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 plans (including EE’s SIM Only and Small Business plans). Unfortunately, eSIM isn’t currently available to EE Pay As You Go customers.

To get an eSIM on EE, you’ll need to start off by getting a regular plastic SIM card. Once you’ve ordered and activated this SIM card, you’ll be able to get a new eSIM to replace it.

To get your 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	£14.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	5GB	£15.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	25GB	£18.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	125GB	£22.00 12 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	125GB	£22.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	150GB	£26.00 3 months half price 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	£27.00 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

Lycamobile

If you’re looking for a Pay As You Go eSIM with no contract and no credit check, Lycamobile currently offers a range of eSIM plans from £5/month. You’ll get 4G & 5G coverage on the O2 network, and there’s instant online delivery so you can start using the eSIM straight away.

To get your Lycamobile eSIM, choose your plan and order through this page. Make sure to sign up as a new Lycamobile customer and choose the ‘eSIM’ option at checkout. Once you’ve placed your order, the eSIM will be sent to you straight away by email.

The following table shows Lycamobile’s Pay As You Go eSIM plans:

Network	Minutes	Texts	Data	Monthly Cost
UK Plan Smart	1,000 +100 intl.	1,000	5GB	£5.00
National Plus	Unlimited +100 intl.	Unlimited	20GB	£10.00
National Plan Extra	Unlimited +100 intl.	Unlimited	26GB	£12.00
UK Plan Super Extra	Unlimited +100 intl.	Unlimited	50GB	£15.00
UK Plan Mega Plus	Unlimited +100 intl.	Unlimited	100GB	£20.00
UK Plan Unlimited	Unlimited +100 intl.	Unlimited	Unlimited	£25.00
UK Plan Unlimited Plus	Unlimited +unltd intl.	Unlimited	Unlimited	£30.00

As Lycamobile operates on a Pay As You Go basis, you can easily pause, change or cancel your plan at any time.

Source: Lycamobile UK: Frequently Asked Questions
Tariff Information: Lycamobile 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	3GB	£14.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	6GB	£16.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	50GB	£18.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	60GB	£19.99 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	125GB	£21.00 24 months
	Unlimited	Unlimited	150GB	£22.99 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

If you’re a Three Pay Monthly customer who has joined since the 30th January 2023, you’ll be able to get your Pay Monthly plan moved onto an eSIM. You’ll need to have a Standard, Plus, or Premium plan to be eligible.

To get a replacement eSIM from Three, you can call their customer services team on 333 (or 0333 338 1001 if you’re calling from another mobile network). It’s also possible to get a replacement eSIM from your nearest Three retail store.

If you’d like a new SIM card from Three that can be swapped for an eSIM once you get it, Three currently offers the following SIM-only deals:

You can also save on an unlimited data eSIM which is available for £18 per month when you sign up on a 24-month contract:

Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to get an eSIM on Three’s Pay As You Go service, or on Three’s Pay Monthly plans that were taken before the 30th January 2023.

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 some information about eSIMs on their website, the feedback seems to indicate that this was only offered for a short time in 2021.

In 2023, Virgin Mobile customers are due to be moved to O2. Once your plan has moved to O2, you’ll be able to follow the instructions on O2’s website to get an eSIM. This also applies to Volt customers who will have an O2 SIM card included with their Virgin Media plan.

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 £7/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 from Vodafone Business if you’re planning to use the eSIM 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

You can also get an eSIM from specialist roaming providers. For instance, Airalo offers a short-term plan with 3GB data for US$10 (approx £8). 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:

• 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.
• 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 £7/month.