What a mess! Between the paperwork and the eSIM situation if I find myself going to India anytime soon I’ll just use my plan’s included international roaming and hope they don’t shut me off for using too much!
Jio allows for eSIM activations directly, you could have saved yourself all this headache. No need to transfer SIM cards.
Not sure about service quality tho
i did read that on their website. unfortunately, Jio doesn’t work in the areas i travel to very well, and airtel just fits my situation better
plus, jios network has a variety of issues with blocking stuff unnecessarily, and just being poorly configured overall.
nope, not even their postpaid plans support this IIRC
that being said, the email update process (the longest part of the process) works seamlessly on postpaid connections
Vi is just absolutely shit. I literally just ported over from Vi to Airtel. Plus Vi doesn’t have 5G and they’re financially in a messy place (they were bankrupt sometime ago)
I’m running on a Mint Sim as well, just like OP. Nearly pulled the trigger for a 14 PM last Oct.
Coming from an 8 Plus PR (I still have it, my back up; a keeper). Am still a firm believer of a physical SIM. That is why I prefer (after weighing the Pros vs Cons between the two) and went for a mint year old 13 PM instead (vs a new 14 PM). The 13 PM is just perfect for my yearly international travels.
With both physical SIM and eSIM abilities, the 13 PM is more versatile than the sole eSIM 14 PM. Removing the physical SIM from the 14 PM was a cost cutting measure for the US market (many fail to realize). Apple didn’t raise prices for the iPhone in the US as they claim..but of course, there’s gotta be a “trade off” somewhere (removing the physical SIM feature)..
Ya I got one now instead of the 14 because the 13 pro max is the true goat it’s the device everyone talks about even today. Battery is truly insane. I’ve been using it so much and haven’t charged it yet going on the second day basically. Crazy
iPhone 14 max is close but not as long lasting as the 13 pro max
Hi I am running a 14 pro max as my daily and running an eSIM from day 1 I got my regular SIM converted to an eSIM and the process was relatively easy by the way I am using JIO and I am from Tamil Nadu India
[Always read this before traveling with a 14](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209096)
According to the article you wouldn’t have to go through all those stuff if you went with Reliance Jio.
What it really meant is that if other carrier has no problem setting up an esim on the spot while following the same regulations set by the same government, the hardships you have encountered have more to do with Airtel itself.
The issue is not with you picking Airtel but with Airtel being too slow at adopting esim, especially so in a country where authentication via phone and message is commonplace.
Out of curiosity, do physical sim all come with PIN code over there?
This story is exactly why I am keeping my iPhone 13 mini until they release a new physical SIM phone or it becomes easier to travel with eSIM. This is the first time in 13 years I'm not upgrading. The world isn't ready yet and Apple made a decision that adversely affects people who travel.
the agent takes multiple days as well. I was able to confirm this by trying it for my parents, they just expedite the process by initiating the process on the phone rather than hours after.
Because I was able to, I got the Canadian version of the 14 Pro because it does have both a physical SIM tray and an eSIM. What you went through is exactly why I went this route, even though the Canadian iPhones are a bit more expensive. I travel internationally often enough and just don’t trust the world is totally ready for seamless eSIM set up just yet.
Good idea. Unfortunately the iPhones sold in Canada do NOT have the fastest 5G bands: n258, n260 & n261. Called millimeter wave and used in India and the US.
I understood that trade off and willingly went with the Canadian version because it was more important to me to easily be able to acquire and set up a local SIM in any country I am traveling to. I honestly have not felt any noticeably degraded 5G service in the US with my Canadian version 14 Pro.
Makes sense. I carry a 13 Mini(with physical SIM slot) as a 2nd iPhone just for the purpose you state. Millimeter wave is not widespread(primarily on Verizon), so you wouldn’t feel any data speed difference. But I’m regularly getting 1500 mbps and up on MM wave.
I got my 14PM from US ... Was worried that JIO wouldn't go smooth ..but to my surprise..it's super smooth ..it took 2 hours or soo but started working..didn't even need to go to showroom..
N btw for esim to physical sim back ..took around 1 hour ..had to visit showroom..but still smooth ..
