Upgrade to Pixel 10. eSim installation timing question.

SentientBayou

Hello. I'm upgrading/migrating from one GOS phone to a newer Pixel for the 5th time. I pretty much have my process down. But it's complicated this time by the eSim requirement. I've also never installed any Google services.

What I typically do is get the OS & critical apps installed in all my profiles. Only then would I switch over my phone service and physical SIM. I've tried to catch up on the eSIM developments over the last few months and I reviewed: https://grapheneos.org/usage#esim-support

I read that at one point in time, some would install their eSIM on the stock OS, then install GOS. But that doesn't appear to be necessary any more. So barring any peculiarities with my carrier (Boost Mobile on their AT&T service), am I likely safe in waiting to install/setup the eSIM until after my phone is largely set up? I'd like to avoid a big time investment only to start over, if possible.

Thank you in advance for any advice you think may be helpful.

de0u

SentientBayou I read that at one point in time, some would install their eSIM on the stock OS, then install GOS. But that doesn't appear to be necessary any more.

That is the experience of most people (including me).

SentientBayou So barring any peculiarities with my carrier (Boost Mobile on their AT&T service), am I likely safe in waiting to install/setup the eSIM until after my phone is largely set up? I'd like to avoid a big time investment only to start over, if possible.

The forum has a search function, so searching for "Boost" might be productive... or perhaps a web search for site:discuss.grapheneos.org boost.

Johnnyloans

SentientBayou What I typically do is get the OS & critical apps installed in all my profiles. Only then would I switch over my phone service and physical SIM.

Is this order of events critical if you think esim is a questionable step and you may lose time?

SentientBayou But it's complicated this time by the eSim requirement.

I've removed and added an esim numerous times on my GOS phone to try to get it to fail under different environments. I think the majority of esim issues are with the pixel 9, 9pro, 9pro XL.
Adding an esim steps:
Turn on esim support > add the esim > done
Takes about 3 minutes. I'd recommend scanning a QR code to eliminate 1 point for error.

For the esim, I didn't need google play services or play store. The phone turned on DSDS for me automatically.

SentientBayou

de0u Thanks for the reply. To be honest I wasn't really asking about Boost experiences. I just threw that in there to curtail any comments about other carrier issues, since I read about a few of them earlier.

But that is good advice and I thank you. I will do that search.

SentientBayou

de0u That is the experience of most people (including me).

To be clear, you're saying that it's no longer necessary for others and you to install eSIM before GOS? Thank you.

de0u

SentientBayou To be clear, you're saying that it's no longer necessary for others and you to install eSIM before GOS?

Many users, including me, have been able to install eSIMs while running GrapheneOS. I believe some carriers require a special app to install their special eSIM, and some of the special apps may require Google Play, and for all I know some of those might require Play Integrity. So there is no guarantee that any given eSIM will be installable while running GrapheneOS.

SentientBayou

Johnnyloans Is this order of events critical if you think esim is a questionable step and you may lose time?

Thanks for the reply. Good question. My thought was that I didn't want to move my phone service over to an app-less phone that still had several hours of work to get it right enough to leave the house with.

Johnnyloans For the esim, I didn't need google play services or play store. The phone turned on DSDS for me automatically.

That is great to hear. Did you install GOS first before installing eSIM? If so, have you ever installed play services? Thanks.

Johnnyloans

SentientBayou

I had GOS first then installed an esim.
Yeah I currently have play services.

SentientBayou My thought was that I didn't want to move my phone service over to an app-less phone

Makes sense. Perhaps on a weekend when you're not on-call or anything. I'm sure it'll go well. Cheers mate.

The-Man

SentientBayou

Never used play store or play services on either of the GrapheneOS pixels I have used over the years.
Always, purchase the phone, immediately install GrapheneOS, then eSIMs. Never a problem.

edit: currently using an eSIM without eSIM support turned on.

SentientBayou

Johnnyloans
You provided some helpful advice here, as well. I wanted to thank you for that.

SentientBayou

The-Man That's encouraging. Thanks bud.

The-Man edit: currently using an eSIM without eSIM support turned on.

That's interesting. Did you at least turn it on to set it up and then turn it off?

The-Man

SentientBayou
to be honest I cant remember, but I would go along with @JohnnyLoans
I just know that on the occasions I factory reset my phone, which is frequently, I don't have to bother doing anything to the eSIM to have it recognized or powered on, it sorts itself out.
If I wanted to install more than one eSIM, I suppose eSIM support would be essential.

Johnnyloans

He must have done that yes.
I've seen GOS recommend keeping esim support on when you use esims.you don't have to.

SentientBayou

Johnnyloans Yeah, in case of forgotten pin code with a pin-locked SIM. Makes sense.

This is all starting to make sense now. I was conflating eSIM support activation (within the OS) with the entire process of eSIM support + carrier transfer/activation. I understand now that I don't have to do both at the same time.

So I'm cautiously optimistic for an easy setup again. I'll probably start the installation tonight. I appreciate everyone's feedback.

SentientBayou

The-Man Excellent. Thanks again.

I'll start the process tonight, but am now confident moving forward- especially since I just activated eSIM on my Pixel 8 as a test. Took about a minute. ;-)

SentientBayou

de0u Oh, ok. Great points. So this really comes down to how complicated/easy my carrier makes eSIM registration. There's at least one subReddit for my carrier. I will investigate there in advance of beginning my setup.

Very thoughtful observations. Thank you.

Johnnyloans

SentientBayou

Thank you :)
Lots of people here to help out!

SierraBravo

@"Johnnyloans" I'd recommend scanning a QR code to eliminate 1 point for error.

The eSIM QR scanner wouldn't work for me. I had the box fairly precisely pointed at my screen with the QR Code and it just idled there like it was waiting for me to press the shutter button. I tried using the camera app and the same effect... then I opened up Proton Pass to check it's QR Code scanner and it recognized it as a QR Code but couldn't make out the contents. Then when I went back to the camera it's QR Code read worked ONCE. Then when I went back to the eSIM reader it just looked at the QR Code and did nothing. Finally I manage to get the content of the QR Code on the device I think I tried the camera app again and then I pasted the content into the eSIM manual setup fields and finally it came up working. This was yesterday on build 2026032000.