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Do I need to transfer SIM card to new iPhone 13?

Can iPhone 11 SIM card be transferred to iPhone 13? Is it compatible?




[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Posted on Sep 24, 2021 6:34 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 25, 2021 7:05 AM

If iPhone 13 comes with an eSim already installed how does it know which carrier you are linked with? Do you need to take the phone into your carrier to activate it? Im

buying direct from Apple, not from my mobile phone carrier. I was just going to move my nano SIM card to the iPhone 13.

28 replies

Sep 25, 2021 6:10 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Makes good sense.


Glad eSIMS are going “mainstream” now. (It was an “uphill struggle” a couple of years ago when the Xs first came out)


Plus, any opportunity to AVOID dealing w/ a carrier is “good” for me. 😉


It also eliminates the risk of a “SIM Relocation” in the case of loss/theft. (The eSIM is now protected by the phone’s own security safeguards)

Sep 25, 2021 7:02 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thank you. I now understand the nano sim is the same size on both iPhone 11 abd 13 and can be transferred between the two. Thank you for further clarifying that the nano SIM card may not be provisioned for 5G. After I get my phone I’ll go to ATT and see if they will swap my nano sim for an eSIM card. I bet they will charge me. Nothing is free these days. Bummer.


Sep 25, 2021 7:13 AM in response to Llepore1952

AT&T doesn't need to swap anything for eSim. eSim is already on your phone and all you have to is activate the phone to eSim. If you identified AT&T as your carrier and validated your phone number when you ordered your iPhone from Apple, it should come already activated to the eSim. Simply turning on the phone and setting it up, will activate the phone to your telephone number. If you didn't say AT&T and validate your number when you ordered your phone, you can call AT&T and have them activate the eSim in your phone from your home.

Sep 25, 2021 7:18 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Chattanoogan wrote:

Thanks.

Question:

So to obtain the eSIM pre-provisioned phone …

… one simply selects the “AT&T / Verizon / T-Mobile” model vice the “Unlocked” option in Apple’s online store?

(I’ve only ever selected the “unlocked / SIM-less option)

Yes, you choose the AT&T unlocked option and confirm your phone number and the phone comes programmed to the eSim and simply turning it on activates it automatically to your phone.


If you chose unlocked/sim free, you'll just need to call AT&T and have them activate your number to the eSim in the new phone. You don't have to visit an AT&T store.

Sep 25, 2021 7:30 AM in response to Shellbell67

iPhone 13 comes with a new sim that is tied to your carrier only IF you order from your Carrier with an installment payment plan. I don’t want an installment plan from my carrier because it locks you into a 36 month contract. I went into ATT yesterday. It locks you into a 36 month contract unless you sign up for sn adds $8 a month for an early upgrade in 12 to 18 months. That’s unfair in my mind.


I’ll buy through apple direct with my trade in. No 36 month contract. I own it and can upgrade or leave ATT any time. I’ll go to ATT to get a new 5G SIM card after my phone arrives.

Sep 25, 2021 7:41 AM in response to Llepore1952

This is not true. I ordered my phone from Apple. I chose AT&T and no installment plan with AT&T as I'm paying for my phone directly to Apple. My iPhone came already activated to my phone number using eSim. There really is no need to for a physical Sim card anymore. And I don't have a contract with AT&T at all as I didn't owe them anything for my previous phone.

Sep 25, 2021 7:42 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Chattanoogan wrote:

Thanks.

I’ve not been in a physical T-Mo store in years.

Just dealing w/ their “Experts” via phone or business-chat nearly exceeds my tolerance for frustration. 😖

It may be possible to activate the eSim directly on the phone without having to contact your carrier. If not, you'll have to take some deep breaths (a nice Cabernet can be helpful) and contact your carrier.

Sep 25, 2021 7:45 AM in response to lobsterghost1

So how does the eSim Card work if it’s built in? Doesn’t the eSim card need to know your carrier? How does it know who your carrier is if you buy direct from Apple with your trade in? I much prefer NOT to buy from my carrier as they lock you into an installment plan with a 36 month contract. I’d rather buy from Apple and use my trade in as a credit against the new phone (then no 36 month carrier contract).

Do I need to transfer SIM card to new iPhone 13?

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