iPhone 11 Pro e-sim migration.

[A_Flying_Panda]

so when we get our shinny new iPhones and set them up, if we do migration or restoration from backup, does the e-sim information get migrated to the new phone as well, or we need to manually re-set the e-sim on the new phone.

 

[jay968]

Not sure about the new phones, but I switched from an Xr to an Xs last week and I chose to switch phones by migrating the data from my Xr to the Xs. It did ask me if I wanted to set up the eSIM using the info that was in my Xr and I did so. It set up the eSIM perfectly.
However, for various reasons I later reset the Xs to factory settings and decided to set it back up as a "new" phone and this time I had to reinstall the eSIM. Luckily I am with AT&T and the Apple store had AT&T eSIM cards (I picked one up when I purchased the Xs, just in case I needed it). So this was not difficult at all. But they did not have any eSIM cards from the other carriers (such as Verizon or Tmobile).

 

[Khedron]

Another reason why eSIM is a terrible idea.

By all means include it as an optional bonus, but also have (dual) physical SIM please.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Another reason why eSIM is a terrible idea.

By all means include it as an option bonus, but also have (dual) physical SIM please.

Why is this another reason?

 

[Khedron]

Why is this another reason?

Reason 1: Poor availability of providers (I think one in the UK, and none in some countries)
Reason 2: Higher costs (eSIM data charges are a crime against humanity)
Reason 3: Digital locks imposed by some providers (your phone belongs to AT&T if you ever use them)
Reason 4: Lower portability (you need to ask permission to change carrier in emergencies or new phones)

 

[jay968]

Not sure about those reasons but I do think eSIM is a bad idea and most likely just another idea put into effect to try and keep people from switching carriers as much as they do (eSIM makes this a hassle).
Frankly just having a dual physical SIM slot would be SOOO much easier and more convenient!

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Reason 2: Higher costs (eSIM data charges are a crime against humanity)
Reason 3: Digital locks imposed by some providers (your phone belongs to AT&T if you ever use them)

I use At&t on an unlocked phone and they don't lock the phone using eSim, I have switched it to Verizon as I change phones with no issue. No difference in data costs for me. No. 4 is probably true for sure though, adds a step at least.

 

[Khedron]

I use At&t on an unlocked phone and they don't lock the phone using eSim, I have switched it to Verizon as I change phones with no issue. No difference in data costs for me. No. 4 is probably true for sure though, adds a step at least.

In Europe, eSIM data costs about 10 times as much as physical SIM data. I don't know the precise cost because it was so disgusting I instantly walked away from it and never gave it a second thought. (For context I currently pay less than $200/year.)

Maybe it isn't AT&T, but I remember an article that some company was locking eSIMs just to trap customers.