In the UK, you can get an eSIM from EE, O2, Three and Vodafone for use in your iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel phone.
eSIM or embedded SIM technology is now available in the latest flagship smartphones from Apple, Samsung and Google. On devices like the iPhone 11 and Galaxy S20, you can download an eSIM onto your phone. This allows you to get connected without a physical SIM card. You’ll need an eSIM if you want to benefit from dual-SIM connectivity on these phones as they only have one physical SIM card slot in addition to eSIM.
At present, it’s possible to get an eSIM on compatible Pay Monthly plans from EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. In addition, there are several other mobile networks currently working on eSIM support. BT Mobile offers eSIM support but only to business customers.
In this article, we’ll look at eSIM technology in the UK. We’ll start by asking what eSIMs are and how they compare to the traditional SIM cards that have been used for over 30 years. We’ll then look at devices you can use an eSIM in and at the support for eSIM across different UK networks.
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What is eSIM?
In mobile phones, eSIM or “embedded SIM” technology is a new version of SIM card technology where the SIM card is embedded inside your device. Rather than having a physical SIM card from your mobile network that slots in to your device, the eSIM is a reprogrammable chip inside your smartphone. You can either scan a special QR code or you can use a mobile application to download an eSIM onto your phone.
Compared to traditional SIM cards, there are both advantages of disadvantages of using an eSIM.
The advantage of using eSIM technology is it can make it a lot easier and faster to change to another mobile network. Rather than waiting for a SIM card to be sent to you through the post, you could simply download or scan an eSIM to use a new network straight away. In addition, some mobile phones support dual-SIM connectivity but only where an eSIM is used. By using both an eSIM and a physical SIM card in your phone at the same time, you can have two phone numbers and two price plans active at the same time (e.g. one for personal usage and another for work usage).
The downside of eSIM is that very few mobile networks currently offer eSIM-compatible plans in the UK. In addition, eSIM is normally available only on a Pay Monthly plan and not on a Pay As You Go basis. There can also be complications when changing to another phone. With eSIM, it isn’t as simple as taking a physical SIM card out and putting it inside another phone. In addition, if your other mobile phone lacks support for eSIM, you’ll need to change your eSIM back into a physical SIM card before you’re able to use it.
eSIM Compatible Devices
At present, the following smartphones are compatible with eSIM:
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 12 Mini
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone SE 2020
- Apple iPhone XS
- Apple iPhone XS Max
- Apple iPhone XR
- Google Pixel 31
- Google Pixel 3 XL1
- Google Pixel 3a
- Google Pixel 3a XL
- Google Pixel 4
- Google Pixel 4 XL
- Google Pixel 4a
- Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Google Pixel 5
- Motorola Razr2
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- Samsung Galaxy S20 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
1 The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are able to hold both a physical SIM card and eSIM. You can change between the two but only one can be used at a given time. You therefore won’t be able to have two phone numbers at the same time.
2 The Motorola Razr is an eSIM-only device. It doesn’t support physical SIM cards.
Most of the above smartphones offer dual-SIM connectivity in conjunction with support for eSIM. This means you can use a traditional plastic SIM card, an eSIM, or both at the same time. If you’re using both a traditional SIM card and an eSIM at the same time, you’ll be able to have two phone numbers and two mobile networks on your phone at the same time.
For more information on how to set up and use eSIM on your phone, refer to your smartphone manufacturer’s website as follows:
- Apple: How to use dual SIM and eSIM (for compatible iPhone devices)
- Samsung: Using Galaxy smartphones with eSIM (for compatible Samsung Galaxy phones)
- Google: How to use dual SIMs (for compatible Google Pixel phones)
- Motorola: How can I activate the eSIM on Razr? (for Motorola Razr)
eSIM on UK Mobile Networks
In the following section, we’ll discuss the availability of eSIM on UK mobile networks.
