Switching SIM card to different iPhone (2G)

Question

Switching SIM card to different iPhone (2G)

Here's the story:

iPhone #1 has stopped working in some respects. Get ahold of a second iPhone 2G (we will call this iPhone #2). Backed up iPhone #1.

Received iPhone #2 and did full restore to erase data and previous settings. After full restore, removed SIM card from iPhone #1 and placed into iPhone #2, and proceeded to sync iPhone #2 with all data/settings/preferences from iPhone #1. So now iPhone #2 in theory has all data/apps/etc, but is saying "No SIM card installed". My old SIM which was functional 5 minutes ago for some reason will not work in the new phone. Both phones are originals and I can't seem to figure out why this is a problem. Any thoughts?

Mac Book Pro 2.2GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Mar 8, 2010 3:03 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Allan Sampson

Level 10

123,677 points

Mar 8, 2010 3:25 PM in response to Dane Stevenson

The SIM card is "married" to the iPhone's IMEI number, which is done via the iTunes activation process with AT&T. You should have been provided the AT&T activation process to activate the SIM card used with iPhone #1 with iPhone #2.

Regarding iPhone #2 which is no longer activated at the present time, in order to install a firmware update on a no longer activated iPhone or restore a no longer activated iPhone with iTunes if wanted or needed, the no longer activated SIM card that was used with the iPhone when it was activated must be inserted in the iPhone to complete the process.

If you aren't provided the AT&T activation process with iPhone #2 when your SIM card from iPhone #1 is inserted in iPhone #2, you may need to get a new SIM card from an AT&T corporate store.

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Answer 2

wjosten

Level 10

95,321 points

Mar 8, 2010 3:25 PM in response to Dane Stevenson

It should work fine. Turn the phone OFF, take the sim card out, make sure the contacts are clean, reinstall the sim & then turn the phone on.

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Answer 3

Mar 8, 2010 3:33 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Alright, an update...

I have both SIM cards. I left the original dead SIM in iPhone #2 when I did a full restore and update to latest software.

Now, when I place my SIM card into iPhone #2, it takes me to the re-activation prompt through iTunes. Do I just need to specify the details with the activation process (billing, etc.)? This won't have any ultimate effect on my contract or rollover minutes right?? I guess my other option is to go to AT&T store, but that's very inconvenient for me at the moment..

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Answer 4

Mar 8, 2010 3:38 PM in response to Dane Stevenson

Now, when I place my SIM card into iPhone #2, it takes me to the re-activation prompt through iTunes. Do I just need to specify the details with the activation process (billing, etc.)? This won't have any ultimate effect on my contract or rollover minutes right??

Correct.

You select as an existing AT&T subscriber entering your cell phone number and area code. This does not require a new two year contract with AT&T or change anything since all you are doing is activating a different first generation iPhone with your AT&T line/number, which will "marry" your SIM card that was used with iPhone #1 with the IMEI number for iPhone #2.

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Answer 5

Mar 8, 2010 3:46 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Ok, last question.

If I marry the SIM card to the new phone, how should I go about de-activating the old one to use as strictly an ipod without any AT&T connectivity?

What I have at this point:

Old iPhone: recently backed-up with functional SIM in it, fully workable (aside from the Wi-Fi, which is broken and the reason for it's replacement)

New iPhone, with old SIM in it, restored and updated to most recent software (3.1.3).

Ready to move new SIM over and follow through activation process, but want to keep old iphone as iPod/Epocrates device. Anything special I need to do?

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Answer 6

Mar 8, 2010 3:57 PM in response to Dane Stevenson

There is nothing else you need to do, but in order to install a firmware update on a no longer activated iPhone or restore a no longer activated iPhone with iTunes if wanted or needed, the no longer activated SIM card must be inserted in the iPhone in order to complete the process - the SIM card that was used with the iPhone when it was activated.

Since you are using the SIM card from iPhone #1 to activate iPhone #2, you will need to insert the SIM card from iPhone #2 in iPhone #1 to complete the process. This may require re-activating iPhone #1 temporarily to complete the process and if so, this must be followed by re-inserting the SIM card in iPhone #2 which will require reactivating iPhone #2.

If you get a new SIM card from AT&T to activate iPhone #2 instead, iPhone #1 and the SIM card currently being used with it will no longer be activated. This will allow for installing a firmware update on iPhone #1 or restoring iPhone #1 with iTunes if wanted or needed without having to switch the SIM card from iPhone #2 to iPhone #1 going through the activation process with AT&T.

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Answer 7

Mar 8, 2010 4:08 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Thanks for the help. Saved me the trip to a not so close store without a car or bike...

I'll come looking for you in for some reason this all goes haywire...

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