"syncing" old (no SIM) to current phone setting and home screen?

Question

Level 1

102 points

"syncing" old (no SIM) to current phone setting and home screen?

i would like to set up my older iPhone(s) so that they "sync" to my current iPhone that has a SIM and which i use to make phone calls. meaning i have two older phones that each have access to wifi and i like to bring ONE of them with me when i travel in case i lose the phone i currently have. in that case i can go get a replacement SIM.

what i would like to have happen is that i put the SIM into my old phone and it has all the exact same settings like Home Screen, texts, emails, phone calls and voicemails etc, etc without having to completely reconfigure everything including the HOME SCREEN.

csn i just ripe the old phone(s) back to factory settings and sync to my iCloud account?

and then if i put the SIM i am using in my current phone into this phone it will look like all my other phones?

or what do i need to have this happen?(!)

THANKS

iPhone 6, iOS 12

Posted on Aug 22, 2022 11:21 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

157,554 points

Aug 23, 2022 8:08 AM in response to hotwheels22

hotwheels22 wrote:

hey man. so what is being synced via iCloud i guess is the question?

Your iCloud-related app data. You can see what gets (actually, you control what gets synced) by going to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud, and you will see those items.

and what is being backed up in a backup is the next question.

What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support

and what is not contained in either of the two seems like the last question?

Everything else.

also if i am following the steps would be to wipe the phone?

Not quite sure what you are asking here. Is it, how do you properly wipe your phone to bring it back to its factory default condition? If so, then this support article should answer that:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Rudegar

Level 10

179,532 points

Aug 22, 2022 11:32 AM in response to hotwheels22

The sim have no bearing contacts are stored in iCloud or in the iOS device if one don’t use icloud

if both use the appleID and iCloud contacts and appointments and the likes are synced between all iOS devices, iPads, and macs that use the appleid

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Answer 3

hotwheels22 Author

Level 1

102 points

Aug 22, 2022 11:37 AM in response to Rudegar

your saying if i have an old iphone and it is synced to iCloud all the settings on it will be the same as the phone i am currently using?

or if i alter information on the phone that has no SIM that it will then change the configuration of the phone i am using to make calls?

or what?

i mean i get the SIM has no bearing on the phone configuration (at all i guess?!) but i was using it as an example for why i want my phones to be synced up.

IF i lose a phone i don't want to have to totally organize the replacement phone.

like right now the home screen on my backup phone that has no SIM does not seem to sync up to the home screen on the phone i am typing on.

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Answer 4

Tesserax

Level 10

157,554 points

Aug 22, 2022 12:52 PM in response to hotwheels22

If both iPhones are logged in with the same Apple ID, any iCloud-based data will sync between them ... assuming both have access to the Internet. That Internet connection can be either by Wi-Fi or by cellular data. Only the iPhone with the active SIM card can use either for that connection.

Your older iPhones, would only be able to do so via a Wi-Fi connection that already has an Internet connection.

As far as, using your old phone with cellular service, you will need to discuss that with your cellular provider. The SIM card you use would have to be activated to that phone. You cannot, simply, switch the SIM card between your phones and expect them to have cellular service.

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Answer 5

hotwheels22 Author

Level 1

102 points

Aug 22, 2022 1:25 PM in response to Tesserax

hi T,

at a minimum i am not seeing my home screen sync with the current version of my home screen.

thei makes it impossible to use the phone really.

is there a method or way to get my home screen to sync up and look like my current home screen organization?

you know what i mean?(!)

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Answer 6

Tesserax

Level 10

157,554 points

Aug 22, 2022 1:30 PM in response to hotwheels22

I do know what your mean. However, syncing is only between iCloud-related apps, not necessarily what is displayed on the iPhone's screen. That would be something that would require a backup and what Rudegar is assisting you with.

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