Last Updated: May 1, 2023
Best eSim for iPhone: Everything You Need to Know
Wondering what’s the best eSim for an iPhone? Then you’ve come to the right place because this detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know about eSim cards on iPhone devices!
I’ve covered everything you need to know about eSim cards on iPhones, including how to set them up, where you can buy them, and who the best providers are. So, whether you’re thinking about switching to an eSim completely or you just want to get one for travel, you’ll find all the information you need right here!
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Advantages of Using eSim on iPhone When Traveling
You need internet access in a foreign country, whether it’s to find the nearest ATM, get an Uber, or just check Google Maps directions. The benefit of having an eSim is that you can access the mobile network in the country you’re in without paying ludicrous roaming charges.
An eSim can be just as functional as a physical sim card. Say you’re in Vienna and you want to have Internet access while you’re just walking around the town – an Austrian eSim lets you use mobile data in the entire country. Plus there are some great eSim plans for Europe out there, and you can get unlimited data for less than $20!
A local phone number is another advantage of having an eSim while traveling, but you won’t always get that. Many international eSim providers only give you access to mobile data, and you’ll have to look for options from local providers to get an eSim with a phone number.
One thing to note is that a local eSim means you can only access the network of that specific operator, so be careful with this. Do your research, and if you’re getting a local eSim, only get it from the operator that offers the best coverage in the country.
With international eSim providers, the cards usually aren’t locked to just one network and can instead switch networks to give you the best coverage.
iPhone Models Compatible with eSim
The first iPhone that supported eSim cards upon release was the iPhone XS, which was released in September 2018. Every other iPhone released in the US since has supported eSim technology, including the latest iPhone SE and the Mini.
However, not every last-generation iPhone has this technology. Chinese network operators still don’t support eSim technology, so any iPhones produced in China will not be compatible with embedded sim cards.
Want to double-check if your iPhone is compatible with an eSim? Dial *#06# and several identification numbers for your device will show up. An EID number indicates that your phone is eSim compatible – if there is one, you’re good. If there’s no EID number, your iPhone most likely doesn’t have the necessary technology.
Other Apple Devices Compatible with eSim
Here’s a fun fact – the Apple Watch was compatible with eSim cards before the iPhone! They introduced this technology with the Apple Watch Series 3 in 2017, but it wasn’t until the next year that they put the technology in a smartphone.
iPads also support eSim technology. Just like the iPhone, the first iPad with an eSim was released in 2018, and every iPad since has had the technology, so the 7th generation and later. I have to point out that only cellular iPads support eSim cards – if you have a WiFi-only iPad, you still can’t install and use an embedded sim card.
The MacBooks don’t support eSim technology, which is a shame considering how many operators don’t allow data sharing on their eSim cards. There are other laptops on the market that support embedded sim cards, so hopefully, Apple updates their newer laptops with this technology.
How to Activate eSim on iPhone
It only takes a few minutes to activate an eSim on an iPhone after you’ve purchased it. I’ll walk you through the steps, whether you’re activating a brand new eSim or you’re trying to transfer one from a different device.
eSIM Carrier Activation
When you purchase an eSim online, you should get an email with a QR code. Scanning this QR code lets you add an eSim profile to your mobile device, which you can then use to access the internet or make phone calls, depending on the eSim package.
To add a new eSim to your iPhone, go to Settings – Cellular – Add Cellular Plan. You’ll get an option to scan a QR code or to enter the details manually – just point your phone at the code in the email and that’s it. You’ll need to adjust a couple of settings that indicate how you want to use the eSim, but then you’re done and you can connect to the Internet.
You can also just scan the QR code without opening the settings, and Provider Mobile Data Plan Ready to Be Installed notification will pop up. Tap it and you’ll be guided through the installation process immediately.
eSIM Quick Transfer
If you want to transfer an eSim from one phone to another, you can do so easily without having to contact the network provider. I must point out that you need physical access to both phones to do this. If for whatever reason you don’t have access to the iPhone with the eSim already installed, you will have to contact the network provider.
The eSim Quick Transfer option pops up while you’re setting up a brand-new iPhone. You will be asked if you want to transfer the sim card, so just tap yes and follow the instructions. Don’t worry, you can still transfer the eSim if you’ve already set up the phone – go to Settings – Cellular – Add Cellular Plan, and there should be an option to transfer an eSim from another device.
Transferring A Physical Sim to an eSim on iPhone
It’s possible to convert a physical sim to an eSim on iPhone devices, and if your network operators allow it, you can do this in just a couple of minutes without having to call your provider.
Go to Settings – Cellular, and there should be a Convert to eSim option. If you don’t see this option, it means that your network provider doesn’t support this and you will have to call them and ask them to transfer you to an eSim.
eSim Instead of Physical eSim
The latest generation of iPhones produced in the US has abandoned the physical sim tray entirely. You can only use an eSim on these phones, and for everyday use, you can’t rely on the same providers you would use for travel.
So, if you’re looking to get an eSim for everyday use, you should get one from your usual network provider. In most cases, you should be able to easily transfer your physical sim card to an eSim. In case your provider doesn’t support this technology, consider switching providers.
Best eSim Providers for iPhone
In this section, I will cover the best eSim providers for international travel. These are great for when you’re staying a while in a foreign country and you need Internet access, but they’re not a viable option to entirely replace your physical sim card.
Airalo
Airalo is probably the most popular international eSim provider, simply because they offer the cheapest packages. They’re one of a few providers that sell low-cost eSim data plans, which usually start at $5. Sure, you only get 1 GB of data, but that’s plenty if you’re staying somewhere only for a couple of days. Airalo eSim cards are data-only and they don’t provide you with a local phone number.
This provider usually offers 5-6 different plans, in the $5-50 price range. The exact plan prices depend on the specific country, but in most cases, it’s up to $5 for 1 GB of data you can use for 7 days. The plans go up to 10 GB or 20 GB to be used over a month – the 10 GB data packages are usually priced up to $30 (but also as low as $17 in Portugal), while the 20 GB plans go up to $50.
I must point out that there are a bunch of plans in between, and you can usually get a really good deal for $10-15. Airalo allows data sharing, so you can easily set up a hotspot so that everyone you’re traveling with has easy internet access. Just keep track of how much data you’re spending, so you don’t have to top it up too often.
Holafly
Holafly is the best eSim provider if you want unlimited mobile data access. They offer data-only eSim cards so you won’t get a phone number, but a lot of their plans include unlimited data, especially in Europe and North America. They have coverage in most countries in the world, but in the more remote places, their plans include limited data access.
The eSim plans from Holafly are priced fairly. They start at $19 for 5 days, which is not bad at all for unlimited data access. Also, it’s worth noting that the regional plan for Europe costs just as much as the data plan for Spain, so this is great value for money if you’re going to be hopping to multiple countries.
The limited data plans for remote regions are more expensive, but they usually offer enough mobile data to justify it. The only downside to Holafly is that they usually don’t allow data sharing. It’s possible to use tethering and mobile hotspots only in a few select countries, but the vast majority of their eSim packages don’t allow for data sharing.
Nomad
Nomad is another popular eSim provider among both iOS and Android users. They sell data-only eSim cards with the option of purchasing an SMS subscription. Their eSim plans are sorted into Starter and Value Packs.
Nomad eSim Starter Packs are priced low but offer a very small amount of data. They’re good for people who just want the comfort of knowing they have internet access, but not great if you’re like me and have mobile data turned on constantly if there is no WiFi available.
That’s where their value packs come in – they offer a larger amount of data at a reduced price, so you’re paying less per gigabyte. In any case, Nomad offers plans that range from 1 GB to 20 GB in most countries, and they’re the cheapest in Europe.
Nomad also offers regional plans – Europe, APAC, Global, and Nordics. These are great if you’re going to be visiting multiple countries during the same trip, and you would like to have internet access in all of them.
Ubigi
Ubigi offers eSim data plans in 190 worldwide countries, so they’ve got pretty good coverage. They usually offer multiple plans for each country, which range from a budget plan with very little data to a much more expensive package with up to 50 GB of data.
Ubigi’s plans are pretty good if you need a lot of data because they’re cheaper in Airalo in a lot of cases. The budget plans are still not as affordable as the ones that Airalo offers, but the more data you need, the better value for money you get from Ubigi.
You can also share your data with others with Ubigi eSim cards, whether it’s through mobile hotspots or tethering. However, you won’t get a phone number with your Ubigi eSim – they are data-only and can be used just to access the Internet.
Flexiroam
Flexiroam is by far the best eSim provider for people who want regional or even global data plans. Out of all the eSim providers, Flexiroam offers the most options when it comes to multi-country eSim data packages. This makes them the best option for people who are planning a longer trip and want an eSim that will provide them with Internet access in multiple countries.
This provider also offers a variety of individual country data plans, so they’ve got everything you need. The downside is that they’re not as affordable as other providers, so they’re not the best option if you’re looking to get a low-cost data plan for a short trip – Airalo still obliterates the competition here.
One thing to note about Flexiroam is that you will need to download the Flexiroam X App. You can purchase and set up any eSim plan through the app, plus you get easy access to customer support if you ever need it, which isn’t too bad.
Gigsky
Gigsky is another popular provider that offers data-only eSims for iPhone and Android devices. The provider offers coverage in 125 countries, with plenty of data plans to choose from. Gigsky data plans are most affordable in European countries and they can almost compete with Airalo’s pricing – the Gigsky plans in Europe start at $4.99 for 1 GB/7 days of data.
The data plans are pricier for other worldwide regions, so Gigsky is a very good option just in Europe. The provider’s plans with higher data allowances are also quite pricey, and generally more expensive than what the competitors offer.
This provider offers regional and global plans, and whenever you select a data plan for a specific country, you can also see which regional plans it is included in. Gigsky also allows tethering and mobile hotspots, so you can easily share data with your friends.
Another great thing about Gigsky is that they offer Inflight Internet, which gives you data on flights from 19 different airlines. You can also purchase Offshore Internet plans from Gigsky if you need internet access in the Gulf of Mexico or the North Sea.
READ MORE: Check out our detailed review of the GigSky eSim
MTX Connect
MTX Connect is a popular eSim provider that operates globally. They’re the only ones I’ve seen that have a Pay as You Go Plan – it’s valid for 30 days, and it charges you only for the data you’ve used. The data is charged per MB and it’s probably the priciest option, but if you rarely ever use mobile data and just want to have the option in case of emergency, this is the best deal.
This provider has five other data plans that range from a limited 24-hour data plan to a monthly plan with a 10 GB data allowance. What’s unique about MTX Connect data plans is that you don’t have to purchase a data plan for an individual country. Instead, you get coverage in 90 countries with a single eSim.
MTX Connect is the best option if you plan to visit multiple countries in a short period, or if you need mobile data in remote areas that tend to be more expensive at other eSim providers.
RELATED POST: DETAILED LIST OF ESIM-SUPPORTED PHONES
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
