New IPhone - switch from physical sim to Esim

[PaulBDunn]

Hello folks,

My wife is getting a new IPhone 17 Pro Max which will only have an option for an Esim.  Her cuurrent phone is an IPhone 14 Pro Max with a physical sim.

Is it a 1 step process to activate the new phone and convert to an eSim?  or am I better off converting her current IPhone 14 to an Esim prior to trying to activate the new phone?

Thanks

Paul

[Ecky11]

This worked exactly as you said.  Thanks!!!

[Trev88]

The way I completed this, there is no QR or email. My screenshots were the exact steps. Once I placed the order and then chose to install, it went right to the phone quick installation. I recommend the steps I did. I don’t know how it may work if an eSIM is somehow purchased separately and now you’re wanting to install later and get the number & plan moved over. 

[slusagm]

@Trev88 do you get eSIM QR code in email? Last time I did a transfer , I didn't get one.  Just want to confirm if sending QR still part of the process 

[Trev88]

I just completed this exact scenario. It is very quick. I was done in under 2 minutes.

I had an iPhone 11 with a physical Public Mobile (PM) SIM. I bought an iPhone 17 Pro, which only allows eSIM (no physical SIM tray)

• When your new phone is all set up, open the PM app. Mine was automatically signed in, but you may need to sign into yours.
• Go to Account on the bottom
• I chose Change Your SIM Card
• Choose Get a new one here
• At the bottom choose Continue With eSIM ($5)
• Place Order
• Install eSIM Now
• I had a couple pop ups from my phone to Activate, Continue, then Done
• PM then said it was all activated and Continue 

Right after, I called our home phone from my new iPhone and it worked. My old iPhone did have a popup that LTE calls were turned off by PM, which was expected as the Physical SIM is no more.

Here are some screenshots…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[aip0401]

Public Mobile has its own way of "transferring" an eSIM, but you need to first download the Public Mobile app on your new device.  Once you've logged in, go through the process of purchasing an eSIM.  At checkout, the system will automatically recognize that you already have an eSIM and waive the cost.  Once this process is complete, the eSIM on your old device will become inactive and the one on your new device will be activated with your current number.

Source: https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/esim-faqs

[hTideGnow]

hi @PaulBDunn 

yes it will.

[PaulBDunn]

Thanks for the reply.

Will that maintain the same plan with the same phone number?

[hTideGnow · Accepted solution]

hi @PaulBDunn 

eSIM cannot be transferred.  So, there is no point to convert the physical sim on iPhone 14 to esim

so, you just need to activate the new phone first.  After it is activated, download PM app, login and go to Account to Purchase sim card and choose eSIM