New sim card only deal

Magpie123456

Hi,
I wonder if someone could help me with the techy part of the following please.

I am considering buying a new sim only deal/ card, with a completly different provider.

my current sim only deal has increased quite a lot.

So I've found a good deal, but with a completely different supplier.

So I'd be changing from sim only deal O2, to ID mobile sim only deal.



I understand that when I purchase my new sim deal only, that I can transfer my original number over by pac code. ( not too sure of the process eg if I have to have an alternative number for a while? or even how this works?)

But my main concern, and question is -
When I have the new sim (different company/supplier) and I transfer over my original number, what happens to all the things on my original sim?
eg all my photos, apps, texts and contacts?

Do they dissapear once I've done the pac code thing?
If so, how do I get all those things over onto the new sim? Where I would need them? Or would they all be lost?

It is all too technical for me, and I am concerned that I'll lose all what's on my original sim and not get it onto the new sim only deal.
Totally confused how to go about it. Or if its even possible. That I can retain my photos, contact, texts and apps.

Hoping someone would be able to explain, in simple steps.
Thanking you in advance
😺 

Tree_pipe99

All your photos, apps, texts and contacts etc. are stored on the phone, not the SIM, so they'll all still be there when you put your new SIM in your phone. 

sausage_time

In the past I have left my old SIM in util it's nuked by the operator - which usually means the new SIM is active.  You can then swap and move on.   As above all content will be unchanged (and presumably set up to be backed up to Google or Apple)

Is your O2 phone unlocked?

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Unlocking-an-O2-phone-to-use-a-different-SIM-card/ba-p/1014131

oldernonethewiser

One thing to do in advance of changing SIM, in fact something you should do regularly anyway, is back up your phone.  Instructions for how to do this available online for both Android and Apple.

Magpie123456

Thank you so much for your reply Tree-pipe99. 

It seems it'll be OK then and go swiftly. That's good news.
I was under the impression  (wrongly) that it was all stored on the sim. But you are confirming that it's not on the sim, but on the phone.

Thank you so much for your reply. Its much appreciated.

Just aside note - will I be allocated a different number for a 'while' temporarily? And at what stage do I do the pac code thing, to retain my original number?
eg at what stage does this take place?

Many thanks.

HumberFlyer

Just text the word 'PAC' to 65075 on your original....you will receive a code... you can do that now if you wish. I think it is valid for 30 days. That code is what you give the new supplier.. just send after you have put the new sim in.. I have just done mine and wifes this week (02 to EE and vodaphone to EE) ...took a day or so to go through... 

Vitor

Magpie123456 said:

Just aside note - will I be allocated a different number for a 'while' temporarily? And at what stage do I do the pac code thing, to retain my original number?
eg at what stage does this take place?

Many thanks.

Often when ordering a new package, part of the ordering process will be inputting the PAC code to show you want a number port and the new provider does what's needed behind the scenes.
The SIM will be delivered with a new number associated with it. Generally the new provider will tell you the date when the number port will take place so on that day swap the SIM in the phone*, let the new SIM register and with a few hours it'll be associated with your old number.

* If you have dual SIM phone it's even simpler as you can run both SIMs until the port takes place.

Magpie123456

Thank you sausage-time and oldernonethe wiser for the info ( posts must've crossed, whilst I was replying to Tree-pipe).

Yes, this is something I should do, but unfortunately unable to. As I struggle immensely with tech. Thank you for the link. But will be too hard for me as I cant grasp tech.

I'm quite old, and have nuero condition that makes learning anything new, very challenging.

Thank you all 😺 

Yes, my phone is unlocked. The sim only that I have in atm I've had for over 12 years ( as struggle with any change)

sausage_time

Magpie123456 said:

Thank you sausage-time and oldernonethe wiser for the info ( posts must've crossed, whilst I was replying to Tree-pipe).

You can click/tap the Thanks button in future.       Much easier than typing thank you each time!

Magpie123456 said:

Yes, this is something I should do, but unfortunately unable to. As I struggle immensely with tech. Thank you for the link. But will be too hard for me as I cant grasp tech.

I'm quite old, and have nuero condition that makes learning anything new, very challenging.

Hope the transition goes well.  Please do ask here if you are unsure or get stuck - this is a very helpful community!

(BTW, in the dark ages contacts were stored on the SIM - but smart phones and loads of memory means it makes sense for the handset to look after them).

Magpie123456

Thanks sausage-time (sorry can't find the 'thanks' button) 🤔 

Oh, that makes perfect sense then, as to why I had mistakenly thought it was stored in the sim.
I am in still there in the dark ages, and havnt been updated 😂 

Thank you

Magpie123456

Thank you so much Vitor and Humberflyer for explaining the process to me.
It's greatly appreciated.

Sorry for the delayed response, again, post seems to have crossed whilst I was replying to sausage. Apologies as I've not quite got the hang of this "posting' process completely yet. I am still learning, and making a few mistakes.

Many thank all  😺