Can't restore my sim/phone number from my new iPhone 17 Pro Max to my old phone

Question

Level 1

5 points

Can't restore my sim/phone number from my new iPhone 17 Pro Max to my old phone

I have recently purchased an iPhone 17 Pro Max and I transferred all my data from my old iPhone 14 Pro Max to the new phone. I vaguely recall being asked to transfer/port my number to the iPhone 17 Pro Max before I moved my sim card over (this is important for later on)

I'm now returning my iPhone 17 Pro Max due to it being scratched so I thought I could just move my SIM card back to my old iPhone 14 Pro Max. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to work and I have no phone network coverage when I do this. My new iPhone 17 Pro Max still continues to work and allows me to call even without having the SIM put in. Does this mean that I'm using the eSIM? (I didn't think it was supported by Apple in the UK)

How do I get my old iPhone to recognise my old SIM and being able to make cellular calls again? Any help would be appreciated

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 6, 2025 2:15 PM

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Answer 1

samsinghuk Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 7, 2025 12:40 PM in response to lobsterghost1

You were right. Turns out I had moved to an eSIM and deactivated my physical SIM in the process of moving all my data to my new iPhone 17 Pro Max. I thought Apple didn't support eSIMs in the UK either which is what had me confused. All sorted now!

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Answer 2

Nov 6, 2025 2:25 PM in response to samsinghuk

Contact your carrier for help with this.

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

100,233 points

Nov 30, 2025 3:09 PM in response to samsinghuk

samsinghuk wrote:

.... I thought Apple didn't support eSIMs in the UK either which is what had me confused. All sorted now!

Apple supports eSIM in UK but only if your provider does. Almost every provider except Lebara and a few other MVNOs support eSIM in UK.

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Answer 4

Prabatia

Level 1

8 points

Nov 30, 2025 9:49 AM in response to lobsterghost1

My friend bought a new iphone 17 pro and transferred his data from iphone 14 plus. He gave me his old phone and forgot to take the simcard out. He asked me to keep it safe but I misplaced it. His phone is still getting calls and working without the card. I am scared to tell him because there are trust issues already. At the same time, I am worried about losing his sim card. Is this is a big issue? Please Help

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Answer 5

Nov 30, 2025 10:25 AM in response to Prabatia

Prabatia wrote:

My friend bought a new iphone 17 pro and transferred his data from iphone 14 plus. He gave me his old phone and forgot to take the simcard out. He asked me to keep it safe but I misplaced it. His phone is still getting calls and working without the card. I am scared to tell him because there are trust issues already. At the same time, I am worried about losing his sim card. Is this is a big issue? Please Help

Would it be a big deal to me? No. But I'm not your boyfriend and whether he will be upset or not, no one here could possibly know. A Sim card on iPhone carriers the phone number only. Nothing else is stored on the Sim. If he wants another physical Sim card, he can certainly get one from his carrier. You'll have to take your chances and let him know.

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Answer 6

Prabatia

Level 1

8 points

Nov 30, 2025 12:04 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Does the sim card automatically gets deactivated if his new phone is still working without sim? My main concern is that what if someone else finds the sim? Could you please answer to that for me. Thank You

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Answer 7

Nov 30, 2025 12:28 PM in response to Prabatia

If the new phone has the same phone number as the old phone, if someone finds the Sim, they can't use it as that number is now being used on a different phone.

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