Other Migrating from a SIM card phone to a eSIM phone?

[Jackbequickly]

Please don’t tell me I have to deal with AT&T and wait an hour on hold.

Hoping it just all updates when my 13 ProMax with a SIM card updates my new 14 ProMax with a eSIM!

Does anyone know if it will do it automatically or do I have to deal with the idiots at ATT?

 

[zakarhino]

at least with Tmobile all I had to do when setting up the iPhone for the first time was press a button that said "Use eSim" or something and it all worked. No phone calls, no logging in to websites, just one button in the initial setup menu and I was connected. Unsure if AT&T is the same.

 

[JTravers]

Please don’t tell me I have to deal with AT&T and wait an hour on hold.

Hoping it just all updates when my 13 ProMax with a SIM card updates my new 14 ProMax with a eSIM!

Does anyone know if it will do it automatically or do I have to deal with the idiots at ATT?

I would suggest upgrading the 13 Pro Max to iOS 16 before transferring things over. From what I’ve read, iOS 16 makes dealing with eSIMs a lot less painful.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Please don’t tell me I have to deal with AT&T and wait an hour on hold.

Hoping it just all updates when my 13 ProMax with a SIM card updates my new 14 ProMax with a eSIM!

Does anyone know if it will do it automatically or do I have to deal with the idiots at ATT?

Well if you are going through Apple's iUP or through AT&T's upgrade system, I assume it should be automatic for obvious reasons. But if you are buying a phone outright from Apple directly then you should convert to an eSIM now before the 14 arrives. The transfer of eSIMs from one iPhone to another is very easy now.

What people aren't talking about (because it's all so secretive) are the mandatory upgrades that Apple has made to US carriers. If you want to sell iPhones then you must be able to support <list of Apple requirements>.

But I'm going to be honest with you, AT&T is the WORST and I'm glad I left them a lot long time ago. I know they are a nightmare to deal with on any level. I wish you luck!! Maybe switch to Verizon or TMO? lol

EDIT: Hey @Jackbequickly - try this and let us know if it works https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1455633/

 

[Project Alice]

The lack of a sim slot is just a huge annoyance and inconvenience. They should offer an option to include it. If Canada has sim slots, might have my mom order one and mail it over to me lmao.

I don’t understand how eSims are supposed to be better. It sounds like making GSM a pain in the butt like CDMA is.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

The lack of a sim slot is just a huge annoyance and inconvenience. They should offer an option to include it. If Canada has sim slots, might have my mom order one and mail it over to me lmao.

I don’t understand how eSims are supposed to be better. It sounds like making GSM a pain in the butt like CDMA is.

It depends on how often you have to swap your SIM. How often have you had to do it in the past year and for what reason? All things to think about if it is the 14 is the right phone for you. iPhones form outside the US won't have that satellite capability and may have different bands that the US phones, something with mmWave aka 5G. Just be sure to do your research on compatibility vs actual need to sim swap.

eSIM transfers from iPhone to iPhone is very very easy. But if you swap to Androids phones or travel abroad so much that you have to buy local SIM cards (vs your US carrier's roaming benefits/plan) then you should stick with the 13, which is still a very very nice and capable phone that is usable for many years. Do you really need that new camera? It doesn't make a diff on your FB & IG posts. If you're considering a Canadian version then you don't care about the satellite connectivity, right? No one is making you upgrade to an eSIM only iPhone.

A HUGE benefit is not having to all that plastic for SIM cards just to use 1/8th of it while rest of it ends up in landfills. But all carriers across the globe will move to eSIM probably within 5 years and all systems will support a much easier transfer than today. I mean, it's only been 4 years since they were introduced and look how far it's come.

But most people hate change so here we are.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

weird duplicate post.

