[cmelbye]

Have you tried eSIM? It’s dependent on carrier, of course, but it’s actually an incredible UX.

My partner lost his phone (and SIM) recently and I was able to transfer his T-Mobile line to a different iPhone in a few minutes using eSIM. It was totally automated using the T-Mobile website — enter the IMEI then scan a QR code with iPhone camera.

I saved a trip to the store to get a new SIM card and didn’t have to talk to a human.

[mr_toad]

What sort of security is there? How do they prevent anyone from registering your number to a new phone?

[cmelbye]

The usual: My account password, two factor auth, account security PIN. Additionally, an SMS is sent to the number that’s being transferred giving a chance to block (with a timeout to auto-approve if the device is lost).

I haven’t explored it but I would assume there is also an optional “high security mode” lock — something like requiring account changes to happen in-store with physical ID.

[ulfw]

How is having to type into an app your account password, do two factor auth, type account security PIN a better UX then pulling out a physical SIM and putting it into another phone?

[jonathantf2]

More secure at least, if my phone is lost or stolen they can't just take the SIM out and rack up international charges on my account, etc.

[cmelbye]

Because I didn't have a physical SIM. The phone was lost.