ESIM: Explained

Say goodbye to searching for local carriers and swapping out multiple location-specific SIM cards, and hello to instant connectivity!

When travelling, reliable access to the internet can be very important… and often rather difficult to attain. With eSIM technology, travellers can navigate new locations and keep in touch with friends without being tethered to Wi-Fi or charged hefty roaming fees. Ready to learn more about your new favourite travel necessity?

What is eSIM?

Let’s start with the basics. A SIM card contains your phone number and data plan, allowing your device to connect to a cellular network for data, calls, and SMS. An eSIM is a programmable SIM card that is embedded into your device. With rewritable information, you can change it’s operators or providers without swapping cards.

Think of an eSIM as an embedded SIM, a small chip in your phone that lets you connect to different networks and profiles on demand. It works by scanning a QR code from a data or service provider such as KnowRoaming.

For those of you who are searching for a more technical definition, eSIM stands for Electronic Subscriber Identity Module. Another name for eSIM is eUICC, or Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card. While traditional SIMs are only provisioned with a single profile, this eSIM enables the remote management of multiple operator profiles. eUICC has existed for a number of years in industries such as the automobile industry for connected cars, but since becoming standardized and approved by the GSMA, it has been incorporated in more accessible consumer items such as smartphones.

The benefits of using eSIM

First and foremost, eSIM eliminates the hassle of attaining and swapping SIM cards for various locations. Gone are the days of leaving the airport and heading straight to the first cell phone provider you find to grab a new card – it’s already integrated into your device! This enables travellers to stay connected across the globe at any time, no matter how frequently or suddenly their location changes.

eSIMs can be purchased and/or activated at any time, and typically last for a set amount of time for a given amount of data (i.e. this 1GB USA Data plan that lasts for one month after activation). Because you can store multiple eSIMs at once, they have the potential to eliminate roaming charges, and enable users to easily and remotely switch operators for the fastest available signal.

Just looking for extra data? Most eSIM compatible devices (iOS and Android) support the use of eSIMs in tandem with a physical SIM card. Therefore, users can use their original SIM for voice and SMS, but load data onto an eSIM for additional connectivity. This can be useful for adding a few extra gigabytes on top of your data plan, or ensuring connectivity in remote areas where your cell provider has poor service. 

Does my smartphone support eSIM?

As eSIM is a relatively newer technology, it is much more common in devices from 2018 and onward. 

eSIM is supported on:

Device compatibility may vary for different countries/regions.
*eSIM on iPhone is not available in mainland China. In Hong Kong and Macau, only the iPhone XS features eSIM. 

** Certain Pixel 3s work when they have the “add carrier” option.

How to purchase and use a KnowRoaming eSIM

It is very simple to begin using an eSIM. Go to an eSIM provider site, select which region you would like to access connectivity for, purchase the plan, and scan the QR code!

To activate your eSIM, visit your device settings. The next instructions vary depending on which smartphone you have. 

Now you are ready to connect to fast, reliable and secure data across the globe!

For more information about eSIMs, or to begin using your own, visit esim.knowroaming.com.