topic Using the same Sim card twice in Get Support

Using the same Sim card twice

emmak33 — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 10:07:10 GMT

I am wondering if I can re-use a Sim card?

I previously was with Public, then switched providers as part of a new phone deal, but now am switching back to Public. I still have my original Public Sim card - can I activate it for a second time? I don't want to have to go out and buy a new one if I don't have to.

Thank you

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

t_p — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:13:20 GMT

@emmak33 wrote:
I am wondering if I can re-use a Sim card?

I previously was with Public, then switched providers as part of a new phone deal, but now am switching back to Public. I still have my original Public Sim card - can I activate it for a second time? I don't want to have to go out and buy a new one if I don't have to.

Thank you

@emmak33

No, you need to buy and activate a new SIM.

Edit: You can check this place: https://canadiancellsupplies.com/collections/saving-plans for good deals if you don't want to buy direct from PM

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

HALIMACS — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:16:11 GMT

@emmak33

The key part of this answer is whether you PORTED your Public Mobile number over to the new provider and whether your Public Mobile account was inactive for greater than 90 days.

If the answers are "NO" to both of the above, then YES, you can continue your PM service.

However, I'm guessing that is not the case as most folks port their existing numbers when switching providers.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

Triguy — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:22:05 GMT

Unfortunately, you can't reuse the sim. You will need to purchase a new sim.

You can order one online on Amazon.ca for $6.90 with free delivery.

https://www.amazon.ca/Public-prepaid-postpaid-Activate-Allinone/dp/B06X9ZGDWG/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?crid=1WQMELXRZD496&keywords=public+mobile+sim+card+canada&qid=1638047724&sprefix=public%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-5

@HALIMACS Each account is associated with one sim. You can't setup a new account with sim that has already been used.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

t_p — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:19:34 GMT

@HALIMACS wrote:
@emmak33

The key part of this answer is whether you PORTED your Public Mobile number over to the new provider and whether your Public Mobile account was inactive for greater than 90 days.

If the answers are "NO" to both of the above, then YES, you can continue your PM service.

However, I'm guessing that is not the case.

If the number was ported out, then the PM account was closed. I don't see how the SIM could be re-used??

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:21:08 GMT

@t_p : I had to read it a couple times. It makes sense when you sort through the double negatives or whatever's. 🙂

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

emmak33 — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:27:59 GMT

Thank you @t_p !

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

emmak33 — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:29:19 GMT

Yes you are right. Thank you @HALIMACS, this was helpful!

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

darlicious — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:29:30 GMT

@emmak33

Unfortunately no you cannot unless the scenario presented by @HALIMACS rings true. You may want to read thru this thread if you are considering purchasing from CCS.

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/Retail/CCS-latest-pm-marketing/m-p/644382#M4535

Pm currently has half price sim cards with a BOGO free offer being shipped surprisingly fast....a few days being reported. If you haven't activated yet submit your email for the current offer on the landing page and activate online by December 17th.

If you don't have a referral code feel free to choose a member of the community and private message them asking if they don't mind being your friend (lol!) and sharing their referral code with you.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

emmak33 — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:30:28 GMT

Thank you @Triguy! I would totally use that link but need it quick so I'll find a store.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

t_p — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:34:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@t_p : I had to read it a couple times. It makes sense when you sort through the double negatives or whatever's. 🙂

ok, I see what you mean. @HALIMACS was assuming OP went to another provider without porting her PM number and the PM account is still in suspension stage, so could still be used if OP reactivates it.

It's the way OP words the question that makes it hard to understand: they say reactivate the SIM (which is impossible) not reactivate the account (which is possible if not dead)

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

emmak33 — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:37:38 GMT

Thank you @darlicious, this was extremely helpful!

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

HALIMACS — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 22:53:04 GMT

@Triguy wrote:

@HALIMACS Each account is associated with one sim. You can't setup a new account with sim that has already been used.

Yes, but what was not clearly established @Triguy was whether the OP ported out of PM, and when.

In any case, a mute point now. 😉

[EDIT: yah, yah, yah @darlicious MOOT point. Duh on me. 🙄 ]

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

HALIMACS — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:52:59 GMT

@t_p wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@t_p : I had to read it a couple times. It makes sense when you sort through the double negatives or whatever's. 🙂
ok, I see what you mean. @HALIMACS was assuming OP went to another provider without porting her PM number and the PM account is still in suspension stage, so could still be used if OP reactivates it.
It's the way OP words the question that makes it hard to understand: they say reactivate the SIM (which is impossible) not reactivate the account (which is possible if not dead)

Indeed @t_p wasn't totally clear and I was grasping at hope on the very slight chance they DID NOT port out of PM and was only with the other provider a couple months.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

HALIMACS — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:54:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@t_p : I had to read it a couple times. It makes sense when you sort through the double negatives or whatever's. 🙂

I don't not know what you don't mean @Anonymous 🤣

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

darlicious — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 22:47:41 GMT

@HALIMACS wrote:
@Triguy wrote:

@HALIMACS Each account is associated with one sim. You can't setup a new account with sim that has already been used.
Yes, but what was not clearly established @Triguy was whether the OP ported out of PM, and when.

In any case, a mute point now. 😉

@HALIMACS

I suppose if we not want to hear from you we will just mute you....r point!🤣🤣🤣

Or as Joey says with his "Friends" it's a moo point....just two cows chewing cud. Moo!🐄Moo!🐄

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

XionBunny — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 04:20:03 GMT

I can't wait till providers actually come out with reuseable sim cards, would be less pollution, hell I don't care if they charged more for them.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

softech — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 04:24:30 GMT

@XionBunny wrote:
I can't wait till providers actually come out with reuseable sim cards, would be less pollution, hell I don't care if they charged more for them.

honest, the technology can certainly make it reusable.. why not? I guess is greed.

don't think anyone is going to change this system.. as eSIM will be the future.. but eSIM is going so slow.. so far, only Apple going all in with it.. i guess they don't have full support from the carriers.

Re: Using the same Sim card twice

Korth — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 05:09:16 GMT

@softech wrote:
@XionBunny wrote:
I can't wait till providers actually come out with reuseable sim cards, would be less pollution, hell I don't care if they charged more for them.
honest, the technology can certainly make it reusable.. why not? I guess is greed.

don't think anyone is going to change this system.. as eSIM will be the future.. but eSIM is going so slow.. so far, only Apple going all in with it.. i guess they don't have full support from the carriers.

Each SIM - Subscriber Identity Module - is a unique token. Once the original owner has abandoned a SIM there's no way for the carrier to confirm subsequent (re)activation of the SIM is still the original owner or is even done with the original owner's knowledge/consent.

This is important for consumer "security" - you don't want somebody else to reactivate a SIM card after they steal your phone or found it in the trash. They could steal your account and number, a solid first move for identity theft. They could monitor, intercept, spoof, or otherwise manipulate your communications instead.

It's far more important for carrier "security" - that is, they need confidence that all the telemetry and datamining associated with each subscriber stays intact, that it doesn't lose value by being tangled up with other identities.

An analogy is to think of the SIM card as the key which opens a lock, where each account has a unique lock and therefore requires a unique key. If you let the account expire or you force it to terminate (by porting your number and service to another operator) then your old locks get sealed forever and your old key will no longer work. Gotta buy a new one.

Most people don't think much about SIMs - cheap little things you need to buy to make your phone work. But the little chip on your SIM card is just as important as the little chip on your bank card or credit card - it could cost you just as much money and grief if a thief gets it out of your pocket.