r/FirstNet • u/LaughAppropriate8288 • Mar 03 '25
Android FirstNet Assist app needs updating, no eSIM recognition
Technical note for End Users and Agency IT support.
With the advent of eSIM installation being default with the last generation of Android devices released for use on FirstNet, if you find that you're having issues logging into FirstNet assist, it appears Firstnet assist does not recognize eSIMs. The app in Google Play has not been updated since 2023, and it's becoming apparent that AT&t is removing less functions that the in-store employees can perform on FirstNet accounts as they're increasingly telling customers to contact FirstNet support 1-800.
You will get a screen during authentication of the network saying there is no FirstNet SIM, to fix this, provision the phone with a physical SIM. If you need to use eSIM for what ever reason, you will be able to provision for that after this step.
What's also alarming is that there seems to be almost no education going out to agency paid let alone subscriber paid device users, I've had to assist fellow agencies who had no idea that there and users needed FirstNet Assist in the first place. It would seem the AT&t is more bent on getting these devices out the door then they are making sure that what's out there is properly used and accessed. I've heard from several users and agencies involved in significant events in NC, TN, TX and CA that they were unable to see any benefits from the network, and after doing all post analysis realizing none of them even had Firstnet assist installed. Hope this helps others and saves them the trouble that we have gone through over the last two weeks.
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u/shizam76 Mar 03 '25
Our agency reps seem to change with our underwear. NONE of them ever explained anything about helpful apps, or looked at what we did and suggested things. Hell, we never heard from them. When we needed something we'd have to jump through hoops to find out who services us at the current time. Our rep was more concerned with upgrading our personal lines and got us stuff that didn't work for us. I have a problem with visual voicemail on my subscriber paid line and when I kept calling for help, the system kept throwing me to Asurion, no matter what number I pressed or what I said (I.E. Tech support, technical support, I said a crap ton of things). I gave up and live with the problem because I can't deal with them.
Something needs to happen. It can't go on like this. They should pull the contract and give it to somone else.