Automatic conversion to eSIM when moving iPhone?

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Automatic conversion to eSIM when moving iPhone?

phrozenpenguin

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#323182 3-Nov-2025 22:51

I recently went to an iPhone 17 Pro, and as part of the migration from my previous iPhone I used the Apple tool. As part of this is asked which numbers to transfer - I only selected my 2Degrees number (I have other eSIMs for travelling). I was expecting to be asked to transfer the SIM at some stage, but I never was! It appears to have automagically converted my previous 2Degrees physical SIM card (which is still in my old phone) into an eSIM on the new iPhone! I was not expecting this, and was not sure if this was as expected or common knowledge.

I was aiming to stick with physical SIM as it gives options of putting in other phones easily, but it is very rare for me to do that, so its probably not an important change for me.

calm

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#3430625 3-Nov-2025 23:05

ooohh i only saw mention of that earlier when i was creeping around trying to work out how to set up a new 2degrees eSIM

https://www.2degrees.nz/help/mobile-help/getting-started/register-your-esim#apple-quick-transfer

hang on- it says SIM to eSIM will have to be done in store?

"Apple Quick Transfer

Quick Transfer lets you move your SIM from your old device to your new one.

If you're transferring an eSIM from a different brand of device, converting your current physical SIM to an eSIM, or switching from another mobile provider, you'll need to visit your nearest 2degrees store to complete the transfer. This process may take up to 2 hours."

Linux

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#3430631 4-Nov-2025 06:34

I did the physical SIM card to eSIM conversion on my Samsung S25+ last night and it worked with no issues at all

Settings - connections - SIM manager - selected SIM1 and then convert to eSIM and it took about 30 seconds

snj

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#3430665 4-Nov-2025 09:52

phrozenpenguin:

I recently went to an iPhone 17 Pro, and as part of the migration from my previous iPhone I used the Apple tool. As part of this is asked which numbers to transfer - I only selected my 2Degrees number (I have other eSIMs for travelling). I was expecting to be asked to transfer the SIM at some stage, but I never was! It appears to have automagically converted my previous 2Degrees physical SIM card (which is still in my old phone) into an eSIM on the new iPhone! I was not expecting this, and was not sure if this was as expected or common knowledge.

I was aiming to stick with physical SIM as it gives options of putting in other phones easily, but it is very rare for me to do that, so its probably not an important change for me.

From memory when I did it, it should give you the option to physically transfer the SIM on the prompt where it talks about moving the SIM from the old phone to the new phone and has the option for eSIM (there was a prompt or two for the conversion once you get past that stage). That said, I'm not sure how confusing the prompts might be when primarily hitting next (which sometimes new device welcomes invite you to do), also my memory is based on iOS 18, not 26 so maybe they changed the prompts again and it's easier to unintentionally transfer them.

As others have said, it's trivial to swap back to a physical SIM (they might even do it for free) but usually requires dropping into a shop next time you're near one, make sure you have sufficient ID because they're very careful about SIM hijacking these days.

All that said, the eSIMs seem to be considered a bit more secure, one of the main arguments I've seen is that since they can't be easily ejected if the device is stolen, and if you have control centre/etc requiring FaceID they can't disable mobile data/etc, it's easier to send device lock/where-is-it requests via Find My and similar services.

phrozenpenguin

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#3431037 4-Nov-2025 20:26

Thanks for the replies.

I did not get any obvious option to physically transfer the SIM card, but I've since found out that the iPhone 17 can run two eSIMs at the same time - which I will now need to do, but it isn't the issue I first thought.

shk292

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#3431119 5-Nov-2025 08:05

Now if you’re ever overseas or out of reach of a 2 degrees store and your phone fails, you’re stuffed

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#3431121 5-Nov-2025 08:20

shk292:

Now if you’re ever overseas or out of reach of a 2 degrees store and your phone fails, you’re stuffed

@shk292 I always carry a spare physical SIM card with me when going overseas

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calm

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#3431189 5-Nov-2025 11:58

shk292:

Now if you’re ever overseas or out of reach of a 2 degrees store and your phone fails, you’re stuffed

this is why i am paying close attention

Asteros

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#3431190 5-Nov-2025 12:05

Linux:

shk292:

Now if you’re ever overseas or out of reach of a 2 degrees store and your phone fails, you’re stuffed

@shk292 I always carry a spare physical SIM card with me when going overseas

Interesting, how would you use the spare physical SIM card as a backup? I would like to learn more.

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#3431327 5-Nov-2025 22:42

@Asteros You would need to contact 2degrees / carrier from overseas and request a SIM swap back to a physical SIM

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#3431337 6-Nov-2025 07:12

@shk292 not correct when you move to eSIM in the 2degrees App you get a new eSIM option ' Manage eSIM ' and it has the QR code you can scan or another option ' Activate eSIM on this device '

shk292

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#3431341 6-Nov-2025 07:32

Linux:

@shk292 not correct when you move to eSIM in the 2degrees App you get a new eSIM option ' Manage eSIM ' and it has the QR code you can scan or another option ' Activate eSIM on this device '

So, your phone has bricked itself and you want to use another one to keep in touch. How do you do this? It happened to me in January, but having a physical SIM it was a 2 minute job to swap to a spare phone

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#3431345 6-Nov-2025 07:44

@shk292 You would install the 2degrees app on the handset login select ' Manage eSIM ' then select ' Activate eSIM on this device '

shk292

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#3431350 6-Nov-2025 07:56

Linux:

@shk292 You would install the 2degrees app on the handset login select ' Manage eSIM ' then select ' Activate eSIM on this device '

Every time I've had to install a mobile network app on a new device it's wanted to send me an SMS to authenticate. So that's not going to work unless they've redesigned the app

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#3431357 6-Nov-2025 08:14

shk292:

Linux:

@shk292 You would install the 2degrees app on the handset login select ' Manage eSIM ' then select ' Activate eSIM on this device '

Every time I've had to install a mobile network app on a new device it's wanted to send me an SMS to authenticate. So that's not going to work unless they've redesigned the app

@shk292 2degrees mobile app has never required an SMS to install and login (that I can remember) - Yes data clock does

shk292

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#3431359 6-Nov-2025 08:17

Linux:

@shk292 2degrees mobile app has never required an SMS to install and login (that I can remember) - Yes data clock does

That would work then. It's been a while since I switched away from 2D due to lack of coverage at work. Thanks for the clarification