I am planning to buy a Lenovo T14s (4th generation) with eSIM-cpability. Does anyone here know or can anyone tell me how modern Linux-distros like Fedora, EndeavourOS, Manjaro or Mint do handle eSIM-functionality?

Is it available without going with additional packages, can I directly scan the QR-code to active the eSIM on the system? Any experiences here?

Thanks in advance!

  • @[email protected]
    11•1 month ago

    I haven’t dig into it but I’d check https://lucaweiss.eu/post/2024-06-24-esim-manager-for-mobile-linux/ i.e. yes, in theory “normal” distributions as you list “should” support it… but rarely do modems on desktop (or even laptops?) support eSIM. Consequently it’s more on other devices, e.g. phones, and those tend to have dedicated distributions, e.g. PostMarketOS on a FairPhone but not on PinePhone as it doesn’t have eSIM support.

    • OliverOP
      11•1 month ago

      Could you be more specific? I‘d like to know how Linux handles the implementation of eSIM in general - independent from the hardware vendor or the age of the model. When there‘s an eSIM, I‘d like to use it. 😌

      • @[email protected]
        -15•1 month ago

        eSIM is just a card. That card plugs into a modem. That modem hardware is what needs to be supported by the kernel. Find out what the modem is, then search that to find out if it’s well supported.

        • @[email protected]
          35•1 month ago

          An eSIM is a code number that is used to identify a phone account, and replaces a SIM card. On my phone I installed an eSIM by scanning a QR code. OP wants to know what’s the equivalent in a Linux distro, if there is one. It’s a good question, but I don’t know the answer myself

          • @[email protected]
            -19•1 month ago

            Yes, and I’m telling them how. The MODEM is the device that will be the piece of hardware that works or doesn’t. eSIM doesn’t matter.

            • @[email protected]
              22•1 month ago

              I think OP was asking how do they interact with their desktop environment to get the eSIM information to the modem

        • OliverOP
          7•1 month ago

          Got this - I am just interested if the system then supports enabling/disabling mobile via taskbar (KDE here)-symbol etc . pp. , therefore asking for experience with this matter.

          • @[email protected]
            3•1 month ago

            In Gnome it will appear as a network device in the quick menu. Just like Ethernet or WiFi. On KDE, YMMV because it already has issues with network devices that come and go.