Switch back and forth btwn 6s+ and SE?

[rotobadger]

I have a 6s plus, which I love but sometimes it's a bit large for day to day stuff like the gym, going out and so on. I have been considering getting an SE (or maybe a cheap 5s) to switch out regularly with the plus.

Does anyone here do this on a daily/weekly basis? If so, I'd love comments and input. Is it a hasssle? Do you find yourself getting caught up with making sure both phones are up to date with your texts and emails?

The SE feels great in hand and I'm very tempted. I'm just worried I'd regret it because of the PITA of switching back from one to the other.

In theory (in my head) it seems like a great idea.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[eyoungren]

Well, I have a 6s+ and a 5 I both carry around. I don't worry about syncing messages because I have that all set up for things to be forwarded between them as well as my iPad and my 4s.

I use the 5 as much as I can as an electronic wallet. Walmart Pay, CVS Pay, pictures of important documents, etc. It's on it's own line as a secondary phone but I haven't needed to use it just by itself yet.

The only thing I can't use it for is Apple Pay.

 

[44267547]

I have a 6s plus, which I love but sometimes it's a bit large for day to day stuff like the gym, going out and so on. I have been considering getting an SE (or maybe a cheap 5s) to switch out regularly with the plus.

Does anyone here do this on a daily/weekly basis? If so, I'd love comments and input. Is it a hasssle? Do you find yourself getting caught up with making sure both phones are up to date with your texts and emails?

The SE feels great in hand and I'm very tempted. I'm just worried I'd regret it because of the PITA of switching back from one to the other.

In theory (in my head) it seems like a great idea.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I did this all the time. I actually have three iPhones. Some days I would switch from my 7+ to my iPhone 7 (4.7) or my 6S plus to my iPhone SE. It's the privilege to have multiple sizes of iPhones that I use differently.

However, I will share with you what I know about switching Sim cards between iPhones. Just be really careful handling the SIM card, it doesn't take much to damage them and depends how often you switch iPhones, but eventually they can wear out if not handled carefully.

Also, it's been rare, but I have encountered an issue where the iPhone was not working properly when I switched the Sim card. And this is what I learned from my carrier that explained why:

When switching Sim cards, First, make sure both devices that The the Wi-Fi is turned off. Then power down both iPhones before switching the Sim card. Then switch the Sim card to the iPhone of your choice, power back on the iPhone, allow the iPhones initialize for approximately a minute and then turn on Wi-Fi.

 

[CatherineVeraGat]

Why don't get an iPhone 7? You will get the best of both worlds.

 

[rotobadger]

I did this all the time. I actually have three iPhones. Some days I would switch from my 7+ to my iPhone 7 (4.7) or my 6S plus to my iPhone SE. It's the privilege to have multiple sizes of iPhones that I use differently.

However, I will share with you what I know about switching Sim cards between iPhones. Just be really careful handling the SIM card, it doesn't take much to damage them and depends how often you switch iPhones, but eventually they can wear out if not handled carefully.

Also, it's been rare, but I have encountered an issue where the iPhone was not working properly when I switched the Sim card. And this is what I learned from my carrier that explained why:

When switching Sim cards, First, make sure both devices that The the Wi-Fi is turned off. Then power down both iPhones before switching the Sim card. Then switch the Sim card to the iPhone of your choice, power back on the iPhone, allow the iPhones initialize for approximately a minute and then turn on Wi-Fi.

Relentless: exactly the feedback I was looking for. Thank you!

Catherine: I have my 6s plus and don't want the 7. It's still too big for my purposes. 6s plus perfect for some stuff, SE for other. IMO the 7 is not the best of both worlds. Just the best of one world.

 

[David-fr]

I have a 6s plus, which I love but sometimes it's a bit large for day to day stuff like the gym, going out and so on. I have been considering getting an SE (or maybe a cheap 5s) to switch out regularly with the plus.

Does anyone here do this on a daily/weekly basis? If so, I'd love comments and input. Is it a hasssle? Do you find yourself getting caught up with making sure both phones are up to date with your texts and emails?

The SE feels great in hand and I'm very tempted. I'm just worried I'd regret it because of the PITA of switching back from one to the other.

In theory (in my head) it seems like a great idea.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I have this same set up you're looking into. Most of the time I swap out the 6S plus out on the weekend. Just swap the sim and get the SE going. I restored the SE from a 6S plus back up to have the same app set up. The only annoying things are:

• Have to re-authenticate WhatsApp every time I swap phones.
• Messages are not synced. This will be solved with ios11 as messages will now be synced via iCloud.
• No way to use two iPhones on the same Apple Watch!

I enjoy using the SE on the weekend as my work emails are only on the 6S+ and the SE is small and nice to carry around on weekend activities.

 

[rotobadger]

I have this same set up you're looking into. Most of the time I swap out the 6S plus out on the weekend. Just swap the sim and get the SE going. I restored the SE from a 6S plus back up to have the same app set up. The only annoying things are:

• Have to re-authenticate WhatsApp every time I swap phones.
• Messages are not synced. This will be solved with ios11 as messages will now be synced via iCloud.
• No way to use two iPhones on the same Apple Watch!

