Can Any SIM Be an eSIM?

 

eSIM technology replaces the physical SIM tray found in many smartphones, smartwatches and portable computing devices with instant activation of a new eSIM card – making switching rates or providers simpler than ever before.

But what exactly is an eSIM?

What is an eSIM?

An electronic SIM is a chip that contains all your carrier and plan information. Used in many newer phones, an eSIM allows users to switch phone lines without swapping out physical SIM cards.

eSIMs can also be found in devices such as tablets and smartwatches, making switching plans, adding coverage or switching carriers much simpler than before.

Travelers, in particular, may benefit from this technology by being able to add local data plans when traveling abroad. Furthermore, this obviates the need for a separate SIM tray allowing manufacturers to make thinner and lighter devices.

E-SIM technology is rapidly increasing in prevalence; however, not everyone can take advantage of it yet. Your phone may or may not support an eSIM depending on its model, carrier and software; for instance Apple iPhone XS and later models as well as most Google Pixel phones and Samsung Android devices have one built in. You can determine compatibility by visiting either their websites or reaching out to customer support – to do this quickly you could also visit Apple or Samsung and check for yourself if their phones support an eSIM slot.

How does an eSIM work?

An eSIM (Embedded Universal Circuit Card) works like any regular SIM, except it’s permanently installed into your phone and cannot be removed. This makes switching phones or carriers simpler by eliminating physical SIM swapping out.

E-SIMs offer another advantage by taking up less space in a phone, enabling manufacturers to create smaller handsets or add features such as larger batteries. This feature will especially be advantageous in wearable devices like smartwatches where having a physical SIM tray takes up valuable real estate.

Ubigi offers pay as you go eSIM data plans for iPhone 11 or later models that help reduce roaming charges when traveling abroad, helping avoid significant roaming charges and download an eSIM profile from your carrier either using their prepaid eSIM app or by scanning a QR code provided.

Can I use an eSIM with a physical SIM card?

An eSIM is a digital SIM that replaces the physical SIM in your phone and allows you to switch plans and providers without needing to change devices or wait for new SIMs in the mail.

As most flagship devices released since 2018 support eSIM technology, you should check our list of compatible devices or reach out to your carrier for more details.

However, the eSIM isn’t the only way to reduce physical SIM usage; an iSIM goes even further, integrating cellular functionality directly into its chip.

Though not yet widely available on all phones, iSIMs are expected to become standard over the coming years. If your device supports it, changing rates or carriers will become much simpler with just one click! Furthermore, your plan information is securely stored in the cloud if your phone gets lost or stolen – keeping all your information safe!

Can I use an eSIM with a dual SIM device?

eSIMs make switching operators fast and painlessly, eliminating costs and hassle of changing rates and providers. Unlike physical SIM cards that must be physically replaced when changing providers or losing a phone, information stored digitally on an eSIM is stored digitally on your device and can easily be restored if lost or stolen.

Some phones include dual SIM slots, while eSIMs can be used in devices like smartwatches or other wearables that don’t typically use phones but still need seamless connectivity. Since such devices must connect to different networks across countries, an eSIM may save money on international data plans and charges.

To setup your eSIM, it is best to follow the instructions provided by your carrier. iPhone users can activate their eSIM using the Carrier Activation feature on the Settings app; alternatively, scanning QR codes provided by providers using Camera App can complete this process and tapping Cellular or Mobile Data completes it all.