Forum Discussion
Switch between Android and IPhone on the same line (esim) - back and forth
Hello - I have a need to switch between two phones - Android and IPhone both of which I own. The frequency of change depends on, but I am expecting doing so on weekly basis... Is it possible to do so? I know you can move esim to another phone but it's not clear this can be done back and forth or only one time thing. Also, if going back and forth require calling T mobile everytime, and takes sometime to do such switching.. Please advise.
You can swap the eSIM's but it will be a chore to do so on a weekly basis. You could always run Digits on the other device to accomplish what you need to do, depending. Why do you need to switch device platforms so often? It would be easiest to just pick up a second line for one of the devices.
You can swap the eSIM's but it will be a chore to do so on a weekly basis. You could always run Digits on the other device to accomplish what you need to do, depending. Why do you need to switch device platforms so often? It would be easiest to just pick up a second line for one of the devices.
I have a need to use IPhone every weekends while on weekdays, I'd mostly on Android. I am trying to avoid getting any additional line to do this, so it saves me money by not having extra line.. also AFAIK, digit is VOIP so i have some additional limitations on that if we make it a main line (e.g. no RCS support, etc) so that's also additional downsides. With physical sim, this was very easy, but now with esim, it's so much harder as it sound like..
What is involved in doing so? I am little confused as Android and IPhone does seem to allow moving esim for the first time (e.g. get a new phone and move the sim), but not going back and forth over again?
Your provisioning is different for an iPhone versus an Android device. This provisioning would have to be changed every time along with migrating your eSIM from one device to the other and back again.
TDF wrote:
I have a need to use IPhone every weekends while on weekdays, I'd mostly on Android. I am trying to avoid getting any additional line to do this, so it saves me money by not having extra line.. also AFAIK, digit is VOIP so i have some additional limitations on that if we make it a main line (e.g. no RCS support, etc) so that's also additional downsides. With physical sim, this was very easy, but now with esim, it's so much harder as it sound like..
What is involved in doing so? I am little confused as Android and IPhone does seem to allow moving esim for the first time (e.g. get a new phone and move the sim), but not going back and forth over again?
4GLTE and 5G are all VOIPS. VoLTE and Vo5G to be specific uses a VOIP protocol. Since Apple switched to esim only they made it harder to switch. There is no specific esim transfer protocol right now which is why it's a pain in the bottom. You have to call in to switch esims right now.
Thank you all for reply. I would like one clarification:
Many Android phones have also been able to use esims. Is this esim issue or IPhone / Android issue? I thought this was mostly issues with esim, and not devices OS issue (e.g. Android vs. IPhone). Would I be able to switch between different Android phones back and forth with esims?
The only option I have in my Pixel 8 is to add or erase a Esim. You would probably need to call Tmobile.
Looking at this article it's only available for the iPhone.
https://www.t-mobile.com/support/tutorials/topic/esim/transferring-an-esim-using-quick-start/device
It's a esim issue. GSMA doesn't have a standard on how it is transferred. So OEMs for the most part just have it transferable to their own devices. Much like RCS the GSMA could have had this whole ordeal fixed years ago by setting standards for be called LTE or 5G like they've done with 2G, and 3G.
gramps28 wrote:
The only option I have in my Pixel 8 is to add or erase a Esim. You would probably need to call Tmobile.
Looking at this article it's only available for the iPhone.
https://www.t-mobile.com/support/tutorials/topic/esim/transferring-an-esim-using-quick-start/device
With Samsung devices, the option to transfer your eSIM appears when you have two phones connected via USB-C and are using SmartSwitch to transfer to another device. Personally, moving data between different Ssung devices causes issues due to software and app incpmpatinilities.
If the OP is willing to use two Android devices. Why not just use a pSIM instead of an eSIM and save the hassle?
