What is eSIM? A Complete Guide for Travelers

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a small chip built directly into your smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike a traditional SIM card that you insert and remove, an eSIM is soldered onto the device’s motherboard during manufacturing. It stores your mobile subscription digitally, which means you can activate a cellular plan without handling a physical card.

The technology behind eSIM is called eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card). It follows a standard defined by the GSMA, the global association of mobile network operators. This standard ensures that any eSIM-compatible device can download and install carrier profiles from any participating operator worldwide.

Key fact: As of early 2026, more than 200 mobile operators in over 100 countries support eSIM activation. According to the GSMA Mobile Economy report, eSIM-enabled devices will exceed 6 billion units globally by 2028.

How Does an eSIM Work?

An eSIM works through a process called Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP). Here is how it happens, step by step:

1. You choose a plan. This could be through a carrier app, a website, or a travel eSIM provider like Rivio.
2. You receive a QR code or activation link. This code contains the address of a secure server called the SM-DP+ (Subscription Manager Data Preparation).
3. Your device downloads the profile. When you scan the QR code, your phone’s Local Profile Assistant (LPA) contacts the SM-DP+ server and securely downloads the eSIM profile.
4. The profile is installed on the eUICC chip. The profile includes all the information your device needs to connect to the mobile network: operator credentials, authentication keys, and network configuration.
5. You go online. The device registers on the mobile network and you have cellular data access.

The entire process typically takes under two minutes and requires only a Wi-Fi connection or an existing cellular data connection for the initial download.

Multiple Profiles on One Device

One of the most practical advantages of eSIM technology is the ability to store multiple carrier profiles on a single device. Most modern smartphones support 8 to 10 eSIM profiles simultaneously, though only one or two can be active at any given time.

For travelers, this means you can:

• Keep your home carrier profile for calls and SMS
• Add a travel data profile for your destination
• Switch between profiles without removing anything

Benefits of eSIM for Travelers

1. Instant Activation

There is no need to visit a store, wait for delivery, or swap tiny plastic cards. You activate your travel plan digitally before you board your flight. When you land, your phone connects to the local network automatically.

2. Keep Your Home Number Active

With a dual-SIM setup (your physical SIM for your home number and an eSIM for travel data), you stay reachable on your regular number while using affordable local data rates abroad. Incoming calls and verification codes still come through on your primary line.

3. No Roaming Surprises

International roaming charges from traditional carriers can be severe. A single day of data roaming in some countries can cost more than an entire month of local data through an eSIM provider. With eSIM, you choose and pay for your data plan upfront, so there are no surprise charges on your next bill. Check our FAQ for common questions about pricing and billing.

4. Better for the Environment

Physical SIM cards are made of plastic and require packaging, shipping, and in-store distribution. eSIM eliminates all of that. One less piece of single-use plastic per traveler may seem small, but at scale it makes a measurable difference. The GSMA estimates that widespread eSIM adoption could eliminate over 20,000 tons of plastic waste annually from the telecommunications industry.

5. Travel with Multiple Devices

If you carry a phone, a tablet, and a smartwatch, eSIM lets you manage connectivity for all of them from a single account. Many eSIM providers, including Rivio, support family or multi-device profiles that share a single balance.

How to Check if Your Phone Supports eSIM

Not every phone has eSIM capability. For a complete list of tested models, see our compatible devices guide. Here is how to check for the most common devices:

iPhone

All iPhones from the iPhone XS (2018) onward support eSIM. This includes:

• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 series (all models)
• iPhone 13 series (all models)
• iPhone 14 series (all models) — US models are eSIM-only with no physical SIM tray
• iPhone 15 series (all models)
• iPhone 16 series (all models)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

How to verify on iPhone: Go to Settings > General > About and look for an “Available SIM” or “EID” field. If you see an EID number, your device supports eSIM.

Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, and Others)

eSIM support on Android varies by manufacturer and model:

• Samsung: Galaxy S20 and newer, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip series, Galaxy A54 and newer
• Google Pixel: Pixel 2 and newer (Pixel 2 was one of the first eSIM phones)
• Huawei: P40 series, Mate 40 series
• Xiaomi: 12T Pro, 13 series and newer
• OnePlus: 11 and newer
• Oppo: Find X5 Pro and newer

How to verify on Android: Go to Settings > About Phone and look for an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number. Alternatively, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs and check if “Add eSIM” or “Download SIM” appears as an option.

Quick Compatibility Test

The fastest way to check is to dial *#06# on your phone. If the result displays an EID (a 32-digit number) alongside your IMEI, your device has an eSIM chip.

