Is it possible to transfer eSIM to a new phone without going instore?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Is it possible to transfer eSIM to a new phone without going instore?

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7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2969936 18-Sep-2022 23:35

henrytai:

It’s absolutely ridiculous that you have to visit a store to transfer eSIM. Telcos in NZ need to implement the Apple eSIM transfer solution ASAP.

FYI - Depending on your ecosystem, I highly recommend using iCloud Passwords for storing all your 2FA codes, it’s awesome!! I can use it on any of my Apple devices and they are safe 😄

https://support.apple.com/en-nz/guide/iphone/ipha6173c19f/ios

shiver me timbers, had no clue about this... I'll be using this now lol

Jiriteach

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#2969943 19-Sep-2022 06:32

rapidudead:
In OZ and recently changed phone but didn't realize i had to transfer esim, thought icloud will handle it which it didn't. Called spark's roaming and was told i had to visit store :( multiple calls led me to staff mentioning 'change team' can help. I'll call the roaming team again and get them to transfer me to this 'change team' and see if they can help. When I go back to NZ, I'm just gonna switch back to physical sim.

FYI, icloud doesn't back up your google 2FA codes. Don't be a fool like me and back up your codes before changing phone... I lost all my 2FA codes so gotta reset them.

Use Microsoft Authenticator - backs them up to a personal Microsoft account and easily restorable.

-- opinions expressed by me are solely my own. ie - personal

rapidudead

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2970265 19-Sep-2022 17:19

Update

I was able to get it done via twitter chat. This is how it went.

1) Messaged spark nz on twitter, asking them to help with getting new esim QR code. Mentioned I am in Oz so cannot visit store.

2) I mentioned that I can provide NZ driver license to identify myself

3) They asked for a photo of my license and a selfie while holding the license.

4) provided IMEI, device EID of my new phone.

5) Someone from spark then verified my identity and I received an email saying 'we are reserving an esim for 027xxxxx'

6) received an email with new QR and now have spark esim added to my phone.

Took like 3 hours

Linux

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#2970267 19-Sep-2022 17:37

Swapping a SIM card from one handset to another sounds much easier!

I still see no advantage to eSIM in a handset

old3eyes

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#2970549 20-Sep-2022 16:16

Linux: Swapping a SIM card from one handset to another sounds much easier!

I still see no advantage to eSIM in a handset

Agreed.

Regards,

Old3eyes

alasta

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#2970555 20-Sep-2022 16:33

I guess it's a benefit to new customers in that they can sign up online without needing to physically obtain a SIM. Obviously that doesn't apply to existing customers who already have a SIM.

Linux

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#2970579 20-Sep-2022 17:08

alasta:
I guess it's a benefit to new customers in that they can sign up online without needing to physically obtain a SIM. Obviously that doesn't apply to existing customers who already have a SIM.

I am sure the only reason for going in store is so ID check can be done

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henrytai

88 posts

Master Geek

#2970584 20-Sep-2022 17:32

I believe eSIM is the future but NZ Telcos need to catch up, especially Vodafone... 😅

For example, travellers can easily signup and download an eSIM from Optus or Airalo and you don't need to pay for a physical SIM card.

Telcos in NZ should take this opportunity so Americans with an iPhone 14 can use our network ;)

I think eSIM is a win-win for both companies and consumers IMO.

https://www.optus.com.au/prepaid/sim-plans

https://www.airalo.com/

old3eyes

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#2970655 20-Sep-2022 19:21

henrytai:
I believe eSIM is the future but NZ Telcos need to catch up, especially Vodafone... 😅

For example, travellers can easily signup and download an eSIM from Optus or Airalo and you don't need to pay for a physical SIM card.

Telcos in NZ should take this opportunity so Americans with an iPhone 14 can use our network ;)

I think eSIM is a win-win for both companies and consumers IMO.

https://www.optus.com.au/prepaid/sim-plans

https://www.airalo.com/

Unless they've changed in Ozz the last time I bought a SIM card in Ozz I had to front up with my passport as proof of identity. Most likely with an eSim you'll nedd to go in store in Ozz.

Regards,

Old3eyes

boosacnoodle

963 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2970662 20-Sep-2022 19:57

old3eyes: Unless they've changed in Ozz the last time I bought a SIM card in Ozz I had to front up with my passport as proof of identity. Most likely with an eSim you'll nedd to go in store in Ozz.

You just do it in the app.

shk292

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#2970667 20-Sep-2022 20:28

To me, the advantage of a physical SIM is that you can change it independently whenever you like. You can go on ebay and get one for the country you're travelling to, and do the swap on the plane so you hit the ground connected - or before you leave if you have a spare phone or dual SIM phone. Or if you want to try another network at home, just buy a SIM and try it in an old phone. The last thing I want to do on arrival in another country is to find a physical, open phone shop and organise a connection

eracode

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#2970714 21-Sep-2022 03:48

shk292:

To me, the advantage of a physical SIM is that you can change it independently whenever you like. You can go on ebay and get one for the country you're travelling to, and do the swap on the plane so you hit the ground connected - or before you leave if you have a spare phone or dual SIM phone. Or if you want to try another network at home, just buy a SIM and try it in an old phone. The last thing I want to do on arrival in another country is to find a physical, open phone shop and organise a connection

Surely the point is that if you put your local connection onto eSIM, the SIM tray is then empty when you want to put a foreign one in there - and you don’t have to physically store the local SIM somewhere until you get back.

We travel a lot and now that I have eSIM (as of yesterday) this will be a minor game-changer for me. Very convenient.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Tinkerisk

4235 posts

Uber Geek

#2970720 21-Sep-2022 05:21

Short answer: technically yes, I did it today (but I don‘t know your providers in NZ).

- NET: FTTH, OPNsense, 10G backbone, GWN APs, ipPBX
- SRV: 12 RU HA server cluster, 0.1 PB storage on premise
- IoT: thread, zigbee, tasmota, BidCoS, LoRa, WX suite, IR
- 3D: two 3D printers, 3D scanner, CNC router, laser cutter

shk292

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#2971046 21-Sep-2022 16:49

eracode:

Surely the point is that if you put your local connection onto eSIM, the SIM tray is then empty when you want to put a foreign one in there - and you don’t have to physically store the local SIM somewhere until you get back.

We travel a lot and now that I have eSIM (as of yesterday) this will be a minor game-changer for me. Very convenient.

So, it's like having a dual-SIM phone except that for one of the SIMs, you need to interact with carrier staff in a physical shop instead of just swapping out a physical SIM. I'm still struggling to see an advantage here, except in the case of wearables where a physical SIM is difficult to implement.

Tinkerisk

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#2971049 21-Sep-2022 16:52

shk292:

eracode:

Surely the point is that if you put your local connection onto eSIM, the SIM tray is then empty when you want to put a foreign one in there - and you don’t have to physically store the local SIM somewhere until you get back.

We travel a lot and now that I have eSIM (as of yesterday) this will be a minor game-changer for me. Very convenient.

So, it's like having a dual-SIM phone except that for one of the SIMs, you need to interact with carrier staff in a physical shop instead of just swapping out a physical SIM. I'm still struggling to see an advantage here, except in the case of wearables where a physical SIM is difficult to implement.

Right. There is no advantage except weight and space savings and a huge disadvantage not to be able to swap physical SIMs. If you transfer from a physical SIM to an eSIM by keeping your phone number, the physical SIM will be permanently deactivated. You have to be clear about that. ;-)

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