iphone6 question about sim card

[CookieRoe]

Hey All,

I know some of you have iPhones, so I had a question that the people at Apple and AT&T (my carrier) have been telling me is not possible. Anyway, I have an iPhone6 and I'm not eligible for upgrade for another year or so. My wife has an iPhone 5S and has been eligible for a while for a new one. Anyway, she has an iPad mini she loves and pretty much has left her iphone5 on the side (only uses it as a cell phone). I wanted to upgrade hers to an iPhone 6S plus, change the sim cards (apparently they are the same) so I can take the 6s plus and she stays with my old 6. (aren't I evil???).

All I would need to do is 1) back up both phones, 2) swipe the sims cards, 3) restore the phones to it's corresponding phone. Both Apple and AT&T say it can't be done. I've checked iphone forums and apparently people do it all the time.

so then, can I ? :eyebrows:
[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] ? Your opinion since you are the expert on smartphones here? (being respectfully serious).

 

[Thai]

Hey All,

I know some of you have iPhones, so I had a question that the people at Apple and AT&T (my carrier) have been telling me is not possible. Anyway, I have an iPhone6 and I'm not eligible for upgrade for another year or so. My wife has an iPhone 5S and has been eligible for a while for a new one. Anyway, she has an iPad mini she loves and pretty much has left her iphone5 on the side (only uses it as a cell phone). I wanted to upgrade hers to an iPhone 6S plus, change the sim cards (apparently they are the same) so I can take the 6s plus and she stays with my old 6. (aren't I evil???).

All I would need to do is 1) back up both phones, 2) swipe the sims cards, 3) restore the phones to it's corresponding phone. Both Apple and AT&T say it can't be done. I've checked iphone forums and apparently people do it all the time.

so then, can I ? :eyebrows:
[MENTION=2]Thai[/MENTION] ? Your opinion since you are the expert on smartphones here? (being respectfully serious).

I am not on ATT...nor TMo. I am on Sprint...we don't swipe sims. However, I see no reason why you cannot do what you want. Maybe the Apple folks don't understand your reason?

One of two things I am not 100% sure on is with your Apple account. If she has a separate Apple ID and you buy the 6s under her Apple ID, then can you change the 6s over to your Apple ID? I am sure that you can. It is no different than she selling you the phone to put under your Apple ID.

Are you under contract or monthly lease payment plan? That would be my second concern...if she is under the monthly lease payment plan, then that could prevent you from getting her phone under ATT agreement.

Sorry, I cannot help you.

 

[CookieRoe]

Sorry, I cannot help you.

Thanks just the same! We have been purchasing the iphone since it came out in 09. It would a 2 year contract extension for every purchase. AT&T (and others) will be doing away with this method and will begin charging (depending on model) anywhere between $20-32/month for 2 years. If you do the math, it's no longer subsidized. Sucks. However, we don't plan on jumping ship on them just yet as we basically have no complains against them. I only horror stories with other carriers.

 

[marshal]

yes this is entirely possible. your cell information is stored on your sim card. your process will be backing up your phones individually, swapping the sim cards and restoring them for the individuals you want.

apple and ATT don't give a shit what your phone is, all the account information and everything is stored on the sim card.

there were plenty of people that would go to apple or ATT and buy a 6plus or whatever when it came out on their 2 year subsidized or ATT Next monthly payment and turn around and sell it on eBay for $1500 and keep using their old phones.

like i said, ATT doesnt give a shit when it comes down to it. they probably don't understand what you're asking.

 

[CookieRoe]

yes this is entirely possible. your cell information is stored on your sim card. your process will be backing up your phones individually, swapping the sim cards and restoring them for the individuals you want.

apple and ATT don't give a shit what your phone is, all the account information and everything is stored on the sim card.

there were plenty of people that would go to apple or ATT and buy a 6plus or whatever when it came out on their 2 year subsidized or ATT Next monthly payment and turn around and sell it on eBay for $1500 and keep using their old phones.

like i said, ATT doesnt give a shit when it comes down to it. they probably don't understand what you're asking.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Why would AT&T care (I'm still using their damn service) and why would Apple care (I'm still buying a stupid phone).

I may go for it. If I fail, wifey ends up with a 6s plus which she hates (size). I wanted to get a tablet, but I hate the ipad mini.

First world problems..............

 

[IanB]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Why would AT&T care (I'm still using their damn service) and why would Apple care (I'm still buying a stupid phone).

