eSIM Explained: How They Work, Compatibility And Transferring

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A digitalised SIM card with various lines extending from the chip. Behind the SIM card are various squares of images relating to technology.

As mobile phones have been rapidly advancing, with better processors and screens, so have the SIM cards used in them. SIM is an acronym for Subscriber Identity Module, which is the card chip that slides into your phone, linking the device with the owner and storing information.

A SIM card is similar to a hotel key card or a credit card. It is made from plastic and has a silicon chip containing a processor and memory unit, allowing it to store 256kb of digital information. This information includes your SIM’s unique identification number, phone number, contacts, network plan, and other device data.

In short, a SIM card allows you to make calls and use data. Now, technology has evolved with the rise of eSIMs. This new tech is designed to supersede old-style physical SIM cards, making them more convenient for users and service providers and cutting down on plastic waste.Β 

Compared to traditional SIM cards, which date back to 1991, digital eSIM technology is quite new. eSIMs emerged in the early 2010s and didn’t gain traction in the consumer market until 2016. Unlike traditional SIM cards, which had a single inventor, eSIMs were developed collaboratively by the GSMA.

How Do eSIMs Work?

The β€˜e’ in β€˜eSIMs’ stands for embedded. Unlike normal SIM cards, which are removable and can be placed in different phones, an eSIM is embedded into the actual handset. The main difference between traditional SIM cards and eSIMs, aside from one being removable, is that eSIMs are rewritable. This means you can change your network without having to remove your SIM and put in a new one.Β 

The Advantages of eSIMs

There are multiple advantages to a device with an eSIM over traditional SIM cards. Here are just a few of the benefits:

  1. An eSIM card makes it easier to switch mobile networks. Instead of having to order your SIM card, wait for it to arrive, and then insert it into your phone, an eSIM can be easily changed and rewritten with a call or onlineβ€”you won’t have to hunt around for a SIM ejector tool, either!
  2. eSIMs allow for up to five virtual SIM cards at one time, and you can easily swap between the networks. This is great if you’re travelling. For example, you could have an Australian and a U.S. SIM on one device.
  3. As eSIMs allow for multiple SIM card information at once, it offers the same advantages as dual-SIM phones. You can have multiple phone numbers on one device, for instance, one for personal use and one for business.
  4. eSIMs are also more environmentally friendly than the traditional, physical SIM card alternative. Physical SIM card shipments are estimated to be over 4 billion, generating around 20,000 tons of plastic waste.
  5. As eSIM technology is digital, it eliminates the need for physical production, packaging, and distribution of traditional SIM cardsβ€”resulting in lower CO2 emissions and less need for supply chains.

Finding Out Your Phone’s Compatibility With eSIMs

A hand holding a smartphone displaying the word SIM and a SIM Card image below it with dots descending downs to an eSIM. The cuff of the persons blue plaid short is visible and there is a wooden desk in the background with the back of a dark red chair out of focus.

eSIMs are still a relatively new technology, with only a few phones and wearable smart devices supporting eSIM functionality. It’s possible to check if your device has eSIM functionality onlineβ€”there are a few lists onlineβ€”or in the device’s settings.

For Samsung Galaxy Android phones, open the Settings app and then tap on β€˜Connections’. There should be a β€˜Sim Manager’ button, and if there’s an option to β€˜Add eSIM’, your device is eSIM compatible.

Similarly, to check for eSIM compatibility on Google Pixel devices, you open the Settings app and tap β€˜Network & Internet’. Then, tap the β€˜+’ button next to the β€˜SIMs’ option. If the β€˜Connect to mobile network’ has a β€˜Download a SIM instead?’ option, your device is eSIM-compatible.

For any other Android device, if there’s no eSIM option in the settings, it’s possible to check it by dialling β€˜*#06#’. If your device is eSIM compatible, you’ll be able to see your device’s eSIM unique identification number. Alternatively, you can search online on the manufacturer’s website if it supports eSIM functionality.

To check if an iPhone device supports eSIM, go to Settings, General, About, and scroll down to the Digital Sim section. If you see an IMEI number, your phone is eSIM compatible. Apple’s first iPhone models to support eSIMs were the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, which were announced in September 2018. Most iOS devices from now on include it, too.

It’s important to note that even if a device is compatible with eSIM technology, the feature might be restricted if locked to a specific carrier/network. So, if you’re interested in purchasing a device with eSIM capability, check beforehand if it’s unlocked.

If your phone doesn’t feature an eSIM built-in, it’s not possible to add it. You’ll need to buy a device that is compatible with eSIM technology.

How To Transfer An eSIM To A New or Refurbished Phone

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new or refurbished phone, transferring your eSIM is easy. Before transferring, ensure that the device you’re transferring to supports eSIM compatibility.Β 

The specifics will be slightly different depending on the phone’s operating system and model, but the general steps are:

  1. Open the settings on your old phone and navigate to the SIM management section. Select the option to deactivate the eSIM connected. This will release the eSIM and allow you to transfer it.
  2. Contact your new carrier or service provider for a QR Code or activation details for the eSIM transfer. The steps may vary depending on the provider, but this will allow you to activate the eSIM on your new device.
  3. On your new phone, open your settings and navigate to SIM Management. Choose the β€˜Add new eSIM’ option, and use either the activation instructions or QR Code to activate the eSIM.
  4. After transferring the eSIM, test the connectivity to ensure calls, data, and messages are working. If there are any issues, double-check your eSIM settings and reach out to your provider.Β 

If you’re looking to set up a new eSIM, the process is pretty similar to if you were transferring one. Your service provider will send you a QR code or instructions on how to activate the new eSIM on your device.Β 

Buy eSIM Compatible Phones At OzMobiles

A smartphone displaying the home screen with a rolling ocean wave as the background and various apps lined along the bottom of the screen. In the centre of the screen near the top reads '23:18' as the time and the date below is 'Nov 9'. The phone is on top of a greyscale map displaying United States to the right, South America just below the phone and Africa to the left.

For refurbished phones with eSIM compatibility, OzMobiles offers great prices on second-hand devices, including the latest mobile phone models. If you find a better deal somewhere else, our team will match the price and beat it by $10 (terms and conditions apply).

As part of the extensive refurbishment process at OzMobiles, we also ensure that the eSIM technology on a device is fully functional. If there are any issues, all devices we sell come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return policy.

If you have any questions about the refurbishment process or need assistance finding a device with eSIM functionality, feel free to contact the OzMobiles team. Our team is happy to answer any questions and help you find the right eSIM-compatible phone.Β 

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