Best Swiss eSIM for testing

Recommendations
1

So far, I thought that an eSIM is the more convenient way of handling a cell phone number since there is no physical card involved anymore, which most providers take as excuse to charge up to Fr. 40.

However, changing an eSIM to a new device proves to be quite a challenge, especially if it’s not available anymore in the old device. I am therefore looking for an eSIM that fulfills the following requirements:

  • Prepaid (i.e. no recurring fees)
  • Activation on a new device without the old device present
  • Activation on a new device without the need for interaction with customer service (full self service on their website is ok)

These requirements come from my need to use this eSIM for testing purposes. Any suggestions?

2

Swisscom can do this in theory, at least according to their own documentation. In practice, however, when I try to recieve the eSIM for a new device in the online customer center, I always get a message telling me to contact customer service (twice in recent years). I have no idea why.

Salt is similar. There, you receive activation codes by post or even pay for the switch from physical to eSIM. But I have no idea if that’s still the case (I am no longer a customer).

However, what you describe has always worked for me with Sunrise backed providers.

  • Yallo
  • Digital Republic
  • Galaxus Mobile

For testing purposes, Digital Republic seems to me to be the best choice. Digital Republic is responsible for Galaxus Mobile; both use the Sunrise network.

They offer eSIM for CHF 4 per month and you can upgrade/pause/downgrade monthly:

And unlike the big providers, they also offer support via email.

3

FWIW, for me a provider that makes it took easy to switch without access to the old sim would be a red flag.

Getting access to a phone number for most people unlocks a lot of thinks.

(I understand for you this phone number is worthless, but you’re basically asking for a provider that facilitates sim swap attacks :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:)

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4

If it requires access to your account in a web interface and that is well protected with 2FA, following best practice, I wouldn’t consider this an issue. Some additional precaution may be warranted if the eSIM is currently or was recently active.

5

Same here. Swisscom marketing sounds great. Unfortunately, their reality is different.

Great, thanks so much! I’ll give Yallo a try (Digital Republic is still a subscription, no true pay-per-use)

6

You’re right that I have a specific need which is different from most people’s use of a SIM card. As mentioned by @jay I wouldn’t mind a strong protection of a web interface. But again, for most people it’s most convenient and intuitive if the activation of an eSIM is connected to an existing activation. Managing passwords and 2FA does not lead to happiness :slight_smile:

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7

Losing your money and whatnot due to poor security practice also doesn’t.

8

Again, happy to point out that this is a 0.01% use case for an eSIM. For most people this information is not relevant.

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