Combining phone numbers

[RopTop]

I currently have two iPhones - one for work and a personal one. I’ve come to the conclusion that carrying two is a pain and my personal phone contract is up for renewal.

So, I’m keen to go down to one, but see a few issues:

1) I cannot change the work number, but I’ve had my personal number for nearly 20 years. Although I can let my immediate contacts know my new number, there are others who I don’t contact regularly. Is there any way to keep the old number as well? Can I divert calls or is there another solution?

2) I have two apple accounts - is there any way to share apps without having to pay again?

3) is there a simple way to combine contacts, photos, music, etc?

I’ve searched and cannot see an obvious solution - I can’t believe I’m the first person to have this issue though!

[LotusMartin]

which networks? The new iPhone XS supports dual SIM but one needs to be eSim - only a few networks support this eg EE

[okenemem]

you can buy the imported iPhone XR from Hong Kong that has physical
dual sim so it actually has two nano SIM cards none of that sim nonsense

[RopTop]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I’m tied to an iPhone 6s for now, so I don’t think I can get a dual sim solution. Is the e sim only the XS? How does the sim work? Are the two lines live simultaneously, or do you physically need to change between the two?

The phone I’m keeping is on Vodafone. My phone is on Tesco, but the contract is up, so that can change...

[audi321]

okenemem said:

you can buy the imported iPhone XR from Hong Kong that has physical
dual sim so it actually has two nano SIM cards none of that sim nonsense

Really?? I didn't know that. Is it a genuine Apple phone?

ETA - just looked and you're right......Chinese version of XS Max and XR have dual physical sims! XS doesn't.

Will these work with UK sims? I'm definitely getting one if they do as I'm sick of 2 phones!

Edited by audi321 on Monday 25th February 21:31

[The_Jackal]

Transfer your number to a burner phone?

[okenemem]

audi321 said:

Really?? I didn't know that. Is it a genuine Apple phone?

ETA - just looked and you're right......Chinese version of XS Max and XR have dual physical sims! XS doesn't.

Will these work with UK sims? I'm definitely getting one if they do as I'm sick of 2 phones!

Edited by audi321 on Monday 25th February 21:31

a friend of mine bought one for 800 pounds off ebay , and its all working fine

[hutchst]

I know you all worship at the Temple of Apples here, but Samsung make a dual sim version of just about every model of phone they make. I couldnt be without, going back 10 years or so.

An added bonus is letting the company keep their phone, and just give me a SIM card that I stick in my phone. That way I can make and take their calls during work hours, and out of hours at my discretion. And no company emails or WhatsApp groups on my phone.

[megaphone]

I'm in a similar situation, although both iPhones are mine. I forward all my personal calls to my work number, this means most of the time I only have to carry my work phone. If I want to make a personal call during the day I can use the work number. I have set up the same Apple ID on both phones so all my contacts and photos etc sync. Not perfect but it works for me.

[RopTop]

The_Jackal said:

Transfer your number to a burner phone?

Genuine question - do you mean a burner for my personal number and forward it to my work phone? Does the burner have to remain turned on for this to work?

[eatontrifles]

megaphone said:

I'm in a similar situation, although both iPhones are mine. I forward all my personal calls to my work number, this means most of the time I only have to carry my work phone. If I want to make a personal call during the day I can use the work number. I have set up the same Apple ID on both phones so all my contacts and photos etc sync. Not perfect but it works for me.

This is what I would do, although you'd miss out on text messages however most people use Whatsapp and iMessage now anyway - the former can be registered as the personal number but used on the other phone as far as I am aware. Making a personal call from the work number but appear as caller ID from a different number is a bit more tricky but it is possible by using a SIP service and suitable softphone app to make the calls.

[RopTop]

Thanks, that seems to be the solution: call forwarding from the personal phone, migrate everything else across to the work phone.

I lose WhatsApp and iMessage, but can keep tabs on the personal phone for a time and migrate.

Unfortunately, I already have two Apple accounts - any idea if these can be combined? Particularly as otherwise I’ll lose some paid for apps...

Appreciate the help!

[audi321]

RopTop said:

Thanks, that seems to be the solution: call forwarding from the personal phone, migrate everything else across to the work phone.

I lose WhatsApp and iMessage, but can keep tabs on the personal phone for a time and migrate.

Unfortunately, I already have two Apple accounts - any idea if these can be combined? Particularly as otherwise I’ll lose some paid for apps...

Appreciate the help!

Could you set up family sharing and join them both? This way the apps can be re-downloaded for free