Swapping sim cards

[SayCheese]

Hi all,

I have an iPhone 6 plus on Vodafone UK. I've had it more than 12 months.
I am soon to travel to the USA. Vodafone charge roaming fees for international use.

However I have a three UK sim card for an iPhone 5 which gives me their 'feel at home' deal which will allow free roaming in the USA.

If I get my iPhone 6 plus unlocked by Vodafone will using the three sim card in it cause me any problems?

I would anticipate using the three sim card almost all the time I'm in the USA but then once a day swapping the sims over so I can pick up messages on my Vodafone number.

Can anyone see if this will cause any problems? Any issues with different sims in the same phone swapping back and forward?

 

[StevenB14]

I was about to post a similar question. I'm off to New York next week and have another SIM I want to use while there but occasionally switch the sim to check messages etc.

My worry is that it will mess up my number associated with icloud, facetime, imessage etc and I'm not entirely sure what the best way to handle this is.

 

[SayCheese]

I was about to post a similar question. I'm off to New York next week and have another SIM I want to use while there but occasionally switch the sim to check messages etc.

My worry is that it will mess up my number associated with icloud, facetime, imessage etc and I'm not entirely sure what the best way to handle this is.

Exactly my thoughts. Be interested to hear from someone who knows.

 

[Newtons Apple]

It will be nice one day if the carriers from all the countries would get it together and stop this roaming crap and stop hurting the users. More people are traveling and this remains ridiculous that we have to continue to jump through hoops!

 

[StevenB14]

Is it just as simple as swapping the sims and imessage uses whatever number is on that sim at the time?

If it's going to be a massive headache I'm tempted to deactivate facetime/imessage etc from my current number, swap the sims, activate these services on the new sim then go through the same process when I return. Just ignore my primary sim card and any messages I may receive for the duration of the trip.

 

[emilioestevez]

Is it just as simple as swapping the sims and imessage uses whatever number is on that sim at the time?

If it's going to be a massive headache I'm tempted to deactivate facetime/imessage etc from my current number, swap the sims, activate these services on the new sim then go through the same process when I return. Just ignore my primary sim card and any messages I may receive for the duration of the trip.

Yes, it's as simple as that.

However, you can still iMessage and FaceTime from your Apple ID email address.

When I buy local SIM cards overseas it's a painless process, but be aware that your numbers in your Phone app may suddenly not have names attached to them and extra or fewer settings may be available to you.

 

[lordofthereef]

You don't have to really worry about iCloud. You can have multiple numbers on iMessages and the like. I think I have three numbers associated with my personal iMessages account and it has never been an issue.

Keep in mind that if your main number is sent a text and it doesn't get sent as an iMessage you aren't going to receive it with that other sim in place.

 

[SayCheese]

Thanks. So I should be able to just swap the sim card and get on with it?

 

[StevenB14]

Thanks. So I should be able to just swap the sim card and get on with it?

I just tried putting the Three SIM into my phone and it was perfect. It just changes iMessage and facetime to use the number form that sim instead. Easy enough to swap back as well. No problems.

 

[SayCheese]

I just tried putting the Three SIM into my phone and it was perfect. It just changes iMessage and facetime to use the number form that sim instead. Easy enough to swap back as well. No problems.

Great, thanks for the info.

 

[Paco II]

That's the reason I've gone to using my email as default 'from' in iMessage. Eliminates the confusing number change and multiple message threads issue when swapping SIMs.

One other thing to note for those with visual voice mail. Swapping SIMs will usually remove the password. When putting in the original SIM you need to remember to re-enter the password.

I just tried putting the Three SIM into my phone and it was perfect. It just changes iMessage and facetime to use the number form that sim instead. Easy enough to swap back as well. No problems.