iPhone 12 Using pre-installed "5G" SIM on the new iPhone 12/12 Pro or use existing iPhone X SIM

[dictoresno]

I see some sporadic posts here and there regarding the SIM card that comes with the new phones vs using your existing SIM. Has there been any definitive answers of what you can/should do? I see some people are getting text messages from Verizon, indicating they need to used the pre-installed "5G" SIM, but is it required? I ordered my Verizon iPhone 12 through Apple and upon delivery, was going to just pop in my existing iPhone X SIM card. Is there any restrictions I would encounter in doing so when it comes to using the regular 5G network? Will I need to contact Verizon and have them swap my SIM to the new one? Does this trigger activation fees?

 

[billy7527]

A fellow Verizon user.
When I started my new iPhone up, it prompted me to confirm the number listed as I went through the first few steps. Make sure that your old phone is off at this stage for the activation to go smoothly. That was the biggest hang up for me.
Once I figured out my old phone needed to be off, it honestly didn’t take that long for it to activate over.
The activation fee will likely be added to your Verizon Bill or it was part of the purchase fees (I can’t remember). But Verizon will charge you the fee one way or the other. My mom upgraded from an 8 to an SE a few weeks ago and was charged the activation fee even though we 1) ordered online and 2) swapped the SIM over.

 

[vanburen982]

I see some sporadic posts here and there regarding the SIM card that comes with the new phones vs using your existing SIM. Has there been any definitive answers of what you can/should do? I see some people are getting text messages from Verizon, indicating they need to used the pre-installed "5G" SIM, but is it required? I ordered my Verizon iPhone 12 through Apple and upon delivery, was going to just pop in my existing iPhone X SIM card. Is there any restrictions I would encounter in doing so when it comes to using the regular 5G network? Will I need to contact Verizon and have them swap my SIM to the new one? Does this trigger activation fees?

I picked up a 5G Sim today. I was moving from an iPhone X to 12Pro. Was told by tech support that while using the old SIM would get me 5G access I wouldn’t get MM Wave. Can’t really say if that’s true because it’s in such limited areas in my city but my regular 5G coverage has been steady. Also switched out physical SIM this evening for eSIM.

 

[dictoresno]

thanks for the replies!

 

[JimMMac]

I picked up a 5G Sim today. I was moving from an iPhone X to 12Pro. Was told by tech support that while using the old SIM would get me 5G access I wouldn’t get MM Wave. Can’t really say if that’s true because it’s in such limited areas in my city but my regular 5G coverage has been steady. Also switched out physical SIM this evening for eSIM.

I'm a little confused about the whole Sim thing, hopefully someone can help me. I'm currently on an iPhone X with Verizon. I have an iPhone 12 on the way, ordered from Apple with Verizon service. Is their any difference between the Sim card that comes with the new phone and a 5G Sim that one would pick up at a Verizon store? What does using the Sim from my old phone gain me? Thanks.

 

[coffeeplease]

A fellow Verizon user.
When I started my new iPhone up, it prompted me to confirm the number listed as I went through the first few steps. Make sure that your old phone is off at this stage for the activation to go smoothly. That was the biggest hang up for me.
Once I figured out my old phone needed to be off, it honestly didn’t take that long for it to activate over.
The activation fee will likely be added to your Verizon Bill or it was part of the purchase fees (I can’t remember). But Verizon will charge you the fee one way or the other. My mom upgraded from an 8 to an SE a few weeks ago and was charged the activation fee even though we 1) ordered online and 2) swapped the SIM over.

This is criminal if you paid outright for the phone. How does swapping your existing SIM into another device warrant an activation fee? Do the other US carriers do this?

 

[vanburen982]

I'm a little confused about the whole Sim thing, hopefully someone can help me. I'm currently on an iPhone X with Verizon. I have an iPhone 12 on the way, ordered from Apple with Verizon service. Is their any difference between the Sim card that comes with the new phone and a 5G Sim that one would pick up at a Verizon store? What does using the Sim from my old phone gain me? Thanks.

