Your eSIM Guidebook 2024: How-To Setup eSIM, Benefits, and FAQs Answered

During most flagship smartphone launch events in 2024, you must have noticed that brands highlight eSIM support as an important feature. If you are wondering what an eSIM is? or if you have a smartphone with eSIM support and want to try it out, then you are in the right place. In this detailed guide, we will see what eSIM exactly is, how it works, how you can set it up, and answer your most asked questions about eSIM. So, let’s get started.

Page Jumps

• What is an eSIM?
• How does an eSIM Work?
• What are the Benefits of eSIM?
• eSIM Compatibility
• How to Set Up eSIM on Android & iPhone (Step-by-step guide)
  • Steps to Set Up eSIM on Google Pixel 
  • Steps to Set Up eSIM on Samsung Galaxy Phones
  • Steps to Set Up eSIM on OnePlus phones
  • Steps to Set Up eSIM on iPhone
• Are there eSIM Setup Charges?
• How to Transfer eSIMs Between Phones?
  • Steps to transfer eSIM from Google Pixel to other Android phone
  • Steps to Transfer from Samsung Galaxy to other brand Android phone
  • Steps to Transfer eSIM from iPhone to iPhone
  • Transfer eSIM from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone
• How Long Does it Take to Activate an eSIM?
• E-SIM FAQ

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card embedded in a device that allows you to activate a mobile/cellular plan without a physical SIM card.

How does an eSIM Work?

An eSIM works exactly like your physical SIM card, with one difference being that the SIM card chip is embedded in your smartphone’s motherboard. Unlike a physical SIM card, which can be removed whenever needed, an eSIM cannot be physically removed.

The important details that your SIM card needs to connect to your carrier’s network are sent to your phone by scanning a QR code. This is then stored digitally into the eSIM that’s soldered onto the motherboard. This way, your device can store multiple eSIMs and switch between them whenever needed. 

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What are the Benefits of eSIM?

Now, let’s talk about the benefits of an eSIM. An eSIM has several benefits, mostly related to convenience, over a physical SIM card. Here are some of the more important benefits:

1. Convenience and flexibility: eSIM allows easy switching between multiple carriers or phone numbers without the hassle of dealing with physical SIM cards. 
2. Cost-effectiveness: An eSIM is cost-effective for the smartphone manufacturer as well as the carrier. By not including a physical SIM card, smartphone manufacturers can save up valuable space in the device to make room for other internal components.
3. Environmental impact: eSIM can save up a lot of e-waste and carbon footprint that’s generated from making and managing millions of SIM cards, SIM card trays, and SIM ejector tools.
4. Flexible data plans: eSIMs generally have flexible data plans to make it enticing for the average consumer to make the switch from a physical SIM card.
5. No roaming charges: Unlike physical SIM cards that are made for a specific region or location, eSIM can automatically connect to the network in any area. This means users would have to pay zero roaming charges when using an eSIM. Note that some carriers may continue to charge roaming fee.
6. No need to change phone number: You can easily switch between carriers or plans on your eSIM without having to change your phone number.

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eSIM Compatibility

Now that we have discussed the benefits of an eSIM. Let’s talk about one of its few limitations — compatibility. eSIM, although introduced over a decade ago, is still missing on several modern smartphones. The only phones that do support eSIM include iPhones, Samsung’s premium phones, Google Pixel, and a few OnePlus phones.

Mid-range and budget smartphones or even flagship smartphones from brands like OPPO, Xiaomi, and Vivo do not support eSIM. Moreover, eSIM functionality may also depend on your region. Here’s how to find if your smartphone has eSIM functionality in your specific region:

1. Let’s say you want to check the eSIM functionality of the OnePlus 12 in India.
2. Go to the OnePlus 12 product page on the India website.
3. On the product page, navigate to the Specs page.
4. Scroll down and find eSIM in the Connectivity section. If you don’t find eSIM in there or if it says “eSIM not supported” or something similar, your device doesn’t support eSIM.

Alternatively, you can contact the customer support of your smartphone manufacturer and ask them if your device supports eSIM functionality or not.

