You can get an eSIM plan from just £1.29/month in the UK. We compare eSIM-compatible SIM-only deals.

If you have a mobile phone that supports eSIM technology, you can now get an eSIM-ready SIM only deal from just £1.29/month. This will allow you to use the eSIM capability on your mobile phone, including dual-SIM functionality on the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones.

In this article, we’ll compare the eSIM-ready SIM Only deals currently available in the UK. We’ll also look at how to set up an eSIM on your phone as it will sometimes require an additional step to move your plan onto eSIM.

Best eSIM Ready Plan

In the UK, it can be useful having an eSIM for your mobile phone. For instance, having an eSIM will allow you to use dual-SIM functionality on newer iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel smartphones. This will allow you to have two phone numbers and two plans on your phone at the same time (e.g. both your work phone number and your personal phone number on the same device).

With eSIM, you can also benefit from greater flexibility and lower prices when you travel abroad. This is because the eSIM plan may give you cheaper international roaming than on your regular SIM card.

At present, Lyca Mobile and Vodafone are our recommended networks if you’re looking for an eSIM plan in the UK:

Lyca Mobile

  • Instant eSIM with no contract & no credit check. The UK’s first Pay As You Go eSIM.
  • Get 5GB data for £1.29 per month: Or 20GB data for £2.39.
  • 4G & 5G coverage from EE. 99% UK population coverage from the EE network.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy & Pixel. See all Lyca Mobile eSIM compatible devices.

Lyca Mobile is the UK’s first Pay As You Go network to offer a fully-featured eSIM with no contract and no credit check required. You’ll pay as little as £1.29 per month for a Lyca Mobile eSIM, with instant online delivery when you choose the ‘eSIM’ option at checkout.

As a special offer for April 2024, you can get 5GB data for £1.29 per month on a Lyca Mobile eSIM. This special price is valid for valid for the first 3 months, after which you’ll pay £5.90 per month if you continue using the plan.

If you’re looking for more data, there’s 10GB data for £1.49 per month for 3 months (then £5.90 per month) and 20GB data for £2.39 per month for 3 months (then £7.90 per month). Heavy data users can get 200GB data for £9.99 per month for 12 months (then £20 per month) or unlimited data for £9.99 per month for 6 months (then £25 per month).

All of Lyca Mobile’s plans work on a Pay As You Go basis so you can pause, change or cancel your plan at any time.

Get a Lyca Mobile eSIM online →
Vodafone

  • Pay Monthly eSIM with instant delivery. Just choose the “eSIM” option at checkout.
  • Get an eSIM plan with unlimited minutes from £7/month: Plus unlimited data from £30.
  • 5G coverage in 100+ towns & cities. Available on 5G plans from £15/month.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPad, Galaxy & Pixel. See all Vodafone eSIM compatible devices.

If you’re looking for a Pay Monthly eSIM with instant online delivery, we’d currently recommend ordering an eSIM from Vodafone. You can choose any of Vodafone’s SIM cards online. Just choose the “eSIM” option at checkout and you’ll be sent an eSIM that you can start using the same day.

You can get an eSIM plan from just £7/month on Vodafone with unlimited minutes, unlimited texts & an allowance of data (with up to 4G speeds). For faster download speeds, 5G-ready eSIM plans are available from £15 per month. Vodafone’s unlimited data plans are available from £30 per month. Vodafone also offers business eSIM plans if you’re planning to use the eSIM for work.

Unlike the other major networks, there’s no need to get a physical SIM card first before you can convert it into an eSIM on Vodafone.

Get a Vodafone eSIM online →

Unfortunately, eSIM support is still fairly limited on other UK mobile networks. Many networks require you to get a physical SIM card first, before you’re able to convert it for an eSIM at a later date. In addition, eSIM functionality may be restricted to only certain types of plan (e.g. to Pay Monthly contracts).

Compare SIM Only Deals with eSIM

At present, you can buy an eSIM-ready plan from the following UK mobile networks:

  • EE: From £16 per month (SIM swap required)
  • giffgaff: From £6 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Lyca Mobile: From £1.29 per month (instant eSIM delivery)
  • O2: From £15 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Sky: From £10 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Three: From £5 per month (SIM swap required)
  • Vodafone: From £7 per month (instant eSIM delivery)

The following table shows a list of eSIM-ready plans. You can use the filters to narrow down the list of available options.

How much data do you want on your plan each month?

How long are you willing to commit for on a contract?

Which networks would you be happy to take a plan from?