I enjoy using the SE on the weekend as my work emails are only on the 6S+ and the SE is small and nice to carry around on weekend activities.

David: Thanks for the info. Regarding your text messages, can't you just leave iMessage active on both devices? Assuming the phone you leave at home has continuous wifi access, wouldn't you just get duplicate texts on each device? This is what I assumed I'd do but am not sure it would work. I figured this approach would keep messages identical on both phones.

 

[bingeciren]

@David-fr pretty much summarized it all.

If you have an Apple watch switching between phones takes too long and it is rather annoying because you have to unpair and pair the watch again and restore from a backup.

As for the messages being in sync, as long as the other phone is connected to WiFi and iMessage is on, it stays in sync. However, if you turn off the other phone for a day or two, some messages may get lost when you turn it on again.

Call log is like the messages but it is even more inconsistent. Some calls show up, others don't. It is unreliable.

WhatsApp also needs to be re-activated each time it is switched, luckily the chats stay in sync due to iCloud backup.

I have three phones that I switch from time to time and since I don't do it on a daily basis, I keep the other phones turned off when they are not used. When the time comes to switch, I do a quick iTunes backup of the active phone and restore the inactive phone from the backup to sync everything. But, still a hassle if you ask me.

 

[David-fr]

David: Thanks for the info. Regarding your text messages, can't you just leave iMessage active on both devices? Assuming the phone you leave at home has continuous wifi access, wouldn't you just get duplicate texts on each device? This is what I assumed I'd do but am not sure it would work. I figured this approach would keep messages identical on both phones.

I turn off the phone I'm not using. TBH, Messages have always been a pain to keep in sync and working with the different iOS devices and Mac, at least for me. I am looking forward to iCloud sync as it will be the same as using FB Messenger, always in sync because it all happens in the cloud.

 

[nburwell]

I have both 6s+ and SE (also 7 too). Switching for me is pretty flawless. I swap the SIM card out from the device and insert it into the device I want to use at that time. I usually keep all three devices powered on and connected to my home wifi so iMessages sync between each device. I usually swap out my SIM on the weekends as I have the Blackberry Work app on my 7 and use either the 6s+ or SE. As some other members already touched on, you have to re-authenticate WhatsApp when you switch phone's, but it's not too much of a big deal.

OP, I'd definitely say go for it.

 

[rotobadger]

I have both 6s+ and SE (also 7 too). Switching for me is pretty flawless. I swap the SIM card out from the device and insert it into the device I want to use at that time. I usually keep all three devices powered on and connected to my home wifi so iMessages sync between each device. I usually swap out my SIM on the weekends as I have the Blackberry Work app on my 7 and use either the 6s+ or SE. As some other members already touched on, you have to re-authenticate WhatsApp when you switch phone's, but it's not too much of a big deal.

OP, I'd definitely say go for it.

nburwell: Thanks for the info. Sounds like you use your phones exactly how I was thinking I'd like to. Let me ask you this: do you ever find yourself with one phone and realize it's missing info you have saved on another phone you left at home? I had actually thought about swapping between my iPhone and a LG V20 but it seemed like a nightmare as nothing would be synced.

So, you don't feel it's a PITA to switch at will?

Your post is encouraging...

 

[tr1ad]

I have the same.... 6S+ and an SE.
I switch depending on what I’ll be doing .... with the kids - 2 year old and a 4 month old - a smaller device is handy and easier, cycling - the larger screen is better, jogging - smaller is better, work week - larger screen is better.

There are times when I’m with either and wish it could do something the other device did - example out on the weekend with the kids and I get a work email with an attachment, I’ll have to wait until I get to my laptop to view because the SE is just too small.

There are also the times when I tell myself I just need to settle with one device

 

[regkilla]

I switch back and worth between my iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone SE. The iPhone SE has Apple Pay.

 

[rotobadger]

There are also the times when I tell myself I just need to settle with one device

That's my dilemma. Feel like it would be great to have a phone to fit each lifestyle component. Then I think about settling as you said. Decisions.

 

[Reno Raines]

I have a 6s plus, which I love but sometimes it's a bit large for day to day stuff like the gym, going out and so on. I have been considering getting an SE (or maybe a cheap 5s) to switch out regularly with the plus.

Does anyone here do this on a daily/weekly basis? If so, I'd love comments and input. Is it a hasssle? Do you find yourself getting caught up with making sure both phones are up to date with your texts and emails?

The SE feels great in hand and I'm very tempted. I'm just worried I'd regret it because of the PITA of switching back from one to the other.

In theory (in my head) it seems like a great idea.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I literally do this but I have a 7 and an SE. I swapped sims today and used my SE as I was out and about and was going to be listening to a lot of music and I prefer wired headphones. Also in my job if I know I am going to be on a detail where I am going to be on foot instead of my patrol car I like the size of the SE as I can more easily slip it in my pocket. When I am using my 7 I then just use my SE as an iPod. For me it is a win win since I sold my iPod touch 6g as I did not it's battery.