Can I run 2 phones at the same time?
Can I run 2 phones at the same time?
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Discussion

RobbieTheTruth

Original Poster:

2,817 posts

149 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
Hello,

I am on a 'Sim Only' deal with EE.

I need to buy a new handset, but I'd like to keep my existing phone alive as a backup - also because it keeps a load of messages/whatsapps etc that I don't want to delete.

Can I get a new sim from EE and use it alongside my existing one?

Thanks

joshleb

1,550 posts

174 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
Both phones with the same number?

I've always found that when the new sim card activates, the old one stops working on that number.

RobbieTheTruth

Original Poster:

2,817 posts

149 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
joshleb said:
Both phones with the same number?

I've always found that when the new sim card activates, the old one stops working on that number.
Yes. In that case, would I still be able to access messages/photos etc on the 'dormant' phone do you think?

xeny

5,510 posts

108 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
RobbieTheTruth said:
Yes. In that case, would I still be able to access messages/photos etc on the 'dormant' phone do you think?
Take the sim out and check, but I've done that before and not had a problem.

Don't most new phones have a migrate all your old junk from the old device feature?

jurbie

2,441 posts

231 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
Yes, if it's connected to WIFI most of your apps will continue to work but you won't be able to make or receive calls or texts.

If you use Watts App then the moment you set it up on your new phone it will automatically delete itself from the old phone so ensure you make a back up first if you have messages you want to keep. It should be backing itself up automatically but I recently changed phones and the most recent back up was a couple of weeks old so I lost about 2 weeks of messages. I wasn't really bothered but you might be.

RobbieTheTruth

Original Poster:

2,817 posts

149 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
jurbie said:
Yes, if it's connected to WIFI most of your apps will continue to work but you won't be able to make or receive calls or texts.

If you use Watts App then the moment you set it up on your new phone it will automatically delete itself from the old phone so ensure you make a back up first if you have messages you want to keep. It should be backing itself up automatically but I recently changed phones and the most recent back up was a couple of weeks old so I lost about 2 weeks of messages. I wasn't really bothered but you might be.
Ah yes, that's absolutely critical. Thanks

ARHarh

4,892 posts

137 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
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With google do this https://support.google.com/android/answer/2819582?... I am sure its similar for apple stuff

Buzz84

1,749 posts

179 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
Your new phone will likely give you the option of importing all of your data, messages, photos, settings and preferences from your old phone during the setup process.

You won't need to have your old phone as it will be on your new one. Unless there is some reason you want it divided over two phones.

paulrockliffe

16,609 posts

257 months

Sunday 18th April 2021
quotequote all
jurbie said:
Yes, if it's connected to WIFI most of your apps will continue to work but you won't be able to make or receive calls or texts.

If you use Watts App then the moment you set it up on your new phone it will automatically delete itself from the old phone so ensure you make a back up first if you have messages you want to keep. It should be backing itself up automatically but I recently changed phones and the most recent back up was a couple of weeks old so I lost about 2 weeks of messages. I wasn't really bothered but you might be.
It doesn't actually delete, you can get those messages back simply by reauthenticating on the other device again. You can only send/receive/access from one device at a time, but if you backup, reauthenticate, restore, you can keep everything in one place across both devices. Massive faff though.

I have a Samsung phone and Samsung tablet and they have a setup that bounces calls and texts between devices as if the sim was in both, so I can authenticate WhatsApp in either. I regularly swap it around as I prefer it on my tablet, but often go out with just my phone.

Corso Marche

1,901 posts

231 months

Monday 19th April 2021
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RobbieTheTruth said:
Yes. In that case, would I still be able to access messages/photos etc on the 'dormant' phone do you think?
I think you're over complicating things to the point where you will unwittingly create complications for yourself at a future point in time.

Ensure everything on your old phone is fully backed up, and not just "on the phone".

Setup new phone with the backup from the old phone. Done.

RobbieTheTruth

Original Poster:

2,817 posts

149 months

Monday 19th April 2021
quotequote all
Corso Marche said:
RobbieTheTruth said:
Yes. In that case, would I still be able to access messages/photos etc on the 'dormant' phone do you think?
I think you're over complicating things to the point where you will unwittingly create complications for yourself at a future point in time.

Ensure everything on your old phone is fully backed up, and not just "on the phone".

Setup new phone with the backup from the old phone. Done.
I know.

I'm not great with tech anymore and 100% confident I'll lose my messages/whatapp!

Corso Marche

1,901 posts

231 months

Monday 19th April 2021
quotequote all
Is it only Whatsapp, or also other messaging apps?