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Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

neilzone.co.uk

121–130 of 244 posts

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#121
post #87

Hmm that's kinda nice. I don't like eSIMs because the provider often imposes arbitrary constraints. Either needing their data-stealing app, only allowing so many changes per month, only allowing 'certified' handsets, having 2FA bullshit etc. I just want to swap my number into different phones like I can with a physical card, without anyone else's involvement or approval. If I could just grab an esim and download it o…

What country is this, if you mind sharing? I've never encountered any of these problems. I've received almost all my eSIMs as a QR code, and the ones that did offer app-based installation (which is convenient if it works, but ultimately not more than that) have a QR code for fallback. > only allowing so many changes per month That I have actually encountered. I've seen one (fortunately only when traveling) that actua…

Happens with Thai eSIM as well.

They have great roaming deals so I like having its eSIM always installed, but if I change iPhone I have to visit a store Thailand. Fantastic. I ended up switching it for a physical SIM card.

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#122

I wish I knew if this would have helped me on a recent trip out of the U.S. In preparation, I upgraded my older, low-end smartphone to one with a more recent version of Android, NFC (for tap-to-pay), a headphone jack, and support for two physical SIMs. So when I arrived at my destination, I was able to purchase a 30-day SIM for a local phone number and data, but my primary SIM was useless outside of the U.S. so no ac…

Recently I tried to reinstall an eSIM on my Android phone while overseas but was told by my carrier that the eSIM can only be activated while connected to antennas located in the carrier's country, i.e. it can't be activated overseas, despite my plan supporting call roaming and both countries being in the EU. I don't know whether this is carrier-specific or the same for all carriers.

This worked for me, French carrier "Free", and install new eSIM while in Spain.

But now I have doubts, especially outside the EU: if it doesn't work, that would loose one of the advantages that I'd sort of expected eSIM to have: if your phone gets lost / stolen while abroad, you could just get a new eSIM from your carrier immediately, and set it up on your replacement phone.

In my case, my bank uses mandatory SMS 2FA for setting up their app on a new phone, thus making it impossible to make purchases with my card without having the being able to set up the app.

So I'd be back to the oldschool method of having a fried back at home set up the new eSIM, receive the 2FA code...

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#123
post #95

Transitioning to eSim-only could enslave us even further, as if Windows 11 secure boot shenanigans were not enough. Please raise this with your favorite digital freedom advocate. Let's be proactive on this one.

Yeah, I really hate not having to physically juggle small smartcards whenever I want to use another network/provider (my phone has several eSIM profiles installed right now), being able to choose from dozens of providers competing on price and functionality, and not having to stand in line at the SIM store first thing after a long-haul flight too. eSIMs could have been an anti-consumer nightmare, but fortunately they…

> eSIMs _could_ have been an anti-consumer nightmare

Really? Because I can swap a SIM card between phones in 30 seconds whereas swapping eSIM lies between "hoping it works" and "not possible", passing by "you'll need a document" or "visit the store, if it's anywhere in your city/country"

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#125
Previously, https://www.androidauthority.com/esim-adapter-android-phone-... said "While there are other eSIM adapters, the JMP adapter is the only one that doesn’t use a proprietary, closed source app." Is that still true, or is this one now a second FOSS option?

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#126
post #30

I always wondered - can you have no roaming if you use eSIM with wifi calling and an exit node in country where eSIM is issued? So, basically: - you bought eSIM in Germany - you are currently in US - you use tailscale with exit node at your apartment in Germany - voila, no roaming when you call German mobile lines Right? [EDIT FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTION] If I have troubles receiving SMSs from Germany to German number wh…

I'm implementing a fully libre open-source vowifi/volte client for Android that runs in JVM sandbox, rather than untrustable modem. During my development I went through a protocol detail that I was too lazy to implement: you're supposed to announce which is the last 4g cell you saw even when doing Vowifi. I just hardcoded a value and forgot about it.

And then, I get a user who tells me that their carrier is saying they are roaming, even though they don't. I'm a tad clueless at first, because they are the network, they ought to know (this even happen over VoLTE). I send them an updated implementation that reports the correct cell. And then they receive a "welcome back" SMS.

Anyway, it's possible that your carrier can do abroad vowifi, you just need your vowifi client to lie as to where it is.

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#128

Hmm that's kinda nice. I don't like eSIMs because the provider often imposes arbitrary constraints. Either needing their data-stealing app, only allowing so many changes per month, only allowing 'certified' handsets, having 2FA bullshit etc. I just want to swap my number into different phones like I can with a physical card, without anyone else's involvement or approval. If I could just grab an esim and download it o…

I've never heard of any of these things (~2k mobile devices at work). I've had a hand in writing some policies for our company for our mobile devices and with Verizon, ATT, and T-Mobile, 0 issues with esims.

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#129
post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! I'll have a look at that. Edit: Looks great but it's US only. But I think the one in the article spoke about a similar solution.

I am in Europe myself

Oh did you order it somewhere? I only saw US options on their site.

Re: Using eSIMs with devices that only have a physical SIM slot via a 9eSIM SIM car

#130
post #95

Transitioning to eSim-only could enslave us even further, as if Windows 11 secure boot shenanigans were not enough. Please raise this with your favorite digital freedom advocate. Let's be proactive on this one.

Yeah, I really hate not having to physically juggle small smartcards whenever I want to use another network/provider (my phone has several eSIM profiles installed right now), being able to choose from dozens of providers competing on price and functionality, and not having to stand in line at the SIM store first thing after a long-haul flight too. eSIMs could have been an anti-consumer nightmare, but fortunately they…

You can't just take "important" esim out of your phone when travelling. If you lose your device or if it's stolen recovering eSIM from many countries is PITA.
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