How to Set Up an eSIM for Travel

Setting up an eSIM is straightforward. Here is the typical process using a travel eSIM provider:

Step 1: Choose Your Provider and Plan

Compare travel eSIM providers based on:

• Coverage: Does the provider cover your destination?
• Data amount: How much data do you need? Light browsing and messaging typically use 500MB-1GB per week. Streaming video or using maps heavily can use 2-5GB per week.
• Validity: How long is the plan active?
• Price: Compare the per-GB cost across providers.

Step 2: Purchase and Receive Your eSIM

After purchasing, you will receive either:

• A QR code displayed on screen or sent via email
• An activation link that opens directly in your phone’s settings
• An SM-DP+ address and activation code for manual entry

Step 3: Install the eSIM Profile

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM
2. Tap Use QR Code and scan the code
3. Wait for the profile to download (usually 10-30 seconds)
4. Label the plan (e.g., “Travel Data”) for easy identification

On Android:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs
2. Tap Add SIM or Download SIM
3. Scan the QR code or enter the activation details manually
4. Wait for the download to complete

Step 4: Configure Your Dual-SIM Settings

After installation, configure which SIM handles what:

• Calls and SMS: Your primary (physical) SIM
• Cellular data: Your new eSIM travel plan
• Data roaming: Enable for the eSIM line, disable for your primary SIM to avoid roaming charges

Step 5: Activate at Your Destination

Some eSIM plans activate immediately upon installation. Others activate when your device first connects to a network in the destination country. Check your provider’s documentation for specific activation timing.

Pro tip: Install your eSIM before you travel, while you still have reliable Wi-Fi. This way, your phone connects automatically the moment you land.

eSIM vs. Physical SIM: A Detailed Comparison

Feature	eSIM	Physical SIM
Activation time	Under 2 minutes, fully digital	Requires store visit or postal delivery
Swapping plans	Tap to switch between stored profiles	Physically remove and insert cards
Risk of loss	None — embedded in device	Easy to lose the tiny card or adapter
Multiple plans	Store 8-10 profiles on one device	One card per SIM slot
Environmental impact	No plastic, no packaging	Plastic card + packaging + shipping
Availability	Growing; 200+ carriers worldwide	Universal; available everywhere
Device compatibility	Requires eSIM-capable device (2018+)	Works with virtually all phones
Security	Profile cannot be physically removed	Card can be stolen if device is accessed
Cost for travel	Typically lower per-GB rates	Varies; local SIMs can be cheap but require store visits

When Physical SIM Still Makes Sense

Physical SIM cards remain relevant in a few scenarios:

• Older devices that do not support eSIM
• Countries where eSIM activation requires in-person identity verification
• Long-term stays (6+ months) where a local physical SIM with a local number may be more practical

For trips lasting a few days to a few weeks, eSIM is almost always the more convenient and cost-effective option.

Common Questions About eSIM

Can I use eSIM and a physical SIM at the same time?

Yes. Most eSIM-capable phones support dual-SIM operation: one physical SIM slot and one or more eSIM profiles. You can use your physical SIM for calls and your eSIM for data simultaneously.

Will my phone number change with an eSIM?

Only if you want it to. Travel eSIM plans are typically data-only, meaning your existing phone number stays active on your physical SIM. The eSIM simply provides internet access.

Can I share my eSIM data with other devices?

Yes, through your phone’s hotspot feature. Enable the personal hotspot and other devices (laptops, tablets, other phones) can connect through your eSIM data connection.

What happens to my eSIM when I get a new phone?

eSIM profiles can typically be transferred to a new device, though the process depends on the carrier and the phone manufacturer. Some providers require you to delete the profile from the old device and re-download it on the new one. Apple devices support eSIM transfer during the device setup process.

Is eSIM secure?

eSIM profiles are protected by the same level of encryption used in physical SIM cards. The eUICC chip is a certified secure element, and profiles are downloaded over encrypted channels. Because the eSIM cannot be physically removed, it actually provides an additional layer of security compared to removable SIM cards.

Can I use eSIM for voice calls?

It depends on the plan. Travel eSIM plans are usually data-only, which means voice calls go through apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom. Some domestic carrier eSIM plans include voice and SMS.

Getting Started with eSIM

If you are planning a trip and want to avoid roaming charges, an eSIM is the most practical solution available today. The setup takes less than two minutes, you keep your home number active, and you control exactly how much you spend on data.

With Rivio, you install one global eSIM and use it across more than 150 countries. You add balance when you need it, pay only for the data you use, and your unused balance carries over to your next trip. There is no expiry and no wasted credit. Curious about how 5G works with eSIM? Read our 5G and eSIM travel guide for the latest coverage data. Want to see how Rivio stacks up against the competition? Check our eSIM provider comparison.

Check if your phone supports eSIM, download the Rivio app, and get started with a $1.25 trial balance — top up any amount and pay only for the data you use.