[RationalHuman]

Originally Posted by RationalHuman

So I just installed the eSIM feature on my '23 M3. They now support both AT&T and T-Mobile, BUT not AT&T corporate packages. Or not all - it wouldn't work with 'my' cell # (bought through my company), but it does with my Wife's (on the plan of a former client of hers). It cost $20/month to enable, and in theory this means the car, like any other eSIM device (like my Apple Watch Ultra) can make calls WITHOUT a phone being present. I haven't tested that in the car yet, but it does work on my watch. BMW claims that w/ eSIM enabled your phone will now use the external antenna and improve reception, but my one drive with eSIM on so far gave mixed results - got dropped once in 350 mile drive, so hard to say if any better. This post is mostly to let people know about the corporate package limitation to save you all the 90M talking to various reps at both BMW and AT&T about why the install isn't working. Basically if you can't install eSIM from the app, and you have a corporate plan on your phone, you're hosed. When I tried with my wife's phone it installed right away.

I plan to try it for a while and if it doesn't seem to add any value I can always de-install it

So I finally got around to trying to use my car as a phone, and it didn't work. I called AT&T, and after 45 delightful minutes it turns out that they don't support the M3 yet, just the i7 and one or two other models. They refunded my fees for having installed a non-working package. The previous note about going with T-Mobile for $30/month appears to be the way to go - with taxes and fees, AT&T was $25.60, so not much of a premium plus, you know, it might actually work...

[Sandy Eggo]

Reviving this thread since Verizon just announced eSIM support for $20/month. (Verizon press release)

Has anyone activated this on Verizon?
Any confirmed added functionality beyond hotspot and ability to make/receive calls without your phone in the car? E.g., significant improvement in cell signal strength or music streaming quality thanks to the built-in 5G antenna?

[iKnowAguy4]

Hi everyone. I'm new here so thank you. I just saw on my BMW App that we can now stream things like YouTube by "activating " the eSim in my vehicle. I have clicked on activate and then it brings me to Versizon. It seems I need to have a connection with my cell phone plan. I've tried to get them to add it, which I believe is Number share, but no one at verizon has a clue what I'm talking about? Any help would be much appreciated. I have a 2023 X3 M40i .
Thank you!

[showmatic]

Originally Posted by iKnowAguy4

Hi everyone. I'm new here so thank you. I just saw on my BMW App that we can now stream things like YouTube by "activating " the eSim in my vehicle. I have clicked on activate and then it brings me to Versizon. It seems I need to have a connection with my cell phone plan. I've tried to get them to add it, which I believe is Number share, but no one at verizon has a clue what I'm talking about? Any help would be much appreciated. I have a 2023 X3 M40i .
Thank you!

https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-304223/

[NicolasB]

What if you don't have Verizon?

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Sandy Eggo

Reviving this thread since Verizon just announced eSIM support for $20/month. (Verizon press release)

Has anyone activated this on Verizon?
Any confirmed added functionality beyond hotspot and ability to make/receive calls without your phone in the car? E.g., significant improvement in cell signal strength or music streaming quality thanks to the built-in 5G antenna?

I'm still struggling to see what this offers beyond what my normal Verizon plan on my phone does? Just what you listed above?

[Sandy Eggo]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I'm still struggling to see what this offers beyond what my normal Verizon plan on my phone does? Just what you listed above?

I can't find anything or anyone claiming any functionality beyond those items. But I haven't tested it myself.

[BigPaultheOctopus]

its a standard feature in 2024 models now...lol

[chris3g]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I'm still struggling to see what this offers beyond what my normal Verizon plan on my phone does? Just what you listed above?

It is your normal Verizon plan, extended to an additional device. It works exactly the same as if you add a smart watch or a tablet to your phone plan. Another benefit is that you no longer need your phone to be present in the vehicle to use data, make calls , etc although I’m not sure why you would do that , you can.

[xaappx]

Strange, I don't have a $300 option for this, my week 43 built '24 G82 has this as standard.

[SoCalBimmerGuy]

Originally Posted by xaappx

Strange, I don't have a $300 option for this, my week 43 built '24 G82 has this as standard.

For the 24 model the eSIM option became standard. That is why you don't see it as an option.