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

[hTideGnow]

HI @AdX 

what you can do, use a phone that will pass the esim check to subsribe

At end of the subscription, it will ask if you want to let the app to install the esim, decline that.  PM will send you an email with the QR code. You can then scan the QR code on your "real" phone with that esim adpater and install the esim

[AdX]

I think the auto check eSIM compatable might be good for some users, but not provide the option for the professional users like me. I prefer have more control and I noticed, PM also has option to omit the check, however, looks this feature didn't work well, I have my eSIM on the physical SIM card, ( https://esim.5ber.com/?utm_source=axairbnb&utm_medium=axairbnb&utm_campaign=axairbnb ) and cannot pass the eSIM check, I try to jump the check step, and get QR code, which I can scan the QR code to manually install the eSIM, however, this feature was failed. I finally find the walk around, but only on my another account/number after the first number fail. I wish, PM tech team which develop the PM app, can test the omit the eSIM check step, and can make it really working.

[Louis_n007]

No you don’t. As long as you check your phone compatibility then you can register before your phone arrives. I would advise to get on the deal before it expires on Jan 8. Hopefully your phone will arrive before then.’

[Joaq]

Yes, you do require to provide the IMEI, simple dial *#06# to view you IMEI.

[Sabocat]

@J_PMthanks for this! i'm waiting on a phone to arrive early in new year. i know it is eSim compatible, but do i need to know its IMEI in order to register for the boxing week special?

[Korth_]

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@AdX wrote:

I have idea, which is eSIM on nano SIM card check it out.

https://esim.5ber.com/?language=en-US&utm_source=adamxu 

this way, you can switch the phone any time. but you use the eSIM profile, and you can install multiple profile for android phone

---

That product is probably legit.

But I would never buy it. I realize that the little chip on my SIM card is just as valuable as the little chip on my bank card or my credit card. At best, a thief or hacker or jacker would only leech off my phone service or steal my phone number. At worst, they could use it to steal my identity, empty my accounts, etc.

I would never hire a middleman off the internet to "secure" and "protect" my access to my bank account or my credit card. So I would never hire a middleman off the internet to do the same for my SIM card.

But far more directly to the point: that product is useless. An adapter which lets you emulate an eSIM on a physical SIM card slot. At five times the price of a physical SIM card which could plug into the same physical SIM card slot. No matter what provider, what phone, what plan in Canada, it is bad math to buy this product. It is utter exploitation of consumer ignorance.

[AdX]

every eSIM so far need purchase, which is expensive, and the below eSIM on the physical sim, just a little expensive but permanent no 2nd purchase.

https://esim.5ber.com/?utm_source=axairbnb&utm_medium=axairbnb&utm_campaign=axairbnb

[AdX]

I have idea, which is eSIM on nano SIM card check it out.

https://esim.5ber.com/?utm_source=axairbnb&utm_medium=axairbnb&utm_campaign=axairbnb

this way, you can switch the phone any time. but you use the eSIM profile, and you can install multiple profile for android phone

[Mikeee]

try uninstall public mobile app, and reinstall again,
after reinstall and input all the necessarily information including esim number from your iphone into the public mobile app on your phone, it should be fine.

That's how I get the eSim stuff all onboarding

[hamida]

hi, i checked that my brand new iphone 12 is compatible with esim and bought it. but now the app is saying incompatible with sim! you also didn't provide any QR code to me so i can scan it from under iphone settings! what do i do now? this doesn't make sense

[Mossmyster33]

To change esims from phone to phone, at first it won’t support. Simply turn number off or delete eSIM to repurchase on new phone. Simple 

[ScottMackenzie]

Many will do the *#6# to find the IMEI number but you can’t comply from there.   Going to settings general about phone (iPhone). You’ll be able to copy

[TruckGuy]

I'm glad it's working 

[TruckGuy]

Hi yes it cannot be transfered to another device once its installed on another device 

[Korth_]

An eSIM is exactly the same little circuit that you see on a physical SIM card. Except it's not removable, it's soldered in place - "embedded" means it's built into the phone - without any need for the "bulky" mechanism (and gold-plated connectors) which are needed for a physical SIM card slot.

