eSIM Quick Transfer

[UKenGB]

eSIM Quick Transfer is a Bluetooth transfer of the eSIM between adjacent iPhones, is almost instantaneous and requires no intervention from the carrier (i.e. Three).

I have 2 iPhones and I want to be able to use either one (NOT simultaneously). Quick Transfer makes this possible, but I have so far been unable to determine if Three support this and if they do not, why on earth not as this is an extremely useful process.

People change their iPhone frequently and this makes that process really simple. I don't change phones, but I do have 2 iPhones (different sizes) and I want to be able to simply pick which one I want to use, at any time. This can be done with eSIM Quick Transfer. Anyone had any luck finding out if Three support this process.

I have to point out that EE do.

[UKenGB]

Having updated to iOS 18, there was an option on my 13 Mini to convert to an eSIM. This was not showing previously, just a note saying it wasn't supported by the carrier (Three). Encouraged by that I followed it through and I was soon operating on an eSIM. In the next few days I'll try Quick Transfer to the XS and see how that goes, but all signs are good that it will work perfectly.

I did 'chat' to Three though to confirm requirements for the transfer process. It occurred to me that it may require a real cellular connection at the time of transfer and we have virtually zero signal here. Not normally a bother as I have ensured a very good Internet connection (FTTP) and WiFi, so 'WiFi Calling' provides perfect calls. However, would that suffice for the eSIM transfer process.

It was confirmed to me that a cellular connection is NOT required and it would work perfectly with just WiFi, as it then did.

I suspect that the transfer process simply requires an Internet connection which could be either cellular or WiFi, whatever's available at the time. Anyway, seems like it's not a problem for me - or anyone else in a similar situation with WiFi but no cellular signal.

[JonathanB]

Hi @UKenGB,

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@UKenGB wrote:

I suspect that the transfer process simply requires an Internet connection which could be either cellular or WiFi, whatever's available at the time. Anyway, seems like it's not a problem for me - or anyone else in a similar situation with WiFi but no cellular signal.

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Spot on, you just need a stable Internet connection, it doesn't need to be done over Three data. One point to note is that you can't do the transfer by hotspotting the new phone to the old one, as the connection will cut when the old phone's SIM deactivates, and so the new one won't have a connection to complete the process.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[UKenGB]

Good point. My only use would be at home with good WiFi and Internet connection, so fine for me. 😀

[JonathanB · Accepted solution]

Hi @UKenGB,

I've had a check into this and the eSIM quick transfer option is supported on Three for devices with iOS 18 installed, in terms of device requirements this should work with the XS and any more recent iPhone devices.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[UKenGB]

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@JonathanB wrote:

Hi @UKenGB,

I've had a check into this and the eSIM quick transfer option is supported on Three for devices with iOS 18 installed, in terms of device requirements this should work with the XS and any more recent iPhone devices.

Thanks,
Jonathan

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That's great news. Not on iOS 18 yet, but will be soon so this is very encouraging as my iPhones are an XS Max and a 13 Mini, so should be good.

What is the change with iOS 18 though. Why (and how) are Three only supporting Quick Transfer for iOS 18?

[equitydealer]

I can confirm that eSIM transfer works, just went through the process with my new iPhone. Straightforward and quick. 

[MZone]

Only EE and O2 currently support this feature. See here for a list of what eSIM features are supported on what networks. 

[UKenGB]

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@MZone wrote:

Only EE and O2 currently support this feature.…

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So that just leaves Three and Vodafone who don't support it and since they're about to merge, that would make the largest operator the most backward of them all.

Let's hope it really does change with iOS 18.

[UKenGB]

I currently just have a physical SIM, but with protective covers on both iPhones, it makes swapping the SIM a huge pain. Instant transfer of an eSIM is the perfect solution. Why do all carriers not automatically provide this? Baffles me. It's like they always want to offer an actually poorer service than they could. 😕

It is making me want to move to EE, but I just started a new 24 month contract with Three and ending it early is horrifically expensive. Maybe if Three do merge with Vodafone the combined operation will try and provide the best they can. I'm not holding my breath though.