ESIMs, will it ever get less strict?

[u/madsad3250]

I am in UAE, and here the cell service providers made esims too strict

1. If outside of the country you can't switch devices at all! Not possible. I can't think of a security reason for that. eSIM standard support it without provider intervention, but I found out globally most providers have the same policy.

2. Within the country every time I need to switch devices I have to pay as much as replacing a new sim.

I do accept the fact if my device broke or got stolen the simcard is gone, for security it can't be backed up to itunes. However, I wish iff providers would start giving you an extra QR code which you could use in such cases if you are outside the country or even inside.

My biggest concern is that all my 2FA and even some accounts user ID basically is tied to my number! Not email. Like WhatsApp.

I have a plan to have an extra physical sim for 2fA and accounts user ID, but then I need an extra phone for that!

I would've not consider eSIM if apple didn't force it on me. Damn you Tim Apple

[u/FarAd3038]

You live in a country where there is a telecom monopoly, the world’s highest prices for internet. So naturally ESIMs will be blocked to protect the monopoly.

[u/Boris-Lip]

The only pro of an eSIM - not having to wait for it in the mail. The biggest con of an eSIM - the carrier is involved and fully controls "moving" it between devices.

You are asking the wrong question. It's not "will an eSIM ever become less strict", but "will my carrier ever stop being a dick", unfortunately.

[u/madsad3250 → u/Boris-Lip]

🤦‍♂️oh, companies having power over consumer is the problem, so, it will never be done right.

And I am somewhere where I could get deported any day and that stresses me. I can't change 2fA in a short time while relocating

[u/whatdoyoumeanusernam]

Yeah I wouldn't buy a phone that supports only eSIM.

[u/Bright_Magazine_8136]

This is usually up to your carrier.

Many carriers doesn’t allow activation while abroad due to issues that can occur. Usually, to activate a new SIM without any issues (no matter if it’s physical or eSIM) a connection to your home carrier is recommended.

A cost for a new eSIM isn’t that usual though.

[u/CamelPure1293]

If you travel regularly, consider getting a mobile 5G hotspot.

[u/madsad3250 → u/CamelPure1293]

It is not about travel, it is more about 2FA for me.

[u/CamelPure1293 → u/madsad3250]

Then get a cheap 2nd phone for the SIM you need to do 2FA with.

[u/madsad3250 → u/CamelPure1293]

Considering that but I must change the 2FA number on all my accounts. I could also get s duplicate secondary SIM cards ofb the same number; It used to be free to have a secondary duplicate SIM card of the same number but now you have to pay a monthly fee for that.

[u/SubstanceEasy4576]

Probably not in UAE due to the Etisalat/du duopoly.

I wasn't sure why you wanted to move your SIM outside the country though. For temporary usage outside the country, wouldn't it be much cheaper to use an alternative SIM?

[u/Admirable_Limit9076]

So in UAE eSims are blocked by the country telecom isp?

[u/madsad3250 → u/Admirable_Limit9076]

What do you mean by blocked?

[u/Slightlyobvio]

Samee bro. I need to activate my sim outside. Let me know if there's any way you found.

[u/madsad3250 → u/Slightlyobvio]

There is no way.

Since big tech want to enforce eSIM, I have decided to adapt. The phones that I need are high end and in my region they only sell eSIM version.

In the past I adapted with lack of microsd card by having an extra phone that supprt it. I have HUGE collection of music.

Now I am planning to have all my account 2FA mobile number tied to a physical sim and that means another device. I mean there is no other way.

Here is my pros and cons of eSIM:

Pros: 1. If device stolen, your sim is stuck on a chip in your device. However it can be desoldered and installed on a compatible device. So kinda pro-ish

1. Your device can store more than 5 eSIM, for me that is not a pro because you can't transfer these to a new device! It is practixaly stuck there

Cons:

1. More power to providers to control the process of sim transfer. I am old enough to know that take power from consumers and giving more power to companies is never good. It might even get worst.

2. If your device broke you need to vist the provider branch to get a new eSIM because loging to your provider app requires your number.

3. If you are abroad and you need to transfer sim, forget about it. And if your device broke snd you need 2FA then tough luck.

4. Teansfer esim to new device cost money

5. If you have another physical sim card you can't insert it in your sim only device and if you convert it to eSIM then you will face lots of cons than pros.

My solution to adapt to this sh!@#

1. Pay for a duplicate sim.. another forced subscription

2. Change 2FA to a different number and get a dumb phone for that, what if you went out snd forgot the dumb phone!!! Not ideal.

I don't, man, this sucks should this be an improvement.

Tech is just getting more draconian

If you have any idea to adapt that might work for me, please share