iPhone 16e Upgrading from iphone 13 to iphone 16e with Esim, need advice

[goldmac2006]

I will look into getting AT&T prepaid and see if it is possible for me to first get an Esim installed on my iphone 13. I will call AT&T for information tomorrow, and if satisfactory, I might purchase an activation kit.

Best of luck with all of this, @SilverSpooned . I look forward to hearing how your new iPhone is doing! If you can, give ATT reps information about your iPhone’s current plan. I know you’re looking at getting a new iPhone, but if you ever switch carriers, especially postpaid, it would be handy to know how to transfer your number.

If you don’t want an electronic SIM, please request a physical QR code or other alternatives so you can get the eSIM ready on your new iPhone.

I know you’re looking at prepaid options. Unfortunately, it looks like AT&T doesn’t do special iPhone upgrade deals with prepaid plans, except for the Level Up program, which unfortunately requires switching to their postpaid plans after 6 months. There’s a link to it here: https://www.att.com/prepaid/unlimited-level-up.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I am not sure if I think any of this is better. Nothing is easier than simply swapping a Sim card from phone to phone and not having to deal with accounts, or anything. I am pretty much forced to do this process of looking into an eSIM because it's the only way to reliably get a new phone.

The reason SIMs aren’t good is because they go bad. I’ve had several over the years literally cause the phone to have all sorts of weird problems that had nothing to do with the cell portion of the phone. Wasn’t the phone, it was a SIM that had died.

Transferring #s from phone to phone is literally as easy as calling the CSR of the new company. It’s often easier than that due to being able to do it online. The eSIM itself doesn’t get transferred.

 

[rui no onna]

When you activate an eSim how long will it last until, like, how long do I have until I need to pay monthly with the refill card?

The eSIM is just an electronic version of a SIM card. It doesn’t have its own refill. That you need to add yourself so you’d probably need to add that right away during purchase/activation.

You’ll need a carrier with a physical presence in order to get an eSIM without needing to create an online account. Hmm, can Walmart/Target completely activate Straight Talk, Total, etc. in store or do you still need to activate via website? That might be an option if they do in-store activations.

 

[Larry-K]

I have no idea how an Esim works or how to set one up. When I upgrade, the newer phone (16e) will not have a physical sim card. How will I be able to upgrade to the newer phone with the Esim, use the same carrier, etc? Will I have to change my phone number? How does the process going from a physical sim card to an Esim work? I have no understanding of this and researching it is confusing and I find multiple conflicting answers.

I went from an original SE to a 16e on T-Mobile, at the Apple Store and it was no big deal, took seconds.
The physical SIM is deactivated, and resurrected as an eSIM on the new phone.

 

[rui no onna]

Now I am running into another thing I don't understand at all.

Let's say I activate the Esim through At&T and it works out. New number and all, which is my intention. Let's say I pick this plan for example. Which of the refill cards am I supposed to buy?

You’d need to pay $300 in full upfront for that plan. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to use a refill card for the initial purchase. You might be better off paying for the plan at the same time you get your prepaid eSIM in-store.

If refill cards can be used, then you need to buy multiple refill cards totaling $300. Note, those refills just have $ value. If you don’t want to pay lump sum on your next renewal, you could reload $25/mo so you have enough load credits in your account come renewal time.

 

[SilverSpooned]

The eSIM is just an electronic version of a SIM card. It doesn’t have its own refill. That you need to add yourself so you’d probably need to add that right away during purchase/activation.

You’ll need a carrier with a physical presence in order to get an eSIM without needing to create an online account. Hmm, can Walmart/Target completely activate Straight Talk, Total, etc. in store or do you still need to activate via website? That might be an option if they do in-store activations.

I actually went to Walmart/Target a few days ago to discuss this with them, and they do not do in-store activations anymore.

You’d need to pay $300 in full upfront for that plan. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to use a refill card for the initial purchase. You might be better off paying for the plan at the same time you get your prepaid eSIM in-store.

If refill cards can be used, then you need to buy multiple refill cards totaling $300. Note, those refills just have $ value. If you don’t want to pay lump sum on your next renewal, you could reload $25/mo so you have enough load credits in your account come renewal time.

Yeah I noticed. I don't think I'll go with that plan then.

 

[tbgb50]

Either stay with StraightTalk (call them to activate the ESIM) OR

Find a plan. US Mobile costs less than anything offered on the Apple site or StraightTalk + you can select the ATT, Tmobile or Verizon networks. Prepaid plans offered directly by carriers are also more expensive. Get the port out information from StraightTalk - account number and PIN. Go to the site for the service provider you select and sign up selecting transfer current phone number. There will be instructions for activating with an ESIM - call them or use chat if you are unsure.

