Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

How did your eSIM transfer process go?

  • pSIM to eSIM - worked as designed, no issues

  • eSIM to eSIM - worked as designed, no issues

  • pSIM to eSIM - minor issue resolved quickly (less than 60 min)

  • eSIM to eSIM - minor issue resolved quickly (less than 60 min)

  • pSIM to eSIM - Required major assistance from CS or a trip to the store

  • eSIM to eSIM - Required major assistance from CS or a trip to the store

  • My carrier doesn't offer eSIM

  • Other - please describe in a post

  • Carrier doesn't offer Quick Transfer, required CS chat but went smoothly.


Results are only viewable after voting.
Technically no SIM to eSIM? My phone had been activated as part of the setup process but since I bought it outright I decided to get it unlocked and then I ported to Mint. Went to their website, picked the plan, signed up, scanned the QR code, and I had my eSIM with my number ported over faster than I had even gotten my phone unlocked.

That's "my carrier doesn't support quick transfer" or other if you prefer.
 
Finally worked out. Turns out there was a SIM block on my account to prevent hacking (happened to me once before). Once they removed it was smooth sailing. Glad I finally found a CS rep that figured it out

That's a new one! I hadn't heard of anything like that before but I guess it's a good security feature as long as you know it's there. lol. Glad your issue was resolved!
 
  • Like
Reactions: joonyaboy
I believe 611 can always get you to the carrier but there's always online chat as well. You should vote major problem in the poll though.
It was resolved quickly once I sat to think and toggled a couple of things. I think it just got stuck somewhere and a slight panic (since it was like 11pm). Since it was resolved in about ten minutes and on my on, I voted minor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NYCValkyrie
EE UK. esim to esim did not work. Had to generate new QR online so not a major issue. Did the same with my wife's, 13 mini to 13 pro, and same issue and solution. Online QR code generation made it only a minor issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NYCValkyrie
It honestly depends. How old is the iPhone? What iOS is it running? Who is your carrier? There are multiple factors that determine how you switch. Check here and it should answer some of your questions and the requirements. But calling your carrier is a safe bet if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself or do not meet the minimum requirements.

Here are a couple of YouTube videos I looked up for you but you can probably find a video for your specific need if you search for it:
Convert pSIM to eSIM on one phone
Convert pSIM on old phone to eSIM on new phone
Transfer eSim on old iPhone to new eSIM on new iPhone
I have an older iPhone that cannot get iOS 16 so transferring physical SIM to eSIM doesn't like possible. So in this case, it seems likely I have to contact my carrier to request to transfer over to eSIM?
 
Is it better to set up the phone with your settings and other data before activating the eSIM or should one activate the eSIM before setting up the phone?
 
Double shock power for me.

First sim:

E-sim to E-sim Verizon. Worked as expected, took a minute to move over from 12 Pro Max. Previously from XS to 12 Pro Max I had to call Verizon.

Second sim:

P-sim to E-sim Google Fi. Deleted Fi App from old phone. Scanned QR code for E-Sim activation on the new phone. Then setup cellular settings and installed Fi app. Activated immediately, fully active on reboot.

Shocked it was that easy on both.
 
Guess I will just have to accept that it is impossible to swap my Tracfone Plan from my iPhone 11 Pro to my new iPhone 14 Pro. I have wasted over 5 hours between failed attempts on the Tracfone website and five phone calls to their "higher" Tech Support (two of which they disconnected me on hold after 30 minutes). Naturally I just paid them for another year of service and the have "no refunds". I checked with them before ordering the iPhone 14 Pro and they said switching would be no problem. I also wasted money buying a Verizon ESIM Starter Kit at Best Buy which they recommended (for some unknown reason) only to tell me I bought the wrong one? So, this is quickly turning into a money-pit!

The website says "Congratulations, your phone qualifies" after I enter my IMEI numbers, then will not let me continue to the next screen?

So my options are to sign-up and pay for another carrier and cross my fingers (making a $125 donation to TracFone for service not used) or just return the phone to Apple - heck of a decision! You would think that Apple would have some leverage to get Tracfone onboard.
 
I switched from Spectrum to Redpocket. Redpocket sent me a physical sim with the phone even though the 14 Pro can’t accept it. I called them before attempting to port my number and they acted like everything was fine. They told me to go through the activation and when my number ports I will receive an email with a QR code to scan to activate the eSim. I did get an email about 5 hours later, but they activated the physical sim and not the eSim. No QR code to scan. I was left without a phone for a few hours. I finally realized they activated the physical sim, so I stuck it in my old phone so I could call them. I waited for another 15 minutes on hold after explaining the situation to them, the call died, I received an email with the QR code, and my eSim was activated. Total pain in the ***.

Just imagine if you get a phone that needs to be returned or exchanged. You will be at the mercy of their customer service to deactivate and reactivate the eSim.
 
Guess I will just have to accept that it is impossible to swap my Tracfone Plan from my iPhone 11 Pro to my new iPhone 14 Pro. I have wasted over 5 hours between failed attempts on the Tracfone website and five phone calls to their "higher" Tech Support (two of which they disconnected me on hold after 30 minutes). Naturally I just paid them for another year of service and the have "no refunds". I checked with them before ordering the iPhone 14 Pro and they said switching would be no problem. I also wasted money buying a Verizon ESIM Starter Kit at Best Buy which they recommended (for some unknown reason) only to tell me I bought the wrong one? So, this is quickly turning into a money-pit!

