On EE you’re not limited to physical SIM cards, as this is one of a few networks that lets you optionally use an eSIM instead.
These embedded SIMs are built into your device, so you don’t need to manually put one in, and they have a lot of advantages over older physical SIM cards, including taking up less space in the phone, being impossible to lose (unless you lose your whole phone), and supporting multiple numbers.
How do I get an EE eSIM?
eSIMs are only available on EE Pay Monthly plans, so you can't get an eSIM if you are on Pay As You Go.
At the current time you can't order an EE eSIM directly online, but instead you need to get a plastic SIM card first and then request an eSIM to replace it.
Simply follow the 3 steps below to get an EE eSIM:
Request an eSIM replacement pack by heading to the ‘order SIM’ page of your My EE account, or by calling 150 from your EE phone (or 0800 956 6000 from any other phone). You can also request one from an EE store (note that you’ll need ID for this).
EE also supports eSIMs on all Google Pixel devices from the Pixel 3 onwards, including the Google Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro.
There’s also the Motorola Razr (2020), which is eSIM-only and supported by EE, along with the Sony Xperia 1 IV and the Sony Xperia 10 IV.
Finally, many recent Samsung phones also support eSIM, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 range, the Galaxy S22 range, the Galaxy S21 range, and a number of Note, Z Flip, and Z Fold models.
How do I set up an eSIM on my phone?
The process for setting up an eSIM varies a bit depending on your phone brand, but the basic process tends to involve finding the ‘Add Data Plan’ or ‘Add Mobile Plan’ or similar screen in your phone’s settings menu, and then scanning the eSIM QR code.
Below though you’ll find more detailed instructions for setting up an eSIM on various brands of phone.
EE supports eSIM on all Pay Monthly plans with compatible devices – so if you buy a smartphone on an EE contract that has an eSIM then the network should be able to activate it for you. EE’s SIM Only plans also support eSIM, however at the time of writing its Pay As You Go plans don’t.
Will activating an EE eSIM lock my phone to EE?
No, using an EE eSIM doesn’t affect whether your handset is locked to EE or not.
How do I transfer an eSIM to a new phone?
Transferring an eSIM to a new phone is done in much the same way as setting up a new eSIM, so you can log in to your My EE account and order a replacement eSIM to download to your new device, then simply follow the methods above.
However, if you’re moving from one iPhone to another then it’s even simpler, as you can automatically transfer your eSIM during the setup process of your new phone.
To do this, make sure your old phone is connected to Wi-Fi, has Bluetooth switched on, and is running the latest version of iOS. Then position it next to your new iPhone, and follow the prompts on both phones to use Apple’s ‘Quick Start’ service.
At a certain point in this setup process you’ll see a screen that says ‘Choose A Data Plan’, and from there you can simply select your phone number and hit ‘Continue’. That’s all there is to it. Note however that it can take up to 10 minutes before you’ll be connected to EE’s network.
Once you’re up and running you can safely delete your eSIM from your old phone.
Can I switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM or vice versa?
Yes, just request the SIM card type you want from EE. You should find an option to request one from your My EE account or the My EE app. Note however that depending on your plan or device, this option may not be available. If in doubt, get in touch with EE on 150 from your EE phone, or head to an EE store.
Once you have a new SIM or eSIM, you can activate it on EE’s SIM swap page.
Do I need to buy my phone from EE to use an EE eSIM with it?
No, your phone doesn’t need to have been bought directly from EE, it just needs to have an eSIM and be supported by EE. In this case, just purchase a SIM Only plan and request an eSIM with it to get up and running on your phone.
Can eSIMs be used abroad?
Yes, eSIMs work the same way as standard SIMs, so use abroad will be subject to the same terms, charges and limitations as any other SIM card. The specifics will vary based on your plan and the country you visit.
Can I access 5G with an eSIM?
Yes, all of EE’s eSIMs include access to its 5G network, so assuming you’re also using a 5G device you’ll have full access to 5G.
Deleting your eSIM won’t affect your EE plan, but you will need to order a replacement eSIM. You can do this from your My EE account, or by calling 150 from your EE phone or 0800 956 6000 from any other phone, or by heading to an EE store with ID.
James has been writing for us for over 10 years. Currently, he is Editorial Manager for our group of companies ( 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk) and sub-editor at TechRadar. He specialises in smartphones, mobile networks/ technology, tablets, and wearables.
In the past, James has also written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media, Smart TV Radar, and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV. He has a film studies degree from the University of Kent, Canterbury, and has over a decade’s worth of professional writing experience.