Showing 199 of 199 price plans that match your criteria

NetworkMinutesTextsDataMonthly Cost
(may rise during contract)
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£1.29
for 3 months, then £5.90/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited10GB£1.49
for 3 months, then £5.90/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited15GB£1.80
for 3 months, then £8.50/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£2.39
for 3 months, then £7.90/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£5.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£5.00
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£5.99
for 6 months, then £12/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£6.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£6.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£7.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£7.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£7.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£7.00
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited88GB£8.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£8.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£8.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£8.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited6GB£8.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£8.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£8.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£9.00
Swap needed
24 months
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£9.99
for 6 months, then £25/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£9.99
for 12 months, then £25/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
LycamobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£10.00
for 6 months, then £20/month
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£10.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£10.00
Swap needed
18 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£10.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited15GB£10.00
Swap needed
1 month
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£10.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£10.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£10.40
for 12 months, then £13/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£11.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£11.20
for 12 months, then £14/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£12.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£12.00
Swap needed
24 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£12.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited26GB£12.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£12.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£12.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£12.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£12.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£12.80
for 12 months, then £16/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£13.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£13.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£13.60
for 12 months, then £17/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£13.60
for 12 months, then £17/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£14.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£14.40
for 12 months, then £18/month
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£14.50
for 3 months, then £29/month
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£15.00
for 6 months, then £30/month
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited40GB£15.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited35GB£15.00
Swap needed
1 month
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited30GB£15.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£15.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£15.20
for 12 months, then £19/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£15.20
for 12 months, then £19/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£16.00
Swap needed
24 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited75GB£16.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£16.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£16.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£16.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£16.50
for 6 months, then £33/month
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£16.80
for 12 months, then £21/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£16.80
for 12 months, then £21/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£17.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£17.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£17.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited6GB£17.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£17.50
for 6 months, then £35/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£17.60
for 12 months, then £22/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£17.60
for 12 months, then £22/month
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited12GB£17.99
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£18.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£18.00
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited1GB£18.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£18.40
for 12 months, then £23/month
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£18.50
for 6 months, then £37/month
Instant eSIM
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£18.50
for 3 months, then £37/month
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£19.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£19.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£19.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£19.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited2GB£19.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£19.20
for 12 months, then £24/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£20.00
for 6 months, then £40/month
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£20.00
for 6 months, then £40/month
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£20.00
for 12 months, then £25/month
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£20.00
Swap needed
18 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited100GB£20.00
Swap needed
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited80GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£20.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited6GB£20.00
Swap needed
12 months
O21,000Unlimited1GB£20.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£20.80
for 12 months, then £26/month
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£20.99
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£21.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited50GB£21.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£21.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited1GB£21.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£21.50
for 6 months, then £43/month
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£21.50
for 6 months, then £43/month
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited12GB£21.99
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited60GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£22.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£22.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited5GB£22.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£22.40
for 12 months, then £28/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£23.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited5GB£23.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited4GB£23.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£23.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited150GB£23.99
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited30GB£23.99
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£24.00
for 12 months, then £30/month
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£24.00
for 12 months, then £30/month
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£24.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£24.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£24.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited12GB£24.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
Swap needed
18 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£25.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£25.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£25.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited100GB£25.00
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited80GB£25.00
Swap needed
1 month
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited75GB£25.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited250GB£26.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£26.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited20GB£26.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited3GB£26.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimited150GB£26.99
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£27.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£27.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£27.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£28.00
Swap needed
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£28.00
for 12 months, then £35/month
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£28.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited120GB£28.00
Swap needed
12 months
Sky MobileUnlimitedUnlimited100GB£28.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£28.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£29.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£29.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£29.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£29.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited8GB£29.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimited50GB£30.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£31.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£32.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimited250GB£32.00
Swap needed
12 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£32.99
Swap needed
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£33.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited25GB£33.00
Swap needed
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited20GB£34.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£34.99
Swap needed
12 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£35.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£35.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
giffgaffUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£35.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited150GB£35.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
O2UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£36.00
Swap needed
1 month
ThreeUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£37.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£37.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimited125GB£37.00
Swap needed
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£38.00
Swap needed
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimited200GB£38.00
Instant eSIM
24 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£39.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£42.00
Swap needed
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£42.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
10Mbps max		£42.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£45.00
Instant eSIM
12 months
VodafoneUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£45.00
Instant eSIM
1 month
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£47.00
Swap needed
24 months
EEUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited£49.00
Swap needed
12 months

If you choose a plan from EE, giffgaff, O2, Sky Mobile or Three, you’ll initially be sent a plastic SIM card in the post. You’ll then need to exchange your plastic SIM card for an eSIM.