I may go for it. If I fail, wifey ends up with a 6s plus which she hates (size). I wanted to get a tablet, but I hate the ipad mini.

First world problems..............

What is it you like about the 6S Plus over the Ipad Mini? I haven't really compared them, but I'd imagine they are 95% the same at this point, aside from the 6S Plus also being a phone.

 

[Acronym]

You can buy an unlocked phone from Apple, and with that you can go to anyone your heart desires; Verizon, tmobile, att, sprint, cricket, us cellular, tracphone. Whom ever it doesn't matter.

As for your wife's phone, if you upgrade her phone to your desired device and she's also att I don't see any reason who you can just dump your simcard in there. Contacts and everything can be synced through the cloud and your computer should have a backup.

Each company has a device that is "locked" to their service till that device is paid for. Tmobile has the price for the entire phone on display (650, 750, 850 what have you), but you can pay 100$ and do monthly installments till its paid off and the device is yours to do with what you will. Att, Verizon, and sprint are the same accept (at least for Verizon & att) they display 200$ for the 16g with a 2y plan, but your going to pay for the phone because it's still a 650$ investment from Apple. Of course after two years in contract the phone is paid off and you can have them unlock it as well.

 

[Thai]

What is it you like about the 6S Plus over the Ipad Mini? I haven't really compared them, but I'd imagine they are 95% the same at this point, aside from the 6S Plus also being a phone.

Not that it matters much for his wife, but the 6S processor is much better than iPad Mini...so, if you lots of gaming or productivity, then 6S will provide a better experience (on a smaller screen).

 

[Range]

I just upgraded to the 6s. Didn't do anything with the SIM cards. Theres a card already in it that registers to your name when its activated. ATT has a lot of new "customer friendly" deals going on now like using somebody else's upgrade eligibility for your own, financing the new iPhone with monthly payments so you don't have to wait 18 months to upgrade, you can upgrade every time a new phone comes out and some other shit. I actually don't hate AT&T now.

 

[CookieRoe]

A million thanks!

What is it you like about the 6S Plus over the Ipad Mini? I haven't really compared them, but I'd imagine they are 95% the same at this point, aside from the 6S Plus also being a phone.

I hate her mini, she adores it. Lots of ebay/paypal/BankofAmerica/etc you can't do on them. I can't handle that. Yet, on iphone, you can. FAIL. I tried to like her ipad and actually thought about getting one for me, but I just don't like it. The iphone 6S plus is actually a great size. I'm finding that I'm doing A TON of work via my iphone6. As of late, I have to be home b/c of our new baby, my new computer is STILL in it's box and my laptop (what I'm using now) has the windows10 upgrade, but I lost some functionality (webcam for instance, no longer works. Can't have that b/c I tele-conference South America everyday). So having a bigger iphone will help. PLUS: I am a "semi-geek" when it comes to electronics, but I love how it works. Been an iphone using since 09 and don't plan on changing. Same with AT&T. Another plus: We are due an upgrade anyway.

How's your GX?????

You can buy an unlocked phone from Apple, and with that you can go to anyone your heart desires; Verizon, tmobile, att, sprint, cricket, us cellular, tracphone. Whom ever it doesn't matter.

As for your wife's phone, if you upgrade her phone to your desired device and she's also att I don't see any reason who you can just dump your simcard in there. Contacts and everything can be synced through the cloud and your computer should have a backup.

Each company has a device that is "locked" to their service till that device is paid for. Tmobile has the price for the entire phone on display (650, 750, 850 what have you), but you can pay 100$ and do monthly installments till its paid off and the device is yours to do with what you will. Att, Verizon, and sprint are the same accept (at least for Verizon & att) they display 200$ for the 16g with a 2y plan, but your going to pay for the phone because it's still a 650$ investment from Apple. Of course after two years in contract the phone is paid off and you can have them unlock it as well.

No doubt I can go where ever I go (carriers), but I won't leave AT&T. At least for now. As far as the "pay $200 for iphone and get locked in for 2 more years" is pretty much over. They want to phase that out and go with a monthly payment plan so it seems cheaper. It's not, but it is what it is.

Not that it matters much for his wife, but the 6S processor is much better than iPad Mini...so, if you lots of gaming or productivity, then 6S will provide a better experience (on a smaller screen).

Hahah, she doesn't game. She looks at FB and does a lot of web browsing. Typical woman,hahaha.

