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eSIM – what is it and how it works
Did you know your phone probably doesn’t need a SIM card? An eSIM can save money and help you avoid paying high roaming fees. We’ll explain what eSIMs are and why you should use them whenever you travel.
How does an eSIM work?
An eSIM does everything a traditional SIM card can, such as connecting you to a phone network and identifying you to the network provider. The eSIM chip and the software required for an eSIM to work come preinstalled with almost all modern smartphones now, as well as other types of devices. So, how do eSIMs work? If you want to start using a SIM card, you have to open the tray, take out the old SIM, and put in the new one. With eSIMs, you avoid all of that because your eSIM can be programmed remotely. You only have to turn on your phone and activate the eSIM.
How to set up an eSIM?
Before you start your journey, make sure to check, whether your device is compatible with eSIM. Chances are it does, but you should know for sure. Then, follow these steps to get a Saily eSIM:
Step 1
Choose a data plan for your trip
Select the country of your future destination and choose your data plan.
Step 2
Install your
eSIM
Set up the eSIM on your device by following the instructions.
Step 3
Activate your plan before the trip
Activate your eSIM before leaving — it requires an internet connection.
eSIM benefits
eSIM cards offer several benefits:
Lower roaming charges
An eSIM enables you to connect to a local carrier and avoid exorbitant roaming fees.
Pay for what you need
If you’re traveling to Japan for a week, you can get a 7-day Japanese data plan and save money.
Less space
If a device doesn’t require a physical SIM card slot, it can be made smaller.
Security
Without a removable SIM card, you can prevent several cybersecurity risks that involve the unauthorized use of SIM cards.
Multiple profiles
An eSIM supports multiple SIM profiles, so you can switch between carriers without buying a dual SIM phone or swapping physical SIM cards.
Less waste
SIM cards are small but, at the end of the day, it’s still plastic waste that could’ve been avoided.
What is the difference between an eSIM and a physical SIM?
The main difference between physical SIM cards and eSIMs is that you can install and activate an eSIM yourself and it will support multiple network profiles.
eSIM
SIM
Phone numbers
Up to two
Up to two (if your device supports it)
Network Operators
Multiple
Up to two (if your device supports it)
Removal
Deactivate the profile
Remove the SIM card
Activation process
Remote: set it up on your device yourself
Manual: buy a card from a carrier and insert it
Compatibility
Newer devices
All old and most new devices
Using internationally
Affordable — easy to get data plans in different countries
Deal with expensive roaming or buy a new local SIM card
Profiles
Stores multiple offers
Limited profile switching
SIM
Phone numbers
eSim up to two
Sim Up to two (if your device supports it)
Network Operators
eSim Multiple
Sim Up to two (if your device supports it)
Removal
eSim Deactivate the profile
Sim Remove the SIM card
Activation process
eSim Remote: set it up on your device yourself
Sim Manual: buy a card from a carrier and insert it
Compatibility
eSim Newer devices
Sim All old and most new devices
Using internationally
eSim Affordable — easy to get data plans in different countries
Sim Deal with expensive roaming or buy a new local SIM card
Profiles
eSim Stores multiple offers
Sim Limited profile switching
Frequently asked questions about eSIMs
eSIMs is a relatively new technology. The first eSIM-supporting smartphone was released in 2016. So, while eSIM popularity is growing, the infrastructure is not yet developed to support eSIM technology fully.
User awareness is another factor. People use eSIMs with wearable and IoT devices, but few know that they probably don’t need a traditional SIM card.
There are a few drawbacks to physical SIM cards. They can be damaged or lost, especially if you need to swap out cards often. SIM cards can also be stolen. eSIMs, on the other hand, are embedded into your device. You can’t damage, lose, or have it stolen unless your phone is damaged or stolen too.
While eSIMs support multiple profiles and can give you a phone number, whether or not it does depends on your eSIM plan.
Yes, an eSIM can work without the internet, such as make calls or send messages. But it depends on your eSIM plan and your provider. Also, just like a physical SIM card, you have to activate the eSIM first.
Battery drain is not an issue with eSIMs, at least not more than with physical SIM cards. If your device has been using more battery power lately, it’s likely caused by an app on your phone.
Yes, you can convert an eSIM back to a physical SIM but you may need to go to your network provider to get a new SIM card.