I understand you but as I have said before, the problem is when one uses more than one phone and would like to be able to swap back and forth quickly. I have reasons to want to do so and cannot always be available to get to a store or wait on hold. Sorry but take my word for it. This is what I need to do at times.
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iPhone 14(+) T-Mobile no longer allows self eSIM swaps?
- Thread starter jay968
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I get you, in your particular use case, I can see how this would apply. I thought this was a blanket issue though
in all scenarios where we would have to go through a rep or to the store to switch an eSIM around.
I am now curious though if an eSIM transfer from iPhone to Android phone does work without T-Mobile Support if both phones are actively on hand. I have a Samsung S20FE that I don't use but curious to test this.
I mean, if it can activate eSIM, but it looks like from what I can tell it needs that QR Code method you asked if I had to use with the iPhone initially (it doesn't have the SIM manager menu).
This is why I kept saying gutting the physical SIM card tray was a horrible idea. We're gonna have to start buying imported iPhones at this rate just to be able to use features that should be there.
Better idea: Just swap a physical SIM from one phone to another. Even faster than going to a mobile carrier store just for the simple task of swapping a damn SIM.
God help international travelers who will need to get prepaid SIMs since the majority of prepaid SIMs are physical and not eSIM.
It IS a blanket issue! One who has an iphone and wants to transfer a SIM (physical OR eSIM) to it as an eSIM must either:
1 - go to a store or
2 - talk to a rep or
3 - do an iphone to iphone transfer.
You cannot do it yourself UNLESS you have the 2 iphones. In this scenario, it is Apple who is allowing you to do it through their system. But in order to do so, you need the 2 iphones.
Android will not work! Yes you would need the QR code, so yes you would need to speak with the rep.
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Absolutely correct and to my point!
Thank you!
Not everyone lives near a store. Sure we have multiple Apple ATT VZW TM.... but I've heard of people without them within 100mi.
I also don't agree with their post, because what was an easy swap for many years is now presented with more limitations and further inconveniences (even if living near the store, it's a hassle).
Even if someone has two iPhones to transfer back and forth (like my case), you still have to be around active WiFi and both devices must be functional.
Sooner or later they will be clamping down, even farther on the eSIM. Sooner or later it will be how the government keeps track of us.
How is requiring eSIM an indication of the govt. keeping track of anyone?
I rather think it's an effort by the phone companies to make it harder to move between different brands of phone.
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I'll be honest I haven't read the entire thread here but all telecoms are tightening up the channels in which you can perform a SIM swap on a line/account and are funnelling most of those requests through their retail locations and call centres to ensure that they are being done by the person who actually owns the number/account.
Two-factor authentication is now a part of daily life and it has made SIM swaps a new way to compromise accounts and identities.
I hear ya about the frustration but its for all of our sake due to the rise in fraud and accounts being compromised.
T-Mobile DOES already use 2 factor authentication. Isn't that the way they prevent fraud? So their claim of "additional security" seems kind've bogus if you ask me.
Both Verizon and AT&T as far as I know still allow customer SIM swaps on their websites.
Because Money!
T-Mobile now plans to charge $35 on almost every transaction
It’s a sad day for T-Mobile customers as the company plans to put up an activation fee on some of its services. For some time now, the Un-carrier has an Assisted Support Charge in place. The charge started at $20 and has eventually crept up to $35. But customers could avoid this fee by ordering...
Here is a possible solution. Put all 3 phones on the same number using T-Mobie DIGITS. It is similar to the way using a watch and a phone use the same number. You would be using phones instead.
https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/t-mobile-digits
https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/t-mobile-digits
As I said in a post somewhere above, I have just decided to use Digits. It's quite frankly a very good solution. If I am on the line that digits is associated with, I can still get notifications if I get a call on my main line. Using SIM instead of Digits means that WiFi calling must be in use for this to happen. Calls just go to voicemail instead.
So all this may actually be a blessing in disguise!
Great! Guess I missed the info. I have a 13 Mini, 14PM and Apl Watch 7 LTE on DIGITS. The only issue I have encountered is if both phones are on the same wifi network the call will ALWAYS fail when answered. I just shut one off when I get home. No issues on cell networks.