 

[Project Alice]

It depends on how often you have to swap your SIM. How often have you had to do it in the past year and for what reason? All things to think about if it is the 14 is the right phone for you. iPhones form outside the US won't have that satellite capability and may have different bands that the US phones, something with mmWave aka 5G. Just be sure to do your research on compatibility vs actual need to sim swap.

eSIM transfers from iPhone to iPhone is very very easy. But if you swap to Androids phones or travel abroad so much that you have to buy local SIM cards then you should stick with the 13, which is still a very very nice and capable phone that is usable for many years.

Canada uses the same radios as us IIRC.
I don’t swap that often anymore, but I do use dual sim. T-Mobile, and FirstNET. I wasn’t sure if FirstNET even has eSim but after a few minutes of googling I found they do.

But, for example; I send my iPhone in for a battery replacement. I typically keep the last 1 or 2 phones as backup. I could just plop the sim card into my old phone and go while Apple has (and for some reason erases) my phone for a battery replacement I will still have a phone.
So, you’re right 99% of the time it won’t really affect me. But, much like going to the DMV I do not like dealing with my carrier. This eSim thing adds an extra step that will require me to get in contact with not just T-Mobile (eSim on my current phone) but also AT&T/FirstNET.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Canada uses the same radios as us IIRC.
I don’t swap that often anymore, but I do use dual sim. T-Mobile, and FirstNET. I wasn’t sure if FirstNET even has eSim but after a few minutes of googling I found they do.

But, for example; I send my iPhone in for a battery replacement. I typically keep the last 1 or 2 phones as backup. I could just plop the sim card into my old phone and go while Apple has (and for some reason erases) my phone for a battery replacement I will still have a phone.
So, you’re right 99% of the time it won’t really affect me. But, much like going to the DMV I do not like dealing with my carrier. This eSim thing adds an extra step that will require me to get in contact with not just T-Mobile (eSim on my current phone) but also AT&T/FirstNET.

I haven't had to speak w/ TMO to swap phones in a long time. All the info is all backed up on iCloud and it talks to their servers to make the changes. If your back up iPhone is an XR, SE2, 12 or 13 then it has an eSIM. You just need to restore an iCloud backup. That's it. Because what I'm hearing is that you actually don't know how it works and assume it was hard because of a bunch of other complainers. Yes?

ALL US carriers are going to have to support eSIM as a condition if they want to be able to sell the new iPhones. I also use Dual SIM and both are eSIM for TMO & US Mobile. I have tested a few prepaid eSIMs as they rolled out and I have never had to speak to anyone. I had to use CS Chat once when I signed up for US Mobile because it was new but problem fixed inside 5 minutes.

But your problem is with AT&T not Apple & eSIMs. If it's easy for all the other carriers then AT&T is the one making it hard, no?

 

[WhatTheCJ]

If anyone with T-Mobile would like details on how to convert from SIM to eSIM on an existing device, let me know! Would be happy to help.

 

[ian87w]

I haven't had to speak w/ TMO to swap phones in a long time. All the info is all backed up on iCloud and it talks to their servers to make the changes. If your back up iPhone is an XR, SE2, 12 or 13 then it has an eSIM. You just need to restore an iCloud backup. That's it. Because what I'm hearing is that you actually don't know how it works and assume it was hard because of a bunch of other complainers. Yes?

ALL US carriers are going to have to support eSIM as a condition if they want to be able to sell the new iPhones. I also use Dual SIM and both are eSIM for TMO & US Mobile. I have tested a few prepaid eSIMs as they rolled out and I have never had to speak to anyone. I had to use CS Chat once when I signed up for US Mobile because it was new but problem fixed inside 5 minutes.

But your problem is with AT&T not Apple & eSIMs. If it's easy for all the other carriers then AT&T is the one making it hard, no?

Question out of curiosity.

My understanding is that transferring eSIM from old to new iPhone is only possible via the Quick transfer method (or call the carrier to be re-issued the QR code to be rescanned).

From your description, it's as if the eSIM is also backed up to iCloud with the regular iPhone backup? Does this mean when setting up a new iPhone, the eSIM will be "downloaded" when you are restoring the backup from iCloud? I mean if that's really the case, then it's definitely very easy for customers.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Question out of curiosity.

