TELE2 resumed issuing eSIM cards in Moscow, which I took advantage of. Connected eSIM to iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Impressions below.
Updated: here is my review and impressions of the eSIM operator MegaFon.
Where do you connect eSIM and what you need to know
Today you can only get an eSIM in Russia from Tele2; there are no alternatives. This can be done by both current subscribers and new ones, although in some small salons you may be assured otherwise (I was initially told that they do not connect new ones).
Just come to, say, a point on the street. Tverskaya, 17. Everything takes about 10 minutes.
a passport and a smartphone that supports eSIM
with you Among iPhones, these are iPhone XR, Xs/Xs Max and absolutely all iPhone 11 models. Topic: How to connect and configure eSIM on iPhone
The iPhone recognizes the QR code much earlier than the camera shows it.
So yes, there will be such a mess in the frame during setup, this is the norm. eSIM is activated from a smartphone using a QR code, which is issued in the salon. The code must be photographed in the Settings -> Cellular -> Add cellular tariff menu. Next, choose what the new card will be considered - main or additional.
After activating the eSIM, it is better to restart your iPhone (turn it off and on). Both SIM cards fell off on my iPhone 11 until I rebooted. Then everything was OK.
How to set up eSIM on iPhone
Since eSIM is a special module inside the iPhone on which your tariff data is recorded, you do not physically need to obtain an electronic SIM card. But you need to submit an application for registration. This can usually be done through your carrier's app. I will explain how I set up eSIM for myself, using SberMobile as an example:
- Open your carrier's app on iPhone;
- In the list of operator services, select eSIM design;
You can apply for an eSIM remotely, but to activate it you will have to visit a mobile phone store
- Select a tariff plan and download an eSIM profile;
- After that, in the iOS settings, select the new number as an additional number
After adding an eSIM to your iPhone, you need to determine the role of the new phone number. For example, one can be called Work , and the second - Personal , or simply Primary and Secondary, as they are designated by default. These designations are used when you need to select a phone number for calls, SMS and data transfers.
You will be asked to select a default number, as well as immediately limit or grant access to cellular data
However, full operation of the virtual number is not guaranteed. Many operators require that after registration you visit the mobile phone store with your passport and confirm your identity. In my case, it was enough to go to the nearest Sberbank branch. It’s a pity that you can’t confirm your identity through State Services, although it would be both progressive and simply convenient.
If desired, you can set certain restrictions for eSIM. For example, if you want to use the second number only for SMS or limit Internet access for it. To do this, open “Settings” - “Cellular data” - “Cellular data” (yes, these items are called the same). Also, if you open one of the tariffs, you can turn it off completely, limit access to LTE, activate data roaming and gain access to other features, just like on a regular SIM card.
You can enable both numbers, disable one or limit the Internet
only transmit data over one cellular network at a time . That is, you won’t be able to call using two SIM cards at the same time.
What advantages have I found so far?
1. eSIM card - almost like a real one. There are no restrictions on functionality compared to a “physical” card: I receive SMS, messages from banks, calls without restrictions to both numbers.
It even turns out futuristic: there is no SIM card, but it is there. I’m generally silent about the fact that you can carry one iPhone instead of two.
Any of the cards can be turned off directly in Settings; no reboot is required.
Remember that once your eSIM is activated, your regular card will no longer work. You also cannot transfer the eSIM to another smartphone yourself. You need to go to the salon, get a new “plate,” register to disconnect the eSIM, then connect it again and receive a new QR code.
2. iOS gives wide access to SIM card settings. Separate signal strength bars, complete network settings menus for each SIM card, a button to select the active number before making a call - everything you need is there.
Apple's principle of deciding for the user is not involved here at all, and rightly so. The access point and MMS settings (remember these) were registered on the eSIM automatically.
You can separately select which SIM card you use for mobile Internet, and which SIM card you use to make calls and send SMS. Also, separate traffic consumption statistics are saved for each card. In general, everything is in perfect order here.
Selecting a number for cellular data transfer
To connect to the Internet, you cannot use two numbers at once, so you should select one in the settings:
- Go to “Settings” of your flagship.
- Go to the Cellular menu.
- Select Cellular Data.
Select the tariff that will be used to connect to the Internet and transfer cellular data. You can also set the slider next to Toggle Cellular Data to active so that when you make a voice call with an eSIM that is used only for conversations, the network connection option is turned on. In this case, you will be connected to the Internet during voice calls, and will be able to receive incoming messages or calls over the network. If “Cellular Data Switching” is deactivated, then when using an eSIM that is selected for voice communication, the Internet connection will be disabled.
There are downsides, and the first one is quite unpleasant
1. TELE2 in Moscow is bad . I won’t speak for the regions, but in Moscow Tele2 (IMHO) has the saddest coverage. On Tverskaya Street, with full LTE reception from MegaFon, Yota and MTS, Tele2 shows one or two “sticks” on the iPhone. Internet speed is also not great, I have not yet seen more than 30 megabits on the iPhone 11 Pro Max, often less.
