The first SIM card was launched in 1991 and was about the size of a credit card. Since then, SIM cards have continued to shrink, and today’s version, known as eSIM, completely eliminates the need for a physical card inside your device.
So, what is an eSIM really, and how does it work? In this guide, we’ll explain everything you should know about eSIMs, from their underlying technology to key advantages and drawbacks. We’ll also discuss what to focus on when choosing an eSIM to ensure you get the best coverage and security.
What Is an eSIM Card?
An embedded SIM (eSIM) is a digital version of a traditional SIM card that enables your device to connect to a mobile network without needing a removable, physical SIM. The eSIM chip is permanently built into the device or “embedded,” and you can activate service by downloading a mobile plan. Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs can store multiple profiles, making it easy to switch carriers or plans without needing to swap cards.
How does an eSIM work?
An eSIM works exactly the same way as a traditional SIM; it authenticates your device with your mobile carrier so you can complete the following activities:
- Connect to the network
- Send and receive text messages
- Make and receive phone calls
- Use cellular data
The main difference is that activation occurs digitally. Instead of inserting a card, you download an eSIM profile using a QR code, carrier app, or automatic or remote SIM provisioning (RSP).
What Are the Advantages of an eSIM?
The most obvious advantage of an eSIM card is convenience since you don’t have to purchase a new SIM card or go to your carrier to activate a plan. Since the chip is embedded into your phone, all you need to do is activate your eSIM remotely (which can be as simple as scanning a QR code), and you’ll be ready to connect to a mobile network anywhere.
In addition to convenience, eSIMs offer a range of advantages, including:
- Enhanced security
- Multiple profile support
- Affordability
- Reduced environmental waste
1. Enhanced Security
Physical SIM cards can get physically damaged or lost when you’re transferring them from one device to another. This isn’t an issue with an eSIM as it doesn’t involve a physical card. Since they are less prone to damage, eSIMs are more durable.
If your device is stolen, thieves can’t remove the eSIM to disable tracking, unlike with physical SIMs. Disabling an eSIM usually requires the carrier’s assistance and authorization, so malicious actors or thieves can’t tamper with it.
Compared to physical SIM cards, eSIMs are less vulnerable to attacks and hacks, such as SIM cloning. eSIMs are typically protected with encryption, and since they’re embedded into devices, they can’t be easily duplicated.
Note: While eSIMs are generally more secure than physical SIMs, they aren’t immune to cyber threats. You should still follow security and privacy best practices, like using strong authentication and avoiding suspicious apps and links, to ensure protection. Another important consideration is selecting a privacy-focused eSIM provider with high security standards, such as Cape.
2. Multiple Profile Support
A physical SIM card stores one carrier profile; if you frequently travel to Europe or any place abroad, want to switch carriers, or have a work phone number, you’ll need to do one of the following:
- Constantly swap your physical SIM cards
- Use a device with dual SIM support
An eSIM can hold multiple carrier profiles for maximum convenience; depending on your device, you can typically store between five and eight eSIM profiles. Simply toggle between different profiles according to your schedule and needs to maximize the potential of eSIM. With just a few clicks, you can easily switch between carriers and plans to always get maximum affordability, flexibility, and coverage, regardless of your location.
3. Affordability
In the past, when traveling internationally, you either had to purchase a local SIM or pay high roaming fees to ensure a stable and consistent network connection. eSIMs change this; you can set up a local eSIM on your device and connect to a network without paying expensive fees or buying a physical SIM that you’ll only use for a few days.
4. Reduced Environmental Waste
eSIMs support a more sustainable approach to technology. Unlike physical SIM cards, which are made of plastic and contribute to environmental waste, eSIMs are embedded into devices, occupying less physical space. They also don’t require separate packaging and shipping, which reduces their environmental footprint.
What Are the Drawbacks of eSIMs?
While eSIMs offer numerous advantages, they also have some drawbacks you should consider, including:
Drawback | Explanation |
Limited device compatibility | eSIMs gained traction in the consumer market in 2016. Today, most major manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, and Google, widely support eSIM, but the technology isn’t available on older devices. |
Complex transfer to a new device | When you purchase a new device and have a physical SIM card, the transfer is as easy as inserting the card into the new phone. The process is more complicated with an eSIM. You may need to contact your carrier to get the new activation code. Additionally, the transfer involves accessing your device’s settings, so people who aren’t tech-savvy may struggle to complete all the steps. |
How To Set Up an eSIM: iPhone and Android Set Up Processes Explained
The first step you’ll need to complete, regardless of your device, is to check whether your phone supports eSIMs. You can perform a Google search or access your device’s settings to check if adding an eSIM is an available option. Once you confirm compatibility, you’ll need to purchase an eSIM plan with the chosen provider. Visit the carrier’s website and select a plan that suits your needs.
After the payment is completed, you’ll likely receive a QR code, which you need to scan to add the eSIM to your device. This process varies depending on whether you have an iPhone or an Android device.
