Is it possible to have and use 2 iPhones having the same phone number?

By Bruce Harrell, 6 September, 2023

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Hi All!

I'm about 10 days from ordering an iPhone 15 Pro, and I'm wondering if it would be possible to have my new phone and my old phone use the same phone number? I'd love to be able to plug one in to recharge and turn the other one on to use while the first is charging.

Is possible?

Thank you! smile

Bruce, friend of Bingo

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Comments

By Siobhan on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

Not sure what country you are in, but phones usually use sim cards. Without knowing much more information then you've given, I'd say the only way would be using a VOIP number like Skype or google voice etc. But if you're getting. a new phone, I'd recommend trading in your old one to ease some of the finances off as it's over a thousand american dollars.

By Ash Rein on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

There are ways to spoof or duplicate a SIM card or esims. But no way to do it through your usual carrier. As far as I am aware, what you want is possible, but not legal.

By OldBear on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

It doesn't sound like you're having your carrier set up the new phone. I do get my new phones through my carrier, and the old phone seems to still get calls when it is connected to WiFi or something like that. They do not remove the SIM card from the old phone, just do some network voodoo on their end. I have had to turn off the option to get phone calls somewhere in Settings because it gets distracting to have them both ringing slightly out of sync.

By Travis Roth on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

If both phones are signed into the same Apple ID and iMessage, and the primary phone is set to forward calls to other devices it may work. It works with iPad, I am unsure if Apple blocks a secondary iPhone for any reason. My backup iPhone receives texts fine, I've not tried phone calls...

By Gerardo on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

If this works on iPads, I don't see why from one iPhone to another what you're looking for wouldn't work. The only difference is that one of your iPhones won't have a sin, but if they're both on the same WiFi network, and under the same apple ID, this should work! You'd need to go on your main iPhone that has the sim in it, to Settings/Phone, and check that your new phone would be among the devices to receive it and make calls. So while one of your iPhones is charging (as long as it's at least locked), you should receive and make calls on the other without problems. Good luck!

By Brooke on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

It's been a few years since I tried this. I used to keep one of my old phones as a backup device. When I attempted this, at first, calls and texts would show on both devices. But within a few days, that would stop, and they'd only work on the newer phone. It would eventually have problems pulling in iMessages and Facetime calls. I have no idea why this didn't work when it does work with an iPad as a secondary device. And maybe it's gotten better, I'm not sure because I now sell my older devices. But I wouldn't be surprised if your older device eventually stops receiving the calls and texts.

By Dominic on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

You need them both on the same Apple ID, no. You can also go to settings, cellular data, go to where it says mobile data and double tap on calls on other devices enable it enable to devices you want calls and text messages to come from.

By Peter Holdstock on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

I’m not sure if this would need an Nebling as well, but if you enable Wi-Fi calling then your other device should ring at the same time

By Bruce Harrell on Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 22:16

Thanks to all for some great suggestions. When I get the new phone, I'll give them a try. I'll also report back here if I succeed. smile

Thanks again!

Bruce