[uni_baconcat]

Incorrect. Chinese mobile carriers only issue eSIM to their approved models, which are devices sold in China. Once the eSIM is activated, users can roaming with their Chinese phone number to any country just like a physical SIM card.

Also, iPhone and iPad sold in China can install and activate an eSIM from foreign carriers when the device is not located in China. They only banned activating foreign eSIM within China.

[daft_pink]

Thanks, It seems I misunderstood the restrictions when they were first introduced. The purpose appears to be preserving the Great Firewall by preventing Chinese citizens from easily bypassing it with a foreign eSIM. Unlike a physical SIM, which must be imported and activated abroad, a foreign eSIM could be downloaded directly onto a domestic phone, making circumvention much simpler. By restricting eSIM activation, authorities effectively require someone to import a separate device, such as an iPhone purchased overseas, and keep it alongside their domestic phone if they want to activate and use a foreign eSIM within China. I had first read about these restrictions when the iPhone Air was announced but not yet released, and at the time the rules were not clearly explained, which led to my initial misunderstanding. Thanks so much!

[kube-system]

> They only banned activating foreign eSIM within China.

Is that even a ban? I didn’t think eSIM activation typically roams — I thought it only worked on home networks.

[bux93]

I activated a Thai SIM (True) inside of Europe before traveling no problem, so it's not a technical limitation. I think brands like Saily that specifically target travelers are also activated beforehand, so when you arrive you immediately have data.

[wkat4242]

True, both networks I have in Europe don't allow it. It's one of the reasons I don't like eSIM, there are a lot more restrictions than with real SIMs. With those I can simply pull one of my cards out of my phone and put it in my tablet or 4G modem for an hour while travelling. With eSIM I have to unregister it and get a new QR every time, registering it doesn't work abroad, and they can deny activation based on the device.

[Shank]

> Is that even a ban? I didn’t think eSIM activation typically roams — I thought it only worked on home networks.

While I was in the US, I swapped iPhones and successfully activated both NTT docomo and Au (KDDI) eSIMs while roaming. It definitely works when you're out of home network.

[alibarber]

Mysterious - I have downloaded UK eSIMs over WiFi, and then activated/connected as if I were roaming, from other parts of Europe.