Other eSIM + Dual SIM Q&A

[PLin]

I’ve used data esims extensively with Airalo and Nomad on an iPhone 12 and 13 across various countries. They all have a similar problem: if you go into an area with no signal e.g. a tunnel or basement and re-emerge once in a while the esim will not reconnect. It requires turning the connection on/off or rebooting the phone. On one occasion it didn’t reconnect till several hours later. So I definitely won’t rely on esims if you need reliable service.

Interesting. I just returned from a trip to Portugal and used an Airalo eSIM plan, and I didn't notice this issue. I wonder if a setting change would fix this for you, such as turning off Allow Cellular Data Switching.

 

[ManuCH]

I’ve used data esims extensively with Airalo and Nomad on an iPhone 12 and 13 across various countries. They all have a similar problem: if you go into an area with no signal e.g. a tunnel or basement and re-emerge once in a while the esim will not reconnect. It requires turning the connection on/off or rebooting the phone. On one occasion it didn’t reconnect till several hours later. So I definitely won’t rely on esims if you need reliable service.

I have used Airalo eSIMs on iPhone 13 and 14 and never had that issue. I wonder if it depends on what specific network you are on.

 

[andwrom]

Question and sorry if it is already been answered. Can you set an emoji in the custom sim labeling? Just the country flag that the sim is attached to?

 

[PLin]

Question and sorry if it is already been answered. Can you set an emoji in the custom sim labeling? Just the country flag that the sim is attached to?

Yes, you can add an emoji.

 

[racostaf]

If I still have an eSim in another phone and I want to transfer it, but IOS doesn't allow it, and the operator tells me that I have to go to a store for a new one, but I will be out of the country for several months, is there a way to add it manually? It is from Vodafone Spain

 

[ManuCH]

If I still have an eSim in another phone and I want to transfer it, but IOS doesn't allow it, and the operator tells me that I have to go to a store for a new one, but I will be out of the country for several months, is there a way to add it manually? It is from Vodafone Spain

If the operator doesn't allow it, and iOS doesn't allow it either (which is because the operator doesn't support that specific iOS feature) then you're out of luck. You could try to convince a close friend or family member you trust go get the new eSIM QR code at the store for you and send you a picture of it, then you scan it. But I have no idea if Vodafone Spain would give that out to someone who is not you, I honestly doubt it.

 

[MrWillie]

Ok, I’ve been digging through this thread, a few questions were answered, a few weren’t. Carrier is of no help.

I have an iPhone 13 and I am using both a pSIM and an eSIM. Two lines, same carrier. Someone can call or text either number, and it comes through.

pSIM card is acting squirrelly and I would feel better getting it replaced. If i converted it to eSIM, will I be able to have two lines active at the same time ? Apple says yes, but there are only two IMEI numbers, one for the pSIM and one for the eSIM.

Carrier people can not find their ass with both hands, even after shooting them a cheek.

 

[catean]

Yes, I have 2 eSIM’s installed on my i13 Pro. Actally I have 5 but only 2 can be active at the same time.

 

[MrWillie]

Ok, Xfinity, iPhone 13.

According to Apple iPhone 13 will work sharing IMEI 2 between two active lines, but it has to be carrier supported.

Finally got someone at Xfinity say that they don’t support two eSIMS on the same IMIE number. So I need a new pSIM.

 

[PLin]

Ok, I’ve been digging through this thread, a few questions were answered, a few weren’t. Carrier is of no help.

I have an iPhone 13 and I am using both a pSIM and an eSIM. Two lines, same carrier. Someone can call or text either number, and it comes through.

pSIM card is acting squirrelly and I would feel better getting it replaced. If i converted it to eSIM, will I be able to have two lines active at the same time ? Apple says yes, but there are only two IMEI numbers, one for the pSIM and one for the eSIM.

Carrier people can not find their ass with both hands, even after shooting them a cheek.

Yes, I have 2 eSIM’s installed on my i13 Pro. Actally I have 5 but only 2 can be active at the same time.

I've had 2 eSIMs active simultaneously as well, but I think @MrWillie is asking if you can have two simultaneously active eSIMs both from the SAME carrier. I would imagine that you would have to give the carrier the IMEI for one line and the IMEI2 for the other line.

 

[catean]

I've had 2 eSIMs active simultaneously as well, but I think @MrWillie is asking if you can have two simultaneously active eSIMs both from the SAME carrier. I would imagine that you would have to give the carrier the IMEI for one line and the IMEI2 for the other line.

Yes, I have 2 active lines with EE UK.

 

[fhall1]

I haven't seen or found an answer for this situation (so far hypothetical) anywhere online.

I kept my iPhone XS when I purchased my 14 Pro. If my 14 Pro gets broken or dies to the point where it just will not turn on, how do I get my eSim data into my XS (to be able to have a working iPhone) while waiting for a new 14 Pro to arrive? In the old days, it was a 10 second physical SIM swap, but no more.

Can AT&T (my carrier) do some kind of magic over the phone (how?) or do I need to stop into a location in person, or can they even help in-person?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ian87w]

I haven't seen or found an answer for this situation (so far hypothetical) anywhere online.

