What an eSIM is and how it differs from a physical SIM card

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone instead of a physical chip you insert into a slot. Your phone stores the eSIM data in embedded memory, and you can switch carriers or add a second line without removing anything or visiting a store. Most newer phones — iPhones from the 12 onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 4 and newer, and many others — support eSIM.

The main difference from a physical SIM is how you get it onto your phone. With a physical SIM, you receive a card in the mail and slide it into your device. With an eSIM, you scan a QR code or enter activation details directly in your phone's settings, and the carrier sends the profile to your device over the internet. The process takes minutes instead of days.

Not all carriers offer eSIM yet, and some offer it only on certain plans. Check with your carrier before you start — they will tell you whether eSIM is available for your account and what you need to do to request it.

Key Takeaways

  • You request an eSIM from your carrier, who sends you a QR code or activation details by email or text.
  • On your phone, go to Settings, find the Cellular or Mobile Network menu, and select "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan".
  • Scan the QR code your carrier provides, or enter the activation code manually if scanning does not work.
  • Your phone downloads the eSIM profile in seconds, and you can start using the new line or carrier immediately.
  • Some phones let you have two eSIMs at once, and some let you combine one eSIM with one physical SIM.

How to request an eSIM from your carrier

Contact your carrier directly — by phone, their website, or their app — and ask to switch to eSIM or add an eSIM line. Have your phone number, account number, and the phone model ready. The carrier will confirm that your phone supports eSIM and that your plan includes it.

The carrier will then send you an activation code, usually as a QR code in an email or text message. Some carriers also let you generate the QR code yourself in their app or website. Save this code somewhere you can access it from another device or printed out, because you will need to scan it during setup.

If you are switching carriers entirely, the new carrier will handle the number transfer (called porting) as part of the eSIM setup. You will need your account number and PIN from your old carrier. The process usually takes a few hours to a day.

Steps to add an eSIM on iPhone

Open Settings and tap Cellular. Tap Add Cellular Plan. Your phone will show a camera screen ready to scan the QR code your carrier sent you. Hold the code steady in front of the camera until your phone recognizes it — you do not need to take a photo, just let the camera read it.

If you do not have the QR code or scanning does not work, tap Enter Details Manually instead. Type in the activation code your carrier provided. Your phone will download the eSIM profile and ask you to name the plan (for example, "Personal" or "Work") so you can tell your lines apart.

Once the profile downloads, your phone will ask which line you want to use for calls, texts, and data. You can set different defaults for each, or use one line for everything. You can change these settings anytime in Cellular Settings.

Steps to add an eSIM on Android

The exact steps vary by phone maker, but the general path is the same. Open Settings and look for Cellular, Mobile Network, SIM Management, or Connections — the name depends on your phone. Tap Add eSIM, Add Cellular Plan, or Add Mobile Plan.

Your phone will open a camera to scan the QR code. Hold the code steady until the phone reads it. If scanning fails, look for an option to Enter Activation Code or Enter Details Manually and type the code your carrier provided instead.

After the profile downloads, your phone will ask you to name the plan and set which line handles calls, texts, and data. On some Android phones, you can also set which line is your default for specific contacts — for example, always use your work line when calling your boss.

What to do if the QR code will not scan

First, make sure you have good lighting and the code is not bent or damaged. Hold it steady about 6 inches from your phone's camera. If it still will not scan, try taking a screenshot of the QR code and opening that screenshot in your phone's camera app — some phones can read codes from images.

If scanning still fails, your carrier should have given you an activation code (a long string of numbers and letters) alongside the QR code. Go back to the eSIM setup screen and look for Enter Code Manually, Enter Activation Code, or Enter Details Manually. Type the code exactly as your carrier provided it, including any hyphens or spaces.

If you lost the code or it is not working, contact your carrier and ask them to resend it or generate a new one. They can usually do this in minutes through their app or website, or by phone.

Managing multiple eSIMs and switching between them

Most modern phones can hold two eSIM profiles at once, and some let you use both at the same time. You can also combine one eSIM with one physical SIM on phones that have a SIM slot. This is useful if you want a work line and a personal line, or if you travel and want to add a local carrier without removing your home carrier.

To switch which eSIM is active, go to Settings, find Cellular or Mobile Network, and tap the line you want to use. You can turn each line on or off independently. When you turn off a line, you will not receive calls or texts on it, but the profile stays on your phone and you can turn it back on anytime.

To remove an eSIM entirely, go to Cellular Settings, find the plan you want to delete, and look for Remove eSIM, Delete, or Remove Plan. Your phone will ask you to confirm. Once removed, you will need a new QR code or activation code from your carrier to add it back.

Troubleshooting common eSIM problems

If your phone says "eSIM not supported" or "Unable to add eSIM", your phone model may not support eSIM, or your carrier may not offer it yet. Check your phone's manual or your carrier's website to confirm both support it. Some older phones and some carriers in certain regions do not offer eSIM.

If the eSIM profile downloads but you have no signal, restart your phone first. If that does not work, go to Cellular Settings and toggle the line off and back on. If you still have no signal after an hour, contact your carrier — the profile may need to be activated on their end, or there may be a network issue in your area.

If you switched carriers and your old number is not working, the port may still be in progress. Carrier transfers usually take a few hours to a day. If it has been longer than a day, contact your new carrier and ask them to check the status of the port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two eSIMs at the same time on my phone?

Most newer phones support two eSIMs active at once, though some carriers limit which plans can run together. Check your phone's specs and ask your carrier. You can set different defaults for calls, texts, and data on each line, or use one line for everything and keep the other as backup.

What happens to my old SIM card when I switch to eSIM?

You can keep it or throw it away — it will not work once your carrier deactivates it. If you are keeping your old phone as a backup, you might want to keep the physical SIM in case you need to use that phone again. Otherwise, there is no reason to keep it.

Can I transfer my eSIM to a different phone?

Not directly. You will need to contact your carrier and ask them to deactivate the eSIM on your old phone and send you a new QR code for your new phone. This usually takes a few minutes. Some carriers let you do this in their app, while others require a phone call.

Do I need WiFi to add an eSIM?

You need internet to download the eSIM profile, but it can be WiFi or cellular data. If you are adding your first eSIM and have no cellular service yet, use WiFi. If you already have a working SIM, you can use your existing cellular data to download the new eSIM profile.

What if my carrier does not offer eSIM?

You will need to stick with a physical SIM for now, or switch to a carrier that offers eSIM. Many carriers are adding eSIM support, so check back with your carrier in a few months. In the meantime, a physical SIM works just as well — the only difference is the setup time.