Android’s eSIM transfer feature is available on more smartphones. Here’s how it works

Google unveiled its new eSIM transfer technology at last year’s cell World Congress, enabling consumers to switch cell plans between devices without requiring a physical SIM card. The procedure was exclusive to Pixel devices at the time, but Mishaal Rahman reports that it is now starting to work with other devices as well, such as the Samsung Galaxy Ultra 24.

In 2018, Google declared that it would be expanding the availability of eSIM technology to additional networks worldwide. “To enable a consistent and simple experience across the ecosystem, we’re also creating a program that allows Android device makers to build eSIM-capable smartphones. We look forward to continuing our work with our partners on the potential benefits of eSIM—whether that’s getting you connected to a phone, watch, tablet, or laptop—in the future.”

The eSIM procedure is easy to follow: on your old phone, a prompt to “Transfer SIM to [insert new phone model]” will appear when your old and new phones are close to each other. When you tap next, a tiny camera viewfinder will show up on your old phone and a QR code will display on your new one. To initiate the automatic transfer of all of your data, just use the old phone to scan the QR code.

Originally included with One UI 5.1, the Samsung eSIM transfer utility was designed only for use with Galaxy handsets. The most recent One UI update (version 6.1), according to Reddit user FragmentedChicken, suggests that the Samsung transfer is now compatible with non-Galaxy devices.

As per report, eSIMs come with a number of benefits. Firstly, you won’t have to bother about buying new SIM cards in the future. Secondly, you can keep multiple profiles on a single device and quickly switch between them. Lastly, an eSIM takes up less space and is more dependable and durable than a regular SIM card.

According to Apple, eSIMs are much more secure than traditional SIM cards since, in the event that your phone is lost or stolen, they cannot be taken out and used on other devices.

The one catch is that, while eSIM transfer technology appears to be unique to T-Mobile in the US at the moment, more carriers should soon be using it. It goes without saying that when configuring a new device, each Pixel user should be asked to transfer their eSIM.