I kept my iPhone XS when I purchased my 14 Pro. If my 14 Pro gets broken or dies to the point where it just will not turn on, how do I get my eSim data into my XS (to be able to have a working iPhone) while waiting for a new 14 Pro to arrive? In the old days, it was a 10 second physical SIM swap, but no more.

Can AT&T (my carrier) do some kind of magic over the phone (how?) or do I need to stop into a location in person, or can they even help in-person?

Thanks for any help.

It depends on the carrier.
I cannot comment on AT&T specifically though.

Some carriers have apps, and all you need is to install the app on the new phone, login, and initiate a replacement SIM (sometimes free, sometimes for a charge, depending on the carrier).

Others, yes, you have to contact them or go to their store to get a new QR code. This is what the carriers that support eSIM in my country do, which sucks as it is the least convenient. But it is what it is.

 

[hofnar]

Just wanted to add I just came back from Finland and used Airalo esim, worked beautifully. No problems at all.

 

[ukms]

Hi All

Does anyone know if any UK carriers offer cloned esim at a reasonable cost ?
Vodafone offer it but charge £15 pm. This is so that I can have a cloned esim in an iPad sharing my data plan.

Cheers.

 

[ian87w]

Hi All

Does anyone know if any UK carriers offer cloned esim at a reasonable cost ?
Vodafone offer it but charge £15 pm. This is so that I can have a cloned esim in an iPad sharing my data plan.

Cheers.

I wonder if that’s even possible.

 

[ukms]

I wonder if that’s even possible.

It is possible, Vodafone offer it in the UK but charge £15 per month for an extra esim for an ipad. I just wondered if any of the other carriers in the UK did it cheaper, I couldnt see anything online.

Where I am living in the UAE, Etisalat have a multi SIM option, you can have up to 5 cloned SIMs and choose between esim or physical. They all share the data at the same time or if you use them in more than one phone you simply send a short code SMS to switch over the phone that you want to make / receive calls on. I have 3 esim on the family iPads all sharing the data. I have an esim on my primary phone and keep a cloned physical sim in my travel kit just in case I ever lose/break my phone whilst travelling (as a new esim can only be given in store in UAE).

 

[rambo47]

That's brilliant! I'd love to be able to swap between my iPhone and my Google Pixel 5 with such ease. Or between my 13 Pro Max iPhone and 14 Pro.

 

[ian87w]

It is possible, Vodafone offer it in the UK but charge £15 per month for an extra esim for an ipad. I just wondered if any of the other carriers in the UK did it cheaper, I couldnt see anything online.

Where I am living in the UAE, Etisalat have a multi SIM option, you can have up to 5 cloned SIMs and choose between esim or physical. They all share the data at the same time or if you use them in more than one phone you simply send a short code SMS to switch over the phone that you want to make / receive calls on. I have 3 esim on the family iPads all sharing the data. I have an esim on my primary phone and keep a cloned physical sim in my travel kit just in case I ever lose/break my phone whilst travelling (as a new esim can only be given in store in UAE).

Wow that’s cool! It shows that the tech itself is extremely flexible. The problem is basically most carriers who have ancient greedy mindset.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

I have read as much of this thread as possible, firstly thanks to everyone who took the time out to collate all the data and test various circumstances.

Have most people taken the approach to convert their "home network" sim to an e-sim and simply buy a physical sim when travelling to various countries?

Is this the best way to do it if you have an unlocked phone?

 

[ukms]

I have read as much of this thread as possible, firstly thanks to everyone who took the time out to collate all the data and test various circumstances.

Have most people taken the approach to convert their "home network" sim to an e-sim and simply buy a physical sim when travelling to various countries?

Is this the best way to do it if you have an unlocked phone?

That’s what I currently have. I am finding less and less need for a physical sim and usually just end up with multiple esim for other networks. Obviously differs from country to country.

 

[MrWillie]

I have read as much of this thread as possible, firstly thanks to everyone who took the time out to collate all the data and test various circumstances.

Have most people taken the approach to convert their "home network" sim to an e-sim and simply buy a physical sim when travelling to various countries?

Is this the best way to do it if you have an unlocked phone?

Not for me. I would take two phones and put the SIM in the second phone. I would use the second phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and use Wi-Fi calling on my US carrier line. That way I’m in touch with people back home and the locals can contact me on my second phone or use that messenger service that the dorky billionaire, who with all that money can’t get a decent haircut, bought.

I use dual sim for two US lines with the same carrier.

Edit: What’s App. I couldn’t remember the name because I haven’t been overseas in a few years.

 

[jtkboston]

Not for me. I would take two phones and put the SIM in the second phone. I would use the second phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot and use Wi-Fi calling on my US carrier line.

That's what I did recently. However, what I'd prefer to do is set my US phone line into airplane mode (no access to cellular radio) and force it to use data service from the other line. But that's not an option provided by the carrier profile or iOS...grr!

 

[Fred Zed]

That's what I did recently. However, what I'd prefer to do is set my US phone line into airplane mode (no access to cellular radio) and force it to use data service from the other line. But that's not an option provided by the carrier profile or iOS...grr!

You could force the line to connect to a carrier that doesn’t provide roaming , that will force what you need. However it’ll also cause battery drain.

 

[DeanL]

You could force the line to connect to a carrier that doesn’t provide roaming , that will force what you need. However it’ll also cause battery drain.

Do we know for sure it causes a battery drain? That’s news to me!