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

neilzone.co.uk

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

#231

Post by hyperdimension »

wkat4242 wrote: post #45

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…

Like a SIM card, you mean?

I don't really like the move to eSIMs, or rather the removal of physical SIM card (slots.) A physical thing is a lot easier to reason about, and you can swap them in seconds.

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

#232

Post by Elucalidavah »

porphyra wrote: post #224
Elucalidavah wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Using an eSIM data on a physical sim is relatively straightforward; getting the keys from a physical SIM to use as an eSIM is relatively non-trivial, as "the card is designed to never divulge this key to the outside world".

I wonder if there's a way to use a dongle (or a small wireless Bluetooth device or something) to connect a physical SIM to a phone that doesn't have a physical SIM slot.

For internet access - sure. For messages - sort-of. For calls - troublesome.

As far as I know, smartphones don't have a protocol for accessing a remote cellular network connection in the same way as if it was internal, so the only viable way is to have a hotspot device that shares the connection over wi-fi.

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

#233

Post by Elucalidavah »

kccqzy wrote: post #177
Elucalidavah wrote: post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Using an eSIM data on a physical sim is relatively straightforward; getting the keys from a physical SIM to use as an eSIM is relatively non-trivial, as "the card is designed to never divulge this key to the outside world".

It sounds like a regular SIM is more secure than an eSIM. Are there any implications to the user?

There doesn't seem to be that much extra attack surface: https://security.stackexchange.com/a/271953

With an eSIM activation, the only possibility is that someone else e.g. reads the QR code from your screen and activates the eSIM on their device; but you'll notice that since eSIM activation will fail on your end, and will likely request a new one. But that does provide some window for a targeted attack.

With a physical SIM, there's a much easier attack available, in form of extracting the SIM itself from your phone. It isn't a remote attack, but it might even take you longer to notice.

Arguably, an operator's support of remote eSIM activation (whether you use it or not) is the biggest attack vector, since it allows an attacker to impersonate you and request a new eSIM.

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

#235

Post by noname120 »

sunaookami wrote: post #212
sunaookami wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can use OpenEUICC with 9esim. They just rebrand it and publish it as their own thing. https://gitea.angry.im/PeterCxy/OpenEUICC

To the dead comment: No, OpenEUICC does not need a rooted phone. Mine is not rooted and it works.

Wrong. OpenEUICC requires a rooted phone or a custom ROM, while EasyEUICC can be installed anywhere. This is literally what the (previously-)dead comment says. The second part is a copy-paste from the project's README.

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

#236

Post by phh »

stavros wrote: post #171
phh wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 th…

Is there a link to this client? I'd be interested to play around with it.

https://github.com/phhusson/ims

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

#237

Post by phh »

LaF0rge wrote: post #198
phh wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 th…

In case it's of interest, please see https://osmocom.org/projects/foss-ims-client/wiki/VoWiFi_wit... for an existing way how to talk to VoWiFi carriers from entirely free/libre/open-source software. It's basically a hacked-up version of Asterisk that has IMS client support, plus a modified strongswan IPsec client.

Thanks. In case that's of interest, I have another one, using doubango rather than asterisk: https://github.com/phhusson/doubango/ (and its readme at https://github.com/phhusson/doubango/blob/master/README-phh )

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

#238

Post by mbesto »

Reason077 wrote: post #180
polishdude20 wrote: post #163

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's the reason for the mudi device? Why not just use the esim in the iphone and have the iphone in hotspot mode? Just battery life?

A 4G/5G router creates a "real" WiFi network rather than a personal network. Hotspotting is great for 1 or 2 devices, but devices are reluctant to connect to a personal hotspot automatically (Apple devices, at least). You have to manually select/tap the hotspot every time, which gets to be a pain when you have multiple devices and you're using it as your daily, primary internet connection. I might also want to leave…

This. Also, mudi can do everything from act as a WAN, input to a LAN and repeat, connect to a wifi and repeat, and use a SIM for its WAN. Phone hotspot only allows you to take the cell connection and repeat it to other devices via Wifi. It can't repeat a wifi or take a hard wire. Plus no advanced router/switch settings, it just says "use my cell connection and give it to anyone connected to me via wifi"

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

#239

Post by mbesto »

laurencerowe wrote: post #165
mbesto wrote: post #140

Tangentially related - I recently got the holy grail of eSIM travel router setup: - GLiNet Mudi v2: https://store.gl-inet.com/products/mudi-v2-portable-4g-lte-r... - EIOT Physical eSim https://store.gl-inet.com/products/esim-experience-seamless-... - 20GB Worldwide Airalo for 365 days ($69): https://www.airalo.com/global-esim/discover-365days-20gb Buy the airalo esim on my iphone. Download the QR code. Upload it to t…

At least if you’re travelling to Europe there are far cheaper offers with local carriers for about €/£ 5 for 20GB/30days valid across the EU and often UK. Lycamobile and Simyo usually have good deals though ended up needing to get a physical SIM in Spain as they require showing ID.

True. This is what I used to do, but every country does this their SIM setup slightly different:

1. Do I need to show a passport yes/no?

2. Who sells the sim? Do I need to sit in a queue to purchase one? How do I top up?

3. Who is the best telco provider in the region I'm in?

4. etc etc

I'd prefer eSIM all day for that reason. Also, yes I can load up as many local/region eSIMs I want in case I need more, but honestly 20GB is plenty for a full year.

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