eSIM, Physical SIM, same number, different phones? (2024)

FAQs

Can an eSIM and a physical SIM have the same phone 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.

If I have a second phone and want to use eSIM on the second phone, can I still use my physical sim on the old phone and have two phones with the same line? No this is not possible at present. You can only have cellular service on one device per IMEI and phone number.

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.

Now, let's address the burning question: does installing an eSIM change your phone number? The answer is generally no. When you install an eSIM, it doesn't directly alter your phone number. Your phone number remains the same, and you can continue to use it as you normally would.

You won't get a new local phone number for every eSIM data plan. But if you have dual SIM enabled on your phone, you can continue to use your own phone number while using the data from your eSIM.

Yes, you can switch back from eSIM to physical SIM in seconds, in fact you can even use both of SIMs at the same time, your primary card for calls and message, and the eSIM for internet.

Some mobile carriers allow you to use your number with multiple devices. With these services, you can forward incoming calls automatically to all your devices, including your phone, smartwatch, or tablet. AT&T NumberSync lets you use a compatible device to answer your calls even if your phone is off or not with you.

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.

It is not possible to have the same number active on two SIMs (physical or eSIM) at the same time. In theory, a SIM card could be cloned. However, only one of those SIMs could be active for making and/or receiving calls. In addition, it would not be possible to switch which SIM would be active.

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

Do I turn off the primary SIM when using 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. As long as you make sure data roaming is "off" for your primary cellular plan, you won't rack up any roaming charges.

You can set up a Samsung Galaxy Dual SIM device with a combination of: two physical SIMs. a physical SIM and an eSIM. a MicroSD card and an eSIM/physical SIM (except for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip)

An eSIM can only be installed on a single device, and eSIMs can only be installed once.

If you have a Samsung, Google, Huawei, or other Android device, the number of eSIMs you can install and have active at one time varies. Most allow for five to seven eSIMs, with one active at a time.

An Aadhaar card will suffice in this situation. Once you present your proof of identity, the representative will start the process. The representative will deactivate your eSIM permanently from your phone. Post that, they will provide you a new physical SIM card.

How Do I Set up Dual-SIM with eSIM? There are different ways you can get dual SIM functionality depending on what phone you have and which SIM combo you are using (e.g. nano-SIM and eSIM). iPhones use an eSIM and nano-SIM combination while Android phones may use the nano-SIM/eSIM combination or two nano-SIM cards.

It depends on your eSIM plan. If you're replacing your physical SIM card, your network carrier will assign your number to your eSIM. If you want to buy a short-term eSIM data plan for your weekend getaway to Tenerife, then your eSIM will only provide mobile data.

With eSIM, you don't need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards (which can also be lost), or wait for them to arrive by mail. You can have two eSIMs active on supported iPhone models at the same time.