No matter what you might want you will either have to agree to autopay or pay a higher amount since you will lose the autopay discount.

You are making this more complicated than it is.

 

[SilverSpooned]

Either stay with StraightTalk (call them to activate the ESIM) OR

Find a plan. US Mobile costs less than anything offered on the Apple site or StraightTalk + you can select the ATT, Tmobile or Verizon networks. Prepaid plans offered directly by carriers are also more expensive. Get the port out information from StraightTalk - account number and PIN. Go to the site for the service provider you select and sign up selecting transfer current phone number. There will be instructions for activating with an ESIM - call them or use chat if you are unsure.

No matter what you might want you will either have to agree to autopay or pay a higher amount since you will lose the autopay discount.

You are making this more complicated than it is.

I attempted Porting a number before, and it never worked out for me. I do not have an account. I do not have a Pin with StraightTalk. Never did. I do not know how I never did, but I never did, but yet I am using Straight Talk. So I think its just easier to setup a new number.

 

[roguester]

I have Visible so my esim transfer process is a pain in the butt so similar to your situation. I always have a backup phone with the Visible app installed on it to do the transfer in the event that I need to contact support and don't want to use the phone I want to activate on.

 

[goldmac2006]

I actually went to Walmart/Target a few days ago to discuss this with them, and they do not do in-store activations anymore.



Yeah I noticed. I don't think I'll go with that plan then.

Either stay with StraightTalk (call them to activate the ESIM) OR

Find a plan. US Mobile costs less than anything offered on the Apple site or StraightTalk + you can select the ATT, Tmobile or Verizon networks. Prepaid plans offered directly by carriers are also more expensive. Get the port out information from StraightTalk - account number and PIN. Go to the site for the service provider you select and sign up selecting transfer current phone number. There will be instructions for activating with an ESIM - call them or use chat if you are unsure.

No matter what you might want you will either have to agree to autopay or pay a higher amount since you will lose the autopay discount.

You are making this more complicated than it is.

That’s why lots of carriers are going digital for account management and eSIM activation. You will have to do it with a major carrier instead of just the MVNOs. Autopay for all types of carriers in postpaid or prepaid cellular service is an advantage, get used to it. You can use a refill card that can be used to bill for the prepaid plan thru AutoPay as long you use the refill cards to autopay at a fixed term. @tbgb50 that is a better stance- account # and PIN can be useable in porting a number. Straight Talk also requires people to be still active on the service and not delinquent for more than a month to be eligible to port a wireless number. Link here: https://support.straighttalk.com/en...ons-to-port-my-phone-number-to-straight-talk/

 

[goldmac2006]

I have Visible so my esim transfer process is a pain in the butt so similar to your situation. I always have a backup phone with the Visible app installed on it to do the transfer in the event that I need to contact support and don't want to use the phone I want to activate on.

Yep that is like Mint but for Verizon. They do not have brick and mortar stores for these carriers.

 

[SilverSpooned]

Either stay with StraightTalk (call them to activate the ESIM) OR

Find a plan. US Mobile costs less than anything offered on the Apple site or StraightTalk + you can select the ATT, Tmobile or Verizon networks. Prepaid plans offered directly by carriers are also more expensive. Get the port out information from StraightTalk - account number and PIN. Go to the site for the service provider you select and sign up selecting transfer current phone number. There will be instructions for activating with an ESIM - call them or use chat if you are unsure.

No matter what you might want you will either have to agree to autopay or pay a higher amount since you will lose the autopay discount.

You are making this more complicated than it is.

I put in my IMEI number to StraightTalk out of curiosity to try to see if I can stay with StraightTalk.

I get this message.

"The device ESN/IMEI number you have entered is not compatible with Straight Talk service. Try with another device or purchase a Straight Talk device from our site or your local Walmart."

I am using an iphone 13 so there is no reason for it to not be compatible.

 

[goldmac2006]

I put in my IMEI number to StraightTalk out of curiosity to try to see if I can stay with StraightTalk.

I get this message.

"The device ESN/IMEI number you have entered is not compatible with Straight Talk service. Try with another device or purchase a Straight Talk device from our site or your local Walmart."

I am using an iphone 13 so there is no reason for it to not be compatible.

That’s unusual. Even Walmart sells iPhone 13 under straight talk.

