Apple have just recently announced that it’s now possible to copy your SIM card directly from one iPhone to another! This has been the biggest feature request ever since the first iPhone was released, and it seems Apple have finally listened to their customers. Until now, there were two methods of copying your SIM card over to another phone – either buy two identical phones, or take it to an Apple store and ask them to do it for you. Finally! You can now copy your SIM card directly from one iPhone to another
How does it work?
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Normally, when you get a new iPhone, you have to go through all kinds of rigmarole in order to transfer over all of your numbers and contacts. The process usually involves syncing your old phone with iTunes, backing up everything that’s important onto iCloud, restoring it on your new device, and then getting all of that data back onto an active phone number. It’s certainly not impossible; but it takes time and a little patience. And while Apple has made it easier than ever before by allowing customers to restore their phones wirelessly via iCloud rather than connecting them to computers via iTunes–there’s no option for copying entire SIM cards like some other phones allow users to do.
How do I do it?
Although Apple doesn’t officially support transferring your phone number, you can use third-party software. This means that it may not be as seamless of an experience as advertised (you may have to reset some settings after copying), but it works. Here’s how to do it: Download CopyTrans Contacts or SMS Backup & Restore.
These apps allow you to back up and restore contacts and texts, respectively, without a computer or iCloud. After installing them on both phones, plug one into a computer with iTunes installed.
What if my friend also has an Android phone?
I’m not sure if there’s any way to transfer a SIM card directly between an Android and an Apple. Both companies have different ways of storing data, which means that it may be impossible for you to move a SIM card between two different types of phones. However, transferring a contact list is possible as long as you have access to iCloud or Google services. But again, I’m not entirely sure if there is any way to transfer over a device from one platform (i.e., iOS) to another (i.e., Android). If someone knows something about it, please feel free to leave your input in our comments section below!
Where can I find more information about this?
According to Gizmodo, you must use Apple’s new Move To iOS app that allows you transfer apps, data and media. The Move To iOS app will prompt you on how to best move information over between devices. Be aware that once you make a change using Move To iOS, it cannot be undone, so take extra care in what is selected and transferred. Gizmodo also notes that it seems users are reporting no data loss when copying their SIM cards onto a new device through iTunes as well.
How it works
Apple is launching a new service that will allow you to clone all of your apps, settings, data and files from one phone to another. The process is pretty simple. Start by going into Settings > General > Reset. From there select Erase All Content and Settings. When that’s complete you’ll need to choose whether or not you want to transfer from an iCloud or iTunes backup. Then just select which device you want all of your stuff transferred over (by tapping on it). Then hit Continue and sit back while it works its magic. Once it’s done Apple says that all data will be restored onto your new device including any passwords or Touch ID information. You’ll have basically copied everything on that phone over to a brand new model instantly. Cool right?
How to do it
As of iOS 11.1, Apple has added a way for you to transfer your current phone number, messages and photo stream from one device to another over Wi-Fi or USB. In order for it to work, however, both devices need to have been created on Apple’s new iCloud-based setup system (instead of using a recovery/restore in iTunes). It’s only compatible with iPhone 7 or later running iOS 11.1 or later, as well as any iPad Pro models running iOS 11 or later. It should work wirelessly with any other Mac device that supports AirDrop and is running macOS High Sierra 10.13.2 or later. And if you’re an Android user? Sorry; there are no similar features on Google’s mobile OS just yet!
How this will change the way we use our phones
Before now, users had to jailbreak their phones in order to make their number move from one handset to another. Apple’s new feature is built-in and very easy to use. Here’s how it works: First, log into iCloud on your old phone as you normally would and check that all of your contacts have been transferred properly (Settings -> iCloud -> Contacts). Next, just pop in a new SIM card, open up Settings -> iCloud -> Find My iPhone and disable it. Lastly, sign out of iCloud on both devices by going back into Settings -> iCloud. Now go ahead and power down both phones.