To improve the user experience, Android will support the transfer of eSIM function

Apple removed the physical SIM card slot in the iPhone and instead uses eSIM, which has rapidly pushed eSIM adoption in many markets worldwide. Of course, eSIM usage is becoming more common in the United States, and it is foreseeable that physical SIM cards will inevitably be replaced.

Unlike Apple, the Android system needs to deal with a large number of OEMs, and each OEM’s decisions are different. It is impossible to have all OEMs simultaneously support eSIM while canceling the physical SIM card.

However, Google is also preparing to optimize Android eSIM as much as possible and believes that eSIM will inevitably replace SIM cards, so it is always better to be prepared in advance.

The current eSIM usage process is to first register with the operator and then activate it on the phone, after which the configuration file for this number is available for use on the phone.

If users want to migrate, they need to cancel the registration on this phone first, and then re-register on the new phone. During this period, they may also need to contact the operator to confirm before completing the registration. This process is obviously more troublesome.

Therefore, Google plans to introduce a new feature that directly transfers the configuration file without the need for cumbersome cancellation and re-registration.

Google stated that the eSIM transfer feature will be launched on Android in 2023. It is not yet clear whether it will be supported by Android 14 or whether Google will provide this feature to Android 13 through updates.

Google stated that it has discussed with Deutsche Telekom, which will be one of the first operators to support the direct transmission of eSIM configuration files.

In the Android 14 DP version, relevant code for eSIM transferring configuration files can already be found. However, considering the coverage speed of the Android system, it is unknown when OEMs will update the system to provide this feature.

If Google can provide system updates through Google Play for older versions of Android with this feature, that would be the best scenario. At least phones using the native version of Android can directly receive Google updates.

Via: androidpolice