iPhone 16 Pro Trading in a phone using a physical SIM?

[pgoelz]

Need a bit of advice here. I'm unsure about the best way to trade in my iPhone 13 Pro with physical SIM (T-mobile) on a new iPhone 16 Pro. I would like to do the trade in at the same time I take delivery of the new phone so I would need to wipe the 13 Pro.

Note that T-mobile does not have a self service eSIM transfer at present.

I do have a Samsung S23 that I could use temporarily during the delivery and trade in process.

So what is the simplest way to do this? Switch to an eSIM, transfer that to the S23, wipe the 13 Pro and trade it in and then transfer the eSIM from the S23 to the 16 Pro when it is set up and restored from my backup? Or is there a simpler way? Like don't try to do this all in the same transaction and trade the 13 Pro in AFTER setting up the 16 Pro?

TIA,
Paul

 

[4sallypat]

In store, Apple reps will help you transfer it on the spot for you.

Then they will need to wipe the 13 so they will guide you as well.

Since I won't be instore to pickup, I always backup onto a computer and iCloud.

 

[pgoelz]

Yeah, I figured Apple could help that process. It is just that I expect the place to be VERY busy and it would be simpler if I walked in with a wiped phone ready to trade in.

I'm sure I could also just leave the pSIM in the S23 so I retain a functional phone and then switch to eSIM in a T-mobile store when the iPhone is set up and ready to roll.....

 

[pgoelz]

My iPhone 13 Pro is currently on IOS 18 beta (RC). Can I assume that in order to restore from iCloud or PC the 13 Pro needs to be on the RTM IOS 18?