How does eSIM work? By Odin's beard! It works well! In times of trial, storms, and new horizons, it never leaves the Vikings' side. It serves bravely on every journey, and it's impossible to defeat because it's not physical, but digital. And now... let's unfurl the sails of specifics 🫡!
What is eSIM?
Connoisseurs of Scandinavian folklore and fireside tales know Esim as a legendary princess from the 9th century who led her people to the sea 🌊. It's not entirely clear what happened to them afterward... Others associate eSIM with something completely different – a digital equivalent of a SIM card – that plastic gizmo that stubbornly refuses to fit into the phone.
A traditional SIM card is physical and comes in sizes:
- mini,
- micro,
- nano.
The origins of this solution date back to the early Third Polish Republic, so for many of us, it's a given, and surely everyone has had a problem with a traditional SIM card at least once or twice. You surely remember – either the device didn't accept the given size, or you had to use an adapter. Plus, the famous "Hey, does anyone have a needle or something to open this SIM card slot"? And the classic: the card can get lost or damaged. Generally, then, it's one of those things that doesn't make our hearts beat faster, and nobody will miss it. At this point, with full sails and all in white, the virtual SIM card – eSIM – enters the scene!
An eSIM card is, in effect, a SIM card in digital form. You won't receive it by mail, courier, or hand-to-hand, but as a digital version to download to your device (always check if your device has this option!) 📲.
If you need more information, also see the article What is an eSIM card
How does eSIM work?
It's as simple as a trip through a fjord. After downloading, eSIM installs on one of the motherboard modules of your device and "transports" exactly the same data as a standard SIM card. This operating principle of eSIM means that:
- you gain security – you can locate a lost or stolen phone faster, and attempting to tamper with the installed eSIM data requires a PIN;
- you are more eco-friendly – the eSIM card is not plastic, the operator doesn't have to send an eSIM card, and you don't have to go pick it up – a small change, but it brings joy :);
- you have certainty – because the card won't be damaged and will only go down if your phone does.
How to add or install an eSIM card?
The eSIM service is installed differently depending on the phone model. Typically, you need to go to Settings, then find the Mobile Networks or Network & Internet tab, and then look for the tab related to SIM card or eSIM. The path, depending on the manufacturer, looks like this:
- iPhone: Settings ➡️ Cellular ➡️ Add Cellular Plan
- Samsung: Settings ➡️ Connections ➡️ SIM card manager ➡️ Add tariff plan
- Huawei: Settings ➡️ Mobile network ➡️ SIM card management ➡️ Add SIM card ➡️ eSIM type ➡️ Select
- Motorola: Settings ➡️ Network & internet ➡️ SIM cards ➡️ Add tariff plan
- Oppo: Settings ➡️ Mobile network ➡️ eSIM ➡️ Add eSIM
For other, less popular manufacturers, the path will certainly be similar. Then, follow the instructions and scan the QR code to download the eSIM card or enter the code manually.
If, for example, while choosing a card, you're wondering how to connect a watch to a phone, remember that pairing devices like this is not the same as the watch being able to operate independently away from the phone. This is because an eSIM card only supports one device.
Which phones support eSIM cards?
Here is a list of models from leading brands that will surely embrace eSIM technology:
- Apple: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone SE, iPhone Pro Max, iPhone 11 series and newer (including Apple iPhone 14, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max);
- Samsung: Samsung Galaxy A54, Samsung Galaxy Fold, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung Z Flip 3 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S23+, S23 Ultra series, Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra;
- Huawei: Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro, Huawei Mate 40 Pro; Honor: Honor Magic 5 Pro;
- Motorola: Motorola Edge 40 Pro, Motorola Razr, Motorola Razr 5G, Motorola Edge (2022), Motorola Moto Razr (2022);
- Google: Google Pixel 7, Google Pixel 7 Pro, Google Pixel 6a, Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel 6 Pro, Google Pixel 5, Google Pixel 5a, Google Pixel 4 XL, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 3 XL, Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel 2;
- Sony: Sony Xperia 1 IV, Sony Xperia 5 IV, Sony Xperia 10 IV;
- Xiaomi: Xiaomi 12T Pro, Xiaomi Redmi Note 11; Oppo: Oppo Find X3 Pro, Oppo Find X5, Oppo Find X5 Pro 5G, Oppo Reno 5A, Oppo Reno 6 Pro 5G, Oppo A55s; Vivo: Vivo X80.
Major online stores have noticed the growing popularity of eSIM cards, so in many cases, in the filtering options, you will find the "esim" category, which will greatly simplify checking if it is a prepaid phone with an eSIM card.
You can check the exact list of smartphones that support eSIM technology on our dedicated eSIM page 👌.
How to transfer an eSIM card to another phone?
An eSIM card is a secure solution designed for a single device. So what if you want to transfer it 🧐? You need to request a new eSIM card and install it on the new device. During the installation of the new card, the old one will cease to be active.
And that's all – an eSIM card is a sensible solution, so we can expect it to increasingly replace classic SIM cards over time. So, perhaps it's time to open the door to the future now? 🚀