ALSO CHECK: List of phones with eSIM support

How to Set Up eSIM on Android & iPhone (Step-by-step guide)

Now that you know everything about eSIM, we can get started with setting it up. Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, we’ve got you covered. Make sure you have the following before installing the eSIM:

• An eSIM-compatible Android or iPhone
• A stable internet/Wi-Fi connection
• Your device must be factory-unlocked
• Obtain the QR code or an activation code from your carrier. For more details, you can visit your carrier’s website, contact them directly, or visit a nearby store.

Note: You can also visit your carrier’s nearby store and get your eSIM activated from there.

1. Steps to Set Up eSIM on Google Pixel 

Follow the steps below to install an eSIM on your Google Pixel using a QR Code.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network and Internet.
3. Then, tap on the + next to SIMs. If you don’t see the + button, tap on SIMs > Activate mobile plan.
4. Under “Download a SIM instead?,” tap on Add a number using eSIM.
5. Tap on Yes, if prompted.
6. Tap on Next and scan your QR code to continue.
7. Tap on Download.
8. Once the eSIM is downloaded, tap on Settings.
9. Turn on the toggle next to Use SIM and tap Yes to confirm.

If you don’t have a QR code and want to add your eSIM manually using an activation code, you can do that by following the steps below.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network and Internet.
3. Then, tap on the + next to SIMs. If you don’t see the + button, tap on SIMs > Activate mobile plan.
4. Under “Download a SIM instead?,” tap on Add a number using eSIM.
5. Tap on Yes, if prompted. You will be prompted to scan a QR code. But since you don’t have a QR code, tap on “Need help?” at the bottom left. 
6. Tap on “Enter it manually.”
7. Enter your activation code and tap Continue.
8. Tap on Download > Settings.
9. Finally, turn on the toggle next to Use SIM.
10. Tap on Yes to confirm.

2. Steps to Set Up eSIM on Samsung Galaxy Phones

For Samsung users, the process is slightly different. Follow the steps below.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Connections > SIM manager.
3. Tap on Add eSIM.
4. Select your carrier or service provider. This will add any eSIMs associated with your service provider’s account.
5. If you want to scan a QR code, tap on Scan QR code from service provider.
6. Scan or upload the QR code that you got from your service provider. If you want to enter an activation code, tap on Enter activation code > Connect.
7. Once the eSIM is detected, tap on Add. Wait for the eSIM to be installed.
8. Turn on the toggle next to the eSIM.

3. Steps to Set Up eSIM on OnePlus phones

If you have a OnePlus device and a QR code from your service provider, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Mobile network.
3. Tap on eSIM > Add eSIM.
4. Tap on Download a new eSIM.
5. Scan the QR code that you got from your service provider and tap on Download.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts and tap on Settings.
7. Tap on eSIM again.
8. Tap on the three dots next to the eSIM that you just added and tap Enable.
9. Tap Yes to confirm. You can only activate one eSIM at a time. Any already activated eSIM will be disabled automatically.

The steps are slightly different if you don’t have a QR code and want to install the eSIM using an activation code:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Mobile network.
3. Tap on eSIM > Add eSIM.
4. Tap on Download a new eSIM.
5. You will be prompted to scan a QR code. But since you don’t have a QR code, tap on Need help > Enter it manually.
6. Enter or paste your eSIM activation code and tap Continue.
7. Follow the on-screen prompts and tap on Settings.
8. Tap on eSIM again.
9. Tap on the three dots next to the eSIM that you just added and tap Enable.
10. Tap Yes to confirm. You can only activate one eSIM at a time. Any already activated eSIM will be disabled automatically.

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4. Steps to Set Up eSIM on iPhone 

If you have a QR code to install your eSIM on your iPhone, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Tap on Use QR Code.
4. Scan the QR code and make sure you frame it properly. 
5. Tap on Continue > Done.

If you don’t have a QR code for your eSIM but an activation code, follow these steps instead:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Tap on Use QR Code.
4. Tap on Enter Details Manually at the bottom. 
5. Enter the SM-DP+ Address and the Activation Code.
6. Tap on Next at the top right.
7. Tap on Continue. Wait for the eSIM to get activated.
8. Once it’s finished, tap on Done.

