Do I need to transfer SIM card to new iPhone 13?

I would NOT use an iPhone 11 sim card in an iPhone 13. Yes, it's the same size sim, but it's not provisioned for 5G service. If you are not using the eSim in your new phone, get a new sim card from your carrier which is 5G ready.

Yes, both use nano SIMs.

This is not true. I ordered my phone from Apple. I chose AT&T and no installment plan with AT&T as I'm paying for my phone directly to Apple. My iPhone came already activated to my phone number using eSim. There really is no need to for a physical Sim card anymore. And I don't have a contract with AT&T at all as I didn't owe them anything for my previous phone.

Re: “… get a new sim card from your carrier which is 5G ready … “

Aha, a VERY good point which I’d not considered.

Thanks. 👍

Personally, I prefer eSIMs to reduce the physical theft/attack “surface” …

… but I generally try to keep it familiar, simple, and consistent here.

Exactly. They told me at the Apple Store, that for the last few months Apple has been sending iPhone 12 models without Sim cards in favor of eSim in preparation for the launch of iPhone 13. Most people are completely unaware they don't have a Sim card in their phone.

AT&T doesn't need to swap anything for eSim. eSim is already on your phone and all you have to is activate the phone to eSim. If you identified AT&T as your carrier and validated your phone number when you ordered your iPhone from Apple, it should come already activated to the eSim. Simply turning on the phone and setting it up, will activate the phone to your telephone number. If you didn't say AT&T and validate your number when you ordered your phone, you can call AT&T and have them activate the eSim in your phone from your home.

From a practical standpoint, all a carrier needs to setup OTA eSIM provisioning are the device’s technical characteristics, it’s EID, and the corresponding subscriber’s account info.

Apple apparently shares all this with the chosen carrier when you place your order. (which why they need to know the carrier and phone number when ordering)

As soon as the new phone is turned on and is “seen” by the mobile network, the carrier’s OTA provisioning system goes into action.

For some details of THAT process … for those so-inclined … the following is an interesting read:

https://www.gsma.com/esim/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/esim-whitepaper.pdf

If you use AT&T your new phone should come with a new sim card, mine did!

Re: “… It's so incredibly easy and so much nicer than having to move a sim card … It's instant and automatic …”

And exactly how eSIM OTA provisioning was conceptually planned to occur.

Makes good sense.

Glad eSIMS are going “mainstream” now. (It was an “uphill struggle” a couple of years ago when the Xs first came out)

Plus, any opportunity to AVOID dealing w/ a carrier is “good” for me. 😉

It also eliminates the risk of a “SIM Relocation” in the case of loss/theft. (The eSIM is now protected by the phone’s own security safeguards)

Thanks.

Question:

So to obtain the eSIM pre-provisioned phone …

… one simply selects the “AT&T / Verizon / T-Mobile” model vice the “Unlocked” option in Apple’s online store?

(I’ve only ever selected the “unlocked / SIM-less” option)

Chattanoogan wrote:

Thanks.

Question:

So to obtain the eSIM pre-provisioned phone …

… one simply selects the “AT&T / Verizon / T-Mobile” model vice the “Unlocked” option in Apple’s online store?

(I’ve only ever selected the “unlocked / SIM-less option)

Yes, you choose the AT&T unlocked option and confirm your phone number and the phone comes programmed to the eSim and simply turning it on activates it automatically to your phone.

If you chose unlocked/sim free, you'll just need to call AT&T and have them activate your number to the eSim in the new phone. You don't have to visit an AT&T store.

Chattanoogan wrote:

Thanks.

I’ve not been in a physical T-Mo store in years.

Just dealing w/ their “Experts” via phone or business-chat nearly exceeds my tolerance for frustration. 😖

It may be possible to activate the eSim directly on the phone without having to contact your carrier. If not, you'll have to take some deep breaths (a nice Cabernet can be helpful) and contact your carrier.