After struggling with Safaricom eSIM on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, I decided to try it on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – and the difference was immediate. On the iPhone, I encountered constant pop-ups, M-Pesa issues, and network disruptions. However, on the Samsung, everything works flawlessly. No strange alerts, no failed transactions, and no reminders that I’m using an eSIM. Safaricom had suggested the iPhone was the issue, and after a month on the Samsung, that seems to be true.
eSIM Setup: Identical on Both iPhone and Samsung
The installation process was the same on both devices:
- Scan the QR Code – On the iPhone, I went to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan; on the Samsung, it was Settings > Connections > SIM card manager > Add mobile plan. With both you can just scan your code with your default camera.
- Activate – Within seconds, the eSIM was installed and active.
However, moving the Safaricom eSIM from one phone to another required deleting it from the first device before adding it to the second. The transfer option doesn’t exist between Android and iPhones. If you try to scan the original code given by Safaricom when eSIM is still active on the iPhone, an error appears stating the line was already in use – a useful security feature that prevents unauthorized installations. This also means eSIMs could easily be sent via email rather than requiring a visit to a Safaricom shop.
The iPhone Experience: Constant Issues
While installation was smooth, daily use on the iPhone was frustrating.
- Endless “SIM Sent a Text Message” Pop-Ups – These alerts appeared randomly, disrupting whatever I was doing. This doesn’t happen with a physical SIM, making it clear the iPhone was handling eSIM differently.
- M-Pesa Activation Wasn’t Automatic – I had to manually activate it via Settings > Cellular > SIM Applications > M-Pesa. Even after setup, some transactions failed or required multiple attempts. Imagine you’re on the line and they prompt your Safaricom number for M-Pesa payment and it keeps failing when you enter the PIN. It was frustrations galore.
- Network Instability – When using an Airtel physical SIM for data, the Safaricom eSIM would briefly lose service, affecting USSD functions and message delivery.
- Frequent SMS & Call Issues – Some texts failed on the first attempt, and calls sometimes had a delay before connecting.
After contacting Safaricom support, their official response was:
“Our apologies for the experience. To clear the error, you have to use the physical SIM card for now as we seek a permanent solution from our partners.”
Essentially, they advised switching back to a physical SIM, confirming that they were aware of the issues. This made me wonder: how do customers who buy their iPhones from eSIM-only markets like the US manage?
The Samsung Experience: Flawless Performance
Switching the eSIM to the Galaxy S25 Ultra solved everything.
- No More Pop-Ups – The “SIM sent a text message” alert that appeared constantly on the iPhone has never showed up once on Samsung.
- M-Pesa Worked Instantly – The SIM Toolkit was ready to use without any manual activation, and every transaction processed without delays or failures. Payment pop ups are a breeze.
- Stable Dual SIM Performance – Unlike on the iPhone, the Safaricom eSIM and Airtel physical SIM coexisted perfectly, with no significant network disruptions I can point to.
- Reliable SMS & Calls – Every text sent on the first attempt, and calls connected instantly.
On the Samsung, the eSIM worked exactly like a physical SIM – no interruptions, no extra steps, no unnecessary reminders that I’m on an eSIM.
Why Safaricom Should Allow eSIM Activation via Email
One positive takeaway was the security of the eSIM system. Since the eSIM must be removed before being installed on another device, QR codes could be issued remotely without security concerns.
I recently requested an Airtel eSIM, and they promised to email the QR code, eliminating the need for a physical visit. While I’m still waiting for that email, the idea is promising. If Airtel follows through, they’ll have a clear convenience advantage over Safaricom.
Final Verdict: Samsung vs. iPhone for eSIM
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Process | Easy & instant | Easy, but issues surfaced later |
| M-Pesa Functionality | Worked immediately | Required manual activation, occasional failures |
| Pop-Up Messages | None | Frequent “SIM sent a text” alerts |
| Network Stability | No disruptions | Lost signal when using another SIM |
| SMS & Calls | No issues | Some failed texts, delayed calls |
| Overall Experience | Seamless, like a physical SIM you forget about it being an eSIM | Buggy and unreliable |
Conclusion: eSIM is Great—But Device Matters
The eSIM itself isn’t the problem – it’s how different devices handle it. On the iPhone, the experience was frustrating, filled with alerts and network issues. On the Samsung, the eSIM worked exactly like a physical SIM, with zero problems.
For Safaricom eSIM users in Kenya, I highly recommend using it on a Samsung or Android device. If you’re on an iPhone – especially the iPhone 16 Series, be prepared for possible frustrations. Hopefully, as eSIM adoption grows, Apple and Safaricom will refine the experience.
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