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Other eSIM Xfinity Mobile

techmuscle said:
We upgraded two phones with existing Xfinity Mobile cell service. One activated withing 10-15 minutes. My phone started the activation on 10/19 around 12 noon. New iPhone 14 Pro still not activated. My old phone's cell service is still active. Chat on 10/19 told me to wait and it will be activated in 2 hours. Didn't. Called this morning (10/20) around 6:30 AM and they said keep the new phone off and the old phone on. When the cell service disappears off the old phone, turn on the new phone and it will activate. Called back at noon. Same answer. So, in a holding pattern.
Click to expand...
Update: Just concluded a chat with Xfinity. TL;DR: activation is still in progress and I need to keep waiting. There was "an error with the esim card".

I'm not sure what the following means but it sounds like they are offering to add a new line to my service so that the new phone would have two lines (my existing number and a new number)???

"I would like to share that As we are working on the concern of activation, Meanwhile I would strongly suggest you to please activate the device with the number with eSIM.

I would like to inform you that Xfinity has recently launched the e-SIM, and if you want, you can get the e-SIM for your current device and you will be able to use both the lines on the same device, Also, I can check that you have (an unlimited data plan, after adding the new line, after adding the e-SIM with the new phone number or the current phone number and get the new phone number with physical SIM card with additional cost of $0.00 on your monthly bill). This will just help your device to activate on the IMEI 2 and it will cost you $0.00 only. And there is teh best quality of eSIM that you can delete it if is not in use. The eSIM will get activated right away."
 
Thought I'd share some happy news...😀 I went to a nearby Xfinity store, which was 4 storefronts from a Verizon store. Person there was very patient and helpful, called some special help line, waited while I ran to Verizon to get a new Number Transfer Code, and we now have two working iPhones on Xfinity.
Next steps will be making sure I actually get the promised discounts on new phones, get the promised discount on our internet service, and get Verizon to stop charging me. But this is all a good start!
A cardinal rule in such things is that it's better to work with a live human in person than someone in a call center in Elbonia or wherever.
 
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Finally transferred my number from a physical SIM to eSIM on my new iPhone bought from Apple. Super unintuitive process so wanted to share the steps I went through in case it can help someone:
  • Log into your account on desktop, go to Devices and your device, then Replace Device.
  • Enter your new iPhone’s IMEI. After that, you’ll get an error.
  • Open the Xfinity mobile app on your iPhone (I did it on the new one but either one should work), and you’ll see the new iPhone listed there. It may take a few minutes to show up.
  • Return to the desktop site and Devices. Select the new iPhone and begin the activation. Make sure adblocker is disabled. Each step will be slow to load the button for some reason, just be patient and it’ll be enabled for you to click next.
  • Select Keep your number. The next steps will look like it’s porting your existing number from another service, but I went through it and it worked. Put Other for existing carrier and fill in the blanks and continue.
  • Your new iPhone will get a notification, open it and it will connect to the network, download the eSIM, and your number will be transferred over.
That’s it! Your new iPhone is finally activated with your existing number, and your old iPhone will no longer have that number (it’ll still show signal because of the SIM card but calls or data won’t work).
 
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I’m convinced once you switch to esim with Xfinity, there’s no way to swap devices. I want to switch my line to a new phone and nobody can figure out how to do it.
 
Brad7 said:
Finally transferred my number from a physical SIM to eSIM on my new iPhone bought from Apple. Super unintuitive process so wanted to share the steps I went through in case it can help someone:
  • Log into your account on desktop, go to Devices and your device, then Replace Device.
  • Enter your new iPhone’s IMEI. After that, you’ll get an error.
  • Open the Xfinity mobile app on your iPhone (I did it on the new one but either one should work), and you’ll see the new iPhone listed there. It may take a few minutes to show up.
  • Return to the desktop site and Devices. Select the new iPhone and begin the activation. Make sure adblocker is disabled. Each step will be slow to load the button for some reason, just be patient and it’ll be enabled for you to click next.
  • Select Keep your number. The next steps will look like it’s porting your existing number from another service, but I went through it and it worked. Put Other for existing carrier and fill in the blanks and continue.
  • Your new iPhone will get a notification, open it and it will connect to the network, download the eSIM, and your number will be transferred over.
That’s it! Your new iPhone is finally activated with your existing number, and your old iPhone will no longer have that number (it’ll still show signal because of the SIM card but calls or data won’t work).
Click to expand...
This process only works for iPhone 13 and newer. If you have an iPhone 12 or older, you are still SOL with the Xfinity eSIM.
 
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Brad7 said:
Oh, damn that sucks. Why is that?
Click to expand...
I have no idea and I bet the Xfinity tech support folks to this day have no idea either. I was able to convert my wife's physical SIM to eSIM on her iPhone 13 mini 6 weeks ago without any issues but no such luck with my 12 mini. Tried their phone tech service and even went into the store and no luck and they had no clue. At the time, they didn't even know it was possible to get the eSIM working on the 13s.
 
techmuscle said:
Update: Just concluded a chat with Xfinity. TL;DR: activation is still in progress and I need to keep waiting. There was "an error with the esim card".

I'm not sure what the following means but it sounds like they are offering to add a new line to my service so that the new phone would have two lines (my existing number and a new number)???

"I would like to share that As we are working on the concern of activation, Meanwhile I would strongly suggest you to please activate the device with the number with eSIM.

I would like to inform you that Xfinity has recently launched the e-SIM, and if you want, you can get the e-SIM for your current device and you will be able to use both the lines on the same device, Also, I can check that you have (an unlimited data plan, after adding the new line, after adding the e-SIM with the new phone number or the current phone number and get the new phone number with physical SIM card with additional cost of $0.00 on your monthly bill). This will just help your device to activate on the IMEI 2 and it will cost you $0.00 only. And there is teh best quality of eSIM that you can delete it if is not in use. The eSIM will get activated right away."
Click to expand...
Issue resolved! OK, finally got someone on the phone that could articulate the issue. I was told my line was on a "VPN hold" that lasts 7 days. Was on the phone for an hour and 45 minutes, mostly on hold. The tech said he would call me back in an hour. About an hour later, I noticed that my new phone was prompting me to setup the eSIM! So finally, my new phone is activated and I'm able to make and take phone calls as well as SMS messages (but no call back). The strange thing was that he told me the VPN hold was put on my line before I received it. It may be prudent to disable any VPNs or tracker blockers when placing the upgrade order until the new phone is active.
 
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techmuscle said:
Issue resolved! OK, finally got someone on the phone that could articulate the issue. I was told my line was on a "VPN hold" that lasts 7 days. Was on the phone for an hour and 45 minutes, mostly on hold. The tech said he would call me back in an hour. About an hour later, I noticed that my new phone was prompting me to setup the eSIM! So finally, my new phone is activated and I'm able to make and take phone calls as well as SMS messages (but no call back). The strange thing was that he told me the VPN hold was put on my line before I received it. It may be prudent to disable any VPNs or tracker blockers when placing the upgrade order until the new phone is active.
Click to expand...
Update: The Xfinity Mobile tech did call me back about an hour after the phone activated.
 
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