I would actually recommend storing that QR code in a password manager. Since the QR code could be used to transfer your line to another device, it is about as vulnerable as having a physical SIM with no SIM PIN.
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iOS 16 Lets You Transfer an eSIM Between iPhones via Bluetooth
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If I buy a new iPone today, one of the steps in the setup is asking if I want to transfer the esim from the old device to the new device, the carrier is not involved in that process.
However currently the only way to do it is to reset and setup a phone from starte. This new way will make it simpler.
You can transfer an eSIM without doing a reset. That's why I'm a little confused at what this new Bluetooth-based eSIM transfer does compared to the current option.
About eSIM on iPhone - Apple Support
Learn what an eSIM is, how to set up an eSIM on your iPhone, and how to transfer a physical SIM to an eSIM.
Transfer a physical SIM or eSIM on your current iPhone to an eSIM on your new iPhone after setup
- On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan.
- Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
- Tap Convert to eSIM.
- Tap OK on the alert that says you must approve the transfer on your previous iPhone.
- On your previous iPhone, tap Transfer.
- Wait for the cellular plan to activate on your new iPhone. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates.
- If a banner appears on your new iPhone that says Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan, tap it.
- Tap Continue. You will be redirected to your carrier's webpage to transfer your eSIM. If you need help, contact your carrier.
This is … magical. Up until now this process has been extremely painful.
will this work with providers that do not support esim transfert when configuring a new iPhone (like Telus in Canada where we have to buy a new eSIM voucher every time)?
I'm good with anything that keeps me from having to go into my carrier's store and wasting time dealing w/ their unqualified staff of boneheads.
This would be a great feature to bring to the Apple Watch, such that the eSIM was transferable between my work Apple watch and my beater workout Apple watch. Paying for one AW eSIM, but not worth it for two.
This might be possible if we can convince carriers to allow watch service as part of the phone plan and not be a separate plan attached to the watch itself. Just allow a wearable on the line, one at a time is fine.
It's likely AT&T will find a way to make this complicated and not work.
I've got a dollar that says it'll take years for TMobile to support this, and more years (or never) to support it on business accounts.
iOS 16 introduces a useful new feature that allows an eSIM to be transferred between iPhones via Bluetooth while setting up cellular service.
In the Settings app on an iPhone running iOS 16, tapping on "Set up eSIM" brings up an option to transfer an eSIM and its associated phone number from another iPhone via Bluetooth. To transfer an eSIM from another iPhone, Apple says to make sure the other iPhone is nearby, unlocked, has Bluetooth turned on, and is running iOS 16 or later.
The feature appears to be available in multiple countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, but it is only possible to complete Bluetooth transfers of eSIMs issued by carriers that support the feature. Given that iOS 16 was only announced a few days ago and is currently in beta, carrier support may be limited right now.
Apple also continues to provide the more traditional option of setting up an eSIM by scanning a QR code provided by a carrier.
An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from a carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM card. A single eSIM is available on the iPhone XS and newer, while all four iPhone 13 models support dual eSIMs.
The first beta of iOS 16 was seeded to developers earlier this week, and a public beta will be available in July. Apple said iOS 16 will be released in the fall, at which point this new eSIM transfer feature will be available to all users.
(Thanks, Carson!)
Article Link: iOS 16 Lets You Transfer an eSIM Between iPhones via Bluetooth
The option to transfer over Bluetooth isn't in the settings right now. It just goes straight to scanning a QR code. I think you have to be setting up a new iPhone or something to transfer, this option just gives that option outside of setting up a new iPhone.
It will not. This doesn't change the fundamental feature, it just presents the option more readily instead of using the iPhone setup process to transfer eSIM.
While convenient, this could also open up your phone to potential hacks to allow someone to easily steal your eSIM and since a lot of 2 factor auth rely on SMS nowadays, allow further theft of credentials and identity beyond that. There needs to be some additional safeguards in place I would think
And yet it's still easier, and a more seamless experience, with cellular connectivity baked in. Not to mention, when traveling I don't want to drain my iPhone's battery just to serve as a hotspot for an iPad.
With cellular, "Find My" works independently, making it much more likely that the lost device can be recovered.
Cellular also grants the device built-in GPS functionality, not merely WiFi positioning.
Sure, Personal/Instant Hotspot is cool and all, and a worthwhile feature for folks on a budget. But there are still great reasons to get a cellular iPad Pro.
I have a physical SIM card and I’ve never had to visit a carrier store for the past 8+ years even though I got 3 different phones in that period.
The transferring iPhone has to be unlocked.
Also there's an option for eSIM PIN right now, just like SIM PIN. So I assume you could set it to prevent transfers if you give people your unlocked iPhone and you're really at risk of someone taking your eSIM.
When I upgraded my phone last year from and 11 Pro to a 13 Pro, iOS automatically transferred my eSIM to the new phone, as described in this article. No carrier involvement was required.
Since this is opt in by networks, I look forward to EE not allowing it.
They still don’t let you transfer it through quick start. You have to either download an eSIM to your new phone or get another QR code card. And you need the old eSIM still active to get a text to activate the new one 🤔
It’s a right mess, this should be supported by default without carrier intervention
They still don’t let you transfer it through quick start. You have to either download an eSIM to your new phone or get another QR code card. And you need the old eSIM still active to get a text to activate the new one 🤔
It’s a right mess, this should be supported by default without carrier intervention
This is the way to go. I was intrigued by the e-sim but it’s more hassle than convenience at the moment.