The situation in the metro is especially sad. I stopped connecting to the car Wi-Fi from MaximaTelecom, because LTE or at least 3G is good there on the Big Three, including between stations.
Tele2 shows a zero signal .
Today in Russia no one connects eSIM, except TELE2. Therefore, the problems of their network have to be felt by everyone who adds a virtual SIM card to their iPhone.
If you live in the capital, you can choose Tele2 as an eSIM only for the sake of testing the technology itself - without hoping that it will help out when the main operator fails with signal reception.
2. Automatic Internet switching between SIM cards works sadly . The iPhone has a function: if one of the SIM cards stops “catching” the mobile Internet well, then the second one is automatically connected.
But this happens with a decent delay: the iPhone waits for half a minute for a miracle from the first SIM card, then thinks for about five seconds (you can see from the chaos of the “sticks” in the status bar when iOS switches to the second SIM), and only then begins to pull the Internet from second SIM card.
You can manually change the SIM card for mobile data, but this requires at least five taps on the iPhone and the same amount to change the card back. The switching itself is also not instantaneous. So you won’t be able to quickly jump from one Internet to another.
How to Switch Between Regular SIM and eSIM on iPhone
You can switch phone numbers before making a call. To do this, click on the name of the current tariff (most often “Basic”) and select eSIM. The same thing works with iMessage.
By default, iPhone uses the number you last . If you want to set up calls for a specific subscriber from one number, select a contact and click “Preferred cellular plan”. Then select the number you want to use to contact this contact.
Switching between SIM cards on iPhone is made as intuitive as possible
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How is eSIM different from Apple SIM?
We can say that eSIM is an improved version of Apple Sim. When Apple introduced the iPad Air 2, it talked about Apple Sim, which looks like a regular SIM card, but you can change the operator on it. Such a SIM card can be moved from device to device, just like with a regular SIM card. Then Apple made life easier for users and made the card already built-in. This is how eSIM was born. Therefore, the main difference is that Apple SIM is a plastic card, eSIM is a module on a board.
We install the first SIM card in the tray
The simplest and most logical solution. My inner cap is happy.
On the one hand, a physical SIM card is easiest to remove and install, but on the other hand, you need to look for a paperclip to do this. And lovers of cases will not be delighted with the need to frequently change the SIM card.
Hence the conclusion - you need to install the most used SIM card in the tray, which you will rarely change.
Which SIM card to install: it is most logical to install a number for calls or the Internet as the main physical SIM card.
Of course, there will be no restrictions for this card.
We configure the second SIM card via eSIM
As if on cue, domestic operators began offering the eSIM connection service. Megafon was the first to respond, then Beeline got the feature working, and a little later we noticed that you can activate the service from home.
While other operators are preparing their response, you can already find a favorable tariff and connect it to your built-in SIM card in order to activate it if necessary.
You can collect several different tariffs from different operators via eSim, but only one selected will be online.
eSim support appeared in Apple smartphones starting with the iPhone XS and iPhone XR models.
As an alternative, you can use a second physical SIM card on dual-SIM iPhones from China.
Which SIM card to install: if the main SIM card is for calls, here we connect a tariff with favorable Internet and vice versa. eSim has no restrictions compared to the physical one, will be available constantly and allows you to receive any operator services.
You can, for example, divide personal and work calls between the eSim and the physical card. Even on eSim, many people create a second number for secret affairs, you know.
Only the developers of some instant messengers are slow in this matter. Telegram easily allows you to connect several accounts even on a device without a single SIM card, WhatsApp offers a second application for another account, but Viber still lives in the world of single-SIM smartphones.
We configure the fourth SIM card through a Chinese gadget
We will connect the latest SIM card in the most exotic way. To do this, we will use one of the outlandish gadgets from AliExpress.
This could be a keychain, a special panel, a case, or even a PowerBank with a SIM card slot. The device communicates with the smartphone via Bluetooth, and calls are made through a special application.
Essentially, such gadgets are a phone without buttons and a screen; their role is played by the iPhone and a special program on it. I have been testing similar accessories for a long time. The device has certain shortcomings, but it will definitely find its buyer.
The device must be worn close to the smartphone. This allows you to get either an additional number for calls (in the case of a key fob or case) or a number for Internet distribution (in the case of PowerBank).
Which SIM card to install: depending on the chosen item, we will get + 1 number or mobile Internet with distribution on the iPhone. Such gadgets are convenient to use with SIM cards from foreign operators when traveling. You insert the card into your device and you don’t need to look for a paperclip, disconnect the main SIM card and try not to lose it while traveling.
What you will need
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later with iOS 12.1 or later.
- Mobile operator that supports eSIM cards
To use dual carrier services, your iPhone must not be locked to a carrier. Otherwise, both tariff plans must be from the same operator. If your first SIM card is provided by a CDMA network operator, the second SIM card will not support that network. For more information, contact your operator.
If you have a corporate cellular plan, check with your company administrator to see if this feature is supported.
