What Is an eSIM? How eSIMS Work, How to Use an eSIM

An eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card that’s built directly into your device, eliminating the need for a physical card. The “e” stands for embedded, but it’s also known as a virtual SIM card or digital SIM card. Once activated, an eSIM functions just like a traditional SIM card, allowing you to connect to cellular networks, make calls, and use mobile data. Research company Statista projects 82 percent of smartphones will be eSIM capable by 2030. 

Key eSIM benefits:

• eSIM allows for seamless switching between networks and phone plans — you don't have to mess with removing a SIM card and physically installing a new one.
• A single device can have multiple eSIMs, letting you activate or reactivate them as needed, such as for travel.
• They offer faster and easier activation, and also allow for easy free trials of service.

How does an eSIM work?

An eSIM works like a traditional physical SIM card except that it is built directly into a device and is programmable remotely. They can be in phones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, connected thermostats, cars, and more.

An eSIM offers more flexibility and ease for users to manage their devices and service plans. If your phone has an eSIM, you can easily add or remove phone plans and numbers and switch to different carriers without waiting to receive a physical SIM card. To activate an eSIM, you just scan a QR code or use a link provided by the carrier.

How to use an eSIM

Step 1: Purchase a phone plan

Simply purchase an eSIM plan online from your carrier. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card or remove your physical SIM because eSIMs are remotely programmable. You can set up your eSIM and connect from anywhere in the world.

Step 2: Activate an eSIM

Once you pick the phone plan you want, contact that carrier to activate your eSIM. It will provide you with a QR code or setup link to scan and activate your eSIM on your device. (If you're getting a new number, check out steps you should take before changing your phone number.) Note that you'll need to be on Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM.

How to activate an eSIM:

1. Request an eSIM from your carrier: Reach out to your carrier and ask for an eSIM, or purchase a plan from a new carrier with an eSIM. Technically, they will provide you with a QR code or setup link that lets you download the eSIM profile to your device.

2. Scan the provided QR code: Using the device where you want the eSIM activated, scan the code to activate.

   • iPhone: Open the Camera app or a QR code scanner to begin the activation process.
   • Android: Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Card Manager, then tap Add mobile plan or Scan QR code.
3. Follow the on-screen setup instructions: After scanning the QR code, your mobile device will prompt you to confirm or enter additional details. Once you complete all the steps, your eSIM will be ready to use.

Types of eSIMs: Data-Only vs. SMS, Voice, and Data

There are two main types of eSIM: Data-Only and SMS, Voice, and Data. Each serves a different purpose and is designed for specific users.

• Data-Only eSIM: The Data-Only eSIM provides internet access only, without providing a phone number or letting you make phone calls or send SMS texts over a cell connection. (But once connected to the internet, you can use apps to make calls and send messages.) It offers full coverage around the world (such as if you're looking for an international SIM card for your travels). If you are looking for affordable global data on the go, without the need for calls or texts on a cellular network, a Data-Only eSIM is a good solution.
• SMS, Voice, and Data eSIM: This is an all-in-one eSIM that provides full mobile communication features, including calls, texts, and data. It offers global roaming coverage and standard mobile services. This type of eSIM is more cost-efficient and flexible, to ensure you are connected. It's now commonly used by phone service providers, and if you're looking for the best eSIMs specifically for a smoother, faster activation, you can check out our full list of the best eSIMs in 2026.

ESIM Features

Advantages of an eSIM

An eSIM gives you the flexibility and convenience of having a second phone line for personal or work use. If your device is compatible with eSIM, you can have two or more lines without needing multiple phones.

For example, when traveling internationally, you would typically need to buy a second physical SIM card upon arrival and swap it with your existing SIM. With eSIM, there’s no need to remove your physical SIM or deal with that hassle. You can simply add an international plan directly to your device, and it will start working as soon as you arrive in another country. More benefits that eSIM provides:

• Flexibility: You can easily activate your phone on any new carrier without having to physically obtain and then swap out a physical SIM card.
• Convenience: You can easily activate your new carrier's service remotely with an eSIM and avoid the hassle of a physical SIM insertion process.
• Eco-friendliness: eSIMs do away with the unnecessary materials use and packaging of a physical SIM, as well as the emissions from shipping a physical SIM.
• Good for travel: Purchase an international eSIM ahead of your trip abroad, and activate it on location to continue receiving service (cheaper than roaming!).
  

