Discussion
I can’t seem to find a definitive answer from Apple or the net, so thought the minds here may know, or offer a different solution.
I want to use my current well established mobile number and a new private number together, but I’d like to switch off the business line occasionally. I hoped the e-sim would do this, but it doesn’t seem to be as I’d have to swap e siting number to e-sim sand it all seems not as easy as flicking a button.
Would a virtual line or similar be an alternative, or am I missing something with e-sim?
I want to use my current well established mobile number and a new private number together, but I’d like to switch off the business line occasionally. I hoped the e-sim would do this, but it doesn’t seem to be as I’d have to swap e siting number to e-sim sand it all seems not as easy as flicking a button.
Would a virtual line or similar be an alternative, or am I missing something with e-sim?
I have an EE esim in my iPhone XR and use the second slot for "visitor" sims when travelling. Both sims are active to receive calls but when you are making a call on one sim then any incoming call on the other sim will go straight to voicemail.
Good explanation of how it all works is here:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/news/everything-you-ne...
Good explanation of how it all works is here:
https://ios.gadgethacks.com/news/everything-you-ne...
I currently use an EE eSIM as my personal number and a physical Vodafone SIM for work purposes. Out of office hours, I switch the Vodafone SIM off.
As posters above have mentioned, there are a few caveats and notes to take onboard with Apple's implementation:
You can only have one single eSIM active at any one time, though you can have many eSIMs saved on the phone.
You must pick the SIM that data comes from. If you are taking a call on the SIM that's not providing data, you'll have to wait until after the call for data to return/be on WiFi.
Whichever SIM you pick to provide data will be the one that has access to iMessage and FaceTime. The same also holds true for WhatsApp. The non-data SIM is basically for regular calls and texts only.
You can manually assign which SIM a contact will default to for calls and texts. If you don't assign a SIM, the iPhone falls back to whichever line you used last to call out or text from/received the call or text on.
Both SIMs are on standby if active, but only one can be active if on a call. Calls that come through on the other SIM will go to voicemail/receive a busy tone. You can get around this by putting a call forward rule in place for both SIMs, pointing to the other number if you have services like call waiting available.
Deactivating a SIM (physical or eSIM) is pretty easy. Just go to "Mobile Data" in "Settings" and switch the SIM on or off.
Hope this helps!
As posters above have mentioned, there are a few caveats and notes to take onboard with Apple's implementation:
You can only have one single eSIM active at any one time, though you can have many eSIMs saved on the phone.
You must pick the SIM that data comes from. If you are taking a call on the SIM that's not providing data, you'll have to wait until after the call for data to return/be on WiFi.
Whichever SIM you pick to provide data will be the one that has access to iMessage and FaceTime. The same also holds true for WhatsApp. The non-data SIM is basically for regular calls and texts only.
You can manually assign which SIM a contact will default to for calls and texts. If you don't assign a SIM, the iPhone falls back to whichever line you used last to call out or text from/received the call or text on.
Both SIMs are on standby if active, but only one can be active if on a call. Calls that come through on the other SIM will go to voicemail/receive a busy tone. You can get around this by putting a call forward rule in place for both SIMs, pointing to the other number if you have services like call waiting available.
Deactivating a SIM (physical or eSIM) is pretty easy. Just go to "Mobile Data" in "Settings" and switch the SIM on or off.
Hope this helps!
Edited by Cybertronian on Friday 15th February 08:40
NDA said:
Apologies for ancient bump....
How do you transfer your eSIM to a new device?
I don't need to do this yet, but let's say I smash my phone or buy a new one... is it a case of phoning the carrier, waiting for the postman to deliver a new QR code? Seems very clunky.
The network can deactivate it remotely and reassign to the new handset based on IMEI ... It's very clunky and can take a good few days to get unlatched and relatched assuming it all goes to plan.How do you transfer your eSIM to a new device?
I don't need to do this yet, but let's say I smash my phone or buy a new one... is it a case of phoning the carrier, waiting for the postman to deliver a new QR code? Seems very clunky.
NDA said:
Apologies for ancient bump....
How do you transfer your eSIM to a new device?
I don't need to do this yet, but let's say I smash my phone or buy a new one... is it a case of phoning the carrier, waiting for the postman to deliver a new QR code? Seems very clunky.
I had to do this recently with EE.How do you transfer your eSIM to a new device?
I don't need to do this yet, but let's say I smash my phone or buy a new one... is it a case of phoning the carrier, waiting for the postman to deliver a new QR code? Seems very clunky.
Go to an EE store, ask them to issue you with a new eSIM for your particular number. They'll give you a pack with a QR code, which you scan and then your old eSIM disconnects.
For some reason, it's free in store whereas it's £1.50 online (I assume for the postage) and you need to wait a few days for the pack to arrive in the post.
Not sure if it's the same procedure with other networks.
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