How To Order & Set Up An eSIM

If you’re joining Lyca Mobile or Vodafone, you’ll be able to order an eSIM online to start using straight away. Simply choose the “eSIM” option during checkout.

Order Lyca Mobile eSIM Plan →

Order a Vodafone eSIM Plan →

On the other mobile networks (EE, giffgaff, O2, Sky Mobile and Three), you won’t be able to order an eSIM straight away. This is mostly due to how their internal systems are set up, but also partly for security (so they can verify your address when the plastic SIM card is sent to you in the post).

If you’re sent a plastic SIM card to begin with, you can exchange it for an eSIM as soon as you get it. Just follow the steps below to do this:

  1. Start by ordering your new SIM-only deal. Make sure it’s an eSIM-ready plan before you order.
  2. A plastic SIM card will be sent to you in the post. Put the SIM card inside your mobile phone to activate the plan.
  3. You can now transfer your plan onto eSIM. You can normally request a replacement eSIM pack online, at a local store, or by calling the customer services team. In some cases, you might need to wait for an eSIM to be dispatched. In addition, it can sometimes take up to 24 hours for your plan to be moved onto an eSIM.
  4. Scan the QR code for the eSIM when you get it. Once your plan has been moved to an eSIM, you’ll be given a QR code that you can scan on your mobile phone. Alternatively, you might be able to download the eSIM through an app. This will install the eSIM onto your phone.

In the future, when the technology improves, it should be possible to sign up for a plan on any network and to receive it on an eSIM straight away. This would make it a lot faster and more convenient when switching to another network.

More Information

For more information, see our in-depth guide to eSIM on UK mobile networks. You can also see our full list of eSIM compatible devices.

Your Comments 34 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 34 comments from readers. You can add your own comment here.

  • Peter Frost said:

    Hi Ken, just letting you know that this information has saved me hours of time and more importantly probably hundreds of pounds. I’m looking to buy a phone and my preference is dual sim (work and home) but the best phone I could find – resonably priced, has nano sim and esim.
    I went to three mobile operators shops – EE, Three and O2 to get their best offering for an esim after buying the phone outright. The cheapest for what I needed was £29 per month on a 2 year contract. I’m currently with Giffgaff on a pay monthly £10 per month – but they don’t do esims.
    Your information was invaluable, I’m considering Lyca Mobile that is the same cost on a monthly contract for a much better package. Thanks so much for putting this info out there.

  • Kevin Anderson said:

    Hi Ken,

    Thanks for the clear article. Do you know if any of the esims allow free roaming – as it was before full Brexit? I currently have an EE esim which I got before the roaming was reintroduced. It is expensive (~£25 for 100Gb/month) but they have maintained the free roaming on the contract.

    Many thanks.

    Kevin

  • Kenny said:

    Hi Ken
    It looks like esims will eventually supercede their physical cousins. This sounds like bad news if you are a light user as you will effectively be forced into paying a monthly cost, which at the moment looks like £7 or 8 minimum. I say this on the assumption that you would upgrade your phone every now and again

    For instance, an iPhone 13 user with a 3 data reward sim or an O2 classic PAYG sim, would only be able to use any newer iPhone with an esim, so to retain their phone number they would have to surrender their data reward or classic sim for an esim and pay a monthly charge

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Kenny,
      Thanks for your comment. This shouldn’t be a problem for a light users, as I expect that all plans will eventually become available on an eSIM. In fact, you can now get Pay As You Go eSIMs in the UK (e.g. from Lyca Mobile) with no need to pay a monthly fee for it.
      Ken

  • L Ubanski said:

    Vodafone UK do not allow for an eSim on their basics package (the £7 and £8 options), even though the application online includes a check box for this. I have just tried and been refused…

  • Madison said:

    Hi Ken – Great article! Thanks for the clear information! We are US citizens, traveling to Scotland this summer for a 3 week trip. We have an iPhone 12 and our current US cell provider does not offer an international plan- just roaming. Can we buy an eSIM from Lycamobile and activate it before leaving the US so it’s ready to use when we arrive?

