eSIM technology may aim to replace the humble SIM card, but there are still a few situations where a physical SIM card can just be a lot more practical - like if you want to swap to a new phone. Thanks to new functionality in the My Telstra app, Telstra customers are now able to almost instantly transfer their eSIM from one device to another.
For those not familiar with the term, eSIM - an electronic SIM or embedded SIM - is a rewritable SIM card that’s built into a cellular device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. There's no need to pop open a slot or pry off a case to put in a SIM; an eSIM never leaves your phone.
However, since an eSIM is purely digital, you can't simply just remove it from one phone and put it into another as you would with a traditional SIM card. To add an eSIM to your phone, you'll typically scan a QR code - but these tend to be one-use only. As such, you essentially need a new QR code whenever you want to move your SIM to a different device.
In the case of Telstra, you either need to go in-store to get a new QR code, or request to have one snail-mailed to you.
To address this, Telstra has built new functionality into its My Telstra app. Using the app, you can move your eSIM from plan from your current device to any other eSIM compatible device you own - even an iPad. Telstra is calling this tech a world first.
This feature is only available to existing Telstra customer. Existing Telstra customers without an eSIM can now also use the app to request a swap to an eSIM. However, if you're a new customer, you'll still need to visit a Telstra store or have a QR code mailed to you by post as with a traditional SIM card.
At this stage, Vodafone is the only telco that will issue eSIM QR codes online. Optus also requires customers to go into a brick-and-mortar store or have the QR code mailed to them. We're hoping both Telstra and Optus follow Vodafone's lead, cause after all, it's a bit dumb having to go into a physical store to get a digital SIM.
Alex Choros
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