The new 5G SIM card will given you full access to Verizon’s 5G network while you’re previous iPhone X SIM card will only give you partial access. As long as the SIM loaded in the phone has the 5G branding you should be good. I would definitely move on from the iPhone X SIM.

 

[Sdg2844]

I’m a little confused too!

I’m still on an iPhone 8 Plus. I’m just setting up my pre-order for Nov 6th with Apple.

I am paying via installments with the Apple Card at 0%, so the phone will be sim unlocked and the same price whether I choose my current carrier (T-Mobile) or not.

If I choose T-mobile it says “Apple will work with your carrier to activate your new phone.” That makes me a little nervous, because we have this really great, unlimited everything plan with T-mobile, and I’m worried they will upgrade us to some inferior and more costly and lan in the process, if I do this.

so I’m tempted to use the sim free option.

BUT, since I’m upgrading to a 5G phone, if I choose the sim free option I will clearly need to go down to T-mobile to get a 5G sim.

I’m unclear though... if I choose T-mobile, does that mean simply that my phone will cone with a 5G sim that is ready to activate to my number on the T-mobile network?

 

[Deinocheirus]

I don't understand: why would anyone ever reuse a SIM? When I order a phone, it is to upgrade my line. It comes assigned to my phone number already. I turn it on, it activates, and the old one deactivates. Every one for the last many years. What would be the point of using your old SIM these days?

 

[Frankfurt]

I don't understand: why would anyone ever reuse a SIM? When I order a phone, it is to upgrade my line. It comes assigned to my phone number already. I turn it on, it activates, and the old one deactivates. Every one for the last many years. What would be the point of using your old SIM these days?

Avoiding an activation fee.

 

[i007]

I’m on AT&T and wondering this as well. I normally purchase the sim free version, but I’m not sure if my existing sim will work. Can’t seem to find a concrete answer.

 

[Frankfurt]

I did get a SIM free 12Pro and did connect with Verizon upfront, as I also usually re-use the old SIM to get around the activation fee. While the LTE SIM is supposed to work, they recommended to switch to a 5G SIM as the 5G service continues to evolve and require a switch in SIM. They sent me a 5G SIM, which I activated with. No issues so far (and I managed to have them waive the activation fee).

There are some reports here from folks who experienced issues with transitioning over a LTE SIM (e.g. list SMS etc.). Probably best to go with the carrier recommendation on this and use a 5G SIM.

 

[Givmeabrek]

I’m on AT&T and wondering this as well. I normally purchase the sim free version, but I’m not sure if my existing sim will work. Can’t seem to find a concrete answer.

I think many have the same issue including myself. We are basically trying to avoid the activation fee. Using the old sim will probably not give you all of the 5G features, so that is out. You can either get the AT&T version which will trigger the activation fee or you can get the sim free version and then get a new sim from AT&T. The only question is will this trigger the activation fee ($30) and is it worth the effort to go this route. Can't seem to get a clear answer. I'm going to go for the AT&T version...

 

[JeepGC]

Everything I've read seems to point towards 5G requiring a new SIM that's provisioned for 5G, similar to how VoLTE required a new SIM back in the day.

 

[i007]

I think many have the same issue including myself. We are basically trying to avoid the activation fee. Using the old sim will probably not give you all of the 5G features, so that is out. You can either get the AT&T version which will trigger the activation fee or you can get the sim free version and then get a new sim from AT&T. The only question is will this trigger the activation fee ($30) and is it worth the effort to go this route. Can't seem to get a clear answer. I'm going to go for the AT&T version...

Exactly what you said “is it worth the effort” to save $30. I don’t think it is this time around. I’drather get the phone and get rolling right away rather than hunt down a store with the sim. Probably easier and worth not having to go through it with a CS rep at a store.

 

[dictoresno]

Verizon activated the SIM that came with my new phone via chat and said there was no upgrade fee or activation fee. They said activation fees were only for new lines, not activating new SIM cards. And since I purchased the phone through Apple, theres no upgrade fee obviously.

