BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   7Post - 7 Series Forum > BMW 7-Series Forums > (G70) 7-series and BMW i7 General Discussions

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-16-2023, 02:08 PM   #1
Lovin7er
Second Lieutenant
Lovin7er's Avatar
135
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

eSim and calls from/in the car

BIMMERPOST
     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com
I have my eSim connected and my iPhone is linked to the car and the eSim.

When I call someone from the car using the voice activation, the car makes the call and the screen says they are calling the person "via Personal eSim". If I dial the number from the screen it says the same thing.

If I call that same person from my iPhone, it says they are calling this person "via XXXXXX's iPhone. I am trying to find out if this is normal behavior. I would assume if you call from your phone, and the eSim is connected and linked to your phone, why would it not use the eSim and say, calling "via Personal eSim.

I know the eSim is working because I can call from the car without my phone, but when I use my phone it does not go through the eSim.

Can anyone that has the eSim connected please confirm how their phone works with the eSim? More clearly put, the question is, when you use your iPhone to make a call, does the BMW screen say you are calling "via your iPhone" or "via your Personal eSim" assuming you are connected to bluetooth and your iPhone is linked to your eSim in the eSim menu.

Last edited by Lovin7er; 05-17-2023 at 09:29 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2023, 08:01 PM   #2
Gemini7866
Private First Class
Gemini7866's Avatar
United_States
79
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2023 i7
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2023 BMW I7  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovin7er View Post
I have my eSim connected and my iPhone is linked to the car and the eSim.

When I call someone from the car using the voice activation, the car makes the call and the screen says they are calling the person "via Personal eSim". If I dial the number from the screen it says the same thing.

If I call that same person from my iPhone, it says they are calling this person "via XXXXXX's iPhone. I am trying to find out if this is normal behavior. I would assume if you call from your phone, and the eSim is connected and linked to your phone, why would it not use the eSim and say, calling "via Personal eSim.

I know the eSim is working because I can call from the car without my phone, but when I use my phone it does not go through the eSim.

Can anyone that has the eSim connected please confirm how their phone works with the eSim? More clearly put, the question is, when you use your iPhone to make a call, does the BMW screen say you are calling "via your iPhone" or "via your Personal eSim" assuming you are connected to bluetooth and your iPhone is linked to your eSim in the eSim menu.
I’m experiencing the exact same thing
Appreciate 0
      05-19-2023, 10:15 PM   #3
Lovin7er
Second Lieutenant
Lovin7er's Avatar
135
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemini7866 View Post
I’m experiencing the exact same thing
Appreciate the feedback!
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 02:10 AM   #4
rollingtaser
Second Lieutenant
Switzerland
89
Rep
271
Posts

Drives: i7 M70, SL63
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: CH

iTrader: (0)

hm... there is one possible explanation:

there is a thing called SIM-Access-Profile. the connected phone kind of transfers the "sim" to the car that then calls. maybe the car can't handle two virtual sims.

it would be interesting if this is the same if the eSIM is deactivated or how it behaves elsewhere.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 09:04 AM   #5
AlteBMW
Lieutenant Colonel
AlteBMW's Avatar
United_States
701
Rep
1,571
Posts

Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
My understanding of the esim is that it is not a separate number but a synchronization with your cell number. If that's correct calls from the esim will always show the cell number. My further understanding is the numbers created by setting up esim would not allow calls in to those numbers -- callers would have to use the cell #.
__________________
BMWCCA
Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon
Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 09:13 AM   #6
Lovin7er
Second Lieutenant
Lovin7er's Avatar
135
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

What actually happens is, the eSIM does get a separate number different from your cell phone number, but then your cell phone number is shared with the BMW eSim and everything goes with your cell phone number.

When I look on my Verizon bill, I see the phone number that has been assigned to the BMW eSIM, but if I call that number nothing happens, everything works as you said with the cell phone number but there is technically a number assigned to the BMW eSIM.

