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.
If you're setting up an iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), you might need to insert your iPhone SIM card or iPad SIM card first. You might also be asked to activate your eSIM. Get help if you can't connect to Wi-Fi or if you can't activate your iPhone.
To smoothly switch from one iPhone to another, you should sync everything to your iCloud account. Once you log into iCloud on a new iPhone, your data will move over and redownload itself. To carry your phone number over, you'll also have to switch out the iPhone's SIM card.
Yes, you move the SIM card before or after you start the transfer. I personally do it before. As part of the set up process on the new phone, you will be prompted to move the data over. Yes, you move the SIM card before or after you start the transfer.
Regardless of the device you're switching from, don't switch your SIM card until the entire transfer is complete. Before you get started, you'll also want to make sure both your old device and your new device have at least 20 percent battery life.
Your phone number follows your SIM card
This means that whatever phone you put your SIM card in will then have your phone number – as long as it's unlocked, of course.
Since your SIM card is essential to get network connectivity on your device, you must transfer it to your new iPhone. The process is pretty simple and you can even get your contacts with it.
Once you have backed up your old iPhone into iCloud, turn on your new iPhone. Proceed in the setup process and connect the new iPhone to WiFi. In the “Apps & Data” -view, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in to iCloud. Choose the backup you want to restore and wait for the backup to finish.
Insert the new SIM into your phone, and have the phone turned on. Activate your new SIM card by using its accompanying activation key (this will be included in the package).
An iPhone 14 model in the United States doesn't have a SIM card. Find the SIM tray on the right side: iPhone 11 Pro. iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Enter your passcode on your new device and follow the instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID. You can choose to migrate data directly from your old iPhone or iPad to your new one by choosing Transfer from [Device]. Keep both devices close and plugged into power until the transfer is complete and you're done.
Make sure that the SIM tray closes completely and isn't loose. If you use a SIM tray from a different model iPhone, iPad, or from another phone manufacturer, it might not fit properly. Try using another SIM card. If you don't have one, go to your carrier's retail store and ask them to test with another SIM card.
From Apple: Carrier-connected iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models will arrive ready to activate with eSIM and can connect to your cellular voice and data service without a physical SIM card. You will need a Wi-Fi connection for setup.
Your iPhone needs a physical SIM or an eSIM to connect to a cellular network. (Not all options are available on all models or in all countries and regions. On iPhone 14 models purchased in the U.S., you can only use eSIM.) Contact your carrier to get a SIM and set up cellular service.
Activating a new SIM card won't impact any data stored on an SD card, but as some phones share the same "tray" for SIM and SD cards, be careful not to remove the SD card when installing or changing the SIM card.
Important: Your iPhone's SIM card only holds your phone number and some account information. Your photos, apps, emails, and settings are stored on the iPhone itself, and will need to be transferred separately.
Data that SIM cards contain include user identity, location and phone number, network authorization data, personal security keys, contact lists and stored text messages. SIM cards allow a mobile user to use this data and the features that come with them.
iPhone 14 models are activated with an eSIM and do not support a physical SIM.
The easiest and quickest method to set up your new iPhone is to restore from a recent iCloud backup. As you walk through the initial setup process, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID and then pick the most recent backup of your old iPhone.
None of the models sold in the US will come with a SIM tray. Apple's reasoning for this is that eSIM is faster, more secure and allows for multiple cellular plans on a single device.
As long as your iOS devices are running iOS 8 or later, you can use the iOS data transfer tool - EaseUS MobiMover to transfer the supported files from one iPhone to another without iCloud or iTunes. With this software, you can transfer multiple or all files to your new device without syncing.