eSIM on UK Mobile Networks: How To Get An eSIM For Your Phone

EE

On EE, it’s currently possible to get an eSIM on Pay Monthly, SIM Only and Small Business plans. Unfortunately, however, eSIM isn’t currently available to EE Pay As You Go customers.

To get an eSIM on EE, you’ll need to start with a normal plastic SIM card. Once you’ve got one, you can order an eSIM to replace your normal plastic SIM card.

To get a replacement eSIM pack, you can log in to My EE, you can visit your nearest EE retail store, or you can call EE’s customer services team on 150 (0800 956 6000 if you’re calling from another network). Once you have your eSIM pack, you can use EE’s SIM swap webpage to transfer your plan onto an eSIM.

If you’d like an EE Pay Monthly SIM card that can be changed into an eSIM, consider one of the following EE SIM-only deals:

Network	Minutes	Texts	Data	Monthly Cost
	Unlimited	Unlimited	1GB	£15.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	£18.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	25GB	£21.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	125GB	£23.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	150GB	£24.00 3 months half price 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	£28.00 6 months half price 24 months

All of EE’s eSIMs include access to their 5G network. In addition, you’ll get a Smart Benefit included when you choose an EE Smart SIM card. For instance, this could be an inclusive subscription to Apple Music, Netflix or BT Sport Ultimate.

Source: EE Help: What is an eSim?
Tariff Information: EE Website

O2

On O2, it’s possible to move your Pay Monthly contract onto an eSIM. This includes handset, SIM Only and business plans. However, it isn’t possible to get an eSIM on O2 Pay As You Go.

To move your O2 Pay Monthly plan onto an eSIM, you’ll need to obtain an O2 eSIM pack. You can get one by visiting your nearest O2 retail store or by calling O2’s customer services team on 202. Once you have an eSIM pack, it can take up to 24 hours to transfer your plan onto an eSIM.

If you’d like a new O2 SIM card that can be swapped for an eSIM when you receive it, O2 currently offers the following SIM-only deals:

Network	Minutes	Texts	Data	Monthly Cost
	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB	£12.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	25GB	£15.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	75GB	£18.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	120GB	£20.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	150GB	£22.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	250GB	£25.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	£30.00 24 months

All of O2’s eSIMs will give you access to the O2 Priority app along with O2 Extras such as inclusive Disney+. You’ll also get access to O2’s 5G network if you request a 5G eSIM pack.

Source: O2 Help and Support: eSIM
Tariff Information: O2 Website

Three

At present, Three isn’t allowing customers to get a new eSIM on their network.

Three previously offered eSIMs on a trial basis between September 2020 and December 2020. However, they paused the distribution of eSIMs owing to some issues. It’s now expected that eSIMs will relaunch on Three in 2022.

If you already have an eSIM from Three, you’ll still be able to continue using it.

Source: Three Help: eSIM Support
Tariff Information: Three Website

Virgin Mobile

At present, it isn’t possible for new Virgin Mobile customers to get an eSIM. Although they still have information about eSIMs on their website, the feedback seems to indicate that this was only offered for a short time in 2021.

If you have an existing Virgin Mobile Pay Monthly SIM card, you can check to see whether it’s possible to move it onto an eSIM. You can do this through your Virgin Mobile account or by calling 0800 052 0422.

If you’re a Virgin Media Volt customer, your mobile service will be provided by O2 rather than Virgin Mobile. If this is the case, you’ll need to follow the instructions on O2’s website instead.

Source: Virgin Media Help: eSIM Support
Tariff Information: Virgin Mobile Website

Vodafone

On Vodafone, you can order an eSIM plan online to start using straight away. Unlike other networks, there’s no need to get a plastic SIM card first. This can save you a lot of time and hassle.

The following plans offer 4G coverage on an eSIM and are available from £6/month:

Alternatively, you can get a 5G-ready Vodafone Red plan on eSIM:

Vodafone also offers a range of unlimited data plans that can be used on eSIM:

To ensure you receive your plan on an eSIM, choose the “eSIM” option when you checkout online. This is shown in the screenshot below:

You can also get an eSIM on Vodafone Business if you’re planning to use the eSIM for your business or for work.

If you’re an existing Vodafone Pay Monthly customer, you can move your current plan onto an eSIM. To do so, follow the instructions on Vodafone’s website. It takes around 10 minutes to move your current Vodafone price plan to an eSIM.

As well as supporting the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, Vodafone also has eSIM support available on the Apple Watch and on other wearable devices. There’s more information about this in Vodafone’s help centre.

Source: Vodafone Help: Discover eSIM
Tariff Information: Vodafone Website

Other Networks

Besides EE, O2 and Vodafone, you can also get an eSIM from specialist roaming providers. For instance, Airalo offers a short-term plan with 3GB data for $10/month (approx £8.30). This is a data-only plan from Uki Mobile which offers 4G coverage from the O2 network. Unlike the plans above, there’s no need to be a UK resident. However, you’re getting a data-only service without a UK phone number so it isn’t particularly suited for long-term usage in the UK.

Amongst the other UK network providers:

• BT Mobile eSIM – On BT, eSIM technology is currently available to BT Business customers. In May 2020, BT stated that they “don’t have any plans to offer eSIM” for consumers.
• giffgaff eSIM – At present, eSIMs are yet to launch on giffgaff. There’s an idea on the giffgaff community with more than 700 votes, with giffgaff saying they’re “looking into it”.
• iD Mobile eSIM – Unfortunately, iD Mobile do not currently provide eSIMs on their network. They haven’t made any announcements as to when eSIM will be made available.
• Lebara Mobile eSIM – Lebara Mobile doesn’t offer any eSIM support.
• Lycamobile eSIM – It isn’t possible to get an eSIM from Lycamobile.
• Sky Mobile eSIM – Sky Mobile doesn’t currently support eSIM. However, they’ve said they’re looking into adding the functionality in the future.
• SMARTY eSIM – Smarty doesn’t currently support eSIMs on their network. As a low-cost sub-brand of Three, the launch of eSIMs on SMARTY is likely to come some time after the launch of eSIM on Three.
• Tesco Mobile eSIM – Tesco Mobile are yet to make any announcements about the availability of eSIM on their network.
• VOXI eSIM – Unfortunately, eSIM technology is not currently available to customers on VOXI (a youth-orientated sub-brand of Vodafone). As an alternative, consider getting a plan from Vodafone instead, given they have eSIM-ready plans from £6/month.