What you need to know
- Android's eSIM transfer feature extends beyond Pixel devices, as a user setting up the Galaxy S24 Ultra faced the option with Samsung's SIM transfer tool.
- T-Mobile is currently the only confirmed carrier to support eSIM porting functionality in the US, but broader adoption by other carriers may be on the horizon.
- Google introduced this tool at Mobile World Congress last year, allowing users to seamlessly transfer mobile phone plans without using physical SIM cards.
Android's eSIM transfer tool, which Google first announced at MWC 2023, seems to have crept into our phones under the radar.
Mishal Rahman Robot police Reports suggest that a reader who set up the Galaxy S24 Ultra found an option to transfer his eSIM from the LG V60 ThinQ by scanning the QR code. The port also got the same popup to appear on the Pixel 8 Pro.
When Google unveiled its eSIM Transfer tool a year ago, the tech giant reported that partner carriers were starting to jump on board. While the company has kept us updated on the details and launch date, savvy users who set up Pixel 8 devices stumbled upon its real-life events as early as October last year.
It seems that the tool is now spreading its wings and becoming more available. Samsung launched its eSIM transfer feature in One UI 5.1, but the tool was initially only available for Galaxy devices. In short, this notification wasn't supposed to appear on non-Galaxy phones.
The latest news suggests that Android's eSIM transfer feature is gearing up to work with more brands and models in the future.
According to Rahman, the wider usability of Samsung's tool could be a sign of a move towards Google's eSIM transfer tool for Android. the hunt? Well, this feature appears to be exclusive to users with eSIM profiles linked to T-Mobile at the moment.
While the growing interest suggests the possibility of more airlines jumping on the bandwagon, it is still too early to say for sure.
However, if you've been dreaming of switching devices without needing a physical SIM card, you're in luck. Although we're not abandoning SIM cards for eSIMs completely right away, the shift is definitely getting closer.
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