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Switching to Sidephone from an iOS device

Instructions on how to begin using Sidephone that are tailored to Apple iOS and iPhone users.

Updated over a week ago

Summary

To switch from iPhone to Sidephone, turn off iMessage (and FaceTime), complete Sidephone’s Setup Wizard, and customize your keypad around your core needs (calls, SMS, navigation). If you rely heavily on Apple services (iMessage, Apple Pay, location, etc.), and are not willing to abandon them, keep your iPhone as a quiet companion and consider carrying an Apple Watch, while using Sidephone as your primary mobile device.

Steps

Make Sidephone your primary and only device (recommended)

Complete the steps below to retire your iPhone, and set up Sidephone as your primary and only mobile device:

Prepare your iPhone

This is a critical first step in order to ensure text message deliverability.

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.

  2. Tap Messages.

  3. Toggle iMessage to Off.

  4. Also deregister iMessage via Apple’s online tool to avoid message delivery issues: https://selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage/

  5. Perform any necessary backups

Set up Sidephone for the first time

  1. Follow steps in: Set up Sidephone for the first time

Move your number to Sidephone

  1. Power off your iPhone and move your SIM into Sidephone (if using a compatible carrier)

    1. eSIM: If your existing device and plan use eSIM, it may be simpler to adopt Sidephone's mobile service using the provided SIM card as opposed to purchasing and waiting for your existing carrier to mail a new one, which may or may not be supported

  2. Place a test call and send a test SMS to confirm standard texting works

Tip: Do not discard the Sidephone SIM card or its contents. If connectivity fails to initialize with your existing carrier, or if you prefer to experience connectivity that the team has tested to work best with the device, Sidephone mobile plans are available to activate with the provided SIM card.

Embrace Sidephone's minimalism and de-Googled OS

  1. Use Sidephone primarily for calls, SMS, navigation, and light utilities

  2. Install essential apps from the App Library (e.g., Maps if you need it) or other trusted sources

  3. If using Compact QWERTY, install JakeType first

  4. Open Settings → Key Mapping and map hotkeys to quick launch apps like:

    • Phone

    • Messages

    • Contacts

    • (Optional) Maps

  5. You will no longer have Apple services such as iCloud Backup, iCloud Photos, and iMessage and instead have an opportunity to explore privacy-focused platform agnostic solutions like Proton, Cryptee and others

Keep your existing iPhone or iOS device as a quiet companion

We recommend keeping your long-standing number on your existing device, and seeing Sidephone as a new fresh start with a new private number.

Set up Sidephone for the first time

  1. Follow steps in: Set up Sidephone for the first time

  2. Power off the device to prepare for the next step

Obtain your new private number

  1. Visit plans.sidephone.com and choose either a Basic ($10/mo) or Unlimited ($35/mo) plan

  2. Enter your newly activated SIM card into Sidephone

  3. Power on Sidephone

Tip: Choose an unlimited plan for your new private number on Sidephone and call the provider of your existing long-standing number to reduce that plan to call/text/1GB or just call/text. Since your iPhone will mostly stay at home, with access to a Wi-Fi network, it might no longer need a more expensive plan.

Embrace Sidephone's minimalism and de-Googled OS

  1. Use Sidephone primarily for calls, SMS, navigation, and light utilities

  2. Install essential apps from the App Library (e.g., Maps if you need it) or other trusted sources

  3. If using Compact QWERTY, install JakeType first

  4. Open Settings → Key Mapping and map hotkeys to quick launch apps like:

    • Phone

    • Messages

    • Contacts

    • (Optional) Maps

  5. You will no longer have Apple services such as iCloud Backup, iCloud Photos, and iMessage and instead have an opportunity to explore privacy-focused platform agnostic solutions like Proton, Cryptee and others

  6. Use your iPhone only when Sidephone cannot do the task, or you have time boxed the use for work that is only available on the smartphone

Carry an Apple Watch to bridge the gap between devices

  1. Your Apple Watch acts as a tether to the Apple ecosystem and iPhone at home, allowing you to continue to send and receive iMessages, use Apple Pay, track and share location, and more.

Considerations

  • Some contacts can text you, others can’t: Fully disable RCS through Google's web form at https://messages.google.com/disable-chat

  • Data-only SIM: Calls/SMS won’t work; confirm your plan supports voice and SMS

  • Google-dependent apps and services: Many won’t run on Sidephone by design; plan around this

  • Large photo transfers fail: Send in smaller batches via LocalSend

  • No Wi-Fi available: Create a hotspot on your Android and connect Sidephone to it for transfers

  • You miss RCS: Use the 'Android as a quiet companion' setup and consider Beeper as a bridge

When to Contact Support

Create a support ticket if:

  • you cannot receive standard SMS on Sidephone after disabling iMessage and restarting, or

  • calls/texts fail on a confirmed working SIM

What to Collect for Support

  • Was iMessage turned off on the iOS device (or via Apple's site)?

  • Did you move your main SIM to Sidephone or use a new number?

  • Can you receive a standard SMS on Sidephone?

  • Are you attempting a companion-device setup?

Related Articles
Upgrading to Sidephone from an existing dumbphone, feature phone or flip phone
Switching to Sidephone from an Android device
Transfer data from another device
Activate Sidephone mobile service
Disable RCS and iMessage
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