Has anyone used a local data SIM with the eSIM simultaneously?

That is. you have eSIM for your domestic network, then you travel overseas -- which should be more likely in the near future -- and you buy a local prepaid SIM for mobile data.

My understanding is that iOS allows dual SIM mode so you would be able to receive calls on either number, the eSIM or the nanoSIM.

But you'd only have data access from one of them at a time.

Is the switching automatic or will you have to explicitly toggle the cellular data?

OK, currently have a T-Mobile eSIM on my 12 Pro Max, iOS 14.5.1. Under Settings->Cellular, I see a master Cellular Data toggle and then T-Mobile with the "Turn on This Line" toggle. Then in the next section, I see Add Cellular Plan, which when tapped offers to scan a QR code. Isn't that only for adding eSIM and I already have an eSIM provisioned.

When I tap Enter Details Manually (in Settings -> Cellular -> Add Cellular Plan -> Enter Details Manually, it shows Enter Activation Code with fields for SM-DP+ Address, Activation Code, Confirmation Code (Optional, but required if provided by your carrier).

Presumably if I insert a physical nano SIM, it would get added to the section below the T-Mobile SIM.

But how would I make sure it's using the mobile data from the nano SIM while still being able to roam for voice and SMS with the T-mobile eSIM?

Because obviously would prefer to use the T-Mobile number setup for FAceTime, iMessage, WhatsApp, Viber, etc.

OK this page covers some of the UI for managing dual SIMs:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209044

Still would like to know about adding a physical SIM and how that would appear. It shows some screens which may only show up once there is an active eSIM and a physical nanoSIM. You can have more than one eSIM configured but only one will be active at a time so dual SIM always means one active eSIM and a nanoSIM.

You will be able to associate things like whether the Personal Hot Spot uses your primary or secondary number, tied to the eSIM or nanoSIM, depending on how you label them.

I would just be happy for instanced if I can toggle the T-Mobile eSIM on and off and the changes are instant, so that if there are any problems in dual SIM mode, I can just toggle the eSIM on and off as needed.

Otherwise I normally use the nanoSIM for prepaid mobile data on my iPad, which is more useful to serve as the hotspot while maintaining my roaming US account on the iPhone. But in this case, the iPhone 12 has a 5G radio and there are actually 5G prepaid offers in some countries.

My experience is that the esim/nano sim works the same overseas as it does in the US. The selected data sim is the hotspot service and the Voice line is just that. If in the Cellular Data setting you have Allow Data Switching, that can occur also. The instant you switch or turn off either line, it happens.

Either line service will function exactly the same depending upon where you place it. You do not need to "Add Cellular Plan" to gain service from a physical sim card. Merely place in in your phone and it will register the network then connect.

To be even more confusing, there is a great feature that allows your Voice line to use your Data line as a simulated WiFi network. This permits toll free calls to and from the US for instance on T-Mobile while roaming internationally for WiFi calling. This is known as IMS, or Internet Protocol Multimedia Voice Service. and works well. You can accomplish the same thing by having a hotspot and enabling WiFi calling with cellular turned off. The advantage is you can do it all on one device. There is a specific setup required though.

You seem to have more questions, but this might help somewhat. If you can be specific perhaps I can clarify the system somewhat.

Thanks, I think the description of what happens if you insert the nanoSIM was the missing piece.

I guess another option would be to install another eSIM and toggle between that and my T-Mobile.

Actually for one trip I'm planning in September, I would cross from Switzerland to the Chamonix area where they may or may not have shops selling physical SIM cards. AT least not through a carrier store.

And I don't think Swiss SIM cards will roam in neighboring France.

So I was looking at getting a French SIM sold on Amazon. But it would be cool if I could get an eSIM for France.

I used Google Fi’s eSIM simultaneously with a (“local”) physical SIM.

the physical is for use across Europe where all roaming is considered locall. eSIM used for Rest of World.


absolutely no issues in using them simultaneously or switching them or preferentially using one for voice and another for data

Another Amazon consideration for European roaming service are the "3" UK network sim cards. They can be had with 12 Gb of data and voice service good for 30 days for around $20-$25 usually. It gives you a European number also which can be handy for calling hotels, cabs, etc. locally. The data service will permit the IMS procedure to give free USA calling also. You can set it up for testing prior to departure from the US, so no hunting for shops, language or exchange issues.

Why wouldn't CH SIMs roam in FR?

Either you have to add an expensive roaming package or pay high per MB rates.

Or it has low roaming caps.

50 frängli for unlimited European data roaming for 30 days

"The top 10 revenue-generating smartphones in the first quarter of 2021 were from Apple and Samsung."

https://www.gizchina.com/2021/05/23/...ei-has-a-spot/

The SE 2020 is selling pretty well.

Apart from the Huawei :)

The article indicates the 10 phones account for 46% of the revenue and 21% of units for the quarter. Lots of units in the sub $400 category.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a26a6aa11.jpeg


https://www.phonearena.com/news/best...-2021_id132273

Cross-referencing, no Huaweiin the top 10 phones by shipment volume... (Xiaomi jumped onto the list tho).

Looks like Huawei was making a pretty penny on their P40 lineup without moving as high a # of units.

And the iPhone mini being a ‘disappointment’ with those profit figures... Any manufacturer except Apple would love that. Though, interesting that both it and the iPhone SE both dropped off the volume list.