Disadvantages of an eSIM

• Limited carrier support: Not all carriers support eSIM activation yet. Check directly with whatever carrier you're considering to ensure it has eSIM compatibility. (TextNow does not currently support eSIM, but is working to add it. But you can still use TextNow via our app if your phone is eSIM only.)
• Limited to newer devices: Since eSIM is a relatively new technology, it's only supported by newer devices. But the market is growing. Starting in 2022, Apple offered only eSIM iPhones in the U.S. Google and Samsung have increased their eSIM models as well. Research firm Statista projects that 98% of smartphone connections in North America will use eSIM technology by 2030. 
• No physical backup: While eSIMs can make your life easier, they can also create problems when your phone no longer works. If you have issues with connecting to a network, or your phone truly is dead or damaged and you need to switch to a new one, it's no longer as easy as moving the physical SIM to a new device. It also limits your options for troubleshooting if you start having issues with the SIM.

What carrier is best for eSIM support?

The big 3 carriers in the U.S.. support eSIM (Verizon, TMobile, and AT&T). We recommend looking into their cheaper MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) counterparts, like Visible and US Mobile, to find an affordable plan that can support eSIM. Orange and Vodafone are the main carriers that offer eSIM in Europe.

Can I use eSIM on any phone?

Since this is a newer technology, only newer models –both iOS and Android – will be able to recognize and use eSIMs rather than physical SIM cards. 

How do I know if I have eSIM or SIM?

There are a variety of ways to know if your phone is eSIM compatible.

How to check eSIM support on iPhone

If you're using iPhone 14 or later in the U.S., your device is eSIM-only and has no physical SIM tray. Older models also support eSIM in a dual-SIM capacity: iPhone XR, XS, iPhone 11, 12, and 13. To confirm your model:

• Go to Settings > General > About.
• Look at Model Name and Model Number.

You can also check on Apple's website to make sure the phone you currently have (or are looking to buy) supports eSIM.

You can also:

1. Open Settings on your phone.
2. Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. If you see an option for Add eSIM, Add Cellular Plan, or Convert to eSIM, your device supports eSIM.You might also see existing eSIM profiles listed under Cellular Plans.

How to check eSIM support on Android

Since there are so many more Android models than iPhones, listing each model gets unwieldy. But you can easily undertake a quick search on your phone's setting:

1. Open Settings.
2. Navigate to Network & Internet or Connections.
3. Look for eSIM Options: If you see options like SIM Card Manager or Add eSIM, your phone supports eSIM.

You can also check the manufacturer's website as well (Samsung, Google, Motorola, Huawei, etc.) to confirm whether your model supports eSIM. Also, check out this comprehensive list of eSIM-compatible phones provided by Yesim.

Can I have dual eSIM on my phone, or a physical SIM and an eSIM?

• Apple: Starting with iPhone 14 and newer (15, 16), they only support eSIM, so you will not have a physical SIM slot. The good news is that those phones support dual eSIM, so you can have two phone carriers providing you service, which can make travelling (without roaming) much easier. Older models (iPhone 13 – iPhone X) only have single eSIM support, but they do also come with a physical SIM slot, so you have more flexibility.
• Android: The good news here is that Android is more flexible and available to be used with more carriers, and most eSIM-enabled phones do also come with a physical SIM slot, making them dual SIM phones (one eSIM, one physical).

How can I transfer an eSIM to another phone?

Some phone carriers let you transfer an eSIM to the new phone to continue your service on it, while others do not support it and require you to activate a new eSiM. Check with your carrier to find out if you can transfer the existing eSIM and specific instructions for doing so.

For an iPhone to iPhone transfer, you may be able to use eSIM Quick Transfer without contacting your service provider.

Similarly, Google is rolling out an eSIM transfer tool that supports moving eSIMs between some Android models (Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones in particular) on some networks during the set-up process. If that doesn't work, open Settings on the new phone and go to Network & Internet or Connections. Choose SIM Manager or Cellular Data, then tap Add eSIM to see if a Transfer eSIM option appears.

How can I delete an eSIM?

You might want to remove an eSIM if you've moved your plan to a new phone and are going to trade in, sell or give away the old phone. Here's how:

On an iPhone: Go to Settings then Cellular, and choose Delete eSIM if you just have one phone plan. If you have multiple plans, you'll have to tap on the one you want and then choose Delete Plan.

On an Android, go to Settings then Connections and choose SIM Manager, where you can select the eSIM and remove it.

eSIM vs. physical SIM

The main difference between an eSIM and a physical SIM is the convenience of activation. An eSIM can be easily and quickly activated remotely, without having to walk through a step-by-step insertion and activation process. When it comes to the quality of service after activation, though, there is no difference.

There are enough pros and cons to both that if you're looking for a new phone, we'd recommend finding a dual-SIM one that supports both eSIM and physical SIM. This gives you:

• More flexibility when selecting a carrier or data plan.
• The ability to use two numbers (e.g., personal and work, or home and travel).
• Easier transitions between carriers or phones, without losing service.
  

Frequently asked questions about eSIM