How is switching between iphone and Android phone every few weeks?

[ZD_plguy17]

I am daily user of iphone 11 pro and deep in apple ecosystem (ipad pro, airpods, ATV, Homepods). Before I got iphone, I had Nexus 6P and Pixel 2 XL. Thinking now of getting either new Pixel 6a or refurbished S22 as secondary phone I would use part time. I am daily Cloud user syncing photos and no longer use Google Photos as much since they discontinued "unlimited" compressed storage for photos, but found a solution in the other thread.

I would swap SIM card between two minding registering iMessage on/off and RCS on Android. I use Signal Messenger for cross-platform IM. For emails, calendars use Google which is easily available on both platofrms.

Once I get iphone 15 pro or so which I anticipate to be e-sim only, I will probably get a second line for cheap unless my carrier won't limit free e-sim switching.

One of the reasons for me to use Android will be to get taste of 5G, Android 12/13 (last I used was Android 10), and easier integration with my Linux workstation.

I am pretty much Apple guy who likes Apple ecosystem but likes to leave "walled garden" once in a while and have also Chromecast, Google Home, Linux laptop.

 

[ian87w]

Just put a cheap prepaid SIM on the Android, and enjoy both phones at the same time without having to be bothered with SIM swapping and iMessage/RCS switching.

 

[ratspg]

Will be a lot harder now with my iPhone 14 Pro and eSim... can't just pop that one out.

 

[ian87w]

Are prepaid SIMs that expensive in the US? I don't understand why you can't simply get a cheap prepaid SIM for a second (or third) phone and be done with it instead of trying to figure out SIM switching all the time...

 

[ZD_plguy17]

Are prepaid SIMs that expensive in the US? I don't understand why you can't simply get a cheap prepaid SIM for a second (or third) phone and be done with it instead of trying to figure out SIM switching all the time...

Depends on carrier and plan but If you want keep unlimited data on both, it will cost you at least $15 per month more. On postpaid plan even more about double. Let's say you have single line magenta for $70 on T-Mobile, with 2 lines you will pay $120.

That is substantial difference.

And then you have 2 numbers to be reached at and have to manage forwarding phone calls and sms. Phone calls are easy but sms not so especially from iPhone. This complicates for using bank or investment apps that rely on sms for 2FA (no US bank use TOTPs).

If you use iMessage (yes it's big in the US) and want to keep it using it with the phone number, you must use it with sim card active in iPhone if you desire to forward using hackey solutions like BlueBubbles or AirMessage and a spare Mac to run server. The moment it crashes or cut off power you have messages in limbo.

Good luck getting your all contacts to switch to Whatsapp, Signal or Telegram.

There is reason Google is pushing RCS and started doing it in the US. Otherwise what's the point when most people outside North America already figured out to use Whatsapp or Telegram?

Swapping SIM does not cost anything and it makes it easier to keep only one phone at the time while still being reachable by the single number.

Before you say, but there are third party texting apps with US phone numbers, just let you know Google Voice used to offer SMS/texting and discontinued it.

 

[ian87w]

Depends on carrier and plan but If you want keep unlimited data on both, it will cost you at least $15 per month more. On postpaid plan even more about double. Let's say you have single line magenta for $70 on T-Mobile, with 2 lines you will pay $120.

That is substantial difference.

And then you have 2 numbers to be reached at and have to manage forwarding phone calls and sms. Phone calls are easy but sms not so especially from iPhone. This complicates for using bank or investment apps that rely on sms for 2FA (no US bank use TOTPs).

If you use iMessage (yes it's big in the US) and want to keep it using it with the phone number, you must use it with sim card active in iPhone if you desire to forward using hackey solutions like BlueBubbles or AirMessage and a spare Mac to run server. The moment it crashes or cut off power you have messages in limbo.

Good luck getting your all contacts to switch to Whatsapp, Signal or Telegram.

There is reason Google is pushing RCS and started doing it in the US. Otherwise what's the point when most people outside North America already figured out to use Whatsapp or Telegram?

Swapping SIM does not cost anything and it makes it easier to keep only one phone at the time while still being reachable by the single number.

Before you say, but there are third party texting apps with US phone numbers, just let you know Google Voice used to offer SMS/texting and discontinued it.

Why would you need unlimited plan on both phones? I'd assume one phone will be your primary and the other is just a fun "toy" to play with, so just use some cheapest prepaid available.

I use 2 phones, Galaxy S21 and iPhone 7+. I have no issues with banks, messaging, etc since I compartmentalized them properly on what phone I want them to be on. My primary phone is the S21, so my main whatsapp, etc are on there, with my primary plan. My banking apps are on my iPhone 7+, so all the number associated with the bank apps are on the 7+. And I use a very cheap plan on the 7+ with minimal data quota since it's not my primary.

 

[ZD_plguy17]

Why would you need unlimited plan on both phones? I'd assume one phone will be your primary and the other is just a fun "toy" to play with, so just use some cheapest prepaid available.

I use 2 phones, Galaxy S21 and iPhone 7+. I have no issues with banks, messaging, etc since I compartmentalized them properly on what phone I want them to be on. My primary phone is the S21, so my main whatsapp, etc are on there, with my primary plan. My banking apps are on my iPhone 7+, so all the number associated with the bank apps are on the 7+. And I use a very cheap plan on the 7+ with minimal data quota since it's not my primary.

I am really into phone app features with pixel and use galaxy watch that works better on Android and that direct access to Google Assistant. Yeah I could see placing secondary cheap SIM card if I was carrying both at the same time but intend to carry only one and switch every 2 weeks.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I used to switch back and forth all the time. Now I just carry two phones.

Only issues I see you having is you might have to tell some iPhone users to delete their iMessage thread with you, or else you'll miss texts from them. Sometimes sending them a non-iMessage text can fix that, sometimes not.

Also, Voicemail. Unless you plan on doing voicemail the old fashion way on Android by calling in. It can be a PITA to get Visual Voicemail working again on the iPhone. Sometimes the carrier has to reprovision it to work again. I personally use Google Voice for Visual Voice Mail on both platforms and it's been great.

 

[ian87w]

I used to switch back and forth all the time. Now I just carry two phones.

Yeah, carrying two phones is just easier and it fulfills the toy gadget needs 😊