Transfer eSIM from one iPhone to another

[jsitsec]

Scenario: I received my shiny new iPhone 12, upgrading from my previous iPhone 11, and performed a "Full Data Transfer". To my surprise the EE digital SIM card I have did not also transfer across. So now I have an iPhone 12 with all my data, but no phone data plan working. 

I am perplexed. I have been on the phone with EE support who have advised I can either have a QR code posted to me, or I can go in store to scan a QR code. 

I am required to either wait 5 days for a piece of paper with a QR code on it to be posted to me that I can then scan ...or... go into an EE store and physically pick up a piece of paper to scan a QR code. 

1. With COVID, why are you asking people to go INSTORE to set up a DIGITAL sim card?

2. Why are you wasting paper and money on printing thousands of QR codes? eco-friendly blah blah etc etc.

QR codes can be emailed, texted or display on a web page easily. I do not understand the need for a physical piece of paper. 

EE is supposed to be the leader in this space. They were the FIRST to offer the digital SIM card and yet they do not have a simple hands-off method of providing these. 

Also, I am amazed how many EE staff still don't know what an eSIM / Digital SIM is. The person on support was totally clueless, asking me to explain what it was, and "did I mean the physical SIM card?"... well yes, but the EE digital one...!!

Madness, mixed with confusion, a touch of frustration and topped off with an unnecessary trip into a town I'd rather avoid with all the Tier, Lockdown and COVID rules and restrictions. 

[Chris_B]

@jsitsec  unfortunately that’s the way it is at the moment.  Rumours is supposed to be changing but when I do not know. 

[jsitsec]

I mean... it's been 2 years since Apple launched eSIMs, with EE being to first to provide them, so... how long does it take to move printing QR codes to texting them... it's not like they're a mobile company or anything... oh wait! 🤔😂

[samtastic]

I broke my phone and had to get a new phone. They tell me I need a new QR code to be posted to me  even though I have the old one in order  to transfer the eSIM over. EE turned a technological advancement, the eSIM which was supposed to make things easier back into something that is worst than a physical SIM! Physical SIMs can just be moved in seconds by anyone. No security!!!! eSIMs have to be transferred by paper through the post for reasons unknown to anyone you speak to. It is like printing email (eMAIL) and posting or MAILING it to someone! Get it EE?   eMail, Mail- eSIM, SIM! Ridiculous. 

[Chris_B]

@samtastic   Yes a sim can be removed by anyone but you can put a sim lock on the sim so if it’s removed it’ll not work in a device until the sim pin code is entered to unlock the sim.

So yes there is security with a physical sim.  Oh and you get 3 attempts to enter the correct sim pin code if it’s wrong after the 3 attempts it locks up and can not be used until the PUC code is entered and no two PUC codes are the same.  So it’s very secure.  

[samtastic]

Most people do not have a Pin for their SIM. I have tested this with 10 iPhone users. Not one had a sim pin. You have to manually enable that and it is not compulsory! An optional security is no security! 

[Chris_B]

@samtastic   Really.  Optional security is no security so what you’re saying is if people can’t be bothered to do it they are not going to take responsibility for not enabling something that they can enable to have something that can be secure.    

that’s like having a lock on your home front door but not using that lock and then wondering why your home has been burgled.   And it’s not compulsory to lock your door. 

[samtastic]

You bank online everyday. That’s important enough right? And it’s secure.  You can move to a new phone, download the app and within a few seconds you can be online again. No need for anything to arrive in the post! I am saying the fact that they post an esim to you in the name of security is incorrect! You can implement better security without posting it to people. It’s not about which Sim is better. 

[Chris_B]

@samtastic   I never said it was about what sim is better I was just correcting you about the sim that is secure.    

hate to say this but your bank will post your credit/debt card to you and you don’t give that a 2nd thought. 

As I said EE are supposed to be looking into this so it’s not via the post but until that happens this is how it is.  And you can get QR codes from EE stores ( might be an issue at the moment though because of the current situation but that’s out of EEs control )