Pixel sim card ?

[anon(10274434)]

Can a sim card be set up in a Pixel phone so that it can be used in another Pixel using the same number?

Reason for ? - have an XL now which I like, but it is kinda big for my carry phone. Would like to get a Pixel 2 for a carry phone, but still have the same number for call and texts. Swapping sims is a pita.

 

[modifier]

The best answer probably ranges somewhere between 'yes' and 'maybe'.

T-Mobile Digits is one route. That service allows calls/texts to be pushed to multiple SIMs with unique IMEI numbers but all SIMs on said plan end up using the same phone number. All devices can be online simultaneously.

Another route is cloning a SIM (in the legal sense). By duplicating a working SIM you can have two identical SIMs in your two phones, however, only one device can be online at a time. One device must be fully powered down before the other can be powered up and registered on the network. If both SIMs ever hit the server at the same time, chances are high that you'll lose service due to either a network fault or by triggering a SIM clone error in the illegal sense. Since each phone has a unique ESN/MSN, you're better off with a carrier like T-Mobile purely because they don't throw a fit with provisioning. AT&T can work if they play well with both devices and will provision them for full service. VZW might work as well but again both devices would need provisioned individually before cloning a SIM for use in each device. The same caveat applies about one device going offline before the other goes online.

With that said, if you aren't already on TMO then I wouldn't switch carriers just for this.

There's a much longer answer to provide here but hopefully this gets you the basics.


Edit: A third option might be to use one phone for calls/texts and the other phone for everything else; web, apps, etc. You would obviously only get messages on one of two phones but maybe this would be a solution.

A fourth option might be something along the lines of Google Voice, although you might have to port your number over to GV for that to work on two phones. It's been a while since I've last looked into that. Google might be of some help here.

 

[anon(10274434)]

Thanks Modifier - my best move would probably be to go the local V store where I'm going to buy the Pixel 2 and talk to them - I have gotten several phones from them always been treated fairly.

 

[modifier]

Yeah, see if VZW can offer a solution. They might have something that I'm not personally aware of.

Good luck! If you find a solution definitely let us know!

 

[PhiPsi32]

I've used Google Voice to sync one number across multiple handsets for years. Requires you to select and use a Google Voice number instead of your current number. But your carrier number doesn't change. You'll still get those calls and SMS messages. Reply with your GV# and you'll have everyone changed over pretty quick.

The other advantage is that your GV# never changes even if you switch carriers. You can take your GV# to any Android or iOS device (you can manage calls and SMS from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or other internet connected device).

 

[modifier]

To add to what @PhiPsi32 said, you can also port your current number to GV.

 

[anon(10274434)]

To add to what @PhiPsi32 said, you can also port your current number to GV.

Appreciate suggestions, but I am going to keep my number on Verizon - it has never let me down.
The more I think about this idea, the more I think it is more work than it is worth. When I get the P2, I'll put the XL sim in it and get it all set up, use it for awhile and then decide what to do.

All you ideas are much appreciated.

 

[Wiley_11]

Does anyone (Jerry) know anything about rumored eSIM in the Pixel 2's. Like what carriers will use it,if any?

 

[PhiPsi32]

Small investment of time for long term benefit. I've been doing Google Voice about five years. It's a seamless experience. I don't even realize I'm using it. Well worth a small investment of time. But to each his own! Good luck.

 

[anon(10274434)]

Small investment of time for long term benefit. I've been doing Google Voice about five years. It's a seamless experience. I don't even realize I'm using it. Well worth a small investment of time. But to each his own! Good luck.

Appreciate the feedback - when one is in one 70s - one does not think "long term" -

 

[Mike Dee]

Appreciate the feedback - when one is in one 70s - one does not think "long term" -

My Mom is 102 in December

 

[anon(10274434)]

My Mom is 102 in December

Now THAT is long term...God Bless her!

 

[cbreze]

Does anyone (Jerry) know anything about rumored eSIM in the Pixel 2's. Like what carriers will use it,if any?

Hope they don’t as I like changing sims out into older phones. E-sim being embedded not sure how that would work. I recall days gone by where we had to either call or use Verizon’s website to change phones. Nano sims are quite fine thanks anyway.

 

[Wiley_11]

Hope they don’t as I like changing sims out into older phones. E-sim being embedded not sure how that would work. I recall days gone by where we had to either call or use Verizon’s website to change phones. Nano sims are quite fine thanks anyway.

Allegedly the Pixel 2's will have nano & eSIM. We'll know for sure soon.

 

[cbreze]

I had heard it would be one or the other, but both? Guess that'd be different. Maybe certain providers would use one over the other. Looking forward to getting more info in a few days.

 

[Aquila]

A fourth option might be something along the lines of Google Voice, although you might have to port your number over to GV for that to work on two phones. It's been a while since I've last looked into that. Google might be of some help here.

I've done it this way before, it's not pretty but it does work.