Which operators offer eSIMs?

We all take physical SIM cards for granted as an essential part of smartphone ownership. When you get a new phone, you transfer this little piece of plastic from your old one, and your number is instantly transferred.

But the brutal truth is that the SIM card is a a creaky piece of legacy technology that should really have been rendered obsolete by now. The time of the eSIM as arrived.

Now you can pick up an eSIM on all major networks in the UK. Here’s everything you need to know about these eSIMs and how to get set up with one.

What is an eSIM?

SIM cards are those small bits of plastic that operators give you to make your phone number work with your phone.

The acronym SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module. Each SIM contains a unique serial number (ICCID), an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) number, several security authentication methods, and any temporary information needed to connect your phone to your chosen mobile network.

Embedded SIMs, or eSIMs, fulfil the exact same function, but they make the process of changing your number or network a virtual one.

As the name suggests, these eSIMs are embedded as a permanent part of a smartphone’s motherboard. When you change network or phone number with an eSIM, it involves a simple software update rather than a physical transfer process.

Advantages and Disadvantages of eSIMs

Advantages

• Can't be lost or damaged

Using an eSIM means that you’ll never lose or break this essential part of your phone, as is possible with old fashioned physical SIMs. It also lessens the likelihood of damaging your phone, as removing a SIM can be a fiddly process.

• No waiting for post to arrive

Because sign up is virtual, you no longer have to wait for a network to send you a physical SIM card through the post.

• Increase space inside phone

eSIMs take up much less space within a smartphone than a physical SIM. They’re around half the size of a nano SIM, and they don’t require the same elaborate housing mechanism (such as the removable SIM tray). That’s precious space that  could potentially be used for bigger batteries, more water-tight designs, or simply smaller phones.

• Multiple profies 

The virtual nature of the eSIM means that they can hold multiple profiles simultaneously. You could conceivably switch between up to five numbers and operators across multiple countries with a simple tweak in your phone’s settings menu.

Disadvantages

• Not as easy to switch to new phone

When your phone breaks, it’s easy to quickly switch a physical SIM to a new device. With eSIMs, the process is more laborious, and requires that you order a new eSIM pack from your network.

• Privacy concerns

If you’re concerned about the ability for phone companies to track you, then eSIMs are potentially problematic. You can physically remove that ability with a SIM card, but not with an eSIM.

• Single number sharing more difficult

If you like to switch a single number between multiple phones, you’re better off with a physical SIM. With eSIMs you’ll need to go through the process of requesting a switch from your network each and every time.

Which UK networks offer eSIMs?

As of December 2020, all four of the UK’s major mobile networks, which are EE, Three, Vodafone and O2.

None of the following networks currently offer eSIMs: BT Mobile, GiffGaff, iD Mobile, Lebara Mobile, Lycamobile, SMARTY, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile or VOXI.

As for the type of network, both 5G and 4G support is included with your eSIM. That’s because the determining factor here is the 5G-readiness of your phone, as well as your own network’s level of 5G coverage in your area, rather than the eSIM itself.

Put simply, if you would ordinarily be able to access 5G on your phone and network with a physical SIM, then you’ll be able to access 5G using your eSIM.

Note, however, that most dual SIM 5G phones only permit one 5G connection at a time. It’s something to bear in mind if you’re running two numbers from a single phone.

Which phones support eSIMs?

The Motorola Razr, as offered by EE, is one of very few phones to use an eSIM exclusively. The vast majority of phones that support eSIM will also support a physical SIM.

Indeed, you can usually tell which modern phones support eSIMs by looking out for a ‘Dual SIM’ designation on the box or spec list. The UK networks list support for eSIM phones that include newer models of the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy family.

How to set up an eSIM

Assuming you’ve checked that your phone supports eSIM, first ensure that your phone has Wi-Fi turned on. Then take the eSIM QR code that your network supplied you with and scan it in using your phone’s camera app. Your eSIM will install your profile automatically. Add Data Plan if asked.

How to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM?

Just contact your network and ask them to make the change from SIM to eSIM. They’ll send you an eSIM pack with a QR code. Follow the relevant operator links listed above to initiate the switch.

Roaming with eSIM

Note that if you are using a dual-SIM phone with an active eSIM, you might be charged roaming fees on both lines when you go abroad. Our recommendation would be to go in and deactivate the secondary SIM whilst travelling abroad, just to be sure that you don’t get any nasty billing surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)