topic Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP) in Mobile Apps & Services

multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

SergeDV — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 07:47:03 GMT

I understand that with the introduction of Android 13, there is now functionality to activate multiple eSIMs simultaneously. Google call it MEP (multiple enabled profiles).

I also understand that this functionality is backwardly compatible for phones that have eSIM hardware (eUICC) installed - like my Flip 3 & 4.

This means that we don't have to toggle between eSIMs when we want to use a different eSIM (since only one eSIM can be active at any time, regardless of how many you have installed on the phone) and so, for example, activate more than one phone number simultaneously.

Does anyone have know how this functionality can be enable on Samsung phones that have Android 13? I have Android 13 on my Flip but I still can only enable one eSIM at a time.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

zimma71 — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 17:38:08 GMT

Don't you need to have a dual Sim phone as with mine is dual SIM I don't need to convert one SIM to the other they are both active at the same time hence I can make calls and receive calls from a SIM card without having to toggle switch

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

robd1 — Sun, 11 Dec 2022 19:52:02 GMT

Hello @SergeDV, it does not matter what your phone is capable of if your service provider does not support it. You need to start there.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

JAMES4578 — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:35:51 GMT

It seems to be O2, EE and Vodaphone that support esims and there may still be some restrictions. A list of compatible Devices in this article https://www.4g.co.uk/news/what-is-an-e-sim-everything-you-need-to-know/

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

SergeDV — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 05:43:41 GMT

Thanks for the responses people. Just to clarify:

I'm not talking about general eSIM support - both my phone carriers support it (A1 and TIM here in Europe) and so does my phone Flip 3 at a hardware level (I currently toggle between 2 eSIM profiles along with a standard nano SIM which works simultaneously with one of the eSIMs).

What I am talking about is the MEP functionality that Google recently added to Android 13 which is, as I understand, a software/firmware upgrade to better use the phone's eUICC hardware - it multiplexes the use of the onboard modem to allow two eSIM profiles (2 phone numbers from 2 different carriers, for example) to operate at the same time.

So, in my eyes, this is carrier independent and, as I thought, phone manufacturer independent. Am I missing something?

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

Blinky-Bill — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 20:37:52 GMT

I’ve been waiting ever since hearing about Multiple Enabled Profiles in the media since April 2022. It was reported to be coming in Android 13 but I was disappointed to find no evidence of it when I updated to 13.

If indeed it exists as a feature already, it appears that no android manufacturers have taken advantage of it.

I have moved my primary number to an eSIM and would love to have the possibility when travelling for my 2nd SIM in my S22 Ultra to be another eSIM rather than to now be limited to physical SIMs.

I suspect this feature will come with the next android version, but the question is when.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

BlackHaul — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 13:33:12 GMT

Hello SergeDV,

Currently, this feature is supported only latest google Pixel7, not by any Samsung phone.

And also google is enabling this feature in some regions where operators are supporting this feature.
Using this feature at a time anyone can enable 2 eSIM profiles using the same eSIM H/w in a Pixel phone. In Pixel7, google also has given physical SIM slots but in the future, it might be removed and only eSIM will be there supporting dual SIM functionality.

You can use below SIM combinations-
Dual SIM Mode-
1. pSIM (physical SIM) + eSIM profile2
2. eSIM Profile1 + eSIM Profile2
3. eSIM Profile2 + eSIM Profile1 -> in the above both cases pSIM will be deactivated.
4. eSIM Profile1 + pSIM
SIngle SIM Mode-
5. pSIM only
6. eSIM Profile1
7. eSIM Profile2

Here Profile1 and Profile2 refer to any different profile installed in Pixel7 eSIM H/w. You can install any number of operator's profiles (depending on eSIM memory) and can be enabled any 2 profiles on both stacks.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

SergeDV — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 17:12:11 GMT

Thanks for the response. So I suppose you are confirming that this Android functionality is both carrier and manufacturer dependent. The Android upgrade does not simply roll out on to the phone as new functionality.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

BlackHaul — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 18:51:22 GMT

Yes, exactly. You understood right. Phone manufacturers and operators both has to support then only MEP functionality will be used. As I know till now only Pixel7 supports this in some region.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

Sebastienbo — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 19:30:50 GMT

With the introduction of Android 14, esim dual profiles is build-in
So, maybe it now works out of the box on samsung as well?

https://source.android.com/docs/core/connect/esim-mep

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

BlackHaul — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 06:11:21 GMT

No, Android14 doesn't guarantee MEP support in the device.

It should not until unless not supported by the chipset used in Samsung devices.
MEP support must be enabled in 4-ways-
1. Supported by Chipset used in device
2. Current Android should be Android14 on the device.
3. eSIM H/w used should support MEP.
4. MNO(Mobile Network Operator) should be in your region(country) in which you are going to install the eSIM profile on your device.
Note- I am one of the developers & designers of MEP features in one of chipset.

Meanwhile, the link that you posted is from the Pixel internal Android design later which was released to Android and is also related to the Google patent for the MEP feature.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

SergeDV — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 06:14:27 GMT

Thanks for that clarification. So it seems that the dream of concurrent eSims will be a dream for a bit longer, at least in Europe, since I never hear of any announcements from MNOs here about this functionality.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

FSams — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 13:41:39 GMT

Series s24 support mep

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

Sebastienbo — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 13:55:42 GMT

Cool, where did you find this information?

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

SergeDV — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 14:01:11 GMT

...and any MNO that you are aware of?

i.e. is there any evidence of anyone successfully using two actively concurrent e-sims on the S24?

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

FSams — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:20:52 GMT

i search, this information in the page italy i paste site information techincal , https://www.samsung.com/it/smartphones/galaxy-s24/specs/ you can translate, i can't try in english

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

FSams — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:26:19 GMT

S24 currently still on pre-sale attached info user X

https://twitter.com/MishaalRahman/status/1747855581271167091

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

BlackHaul — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:51:35 GMT

Yes mostly probably, S24 ultra will be having QC chipset, and QC was also developing MEP feature for apple and Samsung flagship model when we developed it in latest Exynos for pixel so it will be true for S24. May be in next iphone this feature may also come.

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

SergeDV — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 11:33:35 GMT

So #BlackHaul are you suggesting that maybe the S24 has satisfied criteria 1, 2, and 3 of your previous list and only criteria 4 is not confirmed?

Re: multiple eSIM (Android 13 and MEP)

FSams — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 11:41:18 GMT

I found the technical specifications of the s24 also in English, https://www.samsung.com/levant/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/specs/

in the section Network/Bearer there is write dual sim in this combo (SIM 1 + SIM 2 / SIM 1 + eSIM / Dual eSIM)

this info highlighted in bold is multiple enable profile esim