Question Can I transfer a virtual SIM from a broken phone to a new one?

[larry2c]

I am trying to help out a senior friend with her phone - it's a SE 2nd generation. She dropped her phone into the toilet and after retrieving it and drying it in a rice bag for two days it powers up and the display comes on but the screen won't react to any touch so it can't be used I've done the reboot twice - no difference). I checked into repair costs and replacing it was the better choice. It has a virtual SIM card from AT&T. I've been looking for info on transferring it from the old phone to the new but I see conflicting info. If the old phone is unresponsive I wouldn't be able to answer any prompts on it during the transfer. I've never transferred a virtual SIM before so I have no idea if this will be an issue or not. Does anyone here know?

If I can't do the transfer from the old phone, do I just call AT&T and request a new one?

Full disclosure, I'm an Android user so there may be more questions to come as I get deeper into this. I just want to get my friends phone working so she can call family and friends without having to use the senior center's phone.

 

[COLGeek]

How close is the nearest AT&T store?

 

[larry2c]

How close is the nearest AT&T store?

I'm sure there's one within a few miles of me. But since this is not my phone and the owner is in a nursing facility, it would be difficult for her to come to the store with me. I have a POA for her but past experience says I have to submit the docs to them, let them review them and then put me on file before they'll talk to me directly. That takes time (sometimes up to 10 business days) and I want to get her phone back to her as soon as possible so she doesn't feel so isolated.

 

[COLGeek]

Give the local store a call to see if they can assist. Apple phones are pretty good about backing themselves up, if the phone was initially setup correctly. Switching to a new one, should allow that to easily be restored to a new iPhone.

 

[COLGeek]

BTW, it does sound like there is either still some water inside the phone, or it has been damaged.

Another option is to take to one of your local phone "fix it" places. At least to get a comparison in terms of price to repair versus replace via the store.

 

[larry2c]

I got estimates on repairing it based on the symptoms and it was roughly equal to the cost of the refurbished unit so I went with the refurb. That gets me a 90 day replacement warranty and I bought the 2 year insurance plan for $30. This is the 4th phone she's had in about 12 months - some got broken or were too old to update so it could run apps we need for her. We'd prefer to get her something like a JitterBug but she doesn't want that because it's different from what she's used to.

 

[COLGeek]

AT&T usually has decent deals on refurbished devices. I've had a couple, from several years ago, and they were essentially new devices.

The instructions they provide should help with transferring info from the old to the new phone.

I truly understand the scenario you are helping with