iPhone Setup & SIM

[mike2874]

So I just got a new iPhone 15 and I’m giving my wife my old iPhone 12… she currently uses a Pixel 3.

I’ve wiped the 12 and will transfer the SIM card. Since I won’t have access to her phone for a couple of days can I go ahead and set up the 12 without the SIM card, or should I wait so the SIM can be inserted before the setup? Just looking for no hickups when transferring service.

She uses Hotmail as her email although does have a Gmail account. Would the easiest way to transfer her Pixel 3 Contacts and Photos be to add her Gmail to her 12?

 

[JPack]

SIM is not needed if you have Wi-Fi. All iPhone needs is access to the Internet to activate.

Move from Android to iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Ready to transfer to iOS? Download the Move to iOS app to get help switching from your Android device to your new iPhone or iPad.

support.apple.com

 

[mike2874]

Well the SIM is to transfer my wife's Verizon Pre-paid service from her Pixel 3 to the iPhone 12. I was asking if I needed to manually switch the SIM from her Pixel 3 to the iPhone 12 before I set up the 12 for her or can be done at anytime? I couldn't remember when setting up a new iPhone (or used) if setting up cellular was part of the process and so the SIM should already be installed.

 

[JPack]

You can swap the SIM at any time. Cellular data and Wi-Fi are equivalent. Both access the Internet, which is required for activation. SIM just gives you the ability to place phone calls.

 

[mike2874]

Ok it can be done at any time good to know.

I had thought about the Move to IOS app but I want to use my wife's iPad iCloud backup for the 12... can you use both the iCloud backup & the Move to IOS app together or do you have to choose one or the other?

 

[RobertSeattleWA77]

You can set up the iPhone 12 without the SIM card for now, it won't cause any issues. Adding her Gmail account to the iPhone 12 is a good idea for transferring contacts and photos. It'll help streamline the process when the SIM card is ready to be inserted.

 

[JPack]

Ok it can be done at any time good to know.

I had thought about the Move to IOS app but I want to use my wife's iPad iCloud backup for the 12... can you use both the iCloud backup & the Move to IOS app together or do you have to choose one or the other?

You can choose one during iPhone setup. You can still login to iCloud afterwards and sync any stored data.

 

[mike2874]

Ok thanks guys sounds like I have two ways to do this. (1) Use iCloud backup during setup and then add her Gmail account to sync Contacts & Photos or (2) Download Move to IOS app and during setup select Transfer from Android and afterwards login to iCloud afterwards and sync any stored data.