Swapping SIM cards between cell phones

[AlphaDog]

This is one of those subjects about which I know just enough to be dangerous. A forum search didn't produce anything simple enough for me to be sure I understood.

My son and I have identical Samsung phones. Mine works fine, but the antenna broke on his. Can we swap the SIM cards between the two phones until we can get a replacement for the one that's no longer working properly?

And a related question: Used phones are sold on eBay, and I've found a couple of Samsungs that are being sold without cards and which are compatible with our GSM service from Cingular/AT&T. We just insert the SIM card from our current phone and we're good to go?

Thank you! I know the questions sound dumb to those of you who know about this stuff; I just don't happen to be one of those people, so I appreciate the help.

[space-time]

first questions: you have identical phones, but are they from the same provider? if yes, then just swap the SIMS and you're good to go. If they are not from the same provides (even though that are identical models otherwise), you need to unlock the phones first. Just call each provider and ask them for the code.

second questions: yes, a used phone from the same provides will work with your SIM card. It can even be a different brand, you don't have to stick so Samsung.


BTW: just swapping SIM cards will not damage anything, unless you try to use one of those SIM cards readers/writers to edit information on the SIM card, then it gets tricky.

[AlphaDog]

I'm sorry. Yes, we have a three person family plan, with daughter in law having the third phone. I use mine the least and can easily do without it for a while.

Thank you! Now all I have to do is be sure one of us knows how to get those SIM cards out without destroying them. I think I'll leave that up to him to figure out.

[davester]

I don't think you'll destroy anything. Taking the SIM card out is only slightly more difficult than removing a credit card from your wallet.

[AlphaDog]

[quote davester]I don't think you'll destroy anything. Taking the SIM card out is only slightly more difficult than removing a credit card from your wallet.
Easy for you to say. Although I do OK with the credit cards.

[BigGuynRusty]

Works fine, I do it all the time.
Only problem, where are you storing contacts?
I have to iSync my phones and blast the new one to get all my contacts over.
Sometimes it is a Brute Force sort of move.
The good old days of all the contacts fitting on the SIM Card are long gone.
I know where the Symbian OS stores all it's little files.

BGnR
I have purchased several dozen used Nokia's over the last several years, I wish folks would learn to erase the photos and videos they took before they sell the phone.
From pictures of furniture, to photos and videos that would make a sailor blush!

[sscutchen]

"What's a SIM card?", said me, the Verison user...

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote sscutchen]"What's a SIM card?", said me, the Verison user...
Another Carrier?
Verizon is gonna be pissed!

BGnR
I lived with a "SIMless" cell for years, hated it, kept under the corporate thumb, charging me a fee to register my phone on the network. Gawd forbid I break a phone after 12 noon on a Sunday, no way tp pay the 35 buck fee and register my phone till 8 the next morning!

[richorlin]

If you're going to get a phone, new or used, on eBay just make sure it says it's unlocked. That way you can use it with any carrier. Just slip in your present SIM card. Oh... and save your contacts to the card before you swap out.

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote richorlin]Oh... and save your contacts to the card before you swap out.
SIM's are pitifully lacking in space.
They haven't kept up with what the phones can do, or hold these days.
Won't even hold 10% of my contacts.

BGnR