What I don’t understand, which people have confirmed, is why when you’re making a call from your cell phone, it doesn’t use the eSIM in the car. In order to use the eSIM in the car, you must use it with voice activation, dial from the screen, or use the contact from the screen.

Last edited by Lovin7er; 05-20-2023 at 09:23 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 10:22 AM   #7
Gemini7866
Private First Class
Gemini7866's Avatar
United_States
79
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2023 i7
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2023 BMW I7  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovin7er View Post
What actually happens is, the eSIM does get a separate number different from your cell phone number, but then your cell phone number is shared with the BMW eSim and everything goes with your cell phone number.

When I look on my Verizon bill, I see the phone number that has been assigned to the BMW eSIM, but if I call that number nothing happens, everything works as you said with the cell phone number but there is technically a number assigned to the BMW eSIM.

What I don’t understand, which people have confirmed, is why when you’re making a call from your cell phone, it doesn’t use the eSIM in the car. In order to use the eSIM in the car, you must use it with voice activation, dial from the screen, or use the contact from the screen.
I spoke to a T-Mobile rep and he explained it’s pretty much the same as the Apple Watch ..the car plan is paired to a phone on your plan but it’s not usable for calls… only data and any calls or txt that is sent to the paired goes to the vehicle as it does for a watch that has cellular
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 12:10 PM   #8
AlteBMW
Lieutenant Colonel
AlteBMW's Avatar
United_States
701
Rep
1,571
Posts

Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemini7866 View Post
I spoke to a T-Mobile rep and he explained it’s pretty much the same as the Apple Watch ..the car plan is paired to a phone on your plan but it’s not usable for calls… only data and any calls or txt that is sent to the paired goes to the vehicle as it does for a watch that has cellular
This is what I was trying to say. It is a "number synch" system.
__________________
BMWCCA
Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon
Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
Appreciate 0
      05-20-2023, 12:31 PM   #9
Gemini7866
Private First Class
Gemini7866's Avatar
United_States
79
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2023 i7
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2023 BMW I7  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlteBMW View Post
This is what I was trying to say. It is a "number synch" system.
Yep exactly what it is
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2023, 07:47 AM   #10
Lovin7er
Second Lieutenant
Lovin7er's Avatar
135
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gemini7866 View Post
I spoke to a T-Mobile rep and he explained it’s pretty much the same as the Apple Watch ..the car plan is paired to a phone on your plan but it’s not usable for calls… only data and any calls or txt that is sent to the paired goes to the vehicle as it does for a watch that has cellular
In my opinion, the only flaw in this set up, is that calls by the car are much more preferable because of the power antenna. While I understand the setup may work that way with the watch, it’s not a good idea that it works that way with the car, since the car is the superior device.
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2023, 10:54 AM   #11
Gemini7866
Private First Class
Gemini7866's Avatar
United_States
79
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2023 i7
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Miami

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2023 BMW I7  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovin7er View Post
In my opinion, the only flaw in this set up, is that calls by the car are much more preferable because of the power antenna. While I understand the setup may work that way with the watch, it’s not a good idea that it works that way with the car, since the car is the superior device.
I agree and I think it’s absolute nonsense ..why not just give the vehicle its own line
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2023, 01:17 PM   #12
AlteBMW
Lieutenant Colonel
AlteBMW's Avatar
United_States
701
Rep
1,571
Posts

Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
We don't know that the esim is not being used for outgoing calls, essentially spoofing the phone number. (Of course nobody from the carriers can tell either). But if in my car I have esim selected as my mobile device, when I make calls they show up on the recipients called id as my cell #. That says to be the esim is being used buy hides the esim number while it shows the phone #. But hey, I really don't know for sure. My big beef with esim is the lack of information on what is really going on
__________________
BMWCCA
Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon
Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2023, 02:41 PM   #13
Lovin7er
Second Lieutenant
Lovin7er's Avatar
135
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlteBMW View Post
We don't know that the esim is not being used for outgoing calls, essentially spoofing the phone number. (Of course nobody from the carriers can tell either). But if in my car I have esim selected as my mobile device, when I make calls they show up on the recipients called id as my cell #. That says to be the esim is being used buy hides the esim number while it shows the phone #. But hey, I really don't know for sure. My big beef with esim is the lack of information on what is really going on
You can tell when you make the call because on the screen, it says whether it’s being made by the eSim or the phone. In the case when you use the phone directly and it does not say using the eSIM, this will also mean it is not using the powered antenna.

