iPhone 14 Pro Max What do we do on day one for esim conversion

[Garyhe23]

So, does anyone have a “best route” about what we should do when we receive the new iPhone 14 in terms of how to deal with the esim? Here is my scenario:

1. With an att physical SIM
2. On iPhone 12 pro
4. On iOS 15.6

What is the best way to convert to esim? Here is my understanding so far:

1. Upgrade to iOS 16 next Monday;
2. Concert sim to esim on my old iPhone 12 Pro
3. Somehow transfer the esim from my old iPhone to the new iPhone when I receive it?

Any suggestions?

 

[Radeon962]

So, does anyone have a “best route” about what we should do when we receive the new iPhone 14 in terms of how to deal with the esim? Here is my scenario:

1. With an att physical SIM
2. On iPhone 12 pro
4. On iOS 15.6

What is the best way to convert to esim? Here is my understanding so far:

1. Upgrade to iOS 16 next Monday;
2. Concert sim to esim on my old iPhone 12 Pro
3. Somehow transfer the esim from my old iPhone to the new iPhone when I receive it?

Any suggestions?

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

 

[Garyhe23]

I don’t even need to convert the sim to esim on my old iPhone first?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

I don’t even need to convert the sim to esim on my old iPhone first?

I would covert your sim to esim now then it should transfer over when setting up the new phone.

 

[noekozz]

I converted my sim to eSim yesterday. Currently on the 12 pro max. Process took about 2 minutes.

 

[JBinPDX]

My iPhone 12 used an eSim on AT&T. When I got my iPhone 13 Pro, the eSim transferred over with no problems.

I would suggest converting your phone to an eSim now. It only takes a few minutes.

 

[max2]

Got my sim to a esim months or a year ago on my iPhone 11 over AT&T live chat

 

[izzle22]

I converted my 12 pro over to eSIM 2 years ago and never looked back until now. Only because it’s been brought up. Maybe took a minute or 2. Really no big deal. Unless of course you’re traveling out of the country and need a physical SIM or switch between 2 phones. Then it becomes a bit tricky.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Two different AT&T employees stood me to upgrade to ios 16 on Monday and when my 14 ProMax arrives it will move my service from the physical sim in my 13 PM to my new 14 PM during the data transfer. iOS has all you need to convert to eSIM smoothly.

 

[AJAAY]

Once the physical sim is transferred to eSIM, what happens to the physical sim? I'm assuming its deactivated and no longer usable. If that is the case, what happens if you return an eSIM compatible phone and need to go back to the physical sim. Can the old one be reactivated, or will you need to get a completely new physical sim from the carrier?

 

[Jackbequickly]

Once the physical sim is transferred to eSIM, what happens to the physical sim? I'm assuming its deactivated and no longer usable. If that is the case, what happens if you return an eSIM compatible phone and need to go back to the physical sim. Can the old one be reactivated, or will you need to get a completely new physical sim from the carrier?

‘The old physical SIM card will be deactivated permanently. You can not move back from eSIM to any physical SIM. In America, the Carriers are moving away from physical SIM cards, nationwide.

 

[MaskedCarrot]

When I ordered my 14 pro max from apple, I chose att and to replace my existing phone with the new one even though I bought it outright.

My current phone has a physical sim, so I am assuming since I picked att, when I activate the 14 PM, it will automatically register the eSIM with Att instead of me converting my existing sim to eSIM and then doing a transfer.

I figured that was the best way.

 

[Jackbequickly]

When I ordered my 14 pro max from apple, I chose att and to replace my existing phone with the new one even though I bought it outright.

My current phone has a physical sim, so I am assuming since I picked att, when I activate the 14 PM, it will automatically register the eSIM with Att instead of me converting my existing sim to eSIM and then doing a transfer.

I figured that was the best way.

‘You should be ok if you update your existing phone to iOS 16 on Monday.

 

[MaskedCarrot]

‘You should be ok if you update your existing phone to iOS 16 on Monday.

That shouldn’t make a difference though if I am running iOS 16 on my current phone or not.

Since I chose ATT and replace existing device when I ordered it, I would guess that Apple would update my att account with the eSIM and activate automatically when I set it up. So I don’t think I will have to transfer a sim from my existing phone to the new one.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Once the physical sim is transferred to eSIM, what happens to the physical sim? I'm assuming its deactivated and no longer usable. If that is the case, what happens if you return an eSIM compatible phone and need to go back to the physical sim. Can the old one be reactivated, or will you need to get a completely new physical sim from the carrier?

The old SIM can't be reactivated but your carrier can issue you a new physical SIM. But most phones are eSIM capable now so transferring the eSIM would be easier.

EDIT: TMO can reactivate the old SIM if done inside 60 days per @AJAAY

‘The old physical SIM card will be deactivated permanently. You can not move back from eSIM to any physical SIM. In America, the Carriers are moving away from physical SIM cards, nationwide.

