What's an eSIM? eSIM Cards, Phones & Devices Explained

Even if you aren’t tech savvy, chances are you’ve at least heard of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. They’re the small cards located in a phone that help you connect to your wireless carrier’s network and use your plan. While the SIM card was necessary for many years, it’s largely been replaced by a new digital type of card: the embedded SIM (eSIM).

If you’re wondering how they’re different than physical SIM cards, why you might need them, which devices have them, and how to use them, we’re here to help answer those questions.

What's the difference between an eSIM vs. a physical SIM card?

An eSIM is a digital version of the physical SIM card—identifying your device virtually to provide network connection. It’s programmable remotely via software and is built into newer smartphones, meaning you wouldn’t have to go purchase a new SIM card if you wanted to swap phones or wireless carriers. They’re basically space-saving gamechangers for connectivity.

What can eSIMs do?

Since they’re embedded in devices and are programmable remotely, they can open a whole new world of flexibility when it comes to managing your phone and service plans. You can add plans, add a new number, and even connect to a different carrier, all on one phone.

How can eSIMs benefit me?

Let's say you have one smartphone for work and a second phone for your personal life. If your phone is equipped with eSIM, and most new ones are, you can have both lines hooked up to the same device, giving you the convenience and control to toggle between those lines straight from your phone. This saves you money because with eSIM, you don’t need two separate devices.

In addition, if you’re traveling internationally, you no longer need to buy a second physical SIM card when you arrive at your destination. eSIMs let you easily add an international plan to your device that can start working the moment you arrive in another country, giving you hassle-free flexibility.

Even small, medium, and large businesses can benefit from eSIMs, as they make it possible to change or update wireless service remotely on multiple lines at once—whether you have five employees or five thousand.

What phones use eSIMs?

Most American iPhones released since 2017 have eSIM slots, including top brands like Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, Motorola razr and beyond, which means your phone is likely eSIM compatible unless it’s very old.

How do I activate my eSIM?

Before you try activating an eSIM on your phone, ensure your device’s software is up to date, connected to Wi-Fi, and has internet access for a smooth activation.

After that, there are a few different ways to activate your eSIM, depending on the type of phone you have. While most newer devices are compatible, you can verify that yours is by visiting your carrier’s website or by checking your device settings. Here’s the easiest way to check for compatibility, and then activate your eSIM on iPhone and Android:

iPhone: For Apple devices, go to Settings > Cellular > and scroll down. If your phone is compatible, you should see Add eSIM. Just click on that and follow the steps to activate.
Android: For Android devices, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and scroll down. Look for Add eSIM. Click and follow the prompts.

You can watch the video below to see more step-by-step instructions on how to activate your eSIM.

Are phones the only eSIM devices?

Actually, eSIMs are in tablets, smart watches, drones, and a range of other IoT devices. Here are a few examples of how they’re used:

Tablets

eSIMs are increasingly used in cellular tablets like iPads, Samsung Galaxy Tabs, and more, allowing you to stay connected to the internet without needing a physical SIM card. For example, while traveling to a different country, you could buy a local data plan through your tablet’s settings, saving you the hassle of buying a new SIM card. You can also switch between mobile carriers or data plans easily, like you can with your eSIM-enabled phone.

Smart watches

Many modern smartwatches, like Samsung, Google Pixel and Apple Watch, feature eSIM technology, letting you make calls, send texts, or use apps independently of your phone. For instance, if you’re going for a run but don’t want your phone weighing you down, you can still receive notifications and calls directly through your smartwatch, thanks to the embedded eSIM.

Drones

eSIMs can be used in drones for GPS tracking and cellular connectivity, enabling remote control and real-time data transmission. For example, if you’re a photographer and want to capture aerial footage for a project, the eSIM allows the drone to switch between networks for seamless connectivity, ensuring that you can control the drone from afar and still receive live footage, even in remote areas.

These are just a few examples of how eSIM technology is streamlining connectivity across your phone and various other devices.

What about eSIM security?

One of the key advantages of an eSIM is its enhanced physical security compared to a traditional SIM card. If your phone is stolen, thieves can’t just remove the eSIM. Disabling or replacing it typically requires authorization, making it more difficult for people to exploit. This significantly reduces the chances of reselling a stolen device, as a phone with an active eSIM profile is easily traceable. Still, no connected device is ever completely safe. To ensure added security, there are a few steps you can take:

Turn on SIM protection. Many carriers offer a free SIM Protection feature that prevents bad actors from moving your number to another device and using it for fraud. You generally need to be the primary account holder in order to set it up and remove it. Remember: if you don’t disable SIM Protection before moving your eSIM to a new device, you'll receive an error.
Protect passwords. Use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts and enable two-factor authentication when available. Consider using a password manager to streamline the process.
Be wary of unsolicited texts, emails, and phone calls. Never give out private information and be suspicious of someone pressuring you to act quickly.
Boost your online security. If you suspect a hacking attempt, change your passwords immediately across all your accounts, especially financial and banking sites. Be sure to update your passwords regularly and monitor your credit report for any suspicious activity.

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^Sources:

^{https://esimcard.com/esim-compatible}

^{https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/esim-cards-replacing-sim-cards}

^{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syjvRRMT_as&t=8s}

^{https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/esim-cards-replacing-sim-cards}

^{https://www.techradar.com/pro/what-is-an-esim}

^{https://www.lifecycle-software.com/resources/esim-compatible-devices-list-2024}

^{https://roamless.com/blog/esim-compatible-tablets}

^{https://nordvpn.com/blog/is-esim-safe}

^{https://esimcard.com/blog/esim-compatible-smartwatches}

^{https://www.iotforall.com/how-is-esim-technology-streamlining-global-bvlos-drone-operations}

^{*Please note that product availability may vary, and some items mentioned may no longer be in stock or available at the time of reading. Browse all of our latest phones, devices and accessories here.}