Stuck abroad with my phone locked… why is this even a thing?

I just landed in Morocco and got an eSIM with Maroc Telecom. It was my first time using an eSIM, and everything seemed fine. I got the QR code and instructions via email.

Then disaster struck. I scanned the QR code to activate the eSIM, and suddenly my phone locked up, asking for a PIN. I hadn’t memorized the PIN from the PDF, and the phone wouldn’t let me access anything. I needed the PIN to unlock my phone, but I needed my phone to find the PIN. It’s so frustrating!

Why would adding a second SIM lock me out of my phone that was already unlocked with its original SIM? And why can’t I remove a locked eSIM without being able to access the settings? Do I have to reset my whole phone or just throw it away?

For reference, my phone is a Redmi Note. Is this something that happens with all Android phones, or is it just a Xiaomi issue?

If your phone supports Google eSIM Management, you can disable the eSIM even if you forgot the PIN. Unfortunately, not all Android phones have this feature. If yours doesn’t, your only choice might be a full reset.

Alternatively, try contacting the carrier—they might be able to reset the eSIM PIN remotely.

Can you access the quick settings and turn on airplane mode? That might stop the eSIM from activating.

I had a similar problem with LineageOS and a physical SIM. I was in a rural area and had just bought another SIM with better coverage. I forgot the PIN in the city and had network issues one morning, so I restarted my phone. It wouldn’t let me skip the SIM PIN entry, so I couldn’t use my phone. I had to find a wire to eject the SIM card and then message someone to get the PIN.

Would force-restarting your phone have helped? I don’t think it would still be stuck on the PIN screen after a reboot.

I had the same issue with a Motorola and a physical SIM. Thankfully, I just had to find something to eject the SIM and check the PIN in my email. Still, it’s a really frustrating design flaw in Android.

Wow, this takes me back. Getting your SIM locked feels like a problem from a decade ago. I remember locking my mom’s phone with the PUK code once. Good times, I guess!

Why didn’t you turn off the ‘SIM lock’ setting? I had a Moto Defy+ with a custom ROM that restarted randomly. My old carrier didn’t have automatic SIM locks, but when I got a new SIM, it did, and I ended up locked out after a restart. I had to go to the carrier’s shop to fix it.

This is just another example of how eSIMs are designed to trap users. It feels like a partnership between phone makers and carriers to lock you into expensive plans and make things more inconvenient.

Kim said:
This is just another example of how eSIMs are designed to trap users. It feels like a partnership between phone makers and carriers to lock you into expensive plans and make things more inconvenient.

How did you even get that from this post? It’s probably theft protection from the OS. eSIMs are actually more convenient and secure in most cases.

@Han
As someone who uses multiple phones for work and personal stuff, I find eSIMs way less convenient. Whether it’s switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM or troubleshooting network issues, it’s just more of a hassle.

@Wynn
Who would’ve thought CDMA would make a comeback? LOL

@Han
The hate for eSIMs is one of the strangest things I’ve seen online. It’s not that bad if you think about it.

Kim said:
This is just another example of how eSIMs are designed to trap users. It feels like a partnership between phone makers and carriers to lock you into expensive plans and make things more inconvenient.

Actually, having an eSIM and a physical SIM is really handy. When traveling abroad, eSIMs make things a lot easier. The only issue is that transferring an eSIM to another phone isn’t straightforward or offline.

@Bryn
eSIMs are like CDMA reincarnated.

@Bryn
Yeah, not being able to easily transfer eSIMs is a huge problem. That’s the main issue right there.

Voss said:
@Bryn
Yeah, not being able to easily transfer eSIMs is a huge problem. That’s the main issue right there.

It’s literally like CDMA all over again.

Kim said:
This is just another example of how eSIMs are designed to trap users. It feels like a partnership between phone makers and carriers to lock you into expensive plans and make things more inconvenient.

:joy::joy::joy: