Last Updated: March 31, 2023
How Does an eSim Work?
Want to get an eSim for your next trip but you’re not sure how it works? It’s pretty simple, and this detailed guide will help you understand what exactly an eSim is and how it functions!
Does it work everywhere, will your mobile phone support it, and how you can get one are all covered in this review. Read on to find out what an eSim can do for you and if it’s something you really need for your next trip.
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How does an eSim work on iPhone?
An eSim works pretty much just like a normal sim card on iPhone. You can use it to make and receive phone calls, send and receive texts, and access the internet through mobile data.
To activate an eSim on an iPhone, you can either follow the instructions you get after you purchase the eSim package, or you can activate it in the settings menu.
Most carriers will send you a QR code that you’re supposed to scan to activate the eSim. Open Settings – Cellular/Mobile Data – Add Cellular Plan. There should be an option to scan the QR code; if that doesn’t work (but it probably will), you can tap the Enter Details Manually option, and add your eSim details to activate it.
Limitations of eSim on iPhone
You can have up to 8 eSims on an iPhone, which is pretty great. However, you can only use two (phone numbers) at the same time on the same device, so you can’t have all the eSims turned on simultaneously. This is only for dual sim iPhones, which have support for an eSim and a physical sim card. Some newer devices don’t support physical sim cards at all.
How does an eSim work on Samsung & Other Android Devices?
An eSim works pretty much the same on Android devices as it does on iOS devices, just like there’s no difference in physical sim cards. The main difference is in the amount of eSim profiles that the smartphone supports. Android doesn’t have the best support for eSim, and most phones don’t support as many eSim profiles as the iPhones do.
This limitation is different on each Android phone, but I have to point out that I couldn’t find precise information on the number of eSim profiles you can have in a specific Samsung smartphone. What I could find is that you can only have one profile active at a time, and if you want to use a different eSim you have installed, you need to switch to its profile first.
Limitations of eSim on Samsung/Android
Android doesn’t have the best support for virtual sim cards, but that’s something they’re trying to improve. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how many eSim profiles you can usually have on an Android phone because I can’t find those numbers anywhere. What I can tell you is that most Android phones support multiple eSim profiles, but allow you to use only one at a time.
Types of eSim
We can differentiate between two main types of eSims – those that have a phone number and those that don’t. eSims without a phone number are known as “data only eSims”, and they’re what most people are using anyway. If you want to buy an eSim just to have internet access in a foreign country, this is precisely what you should look for.
eSim cards with a phone number can completely replace physical sim cards. They function exactly like a normal sim card, in that they allow you to make calls, text, and use mobile data. This is the case with all embedded sim cards sold by local providers instead of physical cards, and some eSim cards for travelers.
Data Only
Data-only eSims don’t have a phone number and they can only be used to access the internet. These eSims are great for travelers in foreign countries, but they can’t really replace your physical sim card entirely.
Also, I have to point out that not all data-only sim cards are without a phone number. This can depend on the network provider and the specific eSim package you purchase – some providers will let you buy eSims with phone numbers but use them only for data and not personal calls.
How? You can choose how much credit you want to allocate for phones and texts, and they let you choose $0. So, in theory, you can use your eSim for more than just data, but in reality, you can’t because there’s no money on the card.
Voice, SMS, and Data
Some embedded sim cards are the full package and they can entirely replace the need for a physical sim card. There are smartphones out there that do not have a designated sim card slot because they’re eSim only – this should tell you just far this technology has come.
I’m pretty sure that in a few years physical sim cards will become a thing of the past and eSims will become the norm, just like subscription-based cloud storage has slowly phased out the use of SD cards in cell phones.
4G vs 5G eSims
Most eSim providers and countries are only going to offer you 4G or LTE. That is fine in most cases, but some of you may want faster speeds.
There are a limited number of providers and countries that offer 5G eSims. That link to the left will take you to a page I have made with all the 5G offers I can find online right now. Understandably it is mostly developed countries and regions.
Are eSims Supported Everywhere?
No, eSims are not supported everywhere. It depends on whether the network carriers in a specific country support eSim technology. If they don’t, it doesn’t matter if you can squeeze 20 eSim profiles in your cell phone – you won’t be able to use an eSim in that country.
It’s pretty clear that China doesn’t support eSim technology, and most smartphones device manufactured in the country do not have eSim support at all. If you want an iPhone 14 that supports a physical sim card, just try to get your hands on the Chinese version.
What eSim Can I Get?
You have dozens of options when it comes to eSim. You can get an eSim to replace your physical sim card if you live in a country where mobile network carriers support eSims. You can also get eSims that are valid only in specific countries or regions, which is the best option for traveling, especially if you just need internet access in a foreign country.
One thing to note is that it’s better to purchase eSim plans from global eSim providers than local network operators when you’re traveling. When you get an eSim from a specific network provider like T-Mobile, it’s going to be locked to their network, so you won’t always have the best coverage.
But if you get the eSim from an eSim provider like Airalo or Holafly, it will automatically switch between different mobile networks to get you the best coverage possible.
Version Limits of eSim
The first smartphone that offered eSim technology upon release was the Google Pixel 2, back in 2017. Apple and Samsung followed suit shortly after, and in 2018 they released their first smartphones that supported eSim technology.
This means that any devices manufactured before 2018 (except for the Pixel 2) do not have eSim support. Also, most smartphones manufactured this or the previous year still don’t have eSim support. This feature is still mostly reserved for flagships, so unless the price of your smartphone had four digits, it most likely doesn’t support an eSim.
for IOS
It’s pretty simple with iOS and iPadOS devices – phones and tablets that were released in 2018 (iPhone XS (Max), iPhone XR) or later support eSim technology. This applies even to the iPhone mini and the SE (2020 version), as well as iPad Air, Pro, and Mini. However, keep in mind that only cellular iPad support eSims – iPads that are Wi-Fi only don’t have the mini chip necessary for eSims to work.
for Android
What about Android devices? eSim technology has remained a feature included only in the most expensive Android phones, also known as flagship devices. In other words, if you have a budget or mid-range Android phone, it most likely doesn’t support an eSim. Also, this feature is mostly included in phones produced by bigger brands, so the likes of Samsung, Google, Oppo, Xiaomi, Motorola, etc.
Generally speaking, flagships released in 2018 and after should have eSim capability. I’m not going to force you to read a list of 50+ phones just to fill up a word count – you can find such lists in dozens of similar articles out there.
Instead, I’ll tell you to open up your phone and dial *#06# – a list of unique identification numbers for your smartphone will pop up. If you see an EID number, that means your phone supports an eSim. If there’s no EID number, your phone doesn’t support an eSim.
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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!