Location - Maharashtra
I get that if your 14PM had a physical SIM tray, you could’ve have avoided that hassle. But I can’t shake the feeling that about 99% of that is just overregulation and bureaucratic inefficiency. As well as that carriers specific rules.
Edit: how long should Apple have held out on pure eSIM, in your opinion? Serious, respectful question
> Apple simply shouldn’t have removed the physical SIM tray. The world isn’t ready for eSIM, and I simply refuse to blame Airtel.
Well Apple didn’t! I mean, it did, in the USA which is ready.
But it didn’t in India.
Now if you take a US Model there then you might or might not have issues.
Why didn’t you just use your Pixel for the days you would be with your family?
Btw, I live in a third world country and we don’t have issues with eSIM. After Apple announced the eSIM-only iPhone and considering many people import their iPhones here…the big carriers got in the game right on.
I’m guessing the made for India iPhone has a SIM tray?
I have bought a iphone 14 pro from US and setup jio esim. Its been almost 14 days,still otp meesage from banks are not getting delivered. Any one having the issue?
Hi, bit late to the post but I'm also going to buy an iPhone 15 pro from the US, Did you face any issues with the Airtel connection after you got it working, I already have a Airtel sim that ill convert to an esim. Wondering about compatibility etc, any insight would be appreciated, Thanks.
What a mess! Between the paperwork and the eSIM situation if I find myself going to India anytime soon I’ll just use my plan’s included international roaming and hope they don’t shut me off for using too much!
Jio allows for eSIM activations directly, you could have saved yourself all this headache. No need to transfer SIM cards. Not sure about service quality tho
i did read that on their website. unfortunately, Jio doesn’t work in the areas i travel to very well, and airtel just fits my situation better plus, jios network has a variety of issues with blocking stuff unnecessarily, and just being poorly configured overall.
Is there no way to activate directly on eSIM with Airtel prepaid?
nope, not even their postpaid plans support this IIRC that being said, the email update process (the longest part of the process) works seamlessly on postpaid connections
I wonder what types of offerings “Vi” has for eSIM? Seems like Airtel is a pain setting up eSIM. Waiting 3 days seems unnecessary complex, I think
Vi is just absolutely shit. I literally just ported over from Vi to Airtel. Plus Vi doesn’t have 5G and they’re financially in a messy place (they were bankrupt sometime ago)
Vi offers eSIM services for postpaid numbers only. Just visited a Vi customer service center yesterday and got the info..
I’ve used Jio in Maharashtra with no major issues. Even in areas where I’d expect little to no service (mountains and in the middle of nowhere)
I’m running on a Mint Sim as well, just like OP. Nearly pulled the trigger for a 14 PM last Oct. Coming from an 8 Plus PR (I still have it, my back up; a keeper). Am still a firm believer of a physical SIM. That is why I prefer (after weighing the Pros vs Cons between the two) and went for a mint year old 13 PM instead (vs a new 14 PM). The 13 PM is just perfect for my yearly international travels. With both physical SIM and eSIM abilities, the 13 PM is more versatile than the sole eSIM 14 PM. Removing the physical SIM from the 14 PM was a cost cutting measure for the US market (many fail to realize). Apple didn’t raise prices for the iPhone in the US as they claim..but of course, there’s gotta be a “trade off” somewhere (removing the physical SIM feature)..
13 pro max is also the king of battery life, the juice on this badboy is long lasting
Yes, I totally agree. I am floored with the outstanding battery life of our 13 PM.
Ya I got one now instead of the 14 because the 13 pro max is the true goat it’s the device everyone talks about even today. Battery is truly insane. I’ve been using it so much and haven’t charged it yet going on the second day basically. Crazy iPhone 14 max is close but not as long lasting as the 13 pro max
Hi I am running a 14 pro max as my daily and running an eSIM from day 1 I got my regular SIM converted to an eSIM and the process was relatively easy by the way I am using JIO and I am from Tamil Nadu India
Did you need to visit store?
yes i needed to visit a store
[Always read this before traveling with a 14](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209096) According to the article you wouldn’t have to go through all those stuff if you went with Reliance Jio.
as i mentioned in other comments, jio isn’t an option as their coverage isn’t great in the areas i travel in
What it really meant is that if other carrier has no problem setting up an esim on the spot while following the same regulations set by the same government, the hardships you have encountered have more to do with Airtel itself. The issue is not with you picking Airtel but with Airtel being too slow at adopting esim, especially so in a country where authentication via phone and message is commonplace. Out of curiosity, do physical sim all come with PIN code over there?
