I'm looking into getting an iPhone 17, which is only sold with eSIMs where I live. However, a store salesman was really pushing me to choose the iPhone 16, claiming the eSIM technology is still developing and not reliable. He told me that eSIMs have worse signal in low coverage areas, can drain the battery faster, and that if my phone breaks, I can't transfer my eSIM without the old device. He also mentioned that many places don't support eSIMs for international connections and that eSIMs are more vulnerable to hacking compared to physical SIM cards. To top it off, he said that Android doesn't fully support eSIMs like iOS does.
I want to know how to add an eSIM to a new phone if my current one is dead. Is there a way to do that with just a username and password?
5 Answers
You don't have to stress about everything you heard. You can transfer your eSIM easily with the correct steps, and it usually involves connecting your new phone to WiFi and accessing your carrier's app to get your eSIM activated. Don't fall for the scare tactics!
Everything the salesman mentioned is pretty much false. eSIM technology is reliable and doesn’t make your phone easier to hack. There are some vulnerabilities with both sim types, but eSIM actually has advantages in terms of security. Transferring to a new device can be super simple. You can get logged into your carrier's app, request a new eSIM, or go to a store to set it up. Just make sure your new phone has WiFi.
Honestly, the way that sales pitch sounded, it was more about selling the iPhone 16 than providing realistic info on eSIM. eSIMs don't drain batteries more than physical SIMs do; if anything, newer models like the iPhone 17 have tons of upgrades. Don't let him scare you. You're better off with the latest tech! Plus, migration is straightforward depending on your carrier; many let you do it right through the app.
Just a tip: when you switch to a new phone, if you’re not able to transfer your eSIM directly, you can still download a new one through your carrier. Most services will let you log in and get a new eSIM quickly. No need to worry about your old phone being dead as long as you have WiFi on the new one. Plus, you can usually do this from both the app and website.
The guy at the store really missed the mark on eSIM facts! eSIM has been around since 2016 and widely adopted on iPhones since 2018. Your signal strength and battery life shouldn’t be negatively affected by going eSIM. Plus, if your phone dies, you can easily get a new eSIM from your carrier through their app or website. Just make sure your new phone is connected to WiFi. Most areas, even abroad, support eSIM technology, so you would be fine there. Don't buy into the scare tactics!
You can find detailed info about eSIM setups on various carriers’ sites or even through Apple's support page, which explains everything you need to know.
Good to know! I was worried about the international aspect. Thanks for clarifying!
Exactly! eSIM has been solid for me, and it makes switching phones a breeze.