SIM card and eSIM FAQs (2024)

  • Introduction
  • About SIM cards and eSIM
  • Using or moving a SIM
  • Using a physical SIM card

Page contents


Page contents

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Learn how to manage physical SIM cards and/or eSIM. Find out what kind of SIM your mobile device has. Understand how to activate, unlock or replace a SIM card or digital eSIM profile.

  • Can I move SIM cards between devices?
  • What should I do if I forgot my SIM PIN?
  • How do I get a new or replacement SIM card?
  • My device has a SIM card slot and it has eSIM. How do I switch from using the SIM to the eSIM?

About SIM cards and eSIM

    What is SIM?
    How can I tell what kind of SIM is in my device?

Using or moving a SIM

    Will I need a new SIM if I switch carriers?
    What kind of SIM connects to Verizon's 5G network?
    Why do some devices have more than one SIM?
    My device has a SIM card slot and it has eSIM. How do I switch from using the SIM to the eSIM?

Using a physical SIM card

    How do I install a SIM card?
    How do I activate a SIM card?
    How do I get a new or replacement SIM card?
    Can I move SIM cards between devices?
    What is my SIM PIN?
    What should I do if I forgot my SIM PIN?
    What is a Personal Unblocking Key (PUK)?
    What if I'm locked out of my SIM card?
SIM card and eSIM FAQs (2024)

FAQs

SIM card and eSIM FAQs? ›

What is the difference between an eSIM and a SIM? An eSIM serves the same purpose as a physical SIM card, but it's built-in and works 100% digitally. You can't physically remove it since it's already embedded in your phone's hardware.

What happens to my SIM card when I use eSIM? ›

Tap Convert to eSIM. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your iPhone activates.

Can I have a SIM card and eSIM at the same time? ›

You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support two active eSIMs. iPhone models without a physical SIM tray support two active eSIMs. Learn how to activate a cellular plan on an eSIM.

Do I need to remove SIM card before eSIM? ›

Yes, you can. Perhaps a reason why you might have this question is because of how physical SIM cards work. In the case of physical SIM cards, you will need to insert the SIM card into your device's SIM tray. Most iPhones today come with either 0 or 1 SIM slot; and most Android devices have 1 or 2 SIM slots.

Do I need to keep my SIM card if I have an eSIM? ›

Yes, you can still use your SIM card after installing the eSIM, in fact you can even use both cards simultaneously, your primary card for calls and message, and the eSIM for Internet.

Can I switch back and forth between SIM and eSIM? ›

Your device may allow you to store multiple eSIMs at once, and it's easy to switch between your eSIMs. You can also switch from an eSIM back to your Primary SIM.

What happens to a physical SIM card after converting to eSIM? ›

What Happens to Your Physical SIM Card When You Switch to eSIM? When you switch to eSIM, your physical SIM card becomes obsolete. Your mobile device will no longer recognize the physical SIM card and you will no longer be able to use it to connect to a cellular network.

How to use both eSIM and physical SIM? ›

Android
  1. Go into your phone's settings.
  2. Tap Network & Internet.
  3. Select Add next to Mobile Network.
  4. Tap “Download a SIM instead?”
  5. Select Yes when asked, “Use 2 SIMs?” ...
  6. Go to Settings again after your phone updates.
  7. Tap on Network & Internet and then Mobile Network.
  8. Go into your networks to set call and text preferences.

Can you have a physical SIM and eSIM with the same number? ›

No, each SIM card, whether a physical card or an eSIM, supports one unique phone number. So you can ask your network provider to convert your SIM to an eSIM or vice versa, but the two different SIM cards cannot have the same number.

How do I switch between eSIM and physical SIM on iPhone? ›

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data. Tap Convert to eSIM. If you can't see Convert to eSIM, your network provider doesn't support this option. Contact your network provider to move your phone number from your physical SIM to an eSIM using eSIM Carrier Activation or by scanning a QR code.

What is the disadvantage of eSIM? ›

Changing devices might not be straightforward

If you are using an eSIM and you need to change phones, chances are that you will need to contact your local provider to enquire how to transfer your eSIM. While Android and iOS have eSIM transfer tools, not all carriers allow an eSIM transfer.

Do I turn off my SIM when using an eSIM? ›

If your device supports Dual SIM (the ability to use two SIMs at once), you can absolutely choose to leave your primary cellular plan "on" while using your aloSIM plan.

What are the disadvantages of converting SIM to eSIM? ›

Here are the cons of eSIM:
  • Difficult to switch devices. It can be tough to swap devices if there is an emergency, and this is one of the cons of eSIM cards. ...
  • eSIM supports limited premium phones. ...
  • Easily tracked by network providers. ...
  • Phone hacking. ...
  • Complex activation process.

Can I go back from eSIM to physical SIM? ›

To convert your eSIM to physical sim, you need to first deactivate your eSIM permanently. This will delete all your network details from the existing eSIM. You can't complete the process online or by yourself. Therefore, find the nearest store of your network provider.

What happens when eSIM expires? ›

The eSIM data can only be used within the validity period, which means the remaining unused data cannot be used after the validity period. In case the eSIM is rechargeable, it's possible to add a new data package by tapping on "TOP UP" on your eSIM to continue to use the same eSIM.

Do I keep my number with an eSIM? ›

As long as you keep your device supports dual SIM (two SIMs) and you leave your primary SIM switched on, you'll have full access to your regular phone number while you're using an eSIM.

Will eSIM affect my physical SIM? ›

Yes. If your device is dual SIM compatible and currently have an active plan on a physical SIM and an eSIM you can use both plans simultaneously. If you're using an eSIM and don't have a dual SIM device, ensure the physical SIM is removed from your phone.

Does using eSIM deactivate physical SIM? ›

Tap Convert to eSIM. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card will be deactivated when the mobile plan on your iPhone is activated. Remove the physical SIM from your iPhone.

What are the disadvantages of eSIM? ›

What is an eSIM? Advantages and disadvantages of eSIMs
  • Difficult to swap devices.
  • Limited device compatibility.
  • Activation requires a stable internet connection.
May 22, 2024

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