eSIM Compatibility with Public Mobile

[J_PM]

Hi Community, 

We're excited about the interest in eSIM and thought it would be helpful to share some easy tips before you begin your new eSIM journey! 

Looking to activate?
Simply download the Public Mobile App to get started. When you purchase your subscription in the app, we actually check your eSIM compatibility for you, ensuring that you get the right SIM for your device.

Checkout our latest eSIM blog post  for more information on the benefits of using eSIM. 

Not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible? 
You can easily use the IMEI checker to confirm if your device is eSIM compatible ahead of time. If you purchase your subscription through our website, the checker will be available within the activation steps. 

If you're unsure how to find your phone’s IMEI visit this help article for instructions. 

Can you find out if your phone us eSIM compatible online?

Absolutely. Most manufacturers have compatible devices noted on their support websites. Third-party sites also offer insight into which devices accept eSIM in Canada. Be sure to check your device’s specific make and model. For example, Canadian models of the Samsung S20 do not support eSIM, while other international models do.

Note: Here’s a list of common device manufacturers, with steps to access your settings to confirm eSIM compatibility. Steps may vary depending on your phone model.   

Spoiler

Samsung Devices:

1.     Open the “Settings” app.
2.     Tap “Connections.”
3.     Select “SIM card manager.”
4.     Look for the “Add Mobile plan” option. If it’s available, it indicates that your device supports eSIMs.

 IOS Devices

1.     Open the “Settings” app.
2.     Tap “Cellular.”
3.     Select “Add a New Plan.”
4.     If an option to scan a QR code appears, then your device supports eSIM.

Pixel Devices:

1.     Open the “Settings” app.
2.     Tap “Network & Internet.”
3.     Select the “+” sign next to SIMs.
4.     Check if the “Connect to Mobile network” page includes a “Download a SIM instead?” option. If it does, then your device is eSIM capable.

We’ve heard your questions about eSIM compatibility, and want you to know that we’re using your feedback to make it easier to access these tools before you activate. 

- Public Mobile Team

[Anne1102]

Just adding another comment here because unfortunately we cannot edit our original comments. There is no option on their shop page to purchase just a sim card either. So now I am forced to dispute this charge with my credit card company. This is hands down the absolute worst experience I've ever had. Literally a 0/10 experience.

[Anne1102]

I checked device compatibility prior to subscribing and got ALL GREEN check marks for eSim compatibility. Paid the subscription fee and downloaded the app to continue activation. Logged in about 3 times and then was prompted that the device I am registering is in fact NOT eSim compatible. Attempted to contact support, was prompted again to log in, and then unable to connect to their support chat. Tried on firefox and on chrome. The support chat page just does not load, ever. So my options are now to either dispute the charge with my credit card company and hopefully cancel my subscription, or purchase and wait for a physical sim card. Very unfortunate and a very poor experience with their online services page.

[KL10408]

Thank you, no sim in iPhone 15. Only eSIM option. 
I am happy to report I just heard from service, they are looking into it. My fingers are crossed it will be resolved shortly.

[Joshua57]

I have the iPhone 12promax. Suggest getting the physical sim

[KL10408]

Curious to know, what phone do you have? I am having issues with iphone15. I freaking out with no phone communication this morning. No reply yet from support team.

[arbbie]

First time with eSIM when switching over from another carrier to PM. So easy/quick to activate; not sure why I was hesitant at all. The PM app also made it easy to check compatibility and add/activate the eSIM 

[theseventenspli]

love the esim was nice to not have to pay for a new sim card!

for those having issues I agree,something needs to be done about the ticket system, once i got through went well and fixed my setup problem but was not easy and i freaked out for a bit. cs_agent pm didn’t work either but esim is so nice once set up

[Joshua57]

So far though, I’ve had no service problems and everything seems good with public, so I’m happy about that. Just wasn’t happy going into a physical store was added with urgency to things I had to do. 

[Joshua57]

Hey Lorraine, 

I went into a Telus store to fix my problem as I couldn’t be without communication for the day. Really not great that they don’t tell you the eSim transfer can go wrong, as it leaves you stranded.

lit was fixed within 10-15 once I inserted a physical sim. I couldn’t get through to the chat ticket support or whatever, and it’s ridiculous to think that I can sit with the uncertainty of not knowing when my ticket will be addressed when I don’t have my phone available for work or family matters.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Lorraine_hi 

don't cancel it yet, this is something that can be resolved, just need to work with CS agent

But whether you want to cancel or work with agent to get the eSIM working, please submit ticket with CS agent by messaging here:

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

[Lorraine_hi]

I can’t activate my account as well! iPhone 12 should be compatible with eSim. How can I cancel the account, as I am sure that they have charged me the first bill already. 