The website says "Congratulations, your phone qualifies" after I enter my IMEI numbers, then will not let me continue to the next screen?

So my options are to sign-up and pay for another carrier and cross my fingers (making a $125 donation to TracFone for service not used) or just return the phone to Apple - heck of a decision! You would think that Apple would have some leverage to get Tracfone onboard.

I switched from Spectrum to Redpocket. Redpocket sent me a physical sim with the phone even though the 14 Pro can’t accept it. I called them before attempting to port my number and they acted like everything was fine. They told me to go through the activation and when my number ports I will receive an email with a QR code to scan to activate the eSim. I did get an email about 5 hours later, but they activated the physical sim and not the eSim. No QR code to scan. I was left without a phone for a few hours. I finally realized they activated the physical sim, so I stuck it in my old phone so I could call them. I waited for another 15 minutes on hold after explaining the situation to them, the call died, I received an email with the QR code, and my eSim was activated. Total pain in the ***.

Just imagine if you get a phone that needs to be returned or exchanged. You will be at the mercy of their customer service to deactivate and reactivate the eSim.

Based on what people have been reporting, the lower cost MVNO are definitely having more issues. which I understand as their margins are smaller and their priority is to keep cost down for people who need it vs the latest and greatest from Apple. They'll catch up eventually but painful for their customers in the meantime. The best MVNO right now are Mint & US Mobile who are able to support eSIMS properly and the plans are still very affordable.
 
Based on what people have been reporting, the lower cost MVNO are definitely having more issues. which I understand as their margins are smaller and their priority is to keep cost down for people who need it vs the latest and greatest from Apple. They'll catch up eventually but painful for their customers in the meantime. The best MVNO right now are Mint & US Mobile who are able to support eSIMS properly and the plans are still very affordable.
Understood.

The reason I have been using Tracfone is because I only have the "phone" service for use as an "emergency" phone. I NEVER use my mobile device to place/receive calls - I leave "cellular" turned off. So far I have only placed (1) phone call on it when my car broke down a couple years ago - so so far Tracfone has cost me about $500 per phone call! However, I have accumulated about 150 hours of phone call minutes and data which I hate to lose as I never know when I might need it.

I purchased the iPhone Pro for other reasons that phone calls. Mostly for the Camera features and use the WiFi capabilities daily.
 
I am on ATT Prepaid. I tried to transfer by using iOS transfer process and kept getting error stating to call 611. Tried 3 times and finally gave up and called. Took about 20 minutes on phone with rep. I asked if I could have done through iOS and she said no, I had to call in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sorgo † and Whyy
I am on ATT Prepaid. I tried to transfer by using iOS transfer process and kept getting error stating to call 611. Tried 3 times and finally gave up and called. Took about 20 minutes on phone with rep. I asked if I could have done through iOS and she said no, I had to call in.
Would be nice if they’d update/upgrade to allowing it to be done using the quick transfer process by the time the 14+ launches.

Hoping that the growing pains or kinks can be worked out over the next couple of weeks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: macstever
T-Mobile eSIM to eSIM took about a minute, I was worried if it would even work because I live overseas. Didn’t know if I had to be on T-Mobile’s network to register but roaming worked flawlessly.

For my physical SIM to eSIM with my local carrier, I had to go into a store. They checked my ID and printed out a QR code, registered within a few seconds.
 
I am on ATT Prepaid. I tried to transfer by using iOS transfer process and kept getting error stating to call 611. Tried 3 times and finally gave up and called. Took about 20 minutes on phone with rep. I asked if I could have done through iOS and she said no, I had to call in.
Similar experience for me on AT&T. AT&T stinks!
 
I did eSim for US Mobile after reading some reviews. The eSim process was easy, about a minute. Seems pretty cheap and they use Verizon network. If all goes well, I might keep it as back up, that way I'll have both ATT and Verizon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NYCValkyrie
I had to change my vote. I went to pull out the SIM card from my 13 Pro Max and it was empty. So I went eSim to eSim. During initial setup of the 14 it failed on the first try. I hit Try Again and it worked right away.
 
The only 2 who seem to have gotten it right are Mint & US Mobile. They launched eSIM early enough to be able to work the bugs out and get the staff knowledgeable. Logging into your acct to make the change is super simple and works easily and quickly.
But these carriers are internet only so if the cell tower is in range weak internet signal then on Verizon you can make a call without internet on x1. Something that cannot be done with the mint us and visible
 
But these carriers are internet only so if the cell tower is in range weak internet signal then on Verizon you can make a call without internet on x1. Something that cannot be done with the mint us and visible

I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say here. US mobile runs on Verizon as does Visible. Mint runs on TMobile. They aren’t “internet only.” They provide cellular service.
 
Last edited:
I was pleasantly surprised but with ATT, the phone was already provisioned, I only had to run through a few steps on the new phone and boom, it was activated on my account with my old phone deactivated. Definitely a lot easier than I thought it would be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NYCValkyrie
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.