 

[Paco II]

Specific to AT&T, the SIM card should not matter unless your SIM is quite old. As long as it gets provisioned correctly it should just work. Per AT&T support reply to me asking for clarification:

"The link I sent explained that all you needed was an eligible device and plan to receive our 5G data. The sim cards are there to tell your device know what carrier and signal to use to provide your data. So the sim card itself has no effect on your 5G service. You've done everything you need to do to qualify for our 5G service, no sim card change required. I hope that explains everything."

 

[4sallypat]

I don't understand: why would anyone ever reuse a SIM? When I order a phone, it is to upgrade my line. It comes assigned to my phone number already. I turn it on, it activates, and the old one deactivates. Every one for the last many years. What would be the point of using your old SIM these days?

Agreed.

Why use old SIM when the newest and latest SIM comes with your new phone ???

I am glad I don't have to deal with paying for the activation fees that other carriers charge...

I think that's silly....

Unless you are switching from SIM to eSIM where there is a cost of a representative to switch and charge for a SIM change since that does involve use of a different SIM that didn't come activated...

 

[Harthag]

Verizon user here. Had SIM free 11 Pro Max and got SIM free 12 Pro. My old SIM card was from my old phone and only supported mid / low band 5G. I live in an mmWave market. Went in person to a Verizon store and they gave me a new 5G SIM and now my 12 Pro picks up 5G UWB as well. No activation fee. Was in and out of store in 2 minutes.

 

[vanburen982]

I had to upgrade my plan - I had a grandfathered unlimited plan that gave me 5G access but not UW. Now that I’ve upgraded, I actually get UW in front of my home - last week I was only getting 5G in the same area.

 

[Lakersfan74]

I put my 6s sim in my 12 pro and its works fine. I bought my phone in full from t-mobile.

 

[LasersGoPewPew]

I’m a little confused too!

I’m still on an iPhone 8 Plus. I’m just setting up my pre-order for Nov 6th with Apple.

I am paying via installments with the Apple Card at 0%, so the phone will be sim unlocked and the same price whether I choose my current carrier (T-Mobile) or not.

If I choose T-mobile it says “Apple will work with your carrier to activate your new phone.” That makes me a little nervous, because we have this really great, unlimited everything plan with T-mobile, and I’m worried they will upgrade us to some inferior and more costly and lan in the process, if I do this.

so I’m tempted to use the sim free option.

BUT, since I’m upgrading to a 5G phone, if I choose the sim free option I will clearly need to go down to T-mobile to get a 5G sim.

I’m unclear though... if I choose T-mobile, does that mean simply that my phone will cone with a 5G sim that is ready to activate to my number on the T-mobile network?

I ordered the T-Mobile version and it came with the new R15 SIM card but I didn't enter my account info so it didn't automatically activate when I got the phone. Instead I had to activate the SIM myself which you can do online through your T-Mobile account.

 

[compwiz1202]

A fellow Verizon user.
When I started my new iPhone up, it prompted me to confirm the number listed as I went through the first few steps. Make sure that your old phone is off at this stage for the activation to go smoothly. That was the biggest hang up for me.
Once I figured out my old phone needed to be off, it honestly didn’t take that long for it to activate over.
The activation fee will likely be added to your Verizon Bill or it was part of the purchase fees (I can’t remember). But Verizon will charge you the fee one way or the other. My mom upgraded from an 8 to an SE a few weeks ago and was charged the activation fee even though we 1) ordered online and 2) swapped the SIM over.

Also, if the old device was an iPhone, make sure to turn off FMI before you turn the device off

 

[Lakersfan74]

I tried the image blur camera capture thing and transferred the data and stuff with the phones side by side but the service itself didn't work so have to call t-mobile

 

[1rottenapple]

I chatted the visible rep., it’s a Verizon mvno, and they told me my current sim works. I’ve been with visible for 6 months or so, so maybe my sim is already updated????