topic Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently in Apple Devices

Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

maralmjs — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:22:49 GMT

Hi. I have two iPhones, one is my daily driver, and the other one is more of a ’rugged’ one for use with sports and when I go abroad. Is there a limit to how often I can swap esims between the two phones on a regular basis?

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

Katie_B — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:48:00 GMT

Hi @maralmjs.

I don't believe there is a limit on how many times you can swap but requesting multiple replacement eSIM QR codes may cause a problems.

Would it be easier using a physical SIM?

Katie

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

hisamuran — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:43:37 GMT

Indeed @Katie_B there is no limit, but the process is very cumbersome and can really get frustrating to the point of being left without service, see my post here https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/SIM-cards-Porting/eSIM-frustration-went-back-to-physical-SIM-after-1-day-without/td-p/1274107

Having 2 iPhones makes it really easy since you have the "Quick Transfer" option from Apple so is super easy and hassle free. But, if you have 1 android and 1 iPhone then each time you need to request a "replacement eSIM" and setup in target phone without removing the eSIM on the original phone since EE send an SMS verification code to the original phone in order for the eSIM to be enabled on the target phone. If you check my post above, you'll see what I mean (I, myself was left with no service at all after EE support requested me to try my eSIM on another device... what a frustrating adventure really).

TLDR: @maralmjs stick with iPhones for eSIM if having multiple devices and need frequent switching.

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

Roke — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 23:33:44 GMT

What sort of problems could that cause?

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

bristolian — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 07:01:25 GMT

@Roke wrote:
What sort of problems could that cause?

Responding to a 2year + 2month old thread must be a record for this forum!

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

Roke — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:38:56 GMT

I can now answer that, at least with another provider, requesting two eSIMs, but solely configuring the latter requested, doesn't appear to have caused any problems. (I needed to request two after accidentally entering the confirmation code incorrectly three times, so reason to do so exists.)

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

Roke — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 11:53:17 GMT

Glad to have made that record. Ha.

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

Peter_W — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:01:24 GMT

Hey there @Roke 😊

I can't speak for other providers, but on our network you can only have one SIM or eSIM active at any given time.

Once a new SIM is activated, the previous one is deactivated and dead from that point; if you wanted to switch back to that handset, you would need to download and activate a whole new eSIM.

This has to be processed through our system, and can take up to 24 hour to completed, so isn't something we recommend customers switch around on a regular basis.

Peter

Re: Changing ESim between iPhones frequently

Roke — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:06:43 GMT

Thanks for clarifying: that's what I meant. In retrospect, I had also waited ⪆ 24H, so that appears accurate.