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EE
To change a regular SIM card into an eSIM, you’ll need to order a replacement eSIM pack from EE. This can be done by logging in to My EE, by visiting your nearest EE retail store, or by calling EE’s customer services team on 150 (0800 956 6000 if you’re calling from another network). Once you have an eSIM pack, you can use EE’s SIM swap website to transfer your plan onto eSIM. If you’d like a Pay Monthly SIM card from EE that can be changed into an eSIM, consider one of the following EE SIM-only deals:
Source: EE Help: What is an eSim? |
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O2
Unfortunately, 5G coverage isn’t currently supported on eSIMs from O2. You’ll therefore be restricted to using only 2G, 3G and 4G coverage on eSIMs from O2. It also isn’t currently possible to get an eSIM on other O2 plans such as Pay As You Go. If you’d like a new SIM card from O2 which can be changed into an eSIM when you get it, O2 currently offers the following SIM-only deals:
All of O2’s eSIMs will give you access to 99% population coverage on O2’s 2G, 3G and 4G networks. You’ll also get access to the O2 Priority app as well as O2 Extras like 6 months of free Disney+. Source: O2 Help and Support: eSIM |
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Three
If you’d like a new SIM card from Three which can be changed into an eSIM, Three currently offers the following SIM-only deals:
All of the eSIMs provided by Three are 5G-ready. Source: Three Help: eSIM Support |
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Vodafone
If you’re not already a Vodafone customer, you can order a SIM card from Vodafone which can be changed into eSIM. At present, Vodafone offers the following SIM-only deals:
Vodafone also offers a range of unlimited data plans that can be used on eSIM:
eSIM support is also available for the Apple Watch and some other IoT devices that use eSIM technology. There’s more information about this in Vodafone’s help centre. Source: Vodafone Help: Discover eSIM |
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Other NetworksBesides EE and O2, you can also get an eSIM from specialist roaming providers. These specialist providers include eSIM.net, Truphone and Ubigi. Normally, the plans from these specialist providers are designed for people who travel fairly regularly. For this reason, it’s unlikely to be a good option if you’re looking for an eSIM that will mainly be used in the UK. Amongst the other UK network providers:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK mobile providers offer eSIM? | At present, you can get an eSIM from the following UK providers:
For a list of eSIM-compatible deals, see our guide to eSIM plans in the UK. |
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How can I change my regular SIM card to an eSIM? | On most mobile networks, with the exception of Vodafone, you’ll need to order a physical SIM card to begin with. This can then be changed to an eSIM at a later date, by ordering a replacement eSIM pack. On Vodafone, you can order an eSIM directly when placing your new SIM card order online. |
Which mobile devices are compatible with eSIM? | You can use an eSIM in selected mobile phones from Apple, Google, Motorola and Samsung including Apple’s iPhone 12 and Samsung’s Galaxy S20. In most devices, it’ll enable dual-SIM connectivity, allowing you to have two phone numbers on your device at the same time. |
More Information
For more information about eSIM in the UK, please see the EE, O2, Three and Vodafone websites.
Gareth said:
Hi
Great article
Currently use 2 monthly sim only plans with three; one is for business, fed up of carrying 2 phones so was thinking I could get esim and add to my iPhone XS Max which I believe supports esim.
At present Three have suspended esim, could I port my number to another network and get an esim therefore using the esim from another provider. Does this work or do you have to be in the same network for physical and esim.
Thanks in advance for answers.
Ken replied:
Hi Gareth,
Thanks for your comment. It’s possible for the two eSIMs to be from two totally different networks. That’s actually preferable in many cases, as it means you can still access coverage on the second SIM if you’re in an area where you’re not able to get coverage on the primary SIM card. Vodafone is probably the best network to choose for eSIM at the moment – they have some eSIM plans from £6/month, you can easily get started straight away without the hassle of a SIM swap and you can transfer your existing phone number to it as well.
Hope this helps,
Ken
Gareth Bond replied:
Thanks Ken
Searched High and low before I found your site.
Very helpful
m said:
I’ve currently tried and failed to get a replacement eSIM from Three mobile.
I’m a customer of theirs for multiple years and normally rate their support GOOD.
Calling support they said I had to physically visit a remote store, but when I called [multiple stores] they said it wasn’t possible. Then I saw on the webpage of three that I could covert from physical to eSIM . I call three 2 more times to point this out and demand an eSIM.
Nothing happened so I raised a complaint.
2 days later instead of calling me back as support promised I got a text indicating no progress and if I want anything further to write the Ombudsman.,
So I HAVE written to the Ombudsman.
If their flippin web page clearly says there have a conversion service then I expect them to deliver it.
I’m waiting for response. We are into week 4 already. Nothing so far.
Ron said:
The carriers requiring a physical paper with the QR code on it is ridiculous, and defeats one of the advantages of the eSIM.
There is no reason why they can’t simply have the QR code on a webpage to print out or point the phone camera. There is no reason to require customers to get a physical QR code.
Ken replied:
Hi Ron,
I do agree with you somewhat, as well as the fact you still need to get a physical SIM before you can switch it to an eSIM. This makes it even more of a convoluted process as there’s yet another hoop to jump through before you can get an eSIM. I believe the main thing that’s holding traditional mobile operators back is how their current billing/provisioning systems are set up and issues like how they verify identity & security if they’re giving you a QR code online instead of sending something in the post. I think Vodafone is the best of the big four providers at the moment as they can give you a QR code online instead of giving you a printed QR code in the post or in their shop.
Most of the eSIM-native providers (e.g. Truphone, Ubigi, eSIM.net, etc) make this a lot easier – I believe they’ll simply give you a QR code online. However, they’re mostly focussed on the prepaid travel market so they’re often not ideal if you want it for UK-only usage.
Ken
James replied:
Completely agree, I think the future will be installing/downloading the eSim profile through the app of the network, in a similar way to adding tickets or credit cards to mobile wallets at the moment.
Hopefully there will be some sort of universal implementation of this agreed within the next year or two, as you say sending a QR code in the post is ridiculous and eliminates the savings of not needing a physical sim.