You do not need the old SIM card installed in the new iPhone to transfer data. This can be done over a Wi-Fi Network. Eventually you will need the old SIM card installed in the new iPhone to setup the Messages and FaceTime apps that use your phone number.
Before you begin
Have your Apple ID and password ready. Transfer your SIM card from your iPhone, iPad, or eSIM. If your new device needs a different SIM card than what you have, contact your carrier. Make sure that you have a backup of your previous device.
Regardless of the device you're switching from, don't switch your SIM card until the entire transfer is complete.
Nothing special will happen. After putting in the SIM card, you can use mobile data or transfer the contacts on it to your new iPhone.
iPhone 13 models and earlier also have a SIM tray for a nano-SIM card—you can use a nano-SIM card from a carrier. iPhone 13 models support Dual eSIM. You can set up a cellular data plan with an eSIM with certain iPad models.
Plug in both phones with a cable if using one, or to charge if sending data wirelessly. Open the Smart Switch app on both phones, the app can be downloaded from the Google Play store if it isn't pre-installed. Go to Settings > Smart Switch on the new phone. Select Transfer data and click on Continue.
When you switch to the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro or Pro Max you'll need to set up an eSIM. Gone are the days when you just needed to switch your SIM card to the upgraded model.
It doesn't matter which you do first. You can even transfer your SIM into a temporary phone and never do a data restore. You can also restore your data on the new phone and never insert a SIM.
The time it takes to transfer data using Apple's official methods usually takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. The amount of data being transferred and the strength of your Wi-Fi connection can affect transfer times. Backing up your data to iCloud prior to transferring can save time and make the process smoother.
Software updates
If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, it might take hours for data to transfer from iPhone to iPhone or the data transfer option might not even display. This is why it's recommended to ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version to allow data transfer smooth and seamless.
You can use Dual SIM with the following: iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone SE (3rd generation), and iPhone 14 (purchased outside the U.S.); these models can use one physical SIM and one eSIM.
Yes, iPhone 5 and newer uses Nano-Sim card. So, both the iPhone 6s and iPhone 13 use the same size SIM card.
Go back to Settings and tap General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Erase All Content and Settings. If you turned on Find My [device], you might need to enter your Apple ID and password. If your device uses eSIM, choose the option to erase your device and the eSIM profile when asked.
You can transfer photos from an old iPhone to a new iPhone using an iCloud backup. You can also transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop, iCloud Photos, Messages, and Mail. The easiest way to share your photos with other iPhone users is to use the Shared Albums feature.
If you're not using iCloud Photos at all on your iPhone, open Finder and select your connected iPhone on the sidebar to the left. Switch to the Photos tab and drag and drop your images and videos to other locations on your Mac just as you would any other file.