EVER heard of an eSIM? Ditch the SIM cards for good and upgrade your iPhone today.
Here’s a quick guide to how eSIMs work and why even older iPhones can still use the clever digital tech.
An eSIM is like a digital version of a physical SIM card[/caption]
What is an eSIM?
A SIM card is basically a small identification chip that lets you connect your mobile phone to your cellular network, letting you send texts, make calls, and access 3G, 4G and 5G internet.
You can swap the SIM card between phones to transfer your mobile access.
An eSIM is exactly the same, but it’s electronic rather than physical – so you can’t lose it.
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It’s a digital SIM that lets you activate your mobile data plane without needing a physical card.
Most phones support one SIM card – and sometimes two – but you could store many eSIMs on a single phone.
You can transfer eSIMS between phones (like when you upgrade).
And you can convert physical SIM cards to eSIM cards too.
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Does iPhone 14 have eSIM?
Many iPhone models support eSIMs, including the new iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.
In fact, US buyers can pick up a version of the new iPhone without a physical SIM card tray.
But even iPhones as far back as the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR support eSIMs.
A single iPhone can support up to two phone numbers and eight eSIMs.
You’ll also need to make sure you’re on a wireless mobile network that supports eSIMs.
And to set up an eSIM for the first time, you’ll need to be connected to a WiFi network.
How to convert a physical SIM to eSIM on iPhone
If you’ve got an Apple iPhone, you can very easily convert your physical SIM to an eSIM.
Here’s what you need to do…
- 1. Go to Settings > Mobile Data
- 2. Choose Convert to eSIM
- 3. Tap Convert Mobile Data Plan
- 4. Tap Convert to eSIM
- 5. Wait for your eSIM to activate
- 6. Remove the physical SIM from your iPhone
- 7. Restart your iPhone
If Convert to eSIM isn’t available, that means your network provider doesn’t support the feature.
You can also enter eSIM info manually.
Here’s what to do…
- 1. Contact your cellular network provider and get the eSIM details
- 2. Go to Settings and then either Cellular or Mobile Data
- 3. Now tap Add Mobile Data Plan
- 4. Then enter all of the details manually at the bottom of the iPhone screen
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If you’ve got a very old iPhone then you won’t be able to take advantage of eSIM technology.
And if you don’t connect to WiFi, you won’t be able to set up your eSIM.
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