[hTideGnow]

hi @Joshua57 for SOS problem, it means the esim not setup properly on the system 

 Please submit ticket with CS agent by messaging here

https://productioncommunity.publicmobile.ca/t5/notes/composepage/note-to-user-id/22437

[georgec]

Not easily!

[Joshua57]

eSim doesn’t work. My phone is on SOS mode, unable to be used at the moment. I have a iPhone 12 Pro Max, can def use eSim. 

[maximum_gato]

@Joshua57 

Can you describe your issue....rather having to search back to find the post with the issue you are comparing yours to?

[Joshua57]

Same here, hoping it fixes overnight. Did you get it figured out?

[Jakss8w]

Recently signed up with the new plan and opted for the eSim option. 

I find the process straightforward and easy to follow. Once installed, the signal is the same as the regular sim card, with no difference in strength. 

Overall, with the lower cost point and easy setup by ourselves, I strongly support this is a positive change and am happy to adapt to this new thing.

[J_PM]

@Mo38-4-  sorry for the inconvenience. If that virtual bot is not working for you, please submit a private message to @CS_Agent  someone from the support team will be in touch shortly.  

[mkhurram4all]

Please visit the store at Walmart or any Telus store.  They should be able to help. Public Mobile runs off Telus network and its sister company. 

[Mo38-4-]

Hi! My phone has an eSIM, but when I completed the sign up it said unable to use the eSIM on the phone and to contact Public Mobile. However, the online bot does not understand and i cannot submit a ticket online as it gives me an error page. I have cleared my cache and am now stuck without any service. Is someone able to contact me please?

I have no network whatsoever. This would be my biggest regret to switch to public mobile @J_PM 

[mkhurram4all]

You can check compatibility through app

[Korth_]

---

@hTideGnow wrote:

I agree, if you do not need an eSIM, stay away.  Physical sim still is better.

---

eSIM would still be fine for most people.

Yes, eSIM has some limitations. People seem largely unaware of this. The providers (including Public Mobile) don't seem to make any special efforts to educate consumers about these limits. The simple fact is that for most people the eSIM limitations won't be an issue, or will only be an issue (an added cost) when it's time to get a new phone.

eSIM does have advantages as well. The first is convenience and availability - eSIM is definitely the better choice if you need service and can't/won't wait a week or three (or longer) for a physical SIM card to (maybe) arrive in the mail. The vast majority of consumers blindly assume that some sales rep at a cellular store/kiosk will be happy to set up their phones for them and get everything working, whatever it costs, because they can't be bothered to learn technical details for themselves.

eSIM is non-transferable. Locked to one device forever. I've described how this could be a limitation. But it could also be a desired limitation in some instances ... for control, security, assignment, auditing, etc. Real people with real use-cases can benefit from eSIMs. Again, the providers have been negligent about educating their consumers about complicated technical details they assume nobody cares about.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Mikeee 

I agree, if you do not need an eSIM, stay away.  Physical sim still is better.

[Mikeee]

so better way is still to buy physical sim for longer plan

[hTideGnow]

HI @Mikeee  almost all Canadian provider not support phone switching with esim

So, if you are using eSIM, you will need to re-buy a new one with you have a new phone

[Mikeee]

I see, so does eSim support phone switching?

[maximum_gato]

@Mikeee 

To clarify because your post sounds like you think the esim could "wipe " your phone. Rather if you choose or need to "hard reset" or factory reset your phone that will "wipe" or erase your phone of all user data including the esim.

[Sansan]

No esim around here!!

[Korth_]

I still disagree with the whole notion of charging money for eSIMs.

A physical SIM card has real costs (manufacturing, transport, etc). Getting one to each subscriber costs money. So charging enough to cover those costs is natural. Admittedly, the things cost less than $0.25 per unit when purchased bulk, maybe double that after paying for printing and packaging, maybe add the price of postage on top of that ... so a $5 price tag seems reasonable enough. And a $$ price tag seems like greedy moneygrab.

I can understand wanting to somehow track and limit eSIM distribution. Since you don't want some internet bot just grabbing a million units every day. And Public Mobile has already had experience with trespassers, opportunists profiteering off the brand, installing themselves as middlemen, sometimes installing themselves with malicious (phonejacking, identity theft) intents beyond just flipping sales. It's obvious that $0 FREE always attracts problems the business doesn't want to deal with, so a nominal cost is reasonable. Although, again, a $$ price tag seems like greedy moneygrab, especially since "delivering" and "installing" an eSIM involves nothing more costly than email.

Charging $$ for the SIM (or eSIM) you need to subscribe to phone service is like charging $$ for the ignition key you need to drive your new car off the lot.

[softech]

@Korth_ we can worry about the eSIm only phone later for now, even iPhone keeping the physical sim slot in Canada

For the cost, Canada is not giving free eSIM out.  I hope it will be changed later and we will no longer have to worry about the cost factors, but switching Physical sim is much much better and easier