eSIM Transition from physical SIM - iPhone 15 Pro purchased in US, using in India

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eSIM Transition from physical SIM - iPhone 15 Pro purchased in US, using in India

Can anyone help regarding my port from a physical sim to an eSim?

I tried visiting the Airtel store at City Centre 1, Salt lake in West Bengal, India where they were unable to make it work. I tried it myself at home using the AirTel Thanks application with no success.

My new phone says :

"Your SIM is Not Supported The SIM in your old iPhone does not support eSIM transfer. Contact AirTel for assistance."

I have been able to successfully install an eSim from Jio which was earlier a physical sim so I can confirm the phone is not carrier locked.

iPhone 15 Pro

Posted on Jan 10, 2024 1:00 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Sourav_G_India Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 14, 2024 11:29 PM in response to mohit_malhotra

Hi Mohit,

Just an update. It is definitely an AirTel problem.

They deactivated my old sim (reported it as lost / malfunctioning) and sent a request for a new sim under the same number but this time not as a physical sim but to be set up as an eSIM. This resolved that it wasn't being transferred from a physical SIM to an eSIM active on my old phone. Now they are yet to do the same for my new phone which will work—just awaiting a call from Airtel as to when I should visit the store and get it done.

The people at the store are yet to learn such troubleshooting steps which poses a problem for us customers.

If you are in the US it would be an issue as the new SIM/eSIM issue requires KYC-based verification so you need to be present at the store. I would ask you to raise this concern with AirTel and if they don't get back, share it on social media for a speedy response. A post tagging AirTel on LinkedIn worked wonders for me. ;)

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Answer 2

Jan 10, 2024 5:35 AM in response to Sourav_G_India

Set up an eSIM

Supported iPhone models can digitally store an eSIM provided by your carrier. If your carrier supports either eSIM Carrier Activation or eSIM Quick Transfer, you can turn on your iPhone and follow the instructions to activate your eSIM during setup.

If you already completed the setup, you can do any of the following:

eSIM Carrier Activation: Some carriers can assign a new eSIM directly to your iPhone; contact your carrier to initiate this process. When you receive the “Finish Setting Up Cellular” notification, tap it. Or go to Settings > Cellular, then tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
eSIM Quick Transfer: Some carriers support transferring a phone number from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without needing to contact them (requires iOS 16 or later on both devices).
On your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone or choose a phone number. On your previous iPhone, follow the instructions to confirm the transfer.
Note: After your phone number is transferred to your new iPhone, it stops working on your previous iPhone.
Scan a QR Code provided by your carrier: Go to Settings > Cellular, tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Use QR Code. (You may need to tap Other Options first.) Position the iPhone so the QR code appears in the frame, or enter the details manually. You may be asked to enter a confirmation code provided by your carrier.
Transfer from a different smartphone: If your previous phone isn’t an Apple iPhone, contact your carrier to transfer the phone number.
Activate service through a participating carrier’s app: Go to the App Store, download the carrier’s app, and then use the app to activate cellular service.

Note: If prompted, connect your iPhone to an available Wi-Fi or cellular network. eSIM setup requires an internet connection.

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Answer 3

Jan 10, 2024 5:44 AM in response to Sourav_G_India

How to activate eSIM from Airtel? · Head over to the settings section. · Choose 'mobile data' option and then 'add data plan.' · You will see an ...

How to activate eSIM - Convert Airtel SIM to eSIM

How to activate your Airtel eSIM ; Step 1: Initiate your eSIM card request via the Airtel Thanks app ; Step 2: Verify the OTP on your registered phone number.

Esim Card Online Activation for Smartphone & Smartwatch

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

223,854 points

Jan 10, 2024 5:41 AM in response to Sourav_G_India

The only people who can help you are AirTel.

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Answer 5

Jan 10, 2024 6:01 AM in response to Sourav_G_India

Sourav_G_India wrote:

. I tried it myself at home using the AirTel Thanks application with no success.

Which step did you face an issue -->: Esim Card Online Activation for Smartphone & Smartwatch

Do you see this?

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Answer 6

Jan 10, 2024 7:21 AM in response to SravanKrA

Hi Sravan,

Thanks for the reply, yes I had gone through this step and got stuck at the next one where I am supposed to get a notification on my new phone. When I do select add esim, it says

The AirTel people mentioned the QR code way of porting has ceased as a process and I doubt that since I've seen multiple people go down that road.

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Answer 7

Jan 10, 2024 7:23 AM in response to KiltedTim

Hi Tim,

Sadly I am unable to reach to AirTel customer care and the store front guys are unable to offer me a proper resolution.

I've tried the customer care emails only to receive the automated responses.

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Answer 8

Jan 14, 2024 2:29 PM in response to Sourav_G_India

Hi Saurav - I am also going through a similar issue. Trying to get my Airtel esim transferred over from old iPhone to new iPhone sitting in USA. Airtel is no more supporting the QR code generation which I believe is the only alternative to make this happen; perhaps they expecting me to visit the Airtel store in India for this :)

Will be very grateful if someone in this community knows of how any other possible solution.

@SravanKrA - if you know of something that can help?

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eSIM Transition from physical SIM - iPhone 15 Pro purchased in US, using in India

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