Use multiple eSIM at same time

jo_hn

https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/9449293?hl=en/#zippy=%2Cuse-esim-profiles%2Cadd-an-esim-as-a-second-sim I'm not super knowledgeable about this but it kind of sounds like it may be somewhat dependent on your carrier allowing two eSIMS? Did you purchase your phone through a carrier or outright? Again, not super knowledgeable, just trying to help with problem-solving

mortuary_jab

jo_hn Possibly, each SIM is a different carrier so maybe one doesn't like the other. I bought the phone outright. Thanks for your help though, appreciated! I would still like to be able to confirm this though.

mortuary_jab

Interestingly, it seems like both carriers support dual eSIM, so I'm not sure why I'm not able to have both active.

spiral

I was never able to use two eSIMs on a series pixel 6 or 7. I tried multiple times.

I am, however, able to use two eSIMs on series 8 pixels.

mortuary_jab

spiral That's annoying! Google says you should be able to on 7/7P...

Eagle_Owl

spiral
Same here.
The theory of Google's information texts about Dual eSIM/MEP is so great. But it's theory only. :-(
Because the vendors have no interest to give us all the possibility for existing devices.
They love to kill our planet by growing CO2 footprints. They are money-hungry. :-(

mortuary_jab

Will/should GrapheneOS support MEP on current stable version?

Eagle_Owl

mortuary_jab
GOS will not support a stable version at some point.
It has supported dual eSIM all along.
But it is dependent on Google/AOSP and if there is no support for older devices like Pixel 7 (Pro), it will unfortunately not work with GOS either.

With my Pixel 8 Pro, I was able to use Dual eSIM (MEP) as soon as I started using it.
It consumes more energy than using a single eSIM, but it works great if the network operator supports it (from Pixel 8 upwards).

Dual eSIM was announced by Google from around October 2023 as a subsequent feature drop, so the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro were supposed to get dual eSIM. But nothing came of it.

Maybe the beta version didn't really run stable on the older models and Google has given up? We'll probably never know.
We can't rely on the wannabe journalists I mentioned earlier and ask them, because they are not trustworthy.

Eagle_Owl

mortuary_jab
Yes, unfortunately the information on Dual eSIM (MEP) is very inaccurate and many lousy journalists have copied and published unresearched articles. :-(

There are also some wannabe journalists who generally use alpha or beta software and always "forget" to mention it. :-(

That's why I fell for these lousy journalists when I wanted to install a second eSIM for simultaneous operation for my Pixel 7 Pro.

Sometimes you can read in a tech forum that someone really was able to install dual eSIM with the Pixel 6 (Pro) or 7 (Pro). But these are also either people using a beta version or even writing nonsense.

Bottom line:

The fact is that Google has made it technically possible for providers and manufacturers to use dual eSIM with their MEP technology on all smartphones from Android 12, or Android 13 at the latest.

This was proven with the stock Android beta version build number T3B2.230316.003, which was probably also used by all journalists, who simply publicly claimed that dual eSIM now generally works (and concealed the fact that it only worked with this one pre-release version with the Pixel 7 (Pro) and perhaps even with the Pixel 6 (Pro).

Unfortunately, Google does not comment on this unclear situation and only provides help texts that do not reveal the above-mentioned experiences.

mortuary_jab

Eagle_Owl Thanks for your replies! Yeah it is annoying. How can Google's own support article state simply 'On Pixel 7/7 Pro and later devices and if your carrier allows, you can use 2 eSim profiles simultaneously.' if this is not entirely the case. Unless it is still down to a carrier issue? But I see spiral used the same carriers on Pixel 8 and it worked... annoying lol :) I guess I'll go back to physical+eSIM.

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Eagle_Owl Have you tested if it consumes more battery than a SIM + eSIM?

ClownsDarkSoulPerps

I have a Q too

The esim code is still proprietary .... But is it isolated , or...... Is it secret surprise?

Eagle_Owl

mortuary_jab
Yes, same here: I am using a carrier who allows Dual eSIM (MEP) and I can use it with my Pixel 8 Pro, but not with my Pixel 7 Pro.

In my case it's Telefónica Germany (brand name: o2).

And yes, if you need Dual SIM, then you must use one plastic SIM card and one eSIM, if you want to keep your Pixel 7 (Pro) running (it's a nice device).

Eagle_Owl

cdflasdkesalkjfkdfkjsdajfd
Yes, I have:
In standby one percent of my Pixel 8 Pro battery lasts …
… with one eSIM: between 60 and 130 min.
… with Dual eSIM: between 25 and 60 min.

If you need the functionality of two lines with one device, then the battery consumption is okay.
But if you don't need it really or you must be reachable on both lines every time, even if you are already talking on one line, two separate smartphones with one (e)SIM each are better.

Notice: Dual (e)SIM is a very good compromise compared to two permanently accessible phones.
Because as soon as you make a call on one of the two lines, the other is busy.
This may be sufficient for private purposes or a small business, but for a large business with more than one person, two separate (business) lines are better.