What Happens To Physical SIM after eSIM? (2024)

FAQs

What happens to my physical SIM after 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.

To convert your eSIM to physical sim, you need to first deactivate your eSIM permanently. This will delete all your network details from the existing eSIM. You can't complete the process online or by yourself. Therefore, find the nearest store of your network provider.

As smartphone technology evolves, more devices are being designed with both a physical SIM slot and an eSIM chip so users can experience the benefits of both technologies. But physical SIM card trays are slowly being phased out to provide more space for other hardware components.

Standby SIM card: Deleting your eSIM means that you will lose all ability to make phone calls, send SMS, and use the mobile data on your SIM card. If you want to continue to use your mobile plan, you will need a standby SIM card ready to replace the eSIM.

Tap Convert to eSIM. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card will be deactivated when the mobile plan on your iPhone is activated. Remove the physical SIM from your iPhone.

Tap Convert to eSIM. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your iPhone activates. Remove the physical SIM from your iPhone.

All iPhone models that support eSIM can have multiple eSIMs and use Dual SIM with two active SIMs at the same time. You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support two active eSIMs.

An eSIM is a digital version of the physical SIM card—identifying your device virtually to provide network connection. It's programmable remotely via software and is built into newer smartphones, meaning you wouldn't have to go purchase a new SIM card if you wanted to swap phones or wireless carriers.

On both Apple and Android devices, you can deactivate or delete your eSIM by going into your Settings, selecting Cellular (or Network & Internet), and choosing the Cellular Plan or SIM Cards option. From there, you have the ability to turn off or remove the eSIM card.

Device manufacturers are also hesitant to adopt eSIM technology due to concerns about its potential impact on their business models. Integrating eSIM technology into devices requires significant research, development, and testing investment, with no guarantee of widespread adoption or acceptance from consumers.

Will physical SIMs disappear? ›

And soon no one will be thinking about them—the days of the physical SIM card are numbered. Phone makers, led by Apple, and wireless carriers are making the move to embedded SIMs, or eSIMs, which are essentially digital cards that let you activate a new phone number through a carrier either locally or internationally.

eSIMs are less likely to be stolen or tampered with than regular SIM cards because they use advanced encryption to protect data, and network operators tightly control their setup, reducing the risk of cloning. However, eSIMs are not entirely immune to social engineering attacks.

Yes, you can switch back to a physical SIM. While you can do so yourself, it's much easier to go to your network provider and have a representative there do it for you. After all, you will need to get a new physical SIM card from the company.

Once you switch to eSIM, your physical SIM isn't valid anymore. If you want a new physical SIM, you have to contact your cell carrier.

Step 1: You will first have to permanently deactivate your eSIM. This would mean that all your network details will get deleted too. Step 2: To accelerate the process, visit your service provider's store. Step 3: At the store, explain your query.

Changing devices might not be straightforward

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

Make sure your SIM is enabled in the Settings menu and the correct SIM is set to default. Affected by a system block - A SIM lock may be enabled on the eSIM because you entered the PIN incorrectly too many times.