Was to be expected when they took over Sprint. Hail competition or lack off. 😂Because Money!
T-Mobile now plans to charge $35 on almost every transaction
It’s a sad day for T-Mobile customers as the company plans to put up an activation fee on some of its services. For some time now, the Un-carrier has an Assisted Support Charge in place. The charge started at $20 and has eventually crept up to $35. But customers could avoid this fee by ordering...www.tmonews.com
And this is why I’ll be holding on to my 13PM for as long as feasible! I can take the physical sim out, and pop it into my Pixel 7 pro or S22 Ultra within seconds and be on my way!
I’m also on TMobile ( since 2012 ) and their CS and policies have been progressively getting annoying !
I’m also on TMobile ( since 2012 ) and their CS and policies have been progressively getting annoying !
Thank you for sharing. You've convinced me that when I buy a new iPhone in the future, if the U.S. models have no SIM card slot while many international models do have a SIM card slot, then despite my being in the U.S., I will buy one from a foreign country. (Of course I'll check beforehand to make sure it supports all the radio bands for the carrier I use in the U.S.)
I genuinely feel for you. Over here in the EU, they are still physical SIMs and I'm incredibly grateful after the absolute poo-show from Vodafone in Spain.
I had my old iPhone 12 Pro on an eSIM and thinking it would be quick and painless to move it to my iPhone 14 Pro (which incidentally I bought from Vodafone), I was very much mistaken.
First off, you cannot do the switch at home. It must be done in-store. So even though Vodafone sold me a phone for this line, I was unable to use the line on the phone. The change can't even be done over the phone. (All they have to do is generate a QR code).
I get to a store and they are "out of eSIM QR codes". What the heck? Surely they can simply be printed out? Dumb beyond belief but ok. So I go to another store. Same story.
Third time lucky. I go to a shopping mall and enter the store. They ask me for ID which I show to them and they tell me I am not the contract holder. They are right. My wife is. I have a letter from her with her ID to give permission. The Vodafone ape rep tells me it isn't possible without my wife being present to swap the line. Even though my name is on the contract (with the line AND the phone, AND the old phone as a user, but not the primary account holder). I argue with him and ask him how is it possible to not be able to change an eSIM from one phone to another, but it's possible to purchase a brand new iPhone 14 Pro over the phone (without ID), which will be billed to the account.
He then accuses me of fraud and tells me he's going to call the police as what I did was "not legal". At this point, I am at a loss for words....he refuses to return my new phone, at which point I am calling the police on my old phone (see where this is going), and there is an almighty brawl in the shop where I'm demanding he returns my property.
He stupidly gestures towards me with my 14 Pro in his hand and I took the opportunity to snatch it out of his hands, at which point he's screaming "thief" at me...and the police turn up.
Luckily I had all the receipts and proof of purchase on my old phone, (plus my wife is now on the line too), and I'm currently awaiting the outcome of a legal case against Vodafone and the individual (who is now suspended). The police obviously let me go.
The short of the long. eSIMs are a royal pain in the derriere.
If I'd had a physical SIM, none of this would have happened and I wouldn't have to deal with idiots in phone shops.
There is no way I'm going to an eSIM again!
Blame the fraudsters for tightened security, especially this time of year.
And why didn't you just wait for the rep over the phone? Do you really need a split second swap every time, and how many times you plan on swapping? Yes, I know long hold times and dealing with CS can be a pain, but you was already half way there. Seems like you're making it harder on yourself.
And why didn't you just wait for the rep over the phone? Do you really need a split second swap every time, and how many times you plan on swapping? Yes, I know long hold times and dealing with CS can be a pain, but you was already half way there. Seems like you're making it harder on yourself.
Frankly, I do the swapping because I own a few different phones and for various reasons, like the idea of being able to switch between them at a moment's notice. I'd explain further, but I doubt it would make much difference to you, as you obviously have no need for this sort of thing yourself.
What your attitude is suggesting is similar to that of someone owning 2 cars, having to contact the dealer each time he wanted to use one or the other. Would you accept that? No, a phone is not a car, but please try and understand that not everyone uses phones in the same manner as everyone else and that certain phones are sometimes more appropriate in certain situations than in others.