It cannot be transferred to another device.

(Indeed, I've seen some videos where "hackers" attempt to move a dedicated eSIM chip from device they can't unlock to a device they already have unlocked - and the attempts always fail because these cheap, cheap, cheap low-capacity low-density NVRAM parts simply cannot retain their data when subjected to soldering temperatures. It's expected in the not-far-away future that eSIMs will simply be integrated within the main SoC, effectively making this ineffective form of attack impossible.)

[Flameotter]

Once an esim is installed can it be transferred to another device? Is there a limit? I am new with esims.

thank you

[Korth_]

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@Momomomomo wrote:

Feels like esim reception is not as good as physical sim

---

Reception in terms of signal "bars", strength, power, efficiency, performance, reliability, coverage ... are exactly the same regardless which SIM form factor you use. Think of the SIM being equivalent to the ignition key for your car, you need the right key to make the thing work, but different versions of the same key are not going to make it drive any faster.

Reception in terms of consumer response ... seems generally positive. eSIMs were introduced and marketed as a commodity, the providers wanted their subscribers to perceive the new digital form factor as a prestige item, somehow vaguely "better" than the old physical form factor it supplanted. The latest-and-greatest $$$$ flagship iPhones and Galaxies all support fashionable new eSIMs alongside yucky old boring dinosaur SIM cards. So the people wanted eSIMs at Public Mobile, asked for it, begged for it, demanded it, were unhappy when it wasn't available - and were satisfied, pleased, happy, ecstatic when it arrived.

[Momomomomo]

Feels like esim reception is not as good as physical sim

[Rob_]

We requested a second attempt at port. It is working now.

[montem]

E-Sim is very easy to activate and subscribe a mobile plan, but can it be easy to transfer from one phone to another phone or does a subscribe need to purchase a new E-Sim every time they wants to switch to another phone?

[BlaineGibson]

In terms of issues with E-Sim one solution is just to purchase a new e-sim from Public Mobile. During my activation (3 Devices) all but one failed e-sim activation. Purchasing a 2nd e-sim (and requesting a credit) actually resolved both issues. 

[JaiBee]

Samsung Canada disabled SIM Manager by default on some devices. Your device may be eligible but without this feature being active, you cannot use eSims.

[ElegantTomato]

Yes, or you can pick up a SIM from various locations:
https://publicmobile.ca/en/qc/pick-up-SIM

[KokoMagnificul]

My Samsung 21Ultra5G works perfect with eSIM. 

[Jerome1958]

Can't you ask them to send you a physical SIM instead?

[Rob_]

Currently we are experiencing a similar issue with e-sim.

I've been a customer for many years along with another family member using physical sim. We didn't have any issues setting those phones up and system service has been outstanding.

Something has changed. The latest family member has gone without service for four consecutive days to this point. She needs the phone for work and being stuck without a resolution is causing some distress

[JaiBee]

Device cleared the compatibility check for esim. Phone then throws esim compatibility error on activation. I messaged Customer Service over 3 days ago with 0 correspondence. Unable to alter or cancel my transaction for a basic sim purchase.   Forced to contact my bank to dispute the charges as well. Absolutely horrible experience from Public Mobile as a provider.

[Katzengatos]

That's really great news. I just wish my phone were compatible with e-sim cards!

[mgb123]

My device was compatible with an eSIM. The IMEI number verified compatibility. However, the eSIM will not work no matter what I do due to a 6 digit code that is unattainable. Customer service is no longer responding to my ticket after providing useless suggestions. Public mobile has committed fraud by charging my credit card and not providing service. Now I am left trying to dispute the charges with the credit card company. I do not recommend public mobile to anyone. 

[Kate_1234]

I am having the exact same experience. Good luck!