eSIM – Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Many higher-end phones are eSIM compatible these days. If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, Google Pixel 2 or newer, or Samsung S20 series and newer, your phone supports eSIM. Additionally, better phones from Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, and others have eSIM support. Here's a list of all phones with eSIM support.

If your phone doesn't support eSIM but you're otherwise happy with it, you can use services like eSIM.me. This German company will send you a physical SIM card that you insert into your phone, and you can then load several eSIM profiles onto this programmable SIM card (2 to 15 depending on the version chosen).

Of course, purchasing a new device is also an option to consider.

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built directly into your device. Unlike a physical SIM card, it cannot be removed, but you can load different carrier profiles onto it. It offers the same functions as a traditional SIM but with greater flexibility when switching between carriers.

Yes, most modern phones support dual SIM functionality, where you can have both a physical SIM and an eSIM active at the same time.

We've prepared a detailed guide with screenshots on how to install eSIM on iOS (iPhone) and Android (Samsung). 

In short, you scan the QR code provided by your eSIM package provider after purchase in your mobile network or mobile data settings, and the eSIM profile will download and install on your phone. It's a relatively simple process, but you need to be connected to Wi-Fi, for example, because you need to be online for download and installation, and it's important not to forget to enable data roaming. 

On iOS, open Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan and scan the QR code from your carrier. 

On Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Add Carrier and follow the instructions.

Here we've prepared an article that describes everything you need to know for your first eSIM.

eSIM activation usually takes just a few seconds. Simply scan the QR code and the eSIM profile will download to your phone. What's important is that you need to be connected to the internet, such as Wi-Fi, during installation and activation, and after installing the eSIM, you need to check that data roaming is enabled. On some phones and in certain cases, you may need to restart your phone, and in exceptional cases, you may need to manually select the carrier network for the specific country. Here you'll find an article that describes all steps from selecting an eSIM package to successful installation.

Yes, you need an active internet connection via Wi-Fi to download the eSIM profile. The profile size is usually just a few KB.

On a single device, you can have multiple eSIM profiles. However, there are differences in how many active eSIMs your phone can have at once and how many stored profiles it can hold. (An active profile means that SIM card is connected to the network.) It's good to check how many active and stored eSIM profiles your phone or the phone you want to buy supports. Among the phones with the highest number of SIM cards are iPhones and Samsung's most expensive series.

You can switch between eSIM profiles in Settings > Cellular (iOS) or Network & Internet (Android). Select which profile you want to activate.

On iOS, go to Settings > Cellular > Select the eSIM > Remove Cellular Plan. 

On Android, open Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Select the eSIM and remove it.

The number depends on your phone model. For example, iPhones allow you to store 8-16 eSIM profiles, but only 2 can be active simultaneously. Android phones have similar limitations.

Yes, in your phone settings, you can simply turn off/deactivate an eSIM profile without having to delete it. This is useful when you want to keep the profile for later use.

Yes, most carriers allow you to transfer an eSIM to a new phone, but you'll need to get a new QR code or use the carrier's app. Verify this with your provider.

A factory reset usually deletes the eSIM, so you'll need to reinstall it. Before resetting, check how to restore your profile with your carrier.

Contact your carrier, who will provide you with a new QR code or allow you to transfer the eSIM via the carrier's app to your new device.

eSIM profiles are tied to specific devices. If you're changing OS (e.g., custom ROM on Android), it's recommended to back up your profile or contact your carrier for reactivation.

Contact your carrier as quickly as possible to block the eSIM and issue you a new profile for your new device. Many carriers also have the option to block eSIMs online.

Check: 

1) if your phone is unlocked for all carriers

2) if the QR code/activation code is valid

3) try restarting your phone

4) verify that you have a stable internet connection

Yes, contact your carrier who can deactivate the eSIM profile remotely. Some eSIM applications also allow remote management through a web interface.

Data consumption depends on what you're doing. For regular usage like browsing the web and social media, you might need around 1-2 GB per day. Streaming video in high quality can require up to 3-5 GB daily.

For more information, you can read our guide: How much data do I need.

Unlimited data is worth it if you don't have a clear idea of how much data you'll need. When selecting an eSIM package with unlimited data, it's important to find out if the carrier limits connection speed, or if there's significant slowdown after reaching a certain amount of downloaded data. These are unfortunately very common ways providers limit so-called unlimited packages.

For example, the most well-known unlimited data provider Holafly in our test limited speed to 34 Mb/s download and in their FAIR USE terms states they may limit speed after using 4.5 GB of data per day. For Switzerland, one day with Holafly costs $6.

For $5 you can buy 5 GB for 30 days in Switzerland from eSIM4Travel, which doesn't limit speed at all.

To compare offers, you can use our eSIM package comparison tool.

Throttling is slowing down the speed of your connection after reaching a certain data volume within your plan.

Yes, some eSIM plans allow top-ups and continuation with the same package, while others require purchasing a new package.

The most well-known eSIM providers that support so-called TopUp, which is recharging the same package, are Airalo and eSIM4Travel.

Most eSIM providers offer an app or web portal to check usage. Some eSIMs also send SMS notifications about usage. You can also set up your own data tracking on your phone.

After exhausting your data limit, your connection simply stops. The only operator whose app still works afterward, allowing you to top up data, is GigSky. With others, even the most well-known ones like Airalo and Holafly, the provider's app is also offline, and you can no longer top up data or days.

Travel eSIMs typically focus on data-only plans because they're cheaper. Even in our very comprehensive eSIM comparison tool, we only have a few packages with calls and SMS. 

Everyone probably thinks of WhatsApp and Messenger. But if you need to call a regular phone number, you can use services like Skype, which allows calls to landlines and mobile phones, or other apps supporting the SIP protocol. In any case, remember that emergency calls are free.

Yes, with local carriers you can transfer your existing number from a physical SIM to an eSIM. With travel eSIMs this is usually not possible as they typically offer only temporary numbers or data-only services.

Yes, all internet communication apps work normally with a data eSIM. You can call and text through WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, etc. with your original number.

Usually yes. Some carriers state that hotspot is allowed, or how much data is allowed for hotspot. For carriers that prohibit hotspot, the question is how they actually detect it. Some detect hotspot by the amount of data downloaded in a time frame, some by device behavior on the network. Using a VPN on your phone with hotspot should theoretically work against the second method, but the problem is that the carrier usually doesn't tell you how they check if you're not using hotspot.

If you buy a specific size package, such as 5 GB, the provider usually doesn't restrict hotspot. For unlimited packages, for example, the most well-known operator Holafly allows only 500 MB for hotspot.

Yes, if your device supports 5G and the eSIM provider has access to a 5G network, you'll be able to use 5G. 

It's important to realize that 5G doesn't necessarily mean connection speed. Carriers often use 5G as a marketing tactic, but connection speed is usually limited by the provider or other circumstances, so it doesn't even reach the 4G limit. You can read more about this here.

Yes, many smartwatches (Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch) support eSIM. They usually require their own data plan or sharing data with your phone.

eSIM offers higher security - it can't be physically stolen or cloned like a traditional SIM card. Profiles are encrypted and tied to specific devices.