think only the provider can answerI 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
- On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan (or Add eSIM)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Some time ago I was in a discussion here with someone regarding eSIM and it's implications and effects. At the time, I took a wait and see stance because I just wasn't sure that anyone had completely considered everything that would result. I believe the conversation was regarding unlocked phones and my hesitancy to use an eSIM in regards to that.
I just didn't know all the implications.
This is one implication of using an eSIM and your statement just reinforces that. So, use an eSIM and you sacrifice the ability to easily switch between devices. Whether that's something a person engages in or not, eSIM now limits you.
What else will it limit at some point?
Last edited:
I do this also. I transfer an eSIM between a 16PM and a 13 mini on Verizon. It takes a few minutes and is a bit of a hassle, so I only do it when I want to take the 13 mini with me on a run (usually my long runs) or I'm out somewhere and I don't want the bulk of a larger phone.
That will depend on the carrier. With Mint Mobile, they give you 5 eSIM swaps per 12 month period. After that, there's a $3 charge (within that 12 month period). So not good for those who want the ease of swapping physical SIM whenever they feel like it.
Be aware that we give you the first five eSIMs free of charge within a twelve month period. After the first five, eSIMs are $3 each (within that twelve month period). If you ever want to switch back to a physical SIM at any time, no problem. Just order a replacement SIM through Account Management. Once the physical SIM is activated, the previously used eSIM will no longer work.
I'm not aware of the major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) imposing that limit. But if you're swapping eSIM a couple times a week or so, who knows if that will raise any flags.
I've never done it on T-Mobile, but on Verizon and AT&T, it takes a matter of about 2-3 minutes to switch e-sims between phones as long as the one you're activating is on a wi-fi connection to make sure it can pull the esim data. You might have issues if you're doing it daily - Verizon was a bit weird at times if I did it more than once a day (i.e. I had to call or chat in to get it done). But if T-Mobile doesn't care, it's actually really easy to move esims back and forth.
Hardly a surprise for me. They much prefer you to choose an additional plan (or a different paid option) instead of just swapping the eSIM between two phones indefinitely 😏
I get that. When I go backpacking/camping I used to pull the sim from my iPhone and put in a cheapo flip-phone...now that I can't do that, I have the same cheapo phone a pre-paid plan for a few bucks/month. Travelling is fine, depending..most of my travelling is to remote areas and national parks; again, no cell service. I'm kinda odd that I enjoy being fully disconnected, including text and calls, for periods of time.
When I run, I don't carry a phone at all. Most of my running is on trails in a local national forest, and no cell service from any providers.
I really hate eSIM. There is no easy way to transfer between iPhone and non-iPhones.
I bought a multisim, so I can use the same number on two phones simultaneously. No need to switch anything that way. On my plan I can have up to 7 sim cards using the same number.
Probably one out of the US. It’s not possible for two devices to have the same cell number in the US.
On T-Mobile, it takes less than 2 minutes to transfer. I have done it several times. I am not aware of there being any limit to the number of transfers. I don’t see why it would be a problem seeing how both phones are using an established number on an established plan and said swapping doesn’t change the number or cost of the monthly plan.
I’ve hit the limit on my TMobile line. It wouldn’t transfer and required me to go to the store to do it. This was after several transfers though.
That stinks. The store won’t do anything more with the transfer process than what we can do ourselves (sans changing some kind of number limit in a computer).
Last edited:
I’m betting it is just a security protocol. I’ve only had that issue once and I’ve switched between iPhones since then several times.