this post was submitted on 31 Dec 2025
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Swapping SIM cards used to be easy, and then came eSIM.

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[–] cron@feddit.org 12 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

I personally like eSIM. I have an app by my phone provider where I can just create or move a eSIM in minutes.

And additionally, I can just create a new eSIM with a new number in just about the same time. When my wife got a new phone, I just created a new eSIM for her old phone. This way, she could use them both for a week or two.

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 19 points 1 day ago (5 children)

So you're now fully bound to your ISP, their proprietary shit app, and their servers providing you a new SIM instead of just swapping a physical piece of hardware in seconds. Getting new SIMs in an ideal condition is the only advantage.

[–] hitmyspot@aussie.zone 23 points 1 day ago

Only if your phone is locked to your carrier. On which case, you were already bound to them and their policies.

I have esims from an international provider when I travel. My phone is unlocked.

[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

So you're now fully bound to your ISP

Do you think you can only use an eSIM on a locked phone? Physical SIM or not, a carrier locked phone is a locked phone. You can use eSIMs on unlocked phones just fine

their proprietary shit app, and their servers providing you a new SIM instead of just swapping a physical piece of hardware in seconds

The difference is you don't have to physically go someplace to get a card or have one shipped to you. You just need the Internet and an app.

You're complaining about semantics with no real difference, just convenience 99% of the time.

For me wanting to switch to a Linux phone in the future it seems less than ideal to have esim instead of physical.

[–] cron@feddit.org 6 points 1 day ago

You're right, i need to use this specific app to change my eSIM. But I'm not bound in any way that I can't change providers. In fact, eSIM makes switching to another provider even simpler.

[–] ji59@hilariouschaos.com 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I wouldn't be so dramatic. Transferring an eSIM is only a few clicks, there is no need for searching the little thingie to open SIM compartment, no searching for the right hole to stick it into, no fear of losing the tiny SIM card during the process. I would say the transfer process is pretty hard, mainly for older people or people with bigger fingers. On the other hand, you still need the operator and his servers and proprietary code for the SIM to be useful (unless you are building your own network).

[–] schizoidman@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Unless your carrier requires you to go down to their physical store and pay a fee to move your eSIM to another device.

https://support.simba.sg/hc/en-us/articles/17453381569817-Can-I-switch-my-eSIM-profile-to-another-device

[–] halcyoncmdr@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

You're complaining about a carrier policy, not eSIMs in general. Most carriers don't have that requirement.

In fact I never even heard of that before, and I'm an American where that's exactly the type of nickel and dime bullshit they'd do.

[–] planish@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Have you had to recover from a failed device yet? Managing the SIM with the app will work great as long as the app is in fact working, but it's not obvious how you would go about connecting a new device when the old device is not available.

[–] cron@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I did not do it yet myself, but I would just install the app on the new device, and register it again - exactly the way I did it the first time. Anytime a new eSIM is created, the old profile will revoked. At least, thats what the FAQ says.