When you activate the eSim, you get a number that is different from your regular number, but you never see it or use it. The technology links your phone to the eSim and everything shows up as your regular number on your phone, even if you use the eSim in your car. That is the nice part of how they did it, and it's the same, as others have pointed out, with your phone and the Apple Watch.

I am talking about whether you are using the car's powered antenna to get the improved reception and what everyone has found it is that you must you the eSim to get this powered antenna, and you must use it from voice activation, or the BMW Screen. If you use your phone, it by-passes the eSim and you just are using your phone's antenna.





.

Last edited by Lovin7er; 05-21-2023 at 04:00 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2023, 03:57 PM   #14
AlteBMW
Lieutenant Colonel
AlteBMW's Avatar
United_States
701
Rep
1,571
Posts

Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovin7er View Post
You can tell when you make the call because on the screen, it says whether it’s being made by the eSim or the phone. In the case when you use the phone directly and it does not say using the eSIM, this will also mean it is not using the powered antenna.
.
Thanks! I hadn't paid attention. Esim remains very strange in many ways. Still deciding whether I will stay with it.
__________________
BMWCCA
Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon
Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2023, 08:00 PM   #15
Lovin7er
Second Lieutenant
Lovin7er's Avatar
135
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: 2023 760i xDrive
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlteBMW View Post
Thanks! I hadn't paid attention. Esim remains very strange in many ways. Still deciding whether I will stay with it.
Forget about the voice for a moment, I have found the Data via Wifi to be very unreliable. When it works, it's very fast, but a lot of times, something has to be reset to make it work. It is not as seamless as it should be.

Last edited by Lovin7er; 05-23-2023 at 06:13 AM..
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2023, 11:30 PM   #16
XZLR8
Private
XZLR8's Avatar
United_States
62
Rep
57
Posts

Drives: 2023 BMW 760i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

This is all really good information, since nobody was able to explain to me how the eSIM feature works (or doesn't), so I haven't messed with it yet.

Thanks, all.
__________________

'23 BMW 760i • Dravit|Amarone
'23 BMW X1 xDrive28i • StormBay|Black
'23 Range Rover Sport P400 • Borasco|Black
[ Departed, 2000-Present: 33 BMWs, 3 Land Rovers, 3 Audis, and 3 Lexuses. ]
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2023, 08:32 AM   #17
AlteBMW
Lieutenant Colonel
AlteBMW's Avatar
United_States
701
Rep
1,571
Posts

Drives: '23 760ix; '23 X3; '23 MB wgn
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lovin7er View Post
Forget about the voice for a moment, I have found the Data via Wifi to be very unreliable. When it works, it's very fast, but a lot of times, something has to be reset to make it work. It is not as seamless as it should be.
On ATT. The data via wifi works for me. I have an Escort detector that uses wifi for updates. It took some digging but I found the car wifi pw and was able to connect, and it seems to work. But I am not watching all the time to see if it drops the signal.
__________________
BMWCCA
Current: 23 760ix (Carbon Black/Tartufo) (after first one totaled) '23 X3; '23 MB E Wagon
Prior: BMWs (3,5,7 & 8 series (2x!)) X3, MB (C, E, and S), Alfa GTV, MGB, Audi (A4, A6), Saab, Volvo, Toyota, Lincoln, Chrysler, Oldsmobile, Chevy, Rambler.
Appreciate 0
      05-23-2023, 09:34 AM   #18
TJM2
New Member
3
Rep
28
Posts

Drives: BMW M2 Competition
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Anyone else have issues with ATT and e sim? In my i7, it drops signal and will not connect almost daily.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:13 AM.




7post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST