Activation of eSIM on new Samsung Galaxy S25

[will2722]

Hello,

I am trying to sign up for Public with a new Galaxy S25.  Unfortunately when I turn on the phone, I can only go through the initial setup process and can't do anything else until I add a mobile plan.  Public requires I download the App first to activtate the eSIM, but I cannot do this.

Is there any other way to get my plan added to my phone?

[will2722]

Thanks!  I was able to get another sim, and then after multiple activation tries through the PM app it eventually worked.

Thanks so much for your help!

[softech]

@will2722 

just to warn ahead, I am not 100% sure if an unactivated sim can get through the setup process.  Even it can, I am not sure if the phone would be wiped when an new activated sim or esim is inserted after

I can only say the whole setup process is tested and  confirmed with the help of an activated sim, and there will not be any factory reset when another activated sim/esim is insert after

[will2722]

I didn't talk to any of their sales reps, so I don't think that's an option.  I'll see if I have some friends that can help out but in the interest of getting myself set up as soon as possible the store might be better.  

[softech]

@will2722 did you buy from Costco Kiosk and help from the sales?  Ask them to borrow you one and they should help (the got commission for selling you the phone, they owed you  🙂  )

don't spend the $10 for a sim, ask a friend for one. 

[will2722]

@softech Thanks again for your help.  I'm guessing a better option may just be to go into a store and get a physical SIM.  

Then I'll make up the $10 cost by badmouthing Samsung to my friends.  🙂

[softech]

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@Chalupa_Batman wrote:

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@will2722 wrote:

No, no option to skip. 

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Just reading that S25 has this issue where you can't skip. Apparently this video will show you how.

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@Chalupa_Batman  / @will2722 

DON'T  try that.  You can get pass the sim requirement as a hack. BUT the video does not tell you what's next

The moment you put in a carrier sim or carrier eSIM, your phone would be wiped (factory reset by default) and you are back to zero

Please follow the steps I mentioned above (get a physical sim from someone) to setup the phone first and then setup eSIM after

[will2722]

Thank you for the explanation.  This is infuriating from Samsung.  I'm not an existing PM subscriber, so somehow I need to find someone to lend me a SIM card.

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@will2722 wrote:

No, no option to skip. 

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Just reading that S25 has this issue where you can't skip. Apparently this video will show you how.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTK4gBwjiYk

[softech · Accepted solution]

@will2722  yes, this is a Samsung new phone setup policy.  You cannot setup a new phone without a proper carrier sim card.

you need to ask your friend to borrow you a sim card to setup the phone first.  Once setup, you can download the PM app and then setup the eSIM there

but are you existing PM subscriber? if  you are using physical sim now, you have to use the physical sim card to setup the phone first as said above

if you are current PM esim subscriber, then borrow a physical sim, any carrier will do, is the only way to get through it

[will2722]

No, no option to skip. 

[will2722]

I cannot get past the phone setup as it is requiring me to connect to a mobile network.

[Chalupa_Batman]

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@will2722 wrote:

Hi there, thanks for the reply.  I just bought it from my local Costco.  The issue is that when you first turn on the new phone, it prompts you to connect to WiFi (no problem) and then connect to a mobile network.  I cannot bypass this screen.  If I could, I would be able to download the app with no problem.

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Is there no option to pick mobile network later?

[will2722]

Hi there, thanks for the reply.  I just bought it from my local Costco.  The issue is that when you first turn on the new phone, it prompts you to connect to WiFi (no problem) and then connect to a mobile network.  I cannot bypass this screen.  If I could, I would be able to download the app with no problem.

[slusagm]

@will2722 

why can't you download PM app?  As long as you have your app store set to Canada, you can download PM app.  Check your app store regional settings