Using multiple phones at the same time

[Wiggum333]

Title might be misleading, as I didn't know how to phrase it in a short manner ... but here's my question.

I'm on AT&T, and when I changed from my GS4 to my GS6, what AT&T did (effectively) was "disable" my GS4, and "enable" the GS6 on my account ... I was given a new sim with my GS6, and that was that. From what I understand, I do not have the option to take my sim out of my GS4 and use it in my GS6 (honestly, i'm not even sure if this is possible, as I can't recall if they use the same style/size of sim card).

Regardless, what I want to know is how you guys are using multiple phones on the same account? I see posts from people saying they are regularly switching between using their iPhone 6 and GS6, etc. And that all they do is take the sim out of one phone, put it in the other, and then rock'n'roll.

Can someone explain to me how you can just change phones at will if you feel like using a different phone on a certain day? Does this require any interaction with your carrier to do this?

I'm totally in the dark on this, so any info on how this works would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Aquila]

Generally it does not require any interaction, on some devices you have to reboot between swaps. When you put a SIM in a device, the next time it has a signal available it registers that device's identity on the carrier's network and automatically deactivates any previous devices that have the same phone number, etc. established.

 

[Wiggum333]

Generally it does not require any interaction, on some devices you have to reboot between swaps. When you put a SIM in a device, the next time it has a signal available it registers that device's identity on the carrier's network and automatically deactivates any previous devices that have the same phone number, etc. established.

Ahh ... ok, so it sounds like it's not really AT&T that "deactivated" my old phone ... it's just that as soon as I turn off the old phone, and turn on the new one with a sim in it that has my phone number on it, it registers that on my network, and then "deactivates" the other phone ... right?

What I guess I need to find out is, if the sims are different in my two phones ... and if so, was the old sim "deactivated" by AT&T ... which would render the phone useless as a phone for now... and if all that is correct, I need to find out what I would need to do to have my old phone on "standby" ready to use if my GS6 went dead for some reason.

If you have any input there, I'd appreciate it ... but if not, thanks for the above info anyway. Good stuff to know.

 

[Wiggum333]

Just checked and now see that the S4 uses a "micro sim", but the GS6 uses a "nano sim" ... so I need to talk to AT&T to find out if my sim in my S4 has been "deactivated" or "unprovisioned" or whatever they call it ... and find out what I/they need to do so that if I need to use that phone, I can.

Thanks again.

 

[warpdrive]

The sims are two different sizes. Get an adapter for the new sim and it will work in your old phone. That's what I'm doing on AT&T without issue.

Posted via the Android Central App

 

[Aquila]

Your phone number is tied to a SIM card, so that is something that is handled by the carrier. You can swap the SIM between devices, but not multiple SIMs on the same number.

 

[erasat]

Once they activated the new Sim card the old one is no longer valid. In your case, the only valid one is the Nano card you have on the S6, you can get a nano to micro sim card adapter and use it in the GS4, it will work without issues, that's the way most of us do it.

 

[Almeuit]

Basically what I'd do is keep your nano SIM in your phone for your S6. If you need to use that phone again just pop your SIM in it from your S6 with an adapter. That way you can use that one nano SIM for whatever phone regardless of size.

Below is a good adapter I bought for situations like this. - - - MediaDevil Simdevil 3-in-1 SIM card adapter kit (Nano / Micro / Standard) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G26XWDI...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU4449460

 

[Wiggum333]

Basically what I'd do is keep your nano SIM in your phone for your S6. If you need to use that phone again just pop your SIM in it from your S6 with an adapter. That way you can use that one nano SIM for whatever phone regardless of size.

Below is a good adapter I bought for situations like this. - - - MediaDevil Simdevil 3-in-1 SIM card adapter kit (Nano / Micro / Standard) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G26XWDI...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU4449467

Thank you all ... looks like the adapter is the way to go, for a "just in case" situation.

 

[warpdrive]

Thank you all ... looks like the adapter is the way to go, for a "just in case" situation.

That's the adapter that I'm using in the phone listed below. Get it and enjoy.

Posted via the zenfone 2

 

[planoman]

I use three devices currently and just swap the SIM depending on which device I want to use. I did get a new SIM with my S6 because it was a new 2 year deal and I put this phone's imei on my account.

Just pop your SIM into any unlocked device and you should be good.

Posted via my Galaxy S6!

 

[Almeuit]

Thank you all ... looks like the adapter is the way to go, for a "just in case" situation.

Most definitely worth it. That way you don't have to keep buying new SIM cards from AT&T or worrying about which is active. .

 

[Almeuit]

Oh also as a protip Wiggum -- do not insert the adapter without a SIM card in it. As in don't just slide it into your S4 and think later you can put in the nano when needed. It can get "stuck" if there is no SIM in the adapter and the adapter is inserted. As long as the SIM is inserted into the adapter and then the adapter gets inserted into the phone -- no issue .

 

[Wiggum333]

Oh also as a protip Wiggum -- do not insert the adapter without a SIM card in it. As in don't just slide it into your S4 and think later you can put in the nano when needed. It can get "stuck" if there is no SIM in the adapter and the adapter is inserted. As long as the SIM is inserted into the adapter and then the adapter gets inserted into the phone -- no issue .

Roger That.

Right now, I have my S4 with the original (but now non-provisioned) sim in it ... and it works fine, with the obvious exception of cellular data functions. I use basically like an iPod touch, for lack of a better term. If I run into a situation where I need to use it as a phone, I will then pop in the nano sim in the adapter and use it ... and when done, just replace the nano + adapter w/ the old sim again (assuming I need a sim - working or not - to have the phone boot up) ... if you dont even need a sim in it to use it as an "iPod touch" ... then I guess I should just remove it and not worry about it anymore.

 

[planoman]

Roger That.

Right now, I have my S4 with the original (but now non-provisioned) sim in it ... and it works fine, with the obvious exception of cellular data functions. I use basically like an iPod touch, for lack of a better term. If I run into a situation where I need to use it as a phone, I will then pop in the nano sim in the adapter and use it ... and when done, just replace the nano + adapter w/ the old sim again (assuming I need a sim - working or not - to have the phone boot up) ... if you dont even need a sim in it to use it as an "iPod touch" ... then I guess I should just remove it and not worry about it anymore.

Yes, no SIM is needed to use wifi. Once a SIM is deactivated it cannot be used again so you can just toss it.

Posted via my Galaxy S6!