I just upgraded to the 6s. Didn't do anything with the SIM cards. Theres a card already in it that registers to your name when its activated. ATT has a lot of new "customer friendly" deals going on now like using somebody else's upgrade eligibility for your own, financing the new iPhone with monthly payments so you don't have to wait 18 months to upgrade, you can upgrade every time a new phone comes out and some other shit. I actually don't hate AT&T now.

AT&T, Verizon, etc, it's all the same except for the plans. Yes, it's more expensive, but when I ask around, many tell me to stay put b/c the other cheaper carriers are crap.


Thanks for the replys guys!! When I get the chance, I'll be heading to the apple store. They offer "monthly payment" like AT&T, but for a few extra bucks, you get apple care (so when I change the differential fluid and it spills onto the phone, i get a new one no questions asked ..sort of..... but................. yes, something similar has happened, but luckily nothing happened........urghhh).

 

[Range]

DO NOT get Apple care. Get the protection through ATT. ATT offers more in their service and its cheaper. Also, when you finance through Apple you have to open a new credit card, ATT you don't. You just either pay $25 or $35 or $45 extra on your monthly bill, whichever one you choose. I just went through your exact scenario only several weeks ago.

 

[CookieRoe]

DO NOT get Apple care. Get the protection through ATT. ATT offers more in their service and its cheaper. Also, when you finance through Apple you have to open a new credit card, ATT you don't. You just either pay $25 or $35 or $45 extra on your monthly bill, whichever one you choose. I just went through your exact scenario only several weeks ago.

Cool, I'll check that out. I didn't know AT&T offered a better 'insurance" for the iphone than apple store.

 

[Victor_inox]

Just FYI I phone was released in june 2007 not 2009.
just switch sim cards, don`t bother making backups.

both phones will be recognised by ATT as their sim cards.
I have a friend working for phone repair place, he does that 20 times a day.
you only swap sim cards, not phone storage memory.

 

[CookieRoe]

Just FYI I phone was released in june 2007 not 2009.
just switch sim cards, don`t bother making backups.

both phones will be recognised by ATT as their sim cards.
I have a friend working for phone repair place, he does that 20 times a day.
you only swap sim cards, not phone storage memory.

2007, 2009, whatever, it was a long time ago. Jeeze.

Backing up and swapping (restoring a different phone as your own via itunes) is totally necesaary as my phone (which has about 3000 photos) and her phone (2000 photos) are and will be different. We both have different apps as well. Just switching the simms will just effect the phone number.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Victor_inox]

Your information is up to you,of course you'd need to move your info over. FYI stands for your information,no need to get offended over it....jeez.

 

[CookieRoe]

Your information is up to you,of course you'd need to move your info over. FYI stands for your information,no need to get offended over it....jeez.

I wasn't offended Vic. You corrected me for something trivial (but fair), then you give me misinformation, then try to back that up by saying you have a friend who does this 20 times a day. You say not to swap memories, then you say "of course you have to"........... huh? When you buy a house, you just don't swap the keys and viola. You gotta move stuff, paint, etc ............ see where I'm getting at?

In any event, I appreciate everyone's input. Thank you very much! :thumb:

Just FYI I phone was released in june 2007 not 2009.
just switch sim cards, don`t bother making backups.

both phones will be recognised by ATT as their sim cards.
I have a friend working for phone repair place, he does that 20 times a day.
you only swap sim cards, not phone storage memory.

Your information is up to you,of course you'd need to move your info over. FYI stands for your information,no need to get offended over it....jeez.

 

[Victor_inox]

you were asking if you can switch phones, answer was simple despite ATT/apple lies yes you can, what we arguing about here is unclear to me.

I said not to swap memories? I couldn`t use such terminology because it would be absurd to say.

for phone to work you don`t have to move your information. Isn`t that what question was about.
What seems obvious to me maybe not so to you.

 

[Thai]

I wasn't offended Vic. You corrected me for something trivial (but fair), then you give me misinformation, then try to back that up by saying you have a friend who does this 20 times a day. You say not to swap memories, then you say "of course you have to"........... huh? When you buy a house, you just don't swap the keys and viola. You gotta move stuff, paint, etc ............ see where I'm getting at?

In any event, I appreciate everyone's input. Thank you very much! :thumb:

Don't bother with Victor...he's half drunk most of the time or just born that way...he can barely write a sane statement much less one that is helpful.

 

[Victor_inox]

Don't bother with Victor...he's half drunk most of the time or just born that way...he can barely write a sane statement much less one that is helpful.

Your`s "sorry I can not help you" was helpful.:lol: