Carrier AT&T eSIM

[batman75]

From my understanding, you won’t have data until your call is completed. Your Verizon voice still uses data. Can’t have two different data SIM’s running at the same time.

I am using Verizon for voice and AT&T for data. When I’m on the phone, I do not have data. I have cellular data switching on, so I’m supposed to have data. Anyone have this problem?

The cellular data switching is switching your data for verizon when you are on a call. This is because the phone only has one radio so during a phone call the data provider has to be the one with the active call. Since Verizon doesn’t support data while on a call, you are losing data during calls.

If you had Verizon for data and AT&T for calls, then it would work. When you take a call on the AT&T line the cellular data will switch to AT&T and you would be able to use it while on the phone.

 

[hhzhao]

Just had a very surprising on line chart with AT&T support staff. I was prepared answer on eSIM would be the same corp BS, out of my surprise, he asked me which BETA software version that I am running. After I told him that I am on 12.1.1 Beta2, he said eSIM is available to be activated on my device. Then asked my zip code, and checked nearest AT&T store in my area who has the eSIM QR code card (the blue one), and even made an appointment for me at store to activate my eSIM. Also told me that he had updated notes on my account to ensure the proper service from the store. This is almost "to good to be true" based on all the customer service experiences that I had with any cell phone companies in the past........ I guess that I will find out tomorrow if all became true.

 

[goudok]

Just had a very surprising on line chart with AT&T support staff. I was prepared answer on eSIM would be the same corp BS, out of my surprise, he asked me which BETA software version that I am running. After I told him that I am on 12.1.1 Beta2, he said eSIM is available to be activated on my device. Then asked my zip code, and checked nearest AT&T store in my area who has the eSIM QR code card (the blue one), and even made an appointment for me at store to activate my eSIM. Also told me that he had updated notes on my account to ensure the proper service from the store. This is almost "to good to be true" based on all the customer service experiences that I had with any cell phone companies in the past........ I guess that I will find out tomorrow if all became true.

Let us know what happens.

 

[212rikanmofo]

You can add additional plans to the eSim already. It can hold more than one.

I travel a lot too. That's what my TMO line is for. Global unlimited flat-rate plan with LTE and no roaming charges. Ever since TMO started offering this type of plan, I have stopped needing to buy country specific SIM cards.

Can you tell me more about this T-Mobile plan. I travel quite often to Asia. Would this mean that I can call anywhere in the world for free and be able to access the inetrnet on LTE wherever I am? Does it include unlimited data as well? Sounds too good to be true. How much do you pay for this plan?

 

[alphaod]

I wanted to give an update on a recent experience:

I went to the Apple Store today got my mom a new XS Max. I asked if they had the AT&T eSIM at the Apple Store and they said they did. The sales lady gave me the eSIM card with the QR code no questions asked and I wasn't charged $5 like the AT&T store when I did my phone on the 30th. I called AT&T on my phone and I changed the IMEI for my mom's line to the new phone and gave the representative the ICCID for the eSIM. After a few minutes I scanned the code and the phone downloaded the new eSIM provisioning profile to my mom's new XS Max. This iPhone never touched a physical SIM and the phone activated just fine without a physical SIM card in it. Overall very smooth experience.

And Visual Voicemail works as expected.

 

[AnthroMatt]

The only issue I have noticed is that wi-fi calling keeps getting disabled. And it happens to both the physical SIM line and eSIM line. Not the biggest deal since I usually don't need it, but could be an issue for those that rely upon it.

 

[alphaod]

The only issue I have noticed is that wi-fi calling keeps getting disabled. And it happens to both the physical SIM line and eSIM line. Not the biggest deal since I usually don't need it, but could be an issue for those that rely upon it.

I have checked my iPhone and my mom's new phone, the WiFi calling works great. Mine has never been disabled.

 

[AnthroMatt]

I have checked my iPhone and my mom's new phone, the WiFi calling works great. Mine has never been disabled.

Mine was enabled for my personal line. When I switched that line to eSIM it deactivated wifi calling (and a couple other things...as if I was activating a new phone for the first time). WiFi calling had been active on my work line as well. When I put that physical SIM into my personal phone, wi-fi calling "turned" off. Since then I have re-activated wifi calling on each line three times, and all three times is has become disabled/off. I haven't bothered to try again.

 

[alphaod]

Mine was enabled for my personal line. When I switched that line to eSIM it deactivated wifi calling (and a couple other things...as if I was activating a new phone for the first time). WiFi calling had been active on my work line as well. When I put that physical SIM into my personal phone, wi-fi calling "turned" off. Since then I have re-activated wifi calling on each line three times, and all three times is has become disabled/off. I haven't bothered to try again.

That sounds like normal behavior. In the past whenever I switched SIMs I had to re-enable WiFi calling, even if I had just removed the same SIM and put it back in.

 

[AnthroMatt]

That sounds like normal behavior. In the past whenever I switched SIMs I had to re-enable WiFi calling, even if I had just removed the same SIM and put it back in.

Correct. But ever since I started using dual sim, once I enable WiFi calling again, it subsequently becomes disabled on its own.

 

[hhzhao]

Let us know what happens.

I guess the feeling of "too good to be true" is always right. AT&T store has specific instruction the "DO NOT" activate any eSIM, and all eSIM inventory "NEED TO BE SECURED" as store manager showed me the corp memo. So, no luck still. I guess will just have to wait until official release by AT&T then.

 

[Bobhill]

The only issue I have noticed is that wi-fi calling keeps getting disabled. And it happens to both the physical SIM line and eSIM line. Not the biggest deal since I usually don't need it, but could be an issue for those that rely upon it.

This is fixed in iOS 12.1.1

 

[batman75]

Can you tell me more about this T-Mobile plan. I travel quite often to Asia. Would this mean that I can call anywhere in the world for free and be able to access the inetrnet on LTE wherever I am? Does it include unlimited data as well? Sounds too good to be true. How much do you pay for this plan?

The plan is true. I don’t know the price since it is an Enterprise plan and I am not involved at all in procuring it.

But yes I was told by our head of IT that it is free to call anywhere in the world and use LTE whenever in the world. Also free to tether anywhere in the world. It’s an amazing plan.

 

[212rikanmofo]

Wow that would probably be expensive if it was available to regular customers.

 

[goudok]

So i just chatted with ATT and here is the transcript. I removed the agents name.
Me: earlier this week i was told that esim will finally be available on saturday
Me: is this true?

Chat Rep : Yes, you can get the ESIM activated on your device .

Me: so i can go to store and they wont show the memo saying they arent allowed activating sims?
Me: esims
Chat Rep: Esim services is activated now.

Chat Rep: You can visit to store and get one activated for you as QR codes are now available at store.

 

[goudok]

Update
just called 5 stores, they all said its not coming till end of December and 1 said till next year.
WTF is wrong with these people. This is unbelievable.

 

[avanpelt]

The cellular data switching is switching your data for verizon when you are on a call. This is because the phone only has one radio so during a phone call the data provider has to be the one with the active call. Since Verizon doesn’t support data while on a call, you are losing data during calls.

If you had Verizon for data and AT&T for calls, then it would work. When you take a call on the AT&T line the cellular data will switch to AT&T and you would be able to use it while on the phone.

Verizon has supported VoLTE (thus enabling simultaneous voice and data over LTE) for several years now. Sprint is the only major carrier in the U.S. that doesn’t offer simultaneous voice and data.

 

[radio893fm]

Update
just called 5 stores, they all said its not coming till end of December and 1 said till next year.
WTF is wrong with these people. This is unbelievable.

Same here, around Boston. Went to 2 stores and same response + some other responses like: "Apple has not activated the feature yet"

 

[goudok]

Same here, around Boston. Went to 2 stores and same response + some other responses like: "Apple has not activated the feature yet"

Spoke with customer service late last night, politely explained what my issue is (i havent had a phone since they disconnected my physical sim) and the lady put me on hold on comes back and said she just looked at her notes about esim and iPhone wasn't even listed on it that it's coming in November. She read all devices listed and ya iPhone wasnt one of them, i then asked her to transfer me to technical support.
So then the girl said you need 12.1.1 to have it working, because Apple and ATT are working on a solution and 12.1.1 should fix it. So in that regard she kind of knew more than others, however when I told her i have 12.1.1 installed she said ok i enabled esim service and you should get the qr code in your email.
Of course I dont have any qr codes in the email.
As of now i dont really need the phone as i have another line fully working, but in mid December I will need it and if it isnt fixed or at least reps have some sort of knowledge about the issue i will be escalating it.

 

[alphaod]

Spoke with customer service late last night, politely explained what my issue is (i havent had a phone since they disconnected my physical sim) and the lady put me on hold on comes back and said she just looked at her notes about esim and iPhone wasn't even listed on it that it's coming in November. She read all devices listed and ya iPhone wasnt one of them, i then asked her to transfer me to technical support.
So then the girl said you need 12.1.1 to have it working, because Apple and ATT are working on a solution and 12.1.1 should fix it. So in that regard she kind of knew more than others, however when I told her i have 12.1.1 installed she said ok i enabled esim service and you should get the qr code in your email.
Of course I dont have any qr codes in the email.
As of now i dont really need the phone as i have another line fully working, but in mid December I will need it and if it isnt fixed or at least reps have some sort of knowledge about the issue i will be escalating it.

Did you try to go to an Apple Store or an AT&T reseller to get the blue card with the QR code?

Once you get a card, it'll be as easy as calling customer service to add the ICCID for the eSIM to your account (remember you don't need to mention it's an eSIM, just that you need to activate a new SIM).

 

[goudok]

Did you try to go to an Apple Store or an AT&T reseller to get the blue card with the QR code?

Once you get a card, it'll be as easy as calling customer service to add the ICCID for the eSIM to your account (remember you don't need to mention it's an eSIM, just that you need to activate a new SIM).

Yes, they specifically said they cannot give me the card with the qr code (the stores that knew about it).

 

[alphaod]

Yes, they specifically said they cannot give me the card with the qr code (the stores that knew about it).

I don't really know why the Apple Store will listen to some memo from AT&T, but if indeed they won't provide your with one, then perhaps in the interim you need to get yourself a regular SIM.

 

[goudok]

I don't really know why the Apple Store will listen to some memo from AT&T, but if indeed they won't provide your with one, then perhaps in the interim you need to get yourself a regular SIM.

Problem with that is, i sold 2 of my phones in order to get 1 (i know i jumped the gun) and the other sim is more important for now and the other carrier is not even planning in supporting the esim. However as of mid December 17 I will need both of them working. I guess that gives me about a month for them to sort it out, or i might have to buy a temporary phone and return it after.

 

[alent1234]

Update
just called 5 stores, they all said its not coming till end of December and 1 said till next year.
WTF is wrong with these people. This is unbelievable.

apple is having problems with their software. what do you want? do you want it activated and not working?

 

[goudok]

apple is having problems with their software. what do you want? do you want it activated and not working?

Apple isn’t having any problems. People who have it activated aren’t having a single issue on att and other carriers worldwide.
Att is having some visual voicemail issues but again If you’ve one research everyone who has activated aren’t having any issues.