New SIM can't read SMS messages SOLVED

RealGem

Hi 

I got a new SIM from O2. I was with Virgin but they all changed to O2. I rang O2 and they very helpfully talked me through backing up my contacts and messages. 

I set the phone to the correct date and time and it was all ok. 

Two days later I now have only a tiny fraction of the contacts I had (I think these were in the phone, not the SIM). The date and time are not set properly It just says Jan 1st 00:00...

and although I see the begginning of messages as a popup on my locked screen, when I go to Messages, they are nowwhere to be found. 

I also have a second phone and tried messaging myself from it. None of the messages show up! Even though the other phone gets messages from this phone!

I don't understand what is going on. 

How do I fix this please?

Thank you

Olinda99

what phone do you have

RealGem

Hi it's a Samsung J3 2016. I know it's old but the problem only started after I got the new SIM. I just found out that it is also not saving or logging any calls made or received. 
Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

@RealGem

Not clear why you would need to back up your contacts and messages if you are simply replacing one SIM with another (although having backups, preferably automatic, is good). It's also unusual to need to set the date/time on a mobile phone, they normally set automatically as soon as a date connection is established.

You mentioned you have a second phone. What is it? Could you try your new SIM in the second phone to see if the problems still occur.

The J3 only has 8 or 16GB of storage, any chance you might have no available space? 

RealGem

flaneurs_lobster said:

@RealGem

Not clear why you would need to back up your contacts and messages if you are simply replacing one SIM with another (although having backups, preferably automatic, is good). It's also unusual to need to set the date/time on a mobile phone, they normally set automatically as soon as a date connection is established.

You mentioned you have a second phone. What is it? Could you try your new SIM in the second phone to see if the problems still occur.

The J3 only has 8 or 16GB of storage, any chance you might have no available space? 

Hi thanks

I need to back the contacts and messages up so I still have all my contacts and messages on the phone. I don;t understand how else I would have all my contacts and messages on the phone?

I won't put the SIM in the other phone, because I don't want to risk messing two phones up. That's the only phone I have now that fully works. 

I have an SD card in the phone.

Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

Ah, understand now I think - you had your contacts etc stored on your old SIM card. Not normally done now, in fact I don't think it's even an option on more modern phones. 

Did your contacts get copied onto the phone and/or were they backed up to an external store (your Google account or a PC)?

RealGem

flaneurs_lobster said:

Ah, understand now I think - you had your contacts etc stored on your old SIM card. Not normally done now, in fact I don't think it's even an option on more modern phones. 

Did your contacts get copied onto the phone and/or were they backed up to an external store (your Google account or a PC)?

I think they were backed up to my SD card, so the O2 person told me how to retrieve it once I put the new SIM in. And everything was ok. But 2 days later everything went back to as though I never backed anything up. 

I would do the same thing again, (once i find out how) but how do I know they won't all disappear again?
thanks

Neil49

I would start by trying the sim card in a different phone. The inability of your phone to pick up the time and date may signify that you aren't connecting to a mobile network. 

RealGem

Neil49 said:

I would start by trying the sim card in a different phone. The inability of your phone to pick up the time and date may signify that you aren't connecting to a mobile network. 

Thanks but I am still able to make calls and receive calls, so I must be connected to the network. I will phone O2 tomorrow, I thought maybe I am doing something wrong, but as my problem appears not ot be a common one, something must be up with the SIM. 

Sorry, still not risking messing up my working phone! But I appreciate your help. Thank you

RealGem

Was on a very long text chat with O2 and it now works ok.

Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

Glad to hear it.