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Madison,
      Thanks for your comment. Absolutely! You can order your plan in advance, and I think the eSIM will just activate automatically when your phone connects to their UK network (so the 30 days will only start from when you arrive in the UK). I believe their system may still ask you to provide a UK address for delivery, though obviously the eSIM is just sent out to you electronically when you choose that option.
      Hope this helps,
      Ken

  • Nick said:

    Ken, I am a UK resident who is moving oversea. I want to have a UK mobile number for my banks and receive messages etc. please could you advise if an eSIm is a good solution and any recommendations. I will use it very rarely so want a low cost but reliable as possible.

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Nick,
      Yes, an eSIM (e.g. from Lyca Mobile) could be perfect for you. Just be sure to maintain the SIM card by following the minimum usage requirements so that the SIM card isn’t disconnected 🙂
      Ken

  • Kimberly Schumacher said:

    Hi, Ken, you have really helped solve the mystery of why transferring from an iPhone 7 to an iPhone 14 has not transferred my SIM to an eSIM: because I have a Lebara SIM. Your posting about Lebara points out that it will not be transferrable in the UK but only in Switzerland – at the current time. Is the right pathway now to get a PAC code from Lebara, so I can keep my phone number, and then choose an eSIM, most likely from Lycamobile? Will Lycamobile allow me to keep my number? Thank you for your help.

  • Guy said:

    Does lycamobile require you to have a physical uk address to get their esim 30/day plans? I’m coming in from Canada with an iPhone 12

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Guy,
      Yes, I do believe they require a UK address when you place your order. However, seeing as you’re ordering an eSIM rather than a physical SIM card delivered, you should probably be OK providing them with a temporary address (e.g. your hotel or similar).
      Ken

  • Jon Hewitt said:

    If your using an eSIM as a secondary number in your iPhone, how do you know or differentiate which number is called or texted you?

  • ELISABETH Gordon said:

    Invaluable help. Thank you. I am thinking of buying an Apple Watch with GPS & Cellular – for all the communication benefits for an older person – so need to change providers.

  • Alan said:

    As of yesterday 2nd March 22, in an online chat with a Three customer service adviser, following the eSim trial in the North (claimed as successful), there are replacement eSims for those who were in the trial, but no eSims for new customers, and no idea when they may become available.

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Gary,
      Thanks for your comment. The way that Vodafone have things set up on their website is a little bit confusing. You’ll get the full 4GB of data as you should. However, this is shown on the checkout page as a 500MB plan with a free 500MB add-on and a free 3GB add-on. This gives you a total of 0.5GB + 0.5GB + 3GB = 4GB of data in total (it’s shown below the option to choose between a SIM card and an eSIM).
      Hope this helps,
      Ken

      • gary replied:

        Well its taken over a week, but voda have finally admitted they are not going to honour the £6 deal. I think you should remove it from here as its really not worth the pain.

        • Matthew replied:

          A little confusing is putting it kindly. The page resulting from that link is completely incomprehensible. Vodafone are often quite shambolic with misleading information on their website, and poor levels of knowledge in their customer facing staff.
          However, as below, 3 also have contrary information relating to esims on their website, with both a guide on how to set it up, and an FAQ stating that they don’t offer it.

  • Angie said:

    Thank you so much for this article. I have just signed up with an eSIM deal with three. They were exceedingly helpful.

    • Angie replied:

      Three’s sales department are not in touch with the rest of three’s workings. I phoned three and told them that I had just bought an eSim phone and I need an eSim contract. they said no problem went through all the preliminaries. I was told to phone when i get the physicl sim and they would be able to send me an eSIM.

      I phoned this morning to ask for my eSim and i was told that they do not do eSims because the shops are closed but if i can wait till the shops are open, i can get an eSim then. Then 3 minutes later i was told Three are not doing eSims as it was a trial and they don’t know when they will be doing eSims again even when the shops are open.

      • Leo replied:

        Absolutely true I have had this problem. Basically, they are in breach of contract. They have no idea when they will get the esims. They want to get your business fo esim but they don’t mind if you wait for it Time wasted!

  • Paul said:

    Three do not do eSim in the UK. I have been talking to there Customer service department for over a month about an eSim and despite advertising them they are not in a position to issue them they tell me.

    • Ken replied:

      Hi Paul,
      Thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, Three only launched eSIM support on their network very recently. I believe you still need to go into a Three retail store to get an eSIM pack (though the lockdown in England might mean you’ll need to wait until stores re-open in December). Furthermore, only certain stores have stock of eSIM packs at the moment. I believe they started rolling it out in stores in the North of England in October, so hopefully we’ll see it more widely soon, including online and on their customer services line.
      Ken

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