My understanding is that transferring eSIM from old to new iPhone is only possible via the Quick transfer method (or call the carrier to be re-issued the QR code to be rescanned).

From your description, it's as if the eSIM is also backed up to iCloud with the regular iPhone backup? Does this mean when setting up a new iPhone, the eSIM will be "downloaded" when you are restoring the backup from iCloud? I mean if that's really the case, then it's definitely very easy for customers.

Yes! That's what happens! I actually don't even think it needs to be an iCloud restore. If it didn't come pre-set up from Apple or the carrier just add a new plan in the cellular settings and as long as you're logged into the same iCloud account on a carrier that supports it, it's so easy. I can't speak for AT&T but I know it works seamlessly on Verizon & TMO. This is Apple's long term plan for all carrier to be able to support.

You can see it here - jump to :50. Also, the QR code isn't unique to the user. It's literally just the the carrier setting and you can easily find them for many carriers or use their app.

 

[ian87w]

Yes! That's what happens! I actually don't even think it needs to be an iCloud restore. If it didn't come pre-set up from Apple or the carrier just add a new plan in the cellular settings and as long as you're logged into the same iCloud account on a carrier that supports it, it's so easy. I can't speak for AT&T but I know it works seamlessly on Verizon & TMO. This is Apple's long term plan for all carrier to be able to support.

You can see it here - jump to :50. Also, the QR code isn't unique to the user. It's literally just the the carrier setting and you can easily find them.

Sounds cool.
Another question. If you don't have the old phone with you anymore, is it still possible to do the restore? Let say you already reset your old phone to be sold or given away. Would a simple iCloud restore still able to restore the eSIM?

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Sounds cool.
Another question. If you don't have the old phone with you anymore, is it still possible to do the restore? Let say you already reset your old phone to be sold or given away. Would a simple iCloud restore still able to restore the eSIM?

In some cases, I assume you'd have to reach out to CS (via chat or phone) since you don't have the old phone to confirm the transfer. Same as if it were stolen. But why would you give away your phone before you got the new one and leave yourself without service intentionally? But if it came from Apple or your carrier via an upgrade, it would already be set up on arrival.

 

[ian87w]

In some cases, I assume you'd have to reach out to CS (via chat or phone) since you don't have the old phone to confirm the transfer. Same as if it were stolen. But why would you give away your phone before you got the new one and leave yourself without service intentionally? But if it came from Apple or your carrier via an upgrade, it would already be set up on arrival.

Thanks for all the info.
Really curious as that's how trade ins are done here in my country. You reset your phone first, give it, and then you receive the new phone.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

Thanks for all the info.
Really curious as that's how trade ins are done here in my country. You reset your phone first, give it, and then you receive the new phone.

Ah - I can't speak to how it works outside of N America & UK. You should ask your carrier how they handle it.

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

I am dreading this. I could not get my eSIM to activate with Verizon 13 Pro unlocked launch day phone from Apple. Buying the 14 Pro Max unlocked directly from Apple fingers crossed it will work.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Well if you are going through Apple's iUP or through AT&T's upgrade system, I assume it should be automatic for obvious reasons. But if you are buying a phone outright from Apple directly then you should convert to an eSIM now before the 14 arrives. The transfer of eSIMs from one iPhone to another is very easy now.

What people aren't talking about (because it's all so secretive) are the mandatory upgrades that Apple has made to US carriers. If you want to sell iPhones then you must be able to support <list of Apple requirements>.

But I'm going to be honest with you, AT&T is the WORST and I'm glad I left them a lot long time ago. I know they are a nightmare to deal with on any level. I wish you luck!! Maybe switch to Verizon or TMO? lol

EDIT: Hey @Jackbequickly - try this and let us know if it works https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1455633/

‘I am on AT&T’s $25 a month plan with unlimited talk and text and 8gb data which I love. I seldom have to deal with ATT and glad I don’t often. What I do like is I have not had a dropped call or slow data in years. I will stick with them for this.