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Are there eSIM Setup Charges?

For most cellular service providers, the regular charges already include the cost of setting up an eSIM. eSIMs also have similar plan rates to that of a physical SIM card, and activating one usually shouldn’t cost you anything either. If there is a fee associated with it, you can contact your carrier. Keep in mind that different providers or plans may have different policies. Your current plans will be transferred to your eSIM.

How to Transfer eSIMs Between Phones?

It is quite tricky to transfer eSIM between different phones. If you are transferring your eSIM from an Android to Android or an iPhone to iPhone, then the steps are quite similar. However, if you are switching between Android and iPhone, the process becomes more complex due to differences in how each operating system handles eSIMs. 

Note: All carriers/service providers may not support eSIM transfer.

1. Transfer eSIM from Android to Android

Google recently added the “migrate eSIM” feature to Android which allows users to transfer their eSIM hassle-free. Follow the steps below.

Steps to transfer eSIM from Google Pixel to another Android phone: 

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Network and Internet.
3. Then, tap on the + next to SIMs. If you don’t see the + button, tap on SIMs > Activate mobile plan.
4. Select your carrier or tap on Use a different SIM.
5. Tap on Transfer a SIM from an old phone and follow the on-screen prompts.
6. Make sure that your old phone is nearby, unlocked, and has Bluetooth turned on.
7. On your old phone, tap Next.
8. Scan the QR code that appears on your old device.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the transfer.

Steps to Transfer from Samsung Galaxy to other brand Android phone: 

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Connections > SIM manager.
3. Tap on Add eSIM.
4. Tap on Transfer SIM from another device.
5. Make sure your old Android device is unlocked and has Bluetooth turned on.
6. On your new phone, tap on Transfer. 
7. On your old phone, tap Next.
8. Scan the QR code that appears on your old device.
9. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the transfer.

Transfer eSIM from iPhone to iPhone

1. Make sure both iPhones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that the Bluetooth is turned on. 
2. On your new iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Tap on Transfer From Nearby iPhone. You should see a pop-up on your old iPhone. Tap on Continue.
4. On your old iPhone, enter the code that you see on your new iPhone.
5. On your new iPhone, tap on Continue. Wait for the eSIM to get activated.
6. Once it’s finished, tap on Done.

Note: If you see a message saying “SIM Card Not Supported,” you need to manually add the eSIM using a QR code.

Transfer eSIM from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone

The only way to transfer your eSIM from an iPhone to an Android or vice-versa is by contacting your carrier and asking them to send a new QR code or an activation code. Then, you can follow the steps from the above section to set up your eSIM on your new iPhone or Android.

How Long Does it Take to Activate an eSIM?

Activation times for eSIMs can vary. In some cases, eSIM activation can be instant, while in others, it may take a few hours or even days. In India, it usually takes about two hours from the point of scanning the QR code to activation of the eSIM, whether it’s Jio, airtel, or Vi.

eSIM FAQs

1. How do I know if my device supports eSIM?

Check your device specifications or contact your device manufacturer or carrier to confirm eSIM support.

2. Can I use an eSIM and a physical SIM card in the same device?

Yes, many devices support using both eSIM and a physical SIM card simultaneously.

3. Are there any charges for using an eSIM?

Charges for using an eSIM vary depending on your carrier and plan. Contact your carrier for details on eSIM plans and pricing. In India, there are no extra chargers for using an eSIM from any carrier.

4. Can I switch between eSIMs on my device?

Yes, you can switch between eSIMs on your device, but the process may vary depending on your device and carrier. Many modern smartphones can store multiple eSIMs on a single device, of which only one or two can be activated at a time.

5. Is my eSIM locked to a specific carrier?

eSIMs are not typically locked to a specific carrier, but you may need to unlock your device to use it with a different carrier’s eSIM. Contact your carrier for more information.

6. Can I use an eSIM while traveling internationally? 

Yes, you can use an eSIM while traveling internationally just like you would with a physical SIM card. Also, there shouldn’t be any roaming charges unless your carrier explicitly specifies that.

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