SIM card

[FTT]

I am thinking of getting another PM plan for my family.  What is the difference between a SIM card and E-SIM card?  Which is better? Is the process of changing providers from Kudo to PM long? (I want to keep the same number) 

[Sansan]

Hi,

The difference between the two is that one is virtual and one is physical.  I personally only use physical. 

Whether or not you can use the virtual one is dependent on your phone type, not all phones have the capability.  The other major difference is with the physical SIM,  you can always transfer it from one phone to the other. With the other, if you need a new phone or loose your phone, you swipe your phone you have to purchase a new esim each time.

The past 2 weeks I have seen many posts regarding errors and issues with people switching.  But typically it should take between 30 minutes to max 5 hours and the process "should be seemless".

Also, I find that the way things are looking only certain phones will be trouble free around here soon.

[Dunkman]

@FTT 

eSIM is the way of the future.  Some newer iPhones (in USA) only accept eSIM.  Personally, I also prefer physical SIM card, but eSIM is convenient.  Here is some additional information:

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

As for Koodo ports, it should be very quick since belong to the same  Telus company (within 0.5-1 hour).  However, if your old account is prepaid Koodo, you will need to activate with a new temporary number and contact customer service agent to manually complete the port.  Make sure to keep Koodo SIM card in phone to receive the port request text. 

[hairbag1]

@FTT 

to change from Kodo to PM, you first download the free Public Mobile app to your cell, then you start the process to create your account. During that, you'll buy your  sim or esim. You could also just get a sim from Amazon or go to nearby Mobile Klinik to buy the sim...(not esim). Once you create your PM account you can either start the port process right away OR take a new number tempoaririly. Once your account is up and running, you can then start the port process...which could take anywhere from 5 mins to an hour to be successful.  Esim or hard sim is a personal choice...I prefer hard sim in case I wanna buy a new cell I can just change it manually whereas esim you need a new one from PM (for free). Here's a link to help you with the process. BTW...don't cancel kodo account. It'll deactivate automatically when ported to PM sucessfully.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/get-help/articles/transfer-your-number

[hTideGnow]

hi @FTT 

first, both physical and esim allows you to keep your number

it is just a personal preference to choose either.  I like physical sim as it is easy to switch between phones

esim is good as you don't have to wait for the sim to ship to you (or no need to go out and buy). but it might be slightly more technical or confusing for some

if you need to physical sim, buy a Public Mobile sim card from Telus or Koodo stores ($10) in person or buy from Amazon Prime for ($5) and free 2 days shipping