 

[SilverSpooned]

That’s unusual. Even Walmart sells iPhone 13 under straight talk.

I will be calling Straight Talk later about this.

 

[goldmac2006]

I will be calling Straight Talk later about this.

LMK how it goes, bud. Since Walmart is not offering in-store activations nor target it is best to call your carrier. do not hesitate and wait on that!

 

[SilverSpooned]

LMK how it goes, bud. Since Walmart is not offering in-store activations nor target it is best to call your carrier. do not hesitate and wait on that!

After well over an hour talking to the Straight Talk agent, I have finally converted from physical Sim to Esim, and setup an account. Now all I have to do is order a new phone.

 

[goldmac2006]

After well over an hour talking to the Straight Talk agent, I have finally converted from physical Sim to Esim, and setup an account. Now all I have to do is order a new phone.

Finally! That’s why it’s crucial to reach out to your carrier if you encounter difficulties unlocking the device, obtaining an eSIM, or activating your service. Each carrier operates differently in its processes for acquiring eSIMs. Now, you can avoid the hassle of spending extra money on switching carriers and acquiring new SIMs.

 

[roguester]

Yep that is like Mint but for Verizon. They do not have brick and mortar stores for these carriers.

Even old eSim to new eSim is a pain in the butt.

 

[rui no onna]

Even old eSim to new eSim is a pain in the butt.

Kinda wish they'd just allow the same process as some carriers in Asia.

Delete eSIM from old phone. Rescan the same original QR code on new phone. Done.

 

[Rodan52]

You dont need a "Kit" there is no kit. I had an iPhone 13 Pro Max with two physical SIM cards. I looked up how to convert my Australian SIM to eSIM with my provider. The Provider's page was one web result. It told me how to apply for a conversion, in my case using their iPhone app, the process on my end took about 5 min. The activation process for my Provider about 2 hrs. When notified I removed my old SIM and trashed it.

When I swapped to my new iPhone 16e 4 days ago I used the provider's app to "Apply for a new SIM" it then asks if it's for a new/replacement phone, tick yes and the same 2 Hr wait for activation on the new phone which also deactivates it on the old phone, done, simple.

 

[goldmac2006]

Even old eSim to new eSim is a pain in the butt.

You dont need a "Kit" there is no kit. I had an iPhone 13 Pro Max with two physical SIM cards. I looked up how to convert my Australian SIM to eSIM with my provider. The Provider's page was one web result. It told me how to apply for a conversion, in my case using their iPhone app, the process on my end took about 5 min. The activation process for my Provider about 2 hrs. When notified I removed my old SIM and trashed it.

When I swapped to my new iPhone 16e 4 days ago I used the provider's app to "Apply for a new SIM" it then asks if it's for a new/replacement phone, tick yes and the same 2 Hr wait for activation on the new phone which also deactivates it on the old phone, done, simple.

Great concept, @Rodan52 ! Was your carrier prepaid? Also, @SilverSpooned already resolved the issue by calling his carrier today and converting the SIM to an eSIM with the customer service team. Now, let’s shift the focus to acquiring an existing eSIM from an iPhone 13 to a new iPhone! 📲

 

[SilverSpooned]

I already ordered the new case for the iphone 16e. I will give updates when I have the phone, but it feels like the end of an era for me really. Switching away from a Sim card I had from my very first phone (Iphone 6 or Iphone 6s) from way back in the day to an eSim is a pretty huge deal for me. While some people may not like the 16e - I don't care. I got what is going to make me happy and that is what matters.

 

[goldmac2006]

I already ordered the new case for the iphone 16e. I will give updates when I have the phone, but it feels like the end of an era for me really. Switching away from a Sim card I had from my very first phone (Iphone 6 or Iphone 6s) from way back in the day to an eSim is a pretty huge deal for me. While some people may not like the 16e - I don't care. I got what is going to make me happy and that is what matters.

You’ve already ordered the iPhone, right? Please let me know if you did, as you already ordered the case. I can send you a personalized message to help you transition smoothly to your new iPhone and setting up eSIM via quick transfer.

 

[SilverSpooned]

You’ve already ordered the iPhone, right? Please let me know if you did, as you already ordered the case. I can send you a personalized message to help you transition smoothly to your new iPhone and setting up eSIM via quick transfer.

Not yet. I'll likely be ordering it in a few days once I have the case.

 

[goldmac2006]

Not yet. I'll likely be ordering it in a few days once I have the case.

👍 decided on a colour yet?