It's true the world is moving towards eSIM, US faster than others, but you saying you can't go back to physical SIM is outright false. You just need to get a new one from the carrier.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

So, does anyone have a “best route” about what we should do when we receive the new iPhone 14 in terms of how to deal with the esim? Here is my scenario:

1. With an att physical SIM
2. On iPhone 12 pro
4. On iOS 15.6

What is the best way to convert to esim? Here is my understanding so far:

1. Upgrade to iOS 16 next Monday;
2. Concert sim to esim on my old iPhone 12 Pro
3. Somehow transfer the esim from my old iPhone to the new iPhone when I receive it?

Any suggestions?

If you went through upgrade channels, it should be provisioned through the carrier already. Just turn on the new phone and it'll walk you through the steps. You can convert it now in advance if you want but I don't think it's necessary. But definitely upgrade to iOS 16.

If you bought the phone outright then yes, you should probably convert now. Transferring eSIM (from major carriers) is fairly easy. If you have an MVNO, you may have to reach out to have them update your IMEI. You can check YouTube for videos on how to transfer eSIM to new device.

 

[LV426]

The UK is clinging onto physical SIMs for dear life. Since my iPhone can handle eSims, I thought I'd go into an O2 shop and request an eSim (they will only do it in person). The chap in the shop howled in despair and told me not to do it, as they've had nothing but trouble with eSims causing problems.

I did explain to him that I'm not a drug dealer and I don't go around shuffling my SIM between various phones during the course of a day, but it didn't put him off. He told me to go away and google it. I did a bit of googling but it doesn't actually seem to be a big deal.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

The UK is clinging onto physical SIMs for dear life. Since my iPhone can handle eSims, I thought I'd go into an O2 shop and request an eSim (they will only do it in person). The chap in the shop howled in despair and told me not to do it, as they've had nothing but trouble with eSims causing problems.

I did explain to him that I'm not a drug dealer and I don't go around shuffling my SIM between various phones during the course of a day, but it didn't put him off. He told me to go away and google it. I did a bit of googling but it doesn't actually seem to be a big deal.

This is one of the funniest stories I've heard about eSIMs. I thank you for it.

 

[Garyhe23]

Once the physical sim is transferred to eSIM, what happens to the physical sim? I'm assuming its deactivated and no longer usable. If that is the case, what happens if you return an eSIM compatible phone and need to go back to the physical sim. Can the old one be reactivated, or will you need to get a completely new physical sim from the carrier?

If you went through upgrade channels, it should be provisioned through the carrier already. Just turn on the new phone and it'll walk you through the steps. You can convert it now in advance if you want but I don't think it's necessary. But definitely upgrade to iOS 16.

If you bought the phone outright then yes, you should probably convert now. Transferring eSIM (from major carriers) is fairly easy. If you have an MVNO, you may have to reach out to have them update your IMEI. You can check YouTube for videos on how to transfer eSIM to new device.

Thank you!

 

[Rick73tii]

I have a 13pro. I use two carriers: AT&T (eSim) and T-Mobile (physical sim). I purchased a 14pro not carrier affiliated. I am hoping I can activate AT&T first (eSim to eSim) and then worry about T-Mobile (physical sim to eSim).
AT&T is my “Primary” and T-Mobile is my “Secondary” in my phone settings.
Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[AJAAY]

‘The old physical SIM card will be deactivated permanently. You can not move back from eSIM to any physical SIM. In America, the Carriers are moving away from physical SIM cards, nationwide.

The old SIM can't be reactivated but your carrier can issue you a new physical SIM. But most phones are eSIM capable now so transferring the eSIM would be easier.



It's true the world is moving towards eSIM, US faster than others, but you saying you can't go back to physical SIM is outright false. You just need to get a new one from the carrier.

I just confirmed with T-Mobile that the physical sim can be re-used within 60 days. Just have to call them to re-activate it if that is needed.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

I just confirmed with T-Mobile that the physical sim can be re-used within 60 days. Just have to call them to re-activate it if that is needed.

Oh that's great!

Last time I asked them (I am also on TMO) they told me I couldn't and needed a new SIM. But that was a long time ago when I first went to eSIM. eSIM transfers on TMO are very easy so I haven't needed it.

 

[Jackbequickly]

The old SIM can't be reactivated but your carrier can issue you a new physical SIM. But most phones are eSIM capable now so transferring the eSIM would be easier.



It's true the world is moving towards eSIM, US faster than others, but you saying you can't go back to physical SIM is outright false. You just need to get a new one from the carrier.

‘Did not mean to mislead, being with ATT, they do not ever reactivate a SIM, it would have to be replaced with another.

 

[Aceroller]

If I convert my SIM to eSim on my 12 Pro can someone still use a physical SIM with the 12 Pro when I get my 14 Pro? I’m giving the 12 Pro to my daughter. Thanks.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

If I convert my SIM to eSim on my 12 Pro can someone still use a physical SIM with the 12 Pro when I get my 14 Pro? I’m giving the 12 Pro to my daughter. Thanks.

Your old physical SIM will be deactivated but yes the phone can still be used by someone else with an active SIM.