I changed phones yesterday and needed to carry over everything to my new phone. Most of you know I use both Melon Mobile and Vodacom as I run a business and personal number on one device.
Here’s how I switched my Melon Mobile eSIM from one phone to another, this year was the first time I had to do it since getting the Melon eSIM. It took about an hour.
STEP 1: Get in touch with the Whatsapp support line. Let them know you need to change an eSIM from one phone to another.
STEP 2: They will verify your device is supported, and initiate a ‘sim replacement’
STEP 3: Open the Melon Mobile app, and scan the new eSIM’s QR code sent to your new device. Melon will randomly allocate you with a new number but it will switch to your actual number within the hour. Install the eSIM as normal.
STEP 4: Wait for an hour and your new number should be active. My Melon agent messaged me when it was live so I knew. I just went into my settings and updated it to the new number. Made a call and it saw it was working.
That’s it. It was seamless and down time was minimal. I did it after business hours.
Last year Vodacom made it difficult for me to change phones so I switched back to a physical SIM on their network. It would simply not activate. However, I have my own theory about it. I purchased the phone abroad and maintain they blocked the ability for me to load an eSIM on it. It was working with my other networks just perfectly.
I have also switched eSIMs in the past with Telkom Mobile. Their process is the quickest in SA. You simply deactivate the eSIM on the one device, and rescan the QR Code you were supplied when you got the eSIM onto the new device.
Anyway, if you’re on Melon Mobile, hope this helps.
You can find all my Melon Mobile articles here: https://www.recharged.co.za/tag/melon-mobile/
You can find all my eSIM articles here: https://www.recharged.co.za/tag/esim/