I just bought a Xperia 5 V to replace my Xperia 10 III. When I bought it as an upgrade on the O2 website it said that the phone is capable of using an eSim. I thought why not, at least I won't need to wait for a new sim to be sent and then go a day without a working phone, carrying 2 phones around as per the normal procedure that has been in place for the last 20 years.
I then found out that I could select to collect my new phone from my nearest O2 shop the following day, which I did. I was very happy with this as there was an offer for £300 off my new handset, and they waived the £108 that I had left on my old device. The store handed me my new phone and marked it as collected, that was the extent of their involvement.
I then came home and tried to set it up and the eSim debacle began. First of all the instructions on the O2 website seemed to indicate that this would happen automatically. I then realised that I had to "skip" the QR code bit in order to complete the transfer process. So I did this and the transfer of all my apps and settings began.
I then opened all of the pages on the O2 website that explain and complete the eSim process.
https://www.o2.co.uk/help/device-and-sim-support/esim
https://www.o2.co.uk/help/device-and-sim-support/esim/download-your-esim-for-android-360#manuallydow...
and several MyO2 pages.
I selected the "Replace your Sim" option and selected "eSim" and "technology change" as the reason. I acknowledged that this would result in the immediate disabling of my old physical sim. I received and entered the code that was sent to my old phone. My old sim immediately went to emergency calls only. And that is it. I now have 2 phones that are unusable.
I have read all of the instructions and it seems that there is supposed to be either a QR code available on the MyO2 homepage, or some sort of installation link. I have tried to find this on my laptop, old phone, and new phone to no avail.
What am I actually supposed to do? How do I get this QR code or link? Why is it not instantaneous? What is the point of an eSim if not for the ease of use and reduced set up time?
I can't go to the store until next weekend so I probably could get a plastic sim sent to me by then if I can work out how to contact O2 and ask for one without a working phone.
Any advice is appreciated.
