The Upcoming Android Update May Feature Seamless eSIM Transfer
In the past few years, we have seen a steady trend toward portless phones, and we are finally at the point where this is a practical reality. Still, the sim card slot hasn’t changed a bit since the first models were released. As eSIMs gain popularity, physical sim card trays like these will become unnecessary. Even though the idea of eSIMs may seem fascinating, they do not come without their own problems.
One issue with eSIMs is that they are difficult to transfer over from one phone to another. This is however about to change with the Android 13 QPR Beta 2 update, which will be launching soon. Along with bug fixes, the update also introduces a new system property suggesting that Android could gain support for seamless eSIM transfers soon.
The upcoming feature was found by Mishaal Rahman, a Twitter user, who discovered a new system property called ‘euicc.seamless transfer enabled in non qs‘ in Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2. Users will be able to easily move their eSIM profile from one Android device to another with this new feature. Users may also be able to transfer the information stored on a physical SIM card from an older device to an electronic SIM profile in a newer device.
You might soon be able to transfer an eSIM profile from an old Android phone to a new phone, or convert a profile on a physical SIM card into an eSIM profile. Support for transferring profiles is being implemented in Google's SIM Manager app the LPA on Pixel and many GMS devices.
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) January 9, 2023
In addition, Rahman explains that the capability would be available in the SIM Manager software on Pixel phones and other devices that come preloaded with Google Mobile Services. At this time, however, we lack full information on its compatibility.
It’s expected that the Pixel phones from Google will allow you to switch between a traditional SIM and an eSIM, as well as transfer profiles between the two. While eSIM profile transfers will be available on devices from a variety of OEMs, the ability to convert a physical SIM to an eSIM profile may be limited to a select few models.
While the idea is great, it is yet to be seen how it is implemented. Let us know in the comments what you think of the technology, and if it would prove to be beneficial in the future.
