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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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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

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