Did Apple try to retain production capacity/components for its highest margin phones and related service plans, with that meaning restrained production volumes for the lower margin iPhones that were on that list? I have liked the SE option even as my primary iPhones are not that; with the SE option, I've saved money not only on the phones but also on skipping the AppleCare+ stuff.

AA employees to get iPads and iPhones. Some of them will be 5G, meaning iPhone 12.

5G iPads would be $1000-1500 devices, but so maybe those would only be for pilots?

https://viewfromthewing.com/american...nes-and-ipads/

Apparently DL has given all flight attendants iPhone 12s.

https://viewfromthewing.com/american...nes-and-ipads/

I want to get spouse the new iPhone 13 for birthday. Full pay, no trade, no upgrade discounts for this purchase. When I go to check out at Apple.com I can choose ATT (our provider) or no provider. If I select ATT, it asks for wireless number and last four of social. I tried entering my own to see what would happen and it sent a passcode to my phone. I don’t want to do this and spouse get the alert. But entering ATT info does get me a $30 discount (activation for existing customer discount). Hoping one of you guys might know a workaround. Bc these don’t use physical SIMs I’m not sure how I’d do this any other way.

As an aside, if I get a fully paid ATT iPhone, I can unlock after the first month or whatever, right?

You can request the unlock on the AT&T site at any time. I have never ordered a surprise new phone so I cannot answer about the text message.

If you get an unlocked phone, by fully paying the price up front, you should be able to put in a SIM or even get the carrier to provision an eSIM with the existing number.

Yeah I don't know if buying through AT&T can avoid those notifications. Maybe there are account settings to disable or block those.

But if your'e willing to pay the full price up front, then no reason to buy through AT&T unless your local stores have them in stock while nearest Apple stores may not.


I moved from iPhone 12 to 13 Pro Max. I had a T-Mobile eSIM. When I set up my new phone, I transferred all the data and settings from the old to the new iPhone through short-range wireless transfer. As part of this transfer process, the new iPhone detected the eSIM in the old iPhone and asked if I wanted to transfer it. I tapped yes and it just happened.

Got an email from T-Mobile saying my account had been transferred from IMSI number x to IMSI number y.

I was actually going to buy it from Apple.com for pickup bc want to use PayPal on my Freedom for 5x. That’s the website that sends the damn alert and you have to get the alert to put in a passcode. If I get no provider then it’s $30 more. I think I may just have to sneak off with spouse’s phone at 2AM or something. To save the $30. Lol. Good to know about the transfer of data. The existing phone is an 8 so this is a multilevel upgrade! Not sure if that one can transfer the info like the 12.

If I can’t manage to abscond with the phone to intercept the alert, then I’ll just get the unlocked one and suck up the $30. Even buying from ATt directly adds the $30.

I could be wrong on this, but I think carrier version is $30 cheaper on Apple.com because you will still have to pay a $30 activation fee to the carrier later. If you buy the non-carrier one, you can just move the sim card over from the old phone to the new one without even telling AT&T that you switched phone. I used to do this all the time when the phone got wet and had to into a bag of rice LOL. Switch sim to backup phone.

All the iPhones on apple.com are unlocked if you pay in full and not using the carrier finance plan. The only difference is that the carrier version will either come with e-sim or a SIM card that is registered to your carrier. That's why they asked for your phone number.

Ah! So it’s $30 no matter how you slice it. Of course. I think I’ll just get the unlocked and be done with it. What does that $30 even pay for then?! Literally nothing. Thanks for the info. Helps.

Or you could get the AT&T version and do it at 2am and delete the TXT on her old phone! There is a chance that you don't have to pay the $30 activation fee than you will save $30. The phone will be unlocked either way. And technically speaking if you buy the no-carrier phone, you have to pay the sales tax on the $30 too. So even if AT&T charge you $30 activation fee, you will still save up to $3 on sales tax LOL.

The lunacy that I’m stressing over $30 when the phone itself is $1099 does not escape me. Though in my defense, that’s a birthday dessert. :D

Unless you have a AT&T FAN discount which waves the activation fee, buy the carrier unlocked version. My FAN waves the activation fee for each line and discounts each line $10 per month.

Ah! We do have a FAN discount. But even when logged into ATT, it acts like it’s going to charge me to activate. But thanks for that tip! I can chat them and see what they say.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/20/t...ades-cost.html

Oh which investments are going to average 10% a year for 30 years?

SPX... depends if you want CAGR over a period, or annual mean, geometric annual mean, etc.... also generous if talking net-of-taxes if its IRA

I believe the activation fee is listed and then credited on the bill since it is due at checkout.

Does anyone have any ideas why an iPhone 14 would refuse to charge from (or even acknowledge the presence of) an iPhone 5 vintage Belkin charger and lightning cable?

There is no unsupported accessory warning or any acknowledgement something has been plugged in, however the combination still happily charges any other device I plugged into it.

Most of my Lightning accessories date from my iPhone 5c, so I am a little unsettled that a name brand charger and cable (bought at Staples, in-person) would not work.

2022SE us the sweet spot, pricewise, And still has a Home button.

Do you want face recognition? Yes then iPhone 15. If no, then the iPhone SE 2022. Apple has released a new SE every other year in March or April. I would wait another month. I buy the most current iPhone for the cellular bands supported.

I think the iPhone 13 line is a good general phone for many folks. It still has a sim card, supports esim and has dual sim, dual standby. That feature allows 2 sims to be active, and expands options, especially for travel. Prices are decent and there are several models & memory sizes to choose from. Used, unlocked, good condition i13's start at $400 on Swappa and should provide most features of current models.