T-Mobile Will Let You Activate Your iPhone’s New eSIM with Just a Few Taps

T Mobile Iphone X Credit: 9to5Mac
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T-Mobile is apparently going to make it extremely easy for customers to add a second line to their dual SIM-equipped iPhones.

The Uncarrier gave PCMag a sneak peek at its own so-called eSIM app for iOS. The app will seemingly let T-Mobile subscribers sign up for and add a prepaid T-Mobile line to their devices without needing to step foot in a carrier store or wait for a physical SIM card in the mail.

How Does It Work?

  1. Users will apparently open the app and enter their T-Mobile account information.
  2. The eSIM app will then check the user’s device for dual SIM compatibility.
  3. Presumably, it’ll then walk the user through any additional steps before adding a secondary cellular line and phone number to an iPhone’s eSIM.

It’s worth noting that the eSIM app seems limited to prepaid plans. T-Mobile subscribers will still need to go to a carrier store or get a physical SIM card for primary cellular lines or to sign up for family plans.

621421 T Mobile S Esim App For Iphones
PC Mag

According to PC Mag, “the thinking seems to be that (eSIM) will be used for inbound roaming and secondary lines.”

But, as the publication notes, the entire process is a lot easier than other eSIM solutions — which typically rely on in-store activations or a carrier QR code that needs to be scanned by an iPhone.

T-Mobile is reportedly deploying the app today to train employees ahead of a public rollout later in December (though it’s not clear exactly when that will be).

Dual SIM technology, in a nutshell, allows users to have two cellular lines and phone numbers on a single device — and switch between them at will. While not popular in the U.S., dual SIM functionality is a must-have feature in many parts of the world.

Apple first introduced its own dual SIM capability, Dual SIM Dual Standby, in its iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR devices. Those handsets have both a regular physical SIM card tray as well as an embedded Apple eSIM.

Earlier this week, AT&T became the first major U.S. carrier to roll out eSIM support in iOS 12.1.1. Verizon will reportedly become the second with support being added today, Dec. 7. But as of the writing of this article, Dual SIM is still listed as “coming soon.”

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