Note: Scanning a carrier-provided QR code is the most common method for activation, but it’s not the only one. Depending on the chosen carrier, you may be able to activate your eSIM via an app or link, or you may prefer to enter the required information manually.
Setting up an eSIM on an iPhone
Here’s how to activate an eSIM on your iPhone:
- Scan the QR code you’ve received from your carrier
- You’ll receive the Cellular Plan Detected notification; follow the link
- Tap Continue at the bottom of the screen
- Select Add Cellular Plan. You may be required to enter a confirmation code; use the number provided by your carrier
If you have an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later and receive the QR code via email or in a browser, you can simply tap the code and select Add eSIM.
Setting up an eSIM on an Android Device
Follow the steps below to set up an eSIM on your Android:
- Open Settings and go to Connections
- Tap SIM manager
- Choose Add eSIM and scan the provided QR code. In the same settings, you can also transfer a SIM from another phone or search for available eSIMs
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the activation
eSIM FAQs:
Below, you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding eSIMs:
Does an eSIM Give You a Phone Number?
It depends on the provider and your preferences. Some eSIMs offer only mobile data, without a phone number. That can be convenient if you’re traveling abroad and only want the internet connection.
Obtaining an eSIM with a phone number is more practical for everyday use. You can enjoy the convenience and flexibility of eSIMs and eliminate the need for physical SIMs altogether if that’s your goal. Some providers enable you to choose whether to get a new phone number with your eSIM or transfer your existing one for maximum convenience.
Does an eSIM Drain Phone Battery?
A single eSIM doesn’t affect power consumption any more than a physical SIM card does. If you use both an eSIM and a physical SIM or multiple eSIMs simultaneously, you may notice increased battery consumption because the device needs to maintain these connections.
Factors that affect your battery performance include:
- Background apps
- Screen brightness
- Location services
- Outdated software
- Poor signal strength
- Processor strain
Do All eSIMs Offer the Same Level of Security?
All eSIMs, regardless of the carrier, share certain characteristics, including being less prone to physical damage and theft due to their embedded design. In this sense, eSIMs provide the same degree of security, but there’s another aspect to consider: network-level threats.
The security of an eSIM is determined by the carrier that offers it. If a carrier has poor security protocols, it may be vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks, which could impact your eSIM and compromise your personal information.
A carrier’s security largely depends on its:
- Infrastructure: Many traditional carriers still use legacy systems that can expose user identifiers and activity data, which could be intercepted by malicious actors.
- Authentication systems: Mobile carriers with poor authentication protocols can’t properly protect you from attackers attempting to access your eSIM, enhancing the risk of unauthorized activation and account takeover.
- Data handling policies: Carriers that collect and store a significant amount of your personal information without robust security protocols directly jeopardize your privacy and security.
The level of security you’ll get with an eSIM depends on who manages it, and that is why you should carefully choose your carrier.
A privacy-first eSIM provider like Cape combines eSIM technology with high-grade security. With our own infrastructure, minimal data collection, and advanced SIM profile management, we provide reliable coverage while protecting your information and identity from network threats.
Cape: The Carrier Built for Security, Convenience, and Peace of Mind
Cape is a privacy-first mobile carrier designed to keep your communications safe from surveillance and data misuse. Unlike legacy providers, we don’t harvest your information; our network is built to ensure most data never leaves your device in the first place.
We achieve this through a layered approach that combines advanced encryption, modern protocols, and network-level safeguards:
Cape runs its own mobile core in the cloud, replacing the outdated legacy infrastructure of traditional carriers. All traffic is routed through Cape’s secure network, making your domestic and international communications far more resistant to interception and attack.
Traditional carriers use outdated authentication methods that leave you vulnerable to risks like SIM swaps. Instead of weak password-based logins, Cape secures your account with asymmetric cryptography.
Your private key stays on your device and is represented by a 24-word recovery phrase, required for any major account changes. Because Cape employees cannot access it, only you can authorize actions like SIM ports, removing one of the most common attack vectors.
Cape’s proprietary signaling proxy filters network requests in real time, rejecting suspicious activity and blocking attempts at location tracking, call or SMS interception, and identifier extraction.
When you pay for Cape, we don’t collect your name or billing address. Instead, Stripe tokenizes your payment details so they’re never stored by Cape or tied to your account.
Voicemails, including the content and critical metadata, are encrypted and can only be decrypted with the private key stored only on your device.
Traditional carriers demand blind trust and collect vast amounts of personal data from the moment you subscribe. Cape flips the model, letting you sign up anonymously and protecting your communications with built-in security, so your data stays private—even from us.
Get Cape To Access Unlimited Data, Peak Network Performance
Your $99/month Cape subscription comes with unlimited calls and SMS, 4G/5G data, and free international roaming (for eligible devices and countries).
The service is available for eSIM-enabled devices.
You can sign up for Cape using our anonymous onboarding process here.
To extend protection beyond the network, Cape partners with Proton. Subscribers can get Proton Unlimited or Proton VPN Plus for only $1 for six months.
