Samsung S21 Ultra - eSIM issues with various carriers

[Steven Lundson]

Greetings ...
Does any one have a real life experience with eSIM on an S21 ultra 5G ?
Reason why I ask:
1 - I tried to activate it on TMO, and it worked ok(ish) up to the point that it would "leak" data usage as being HotSpot ( which was never turned on - not even a minute). After a month of tickets and "research" from TMO, they stated the obvious, that it does not work as it should, and they offered me a physical SIM.
2 - Verizon does not even offer it for the S21 ultra
As a mention... this is a S21 ultra 5G factory unlocked.
There was no response from Samsung, as they don't really have any customer support. All I got from Samsung were scripts: power on the phone, power off, did you dropped it (!! Yes that was a question) , etc.
So is any one real successful and have the eSIM working as it should ?
Honestly I do not think is a carrier issue at all ( there are multiple eSIM phones out there working, but I don't know of a samsung though) but is more a problem with Samsung hiding the real issue.

 

[alarsen77]

I have a Verizon S21+ that once it got android 12 I was able to add my work Verizon sim as an esim. Called Verizon and they activated it. I've been running my personal line (Verizon) physical sim and work line as an esim. Been working that way s III nice the Android 12 release.

 

[TeknoBlast]

When I first got my S21 Ultra back in May 2021, I immediately wanted to use the eSIM. Then I was told by T-Mobile reps that TMO does not support the eSIM on the Galaxy phones, o my the Note, Google phones and I think another brand.

Never understood why the Galaxy phone was so special that the eSIM is not supported but the Note they can.

 

[alarsen77]

eSIM support for Verizon was added with the Android 12 update. My S21+ didn't support it prior to the Android 12 update but afterwards it did. Not sure if TMobile did the same or not.

 

[Steven Lundson]

@alarsen77 - I am floored. I was without a phone due to eSIM ( from Verizon that is ) for 2 days. Still unresolved, and they told me that there is no ETA for that fix. You are absolutely lucky ! or .... I am the unluckiest dude in the "galaxy" realm ...

 

[alarsen77]

That is weird. You have the Android 12 update?

 

[notforhire]

I converted the physical SIM to eSIM (factory unlocked/TMO). Two days later, I converted back. Horrendous network performance, always moving between LTE, E, 3G (very rarely 5G). I have the S21U

 

[alarsen77]

I converted the physical SIM to eSIM (factory unlocked/TMO). Two days later, I converted back. Horrendous network performance, always moving between LTE, E, 3G (very rarely 5G). I have the S21U

I haven't had any issues with reception on Verizon with my physical or eSim, well besides at my house but it was like that before the dual sim capability due to the 5g switch.

 

[Daniel Cantu57]

I thought this was only me.. I have the Samsung S21 + and I was excited to use the esim feature. on T-Mobile. at first I noticed my connection was not as strong or as fast other phones on my account . Then I notice every month I has hotspot data use.. like 9 gigs a month and I never turned on the hotspot. I called T mobile so many times and they kept on telling me its my fault and I am the one using the hotspot. So i just gave up I have 40 gigs so 9 or 7 gigs a month was being used every month. Finally I had enough and as of Aug 2022 I went in a ask for a physical sim. Finally nor more leaked hotspot.. Not sure who is a fault T mobile or Samsung. you would think they would get their crap together before allowing it to stress out consumers.