Lost iPhone - options for eSIM?

[Pvkom26]

So, I lost my iPhone somewhere on my trip to Montreal - four hours before the flight back, to Vancouver.

Thankfully, the person who found it was able to contact me and plans to ship it to me sometime next week. 

My sister offered me her old iPhone to use for the time being. I wonder if it’s possible to get my eSIM on it, temporarily, until my own phone arrives in mail? I know new eSIMs are supposed to be $5 with Public, but maybe there are exceptions in cases of lost phones? I wouldn’t want to pay anything because the wait is really not going to be all that long. 

Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks a lot

[softech]

@Pvkom26 

don't delete the esim on the temporary phone yet, you need that to make login to My Account on the original phone easier.  And once the newer esim is activated, the old one will be voided 

So, once you got back the original phone, delete that esim from there (that one would have been voided anyway as the esim on the temporary phone took over) 

Then login the app on your original phone (you will get the 2FA on the temporary phone), and buy another esim again

All should be free.  if the app charges you, pay first and ask PM support for reimbursement

[Pvkom26]

Wow, thats great to hear, thank you for your reply!

What do I do when I get my own phone back from Montreal? Do I delete the eSIM on my temporary phone, and perform the exact same steps you described on my iPhone? All of this would still be free, right?

Also, while I’m glad to hear that eSIMs can be free in some cases, I’m wondering when do we actually need to pay $5 for them? Only when we want to purchase new phone number?

[softech · Accepted solution]

@Pvkom26 

eSIM cannot be moved.  BUT Luckily, you can get a replacement for FREE

To rebuy new eSIM for FREE, first, download the app on your new phone.  Click Account from the bottom, then click Purchase SIM Card and select eSIM. 

Once it confirms your phone is eSIM compatible, click Pay $  and Install (the system will check and apply a $5 credit to bring the total price back to $0 at checkout), and follow the prompt to complete and purchase and install eSIM on your device
(in rare case that PM charges you for the replacement esim, you can submit a ticket with PM support and ask them for reimbursement)

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/get-help/articles/get-a-sim-card

Existing eSIM users at Public Mobile who need a replacement can do so at no extra cost. When you request a new eSIM through the usual process, we automatically identify you as an existing eSIM user and waive the replacement fee. See below for steps on how to get your new eSIM.