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it still hasn't activated. they mentioned it may take a while to check with tmobile since they are my primary carrier before it activates? any ideas?
If you ported over from a different carrier and started new service with AT&T, the port could take up to 24 hours but likely will be less than that.
Is there an easy way to swap SIM vs. physical SIM. Understood I'll need to get a new Verizon SIM.
M.Rizk
macrumors 6502a
Got my XS Max 2 days ago and just activated my eSIM now on Ooredoo Qatar. I activated it while roaming in Egypt. This is the first time Ooredoo allows a new SIM activation outside its own coverage. I never thought it would work (and it did not connect for the first 5 minutes) but all of a sudden it got onto a partner network and a dozen of SMS landed on my iPhone 😀
M.Rizk
macrumors 6502a
Update: I just noticed that the eSIM (secondary) loses coverage when I do/receive a call on the physical SIM (primary). Primary carrier does not offer VoLTE which means it drops to 3G when a call is received. Still doesn’t make any sense to me as why the eSIM drops coverage entirely.
That’s how it works. Whatever line is not the one of the call gets dropped all together.
M.Rizk
macrumors 6502a
Ah, ok. I never used a Dual SIM phone before so had no idea this was the normal.
Yes, this is what Dual-Standby means: it can receive calls/texts from any line while on standby, but cannot while actively on a call.
George - did you manage to get an answer to this question - If you have an HK version dual sim XR can you also use esims? I'm in a unique position where I want two physical and 1 esim working.
Ta
JD
Ta
JD
George Knighton
macrumors 65816
No. Nobody seems to be doing what we're wondering about.
Are you sure that you're not hooking different bands from the same provider?
I'll give it a go when I go through HK in Jan and buy a new XR. Will try Aus/HK physical with a UK eSim.
Domadia_Jasmine
macrumors 6502
There is no eSIM in HK/China version of iPhone. Due to Chinese Government regulation, Dual SIM support in China/HK has b=to be accomplished with two physical SIM. That is why the version sold there has two physical SIM instead of one eSIM and one Physical SIM. It is not one eSIM and two physical SIM.
Thanks . Are you sure this applies to BOTH then mainland China and HK versions? I was under the impression the HK version had standard iOS software so thought esim would be available on the HK version but NOT the mainland China version.
Not it does not. The China version doesn’t have eSIM while the HK one has eSIM in addition to the two physical SIM slots. It is covered on Apple’s support documents
“
- eSIM on iPhone is not offered in mainland China. In Hong Kong and Macau, only iPhone XS features eSIM. Learn about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau”
The problem is that refers to the iPhone XS. Physical dual sim only refers to iPhone XS MAX and XR.
Quick question . Got an xs on att with currently a physical sim . If I go in and have them switch me to esim as my only , will everything work the same way as when I had the physical sim ? Hd voice? Lte data , sms and such ? Thanks
Gamer-Dad
macrumors regular
Actually no.
You must have a physical sim. You can ALSO have an esim which will have all the same functions as the physical sim. But you cannot JUST have an esim.
George Knighton
macrumors 65816
George Knighton
macrumors 65816
I am posting right now with no physical SIM.
The confusion might be that many people reported that the SIM **tray** must be inserted, whether or not there is a SIM in it.
The confusion might be that many people reported that the SIM **tray** must be inserted, whether or not there is a SIM in it.