Since the advent of smartphones, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card has been required to connect to a carrier and identify users on the network. But if you bought a device in recent years (like the iPhone 16), you may have noticed that it uses an eSIM (embedded SIM) instead of a traditional physical card.
With an eSIM, your details are stored on a chip inside your phone, rather than on a swappable card. This chip can be reprogrammed as needed, making tasks like switching numbers faster and more convenient, and doesn’t change much when it comes to the actual user experience.
SIM cards still exist, but eSIMs are very much the future. Here’s what you need to know about them and how they work.
How eSIM works
While the transition from SIM cards to eSIMs may seem dramatic, the technology is actually very similar. It just uses a reprogrammable integrated circuit inside the phone, rather than an integrated circuit on a physical card that you can visibly hold. exchange between handsets). All the information needed for an eSIM can be obtained from the internet instead of being written to the card.
The important information is your mobile phone number and accompanying ID and data plan. An eSIM lets you make and receive calls, send and receive texts, and stay online even when you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network. Once the initial configuration is complete, you won’t notice any difference between using an eSIM or a traditional SIM.
eSIMs mean you can set up or change your number without waiting for a new card to arrive in the mail (although it’s easier to carry around two physical SIM cards and swap one for the other when needed). Not quickly). You can order and set up a new country-specific eSIM on the web in minutes without having to order a new card, which is useful when you’re traveling, for example.
Many mobile phones support multiple eSIMs, so you can manage multiple numbers at the same time. And there’s another benefit. No more worrying about losing your SIM ejector tool or having to hunt around for a spare clip if you misplace it. Changing your SIM is as easy as changing your email app account.
Users in different parts of the world have different habits and requirements, so it will still be a while before physical SIMs are used. However, in the long term, eSIM will become the norm not only in smartphones, but also in other devices such as tablets, laptops, and drones. Not having a SIM card slot could make your gadget smaller or give you more room for additional storage or a larger battery.
How to set up an eSIM
If your phone supports eSIM, when you set up your phone for the first time, you’ll have the option to configure either adding a new eSIM or transferring an eSIM from another device. If you bought your phone from a carrier that comes with a plan, you only need to tap a few confirmation screens.
Things get a little more complicated if you’re switching your number from another phone or setting up an eSIM on a phone you bought separately. The carrier you purchased your eSIM from should provide you with detailed instructions on how to get it working. This typically includes an activation code that proves your identity.
On iPhone,[設定]Proceed to[設定]Select. mobile phone and Add mobile planconfigure the eSIM. If you’re already planning, you’ll also see: Add eSIMthe same process is launched for additional eSIMs (up to 8 can be used on the same iPhone). If you have an older model with a physical SIM card, Convert to eSIM option.
Android, on the other hand, offers more eSIM support and more software settings. For example, Google Pixel 9 supports both a physical SIM and one or two eSIMs. To set up your eSIM,[設定]Proceed to[設定]Select. network and internet, SIM, Add SIMand Set up your eSIM. Again, follow the instructions and enter your activation code or scan the QR code from your eSIM provider.
When transferring your number from your old phone to your new phone, the eSIM process is not as quick as the SIM card method. You will need to check with your carrier for the exact instructions that indicate switching your phone. It usually requires a few clicks on the carrier’s website. Then just set up the eSIM on your new phone as described above.
