- The latest Android 14 QPR 2 Beta 3 includes a new stub for the “Convert to eSIM” feature within SIM card settings.
- This feature will presumably provide a consistent user experience across carriers for users who want to convert their physical SIM to eSIMs.
- The feature does not currently work but is expected to work in future releases.
eSIMs have returned to the limelight thanks to the iPhone 14 going eSIM-only in the US. eSIM support was present on many phones before this move, but it was always in conjunction with a physical SIM, giving users some valuable choice. Apple’s move to eSIM only means Android needs to catch up and ensure its users have everything they need for their eSIM needs, lest the OS be left behind in the iOS vs Android debate. Much like how iPhones can convert your physical SIM to an eSIM, Pixel devices will also get the eSIM conversion very soon.
When you move from an older, physical SIM iPhone to the new eSIM-only iPhone 14 or iPhone 15, iOS prompts you to convert your physical SIM to an eSIM. This system prompt removes the variables that could be present across different carrier experiences and gives users a consistent and predictable flow across iPhones.