How does eSIM work? Ouressential guide

If you’ve ever wondered what is an eSIM or how does eSIM work, then you’ve come to the right place.

Pretty much everyone and their dog is familiar with your basic SIM card these days – but now eSIMs are on the scene with eSIM providers popping up everywhere. So, what is eSIM? How does eSIM work? Can I get a pay as you go eSIM for my phone? What’s for dinner?

All those questions (save the last one) we can answer for you here, so keep reading.

So, how does eSIM work?

Basically, an eSIM works by letting you connect to a second (or third, or fourth) mobile network without swapping physical SIM cards – one phone, multiple network options. All you have to do is download a eSIM profile and BAM, you’re in the multi-network club.

That’s the short answer, but now let’s get into the nitty gritty.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM (or embedded SIM) is a chip in your phone that can act like a physical SIM card. Rather than inserting a new SIM card to join a new mobile network, you can instead download an eSIM profile. No need to physically swap cards – it’s all done electronically. Head this way to find out more about what an eSIM is and the advantages it can bring.

Sometimes eSIMs are called by their technical name: embedded universal integrated circuit card, or eUICC. But it’s the same thing – a chip that gives access to a mobile network.

How does eSIM work – the basics

An eSIM works almost exactly like regular SIM card – only it’s embedded into your phone and can’t be removed. So if you want an iPhone 11 eSIM plan for example, you don’t need to physically swap out SIM cards to switch to a new network when travelling abroad, you instead download an eSIM profile, either via an app or by scanning a QR code.

Then you simply choose your prepaid eSIM plan, and off you go – you’ve now got a pay as you go eSIM to avoid those big roaming data charges when you are off on your hols or travelling internationally for business.

Because there’s no need to go to a shop to get a new SIM card or wait for one to be sent through the post, you can join a new network in a matter of minutes, wherever you are.

How does eSIM work – for travelling

Being able to change to a different network instantly can be incredibly useful when travelling. You might find that your home country’s network charges exorbitant data roaming fees if you use your phone abroad – but you can avoid those fees by switching to an eSIM profile with a prepaid eSIM plan. Then when you get home, you can simply switch back to your regular SIM.

And there are other cases in which having a connection to a different network via an eSIM can be useful, like when your phone is in an area where your main network doesn’t have coverage. In that case, you could swap to your eSIM profile to see whether that network has a signal. Another advantage of having both a SIM and eSIM is that you could use one for business and the other for personal calls, without having to swap phones – instead just swapping profiles. Sounds easy, right? Well, it is!

eSIM setup – how it’s so easy

You can easily swap between the network on your eSIM and the one on your physical SIM at any time by going into ‘Mobile Data > Data Plans (Apple devices) or Connections > SIM Card Manager (Samsung devices)’ in your phone’s settings and switching between the two. You can also store more than one eSIM profile, although you can only use one profile at a time.

As the Internet of Things evolves, eSIMs and eSIM providers in the UK are cropping up more and more because more objects, like cars and traffic lights, or anything that might need to connect to a mobile network, are being manufactured with an eSIM built in.

Because eSIMs can be updated electronically, it means new profiles can be added without, for example, physically swapping thousands of SIM cards in traffic lights up and down the country. eSIMs are the future!

How to get an eSIM – what phones have one?

If you’ve got a new-ish phone, you’ve probably got an eSIM already.

All of Apple’s latest iPhones come with an eSIM built in, and many Android phone manufacturers are now also adding eSIMs to their products. Most of the recent Samsung Galaxy phones have an eSIM, for example, as do Google’s Pixel smartphones. The new Motorola Razr was the first phone to ship without a physical SIM card at all – it only has an eSIM.

You’ll also find eSIMs in some of the latest laptops and tablets, like the Microsoft Surface Pro X. And the number of devices that use eSIMs is increasing all the time.

Check this page for the full list of devices with eSIM functionality.

Where can I use eSIM?

Over the past few years, more and more networks in more and more countries across the world have begun offering eSIM bundles and eSIM deals.

GoodeSIN offers eSIM packages for more than 200 countries – just search for your chosen destination and grab a prepaid eSIM plan that suits where you’re travelling to. So if you’re looking for a data travel sim, you’re probably going to find one in a pay as you go eSIM plan.

How can I get an eSIM profile?

It’s easy as can be with GoodeSIN:

1. Go to the GoodeSIN website
You’ll find it here – GoodeSIN

2. Select your eSIM plan
Choose where you’re travelling to and take a look at the various bundles we have available. Simply select your prepaid eSIM plan and…

3. Off you go!
Now you can enjoy staying in touch while you’re abroad without those big data roaming charges.

If you need help with any of the above, we’re here to help. Happy travels!