Apple set a precedent last year by completely removing the SIM card slot from the iPhone 14 and switching to eSIM only. eSIMs are digital SIM cards embedded in a device, which can offer many advantages over physical SIM cards, such as security and flexibility. However, this change sparked justified concern among Android users, who now feared that their favorite smartphone makers would follow suit.
As many iPhone users have painfully discovered, transferring an eSIM between devices could become a complicated process involving deactivating the eSIM profile on the old phone and reactivating it on the new phone. It became clear that although eSIM was destined to become the new standard, and virtually the only option, the process needed to be refined and many mobile operators needed to get on board.
Faced with the current difficulties, companies like Samsung and Google have started working on solutions. Samsung began rolling out its patch last month with the release of One UI 5.1, which included a SIM to eSIM transfer and conversion tool among a small subset of its devices. Google said in February that it was working on its own eSIM transfer tool, which is expected to launch widely with the public release of Android 14.
Fortunately, we are already seeing results. As reported by Android Police, based on Mishaal Rahman’s findings, Google’s promised eSIM transfer solution arrived with the launch of the Pixel 8 series. This was spotted when a user discovered the ability to transfer a existing eSIM profile from an old Pixel phone to a new Pixel 8 Pro during the initial setup process.
Additionally, the tool was found to include an option to convert a physical SIM card to eSIM. This can be very convenient, especially if you are traveling or changing carriers.
Google’s new eSIM migration tool simplifies the process by allowing users to directly transfer their eSIM profile from one Pixel phone to another, without having to contact their carrier. However, it is important to note that the tool may not work with all devices or carriers. So far, it has been reported to work between Pixel devices from T-Mobile in the US and Deutsche Telekom in Europe, although it may not work as expected every time.
Google’s eSIM transfer tool is a positive step towards making eSIM migration on Android easier and more convenient. Hopefully, the obvious next steps to expand carrier and device support will follow without delay.
