What is e-SIM and Should You Be Using It on Your Phone?

If you have a smartphone, then you have some type of SIM card, a necessary component for connecting your device to your service provider’s cellular network. You may know it as a tiny chip inserted into a slot on your phone, or perhaps embedded into the phone’s hardware in the case of some carriers or phone equipment. Now, a new non-physical version known as an “Embedded Subscriber Identity Module”, or e-SIM, takes the SIM card to the next level in the evolution of telephone technology.

e-SIM has revolutionized the way we use our phones, allowing us to switch carriers and access different networks without the need for a physical SIM card. This technology has many advantages, such as the ability to access multiple networks, the convenience of being able to switch carriers without having to physically change your SIM card, and lower roaming costs. New Apple phones are now exclusively using e-SIM technology, and it’s likely eSIM will become the new industry standard. If you are wondering what exactly e-SIM is and whether it is something you should be using, we’re here to answer all your questions.

Subscriber Identity Module, or SIM cards, are small chips used in mobile phones to store identification information and data. They are used to authenticate the cellular subscriber and enable them to access a specific mobile network. Original SIM cards were usually removable and could be swapped between devices, but some were physically embedded on a chip in the phone’s hardware.

SIM cards contain a unique serial number which identifies the user and allows them to make calls or access data services. Additionally, SIM cards can be used to store additional information such as contact lists, personal security keys, text messages, loyalty programs, credit card numbers, and applications. The SIM card also contains a security key which is used to protect the data stored on the card.

As demand for faster and better technology and smaller devices has increased, SIM card technology has evolved over time, resulting in smaller sized micro- and nano-sized cards. These have freed up more space in mobile phones for better camera technology, larger batteries, smaller profiles, and other features. eSim was developed in an effort to further minimize the physical space occupied by SIM cards.

You can think of an e-SIM card as a virtual SIM card. The e-SIM card is hardwired into the phone itself and can load new carrier information digitally. An eSIM consists of rewritable software installed onto an Embedded Universal Circuit Card (eUICC) chip permanently attached to a device. It allows users to store their phone number, carrier information and other data on a secure server. The “e” stands for “embedded,” (or is sometimes referred to as “electronic SIM card”), because unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIM cards are embedded into the device’s hardware and cannot be removed, but they operate by communicating with virtual SIM cards stored on secure servers.

An eSim is programmable remotely, and can hold multiple SIM profiles at the same time, even for multiple service providers. They are used in more than just smartphones – they can be found in tablets, smart watches, drones, and even newer-model automobiles.

Although their names are identical, e-SIM and embedded SIM cards are similar but not the same. The main difference is that an e-SIM is a digial SIM card stored on a secure server that communicates with a physical chip or SIM card embedded in the hardware of the device. An embedded SIM is a physical chip that is inserted into the device but does not communicate with a virtual SIM card. Embedded SIMs are also typically more expensive than eSIMs and are not as flexible since they cannot be swapped between devices, or sometimes even between providers.

eSIMs are becoming the industry standard for a good reason – they provide a number of advantages over traditional SIM cards. Benefits of using an eSIM card include:

There are a handful of drawbacks that come with eSIM cards to consider, including the following:

Apple, Samsung, Google, and most other major mobile device manufacturers are now carrying phones with eSIM technology, but not all models are eSIM compatible at this time so it’s important to check with your device manufacturer before purchasing an eSIM card.

Apple has now gone e-SIM only, and uses the technology in the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, iPhone XS, iPhone SX Max, Iphone XT and iPads from 2019 and newer. Google Pixel devices, the Motorola Razr 5G, and most Samsung Galaxy devices are all eSIM enabled. Some devices and carriers support the use of both physical SIM cards and e-SIM cards at the same time – known as a dual SIM feature – while other devices are switching to e-SIM only technology.

There are different ways to activate an eSIM and the method will depend on which device you have as well as whether you’re new to a network, upgrading/replacing your device, or bringing a prepaid device. Activation with a QR code or an app are common. Some carriers support SIM transfers from one phone to another from the device itself without needing to contact them. A physical SIM may also be converted to an eSIM.

Managing your phone and service plans couldn’t be easier with eSIM cards, which is why they are quickly becoming the preferred choice for those looking for a more secure, cost-effective, and flexible SIM card option. If you travel a lot or have multiple phone numbers, eSIM cards are definitely worth considering. Check with your device manufacturer to see if it’s compatible with eSIM technology, and then sign up for a free 7-day trial with LinkedPhone to get your phone connected to a local or toll-free number.