Temporarily switch from iPhone X to iPhone 11 (and then back again)

lobsterghost1 wrote:

The issue will be if the iPhone 11 is running a higher version iOS than the iPhone X, which is likely. If it is, she may be able to use it for phone calls, but she wouldn't be able to set it up from the backup of her iPhone X, so her data won't be on the X for the time she is away from her home country. You can't move the backup of an iPhone running a higher version iOS to an iPhone running a lower version. And iPhone X cannot be updated past iOS 16, whereas an iPhone 11 can be updated to the current iOS 18.

I need more coffee!

While what I said is true, she can move from an iPhone X to an iPhone 11. The problem will be when she moves back to her iPhone X, if the iPhone 11 is running a higher version iOS than the iPhone X. She then WON'T be able to move her backup back to the iPhone X.

She should do as MrHoffman or IdrisSeabright recommended and not attempt to move to a different phone just during her stay in the US.

I think you're making this harder than it needs to be. I'm assuming you won't have a 14 year old waltzing around the US without any adult supervision? Can't a responsible adult go with her to a carrier and get a physical SIM for to be used for a couple weeks?

• The iPhone 11 will need to be wiped, in order for her to set up her data on it.
• Then she'll have to move her data to the iPhone 11.
• Or, she can get a prepaid SIM card to use in her iPhone X for the two weeks, which seems far simpler and less time consuming to me.

There is are desks/stores at most airports in the USA , after exiting customs, where she can get a prepaid physical SIM that she can use on here iPhone X. I believe some have vending machines with SIMs as well.

Going back and forth between the X to the 11 and back again is not worth the trouble.

The issue will be if the iPhone 11 is running a higher version iOS than the iPhone X, which is likely. If it is, she may be able to use it for phone calls, but she wouldn't be able to set it up from the backup of her iPhone X, so her data won't be on the X for the time she is away from her home country. You can't move the backup of an iPhone running a higher version iOS to an iPhone running a lower version. And iPhone X cannot be updated past iOS 16, whereas an iPhone 11 can be updated to the current iOS 18.

Barendnu wrote:

I agree that getting a physical SIM would be the best solution, but since she is 14 years old and it requires doing physical work in a physical shop, this was not the preferred way of action.

How long is she going to be in the U.S.? If it's just a week or so, can she just do without data on her phone? Presumably, she will be in lots of places that have WiFi.

Prepaid SIMs are available in many places, not just phone shops. Drug stores, Target, Walmart, and convenience stores. And they can probably also be ordered online for deliver to wherever she is staying.

There are also international companies that sell plans/SIMs for roaming that will send them to your home before you leave. It might take a bit of research to find one but they certainly exist. I don't know if the ones I can find when I type "prepaid international sim" into a browser are the same ones you would find in the Netherlands but the list I found was pretty long.

Or, get a US SIM for the iPhone X, or get an EU SIM with better US roaming.

Barendnu wrote:

…

I agree that getting a physical SIM would be the best solution, but since she is 14 years old and it requires doing physical work in a physical shop, this was not the preferred way of action…

If y’all have a fourteen year old that doesn’t know how to swap a SIM, maybe now is the time to learn how?

Shove a bent paperclip (or an official SIM extraction tool) in the hole, and out comes the drawer.

In a few years, she’ll be able to tell everyone she actually swapped a SIM too, and everybody will then reminisce about old-time tech.

Barendnu wrote:

Therefore, we are looking for a solution to use an eSIM during her two-week trip.

Why do you need to get an eSIM in the U.S.? As Mr.Hoffman suggested, why not get a physical SIM?

lobsterghost1 wrote:

I need more coffee!

I know the feeling!

Maybe I'll wait to post AFTER my second cup of Caffein!

Barendnu wrote:

Thank you all for the suggestions (again)! She'll be in the USA/Canada for about two weeks, with school. We'll certainly dive into the given suggestions.

I hope she has a great trip!