Changing your SIM card doesn't mean you'll lose your data. Your contacts, app, music, photos, and other data not stored on the SIM card will remain accessible. The only data that will be deleted is your old SIM card account information. Your Apple ID and iPhone settings are not affected.
No. SIM cards do not store data.
After you remove your SIM card from the tray, notice the notch in one corner of the new SIM card. Place the new SIM card into the tray — it will fit only one way, because of the notch. Then insert the tray into the device completely and in the same orientation that you removed it. The tray also fits only one way.
Your contacts, messages, apps, wallpaper and pretty much anything else that isn't your phone number will stay on your phone – even if you take the SIM card out. No need to worry about losing your email settings or your entire contact list (we get it, nobody knows anyone's phone number anymore).
Does changing SIM card erase photos? No, a SIM card is for your cell phone carrier. A SIM card only could affect your data and phone number. So SIM card does not erase any photos or anything.
Before you begin
Make sure that you have a backup of your device. 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 you're signed in with your Apple ID on both devices, or make sure your previous iPhone is unlocked, nearby with Bluetooth turned on, and running iOS 16 or later. On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number.
The only information stored on your iPhone SIM card is your phone number and billing information related to your cellular service. This means that your contacts, text messages, photos, and other personal data are not actually stored on the iPhone SIM card.
One last thing before you perform a factory reset: it's time to remove your SIM card if you have one. Removal of the SIM card does not affect the reset process. In fact, the same reset process runs on your iPhone whether it uses a SIM card or is designed for CDMA networks.
The SIM card has none of your data on it except the credentials to connect to your cellular service provider's network. There is nothing to erase on it. You can ➔ simply remove the SIM card from your iPhone before sending it in for the trade-in.
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.
Does a SIM card hold pictures? Photos aren't stored on your SIM card, which makes it important to back up your photos if you ever decide to switch your SIM card out. If you have an iPhone, consider saving them to iCloud, or if you have an Android, save them to your SD card.
Apple doesn't store information on the sim card. Transferring the card only switches carrier service information.
Changing your SIM card doesn't mean you'll lose your data. Your contacts, app, music, photos, and other data not stored on the SIM card will remain accessible. The only data that will be deleted is your old SIM card account information.
This process may take 2-3 minutes. If the activation fails, view this support info.
You will need a new SIM card from your carrier. You can call them and they can mail one to you, or you can visit a carrier's corporate store or service reseller. There may be a small charge for the SIM and possibly an activation fee.
If you're setting up a new or used iPhone, you'll need to activate your iPhone with a cellular service provider. Activating your iPhone will involve inserting a SIM card into it and connecting to your cellular service provider.
SIM Cards Change Your Number
You need to understand that when you replace your SIM card, you'll automatically be getting a new phone number since cell phone numbers are actually associated with the SIM cards and not the individual phones.
You need to send an SMS to USSD code 121. The syntax or format of the SMS will look like this: SIM<20 digit new SIM card number of your new SIM> The message should be sent from existing mobile number. Post that, you will receive an SMS for confirmation. Respond by 1.
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.
Your iPhone doesn't store contacts on the SIM card. If you want to transfer contacts between iPhone devices, you can use iCloud to back up or transfer content between devices.
Text messages are stored on your phone, not on your Sim. Therefore, if someone puts your Sim card into their phone, they will not see any text messages that you have received on your phone, unless you have manually moved your SMS's to your Sim.