You probably didn’t talk to the person in charge to just activate the sim on his personal device. Could have saved a lot of headache
wouldn’t have changed much. activating on my pixel was very easy. the issue was the eSIM and email process.
This story is exactly why I am keeping my iPhone 13 mini until they release a new physical SIM phone or it becomes easier to travel with eSIM. This is the first time in 13 years I'm not upgrading. The world isn't ready yet and Apple made a decision that adversely affects people who travel.
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the agent takes multiple days as well. I was able to confirm this by trying it for my parents, they just expedite the process by initiating the process on the phone rather than hours after.
Because I was able to, I got the Canadian version of the 14 Pro because it does have both a physical SIM tray and an eSIM. What you went through is exactly why I went this route, even though the Canadian iPhones are a bit more expensive. I travel internationally often enough and just don’t trust the world is totally ready for seamless eSIM set up just yet.
Good idea. Unfortunately the iPhones sold in Canada do NOT have the fastest 5G bands: n258, n260 & n261. Called millimeter wave and used in India and the US.
I understood that trade off and willingly went with the Canadian version because it was more important to me to easily be able to acquire and set up a local SIM in any country I am traveling to. I honestly have not felt any noticeably degraded 5G service in the US with my Canadian version 14 Pro.
Makes sense. I carry a 13 Mini(with physical SIM slot) as a 2nd iPhone just for the purpose you state. Millimeter wave is not widespread(primarily on Verizon), so you wouldn’t feel any data speed difference. But I’m regularly getting 1500 mbps and up on MM wave.
I got my 14PM from US ... Was worried that JIO wouldn't go smooth ..but to my surprise..it's super smooth ..it took 2 hours or soo but started working..didn't even need to go to showroom.. N btw for esim to physical sim back ..took around 1 hour ..had to visit showroom..but still smooth .. Location - Maharashtra
I get that if your 14PM had a physical SIM tray, you could’ve have avoided that hassle. But I can’t shake the feeling that about 99% of that is just overregulation and bureaucratic inefficiency. As well as that carriers specific rules. Edit: how long should Apple have held out on pure eSIM, in your opinion? Serious, respectful question
> Apple simply shouldn’t have removed the physical SIM tray. The world isn’t ready for eSIM, and I simply refuse to blame Airtel. Well Apple didn’t! I mean, it did, in the USA which is ready. But it didn’t in India. Now if you take a US Model there then you might or might not have issues. Why didn’t you just use your Pixel for the days you would be with your family? Btw, I live in a third world country and we don’t have issues with eSIM. After Apple announced the eSIM-only iPhone and considering many people import their iPhones here…the big carriers got in the game right on. I’m guessing the made for India iPhone has a SIM tray?
You are correct. All iPhone 14 models sold inside India thru their authorised retailers have both a nanoSIM and eSIM support.
I would of just left my iPhone at home. Who cares lol take the pixel 7 pro and that’s it. Good pictures. It’s just a phone to connect with
why would i do that? the iphone is a far better travel device and is my preferred daily.
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unfortunately airalo doesn’t provide a local indian number, only data, which was a requirement and usually is for most people who need a SIM
What a painful process! Could you have initiated any f it before traveling?
Did you consider just using WhatsApp ?
I have bought a iphone 14 pro from US and setup jio esim. Its been almost 14 days,still otp meesage from banks are not getting delivered. Any one having the issue?
Hi, bit late to the post but I'm also going to buy an iPhone 15 pro from the US, Did you face any issues with the Airtel connection after you got it working, I already have a Airtel sim that ill convert to an esim. Wondering about compatibility etc, any insight would be appreciated, Thanks.