Until this article I thought you could swap eSIMs between phones, exactly like normal ones
Tbh I think you effectively could, but it would technically be your provider issuing a new one.
For me I just log into my provider’s online account screen and I’m able to scan a new QR code
Eh that’s not really the same. And reading this thread it seems many providers (including mine) don’t support online QR codes.
That’s unfortunate, at least in the UK all the (eSIM supporting) providers seem to offer the same capability.
As I’ve said elsewhere a physical SIM is slightly better in the situation where you smash your phone and buy a new one as you don’t need to connect your new phone to the phone shop’s WiFi for 5 mins (scanning the QR code is the quick way, you can just type an alphanumeric code in too, some carriers let you download it via an app). On the flip side though, if your phone is stolen, I still just need the WiFi for 5 mins. With a physical SIM, it would be sent to my home address and arrive a couple of days later.
Yah and mine charges for a phone transfer. No thanks I’ll keep physical sim as long as in can.
Well frankly, that’s pretty shitty of your carrier, IMO. I didn’t realise anyone was actually out there charging for what’s basically essential functionality.
There’s basically nothing technically different about transfering a physical SIM or an eSIM from the network’s perspective. The same registration takes place, they have to send all the same carrier service configuration messages.
I don’t blame you at all for holding onto a physical SIM in that scenario, but I’d be looking to move to a less customer-hostile carrier once my contract was up.
