What is an eSIM, and does your phone have one?

What is an eSIM? It is a SIM that is part of the phone, not a card you put in. Apple’s definition is the plainest: “An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to use a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical nano-SIM.” Google calls it “a digital SIM that lets you activate your cellular network, unlike a physical SIM card that you insert into your phone.”

How an eSIM differs from a SIM card

A SIM card carries one carrier’s plan and moves from phone to phone by hand. An eSIM stays in the phone, and the plan is downloaded to it.

That changes two things. A phone can hold several plans. The GSMA, the industry body behind the standard, says eSIM lets people “store multiple operator profiles on a device simultaneously, and switch between them remotely, though only one can be used at a time.”

And there is nothing to steal or swap by hand. The FCC notes that eSIMs are “hardwired inside the phone, so they’re not removable, eliminating some of the security risk for physical SIM swaps.” It adds a warning: “port-out scams remain a security concern.”

US phones with no SIM tray

In the United States this is no longer optional on new iPhones. Apple says: “iPhone 14 models or later purchased in the United States can only be activated with an eSIM.” Its rule of thumb is “If your iPhone model doesn’t have a SIM tray, it supports eSIM only.”

Google has gone the same way. “Phones in the US with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL model don’t use physical SIMs, and are eSIM-only.”

So if you bought one of those phones in the US, any carrier you move to has to support eSIM. Which ones do is on our US carriers that support eSIM page.

How many eSIMs a phone can hold

Apple says an iPhone lets you “manage up to eight or more eSIMs”. Storing is not the same as using. On an iPhone, “Dual SIM enables you to have two active phone numbers”, and “Your iPhone can use one cellular data network at a time.”

Google says of Pixel phones: “You can have multiple eSIM profiles on the same phone, and switch between lines or manage international plans while traveling.”

Dual SIM with an eSIM

Two lines on one phone is the practical use. Apple: “You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support Dual SIM with two eSIMs”. It needs an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later.

There is a condition that catches people out. “To use two carriers, your carrier must unlock your iPhone, or both plans must be from the same carrier.” If your phone is still locked, see our guide to unlocking your phone.

Where to find your EID

The EID is the number that identifies the eSIM in your phone. A carrier may ask for it.

On an iPhone, open Settings, tap General, then About. Apple says “You might need to scroll down to find the EID”.

On a Pixel, Google says to look on the box or under Settings, About phone, SIM status.

Questions