It’s time to get physical SIM cards out of the way. Habits are always difficult to shake off. The same goes for the tiny plastic card we insert into our phones. The days of the physical SIM card are numbered. If not for anything else, do it for security.
With the festive season only days away, the soul could be feeling a peculiar twitch or perhaps a feverish glint in the eye while passing a shop window with the iPhone Air on display. There it sits, the latest contraption — polished, smug, and humming about being only 5.6mm thin.
It’s not just a slim phone; iPhone Air is a marvel of engineering because components had to be reworked, while the battery is substantially better than one would expect from a slim device.
Designed to deliver pro performance, thanks to the latest A19 Pro chip, it has the C1X modem and N1 chip, both of which help conserve battery life. Yes, you still get all-day use and 27 hours of video playback. To fit in as much battery as possible, Apple had to use every inch of space. No wonder the physical SIM slot has been dropped globally.
The result: A device so slim that it could slide under a door, between the pages of a book, or into the breast pocket of one’s dinner jacket without causing so much as a ripple.
Welcome to eSIM
Most of us don’t think about SIM cards until we have to. These tiny plastic chips slot into a phone. Physical SIMs come with drawbacks, beyond security. Over time, they can malfunction, forcing a trip to the store where telecom executives try to sell you new plans. This is where eSIMs come in.
You’ve probably seen the term pop up when activating a new phone or signing up for a wireless plan. But what exactly is it? How does it work? And more importantly, should you actually care?
You can have two eSIMs active at the same time on supported iPhone models. You can store eight or more eSIMs and swap which of your stored eSIMs are active, simply by changing your selections in Settings. This may be helpful if you regularly travel to the same places. Picture: Mathures Paul
eSIMs are designed to make life easier. The process of switching and setting one up is incredibly smooth. At its core, eSIM stands for embedded SIM. It does the exact same job as a physical SIM card — connecting your phone to a wireless network — but is built directly into the hardware.
Once you switch to eSIM, there’s no chip to insert, no tray to fiddle with, and no card to misplace. Instead, you activate your service digitally. It’s as simple as scanning a QR code or tapping a few buttons.
Apple is not new to eSIMs
Many flagship phones now support eSIM. Apple introduced the technology with the iPhone XS and XR in 2018 (Apple Watch got it in 2017) and every model since. But until the iPhone 14, Apple offered both a physical SIM slot and eSIM. That year, the tray was removed in the US, making iPhones eSIM-only in one market.
iPhone Air is the perfect moment for Apple to widen the scope for eSIMs, as its 5.6mm depth requires every inch of space to be given over to the battery.
For the mainstream audience, especially those with accessibility issues ranging from motor skills to hand-eye coordination, it means no ejector tools, no trays, no nano chips to flip, and no defects or damage sending you back to the shop.
By not having a SIM tray, Apple frees up more internal space. One less opening also makes it easier to keep out dust and water. There’s no need for a gasket around a SIM tray slot to prevent ingress.
It’s easy to switch to an eSIM
A SIM card is essentially a Subscriber Identity Module or Subscriber Identification Module, an integrated circuit that securely stores your international mobile subscriber identity and its key, used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile devices.
Carriers have their own apps for adding an eSIM. They, at times, make you switch using QR codes. There’s something refreshing about activating a plan in minutes without tools, delays, or stress. It also makes trying out a new carrier easier.
With eSIM, you don't need to obtain, carry or swap physical SIM cards (which can also be lost). Picture: Mathures Paul
eSIM is particularly handy for frequent travellers or those needing multiple lines. Since the chip is embedded and the plans are digital, you can store several profiles and switch depending on location. Heading to Europe for two weeks? No need to hunt down a SIM kiosk at the airport — you can activate a local plan straight from your phone before you land.
How many minutes are needed to move to an eSIM?
Here’s my experience, which can vary slightly depending on the carrier. I use Vodafone. In the Vi app, there is an eSIM option.
Once I requested activation, it asked for the email ID linked to my number. My phone displays an EID or Embedded Identity Document number under “About” in Settings. After submitting my email ID and EID, I received a QR code, and in under two minutes the eSIM was active, allowing me to remove my physical card.
Here’s the hiccup — and it’s down to regulations. All SMS services are barred for 24 hours “as per government rules”. Whether on Vodafone, Jio or Airtel, iPhone or Android, this is enforced. During that 24 hours, iMessage and FaceTime are disabled after eSIM activation.
Can you keep on adding eSIM numbers?
eSIMs allow flexibility. Got two numbers? Go ahead. The feature lets you switch effortlessly, manage up to eight or more eSIMs, and activate new plans digitally. With eSIM, you enjoy flexibility, convenience, better security, and seamless connectivity, particularly abroad. Upgrading to a new device is smoother, as no physical SIM card is needed. Carriers also save money by not issuing physical cards.
It’s about safety
Going by Bollywood films, the first thing thugs do is use a pin to eject the SIM tray and toss away the card. Of course, iPhones have multiple safeguards to stop thieves from taking over your phone.
But even with Find My and remote disable features, having a physical SIM can put you in a spot if your phone is stolen. With eSIM, it’s non-removable, making it easier for you to track your device.
It also simplifies switching networks. If you’re unhappy with X, move to Y. With physical SIMs, you still need to collect and insert one. eSIM removes that hassle.
Travelling with eSIM is easier
When eSIMs first emerged, the worry was around limited providers abroad. In India, that’s not an issue. Jio, Vodafone and Airtel all enable quick switching. In countries like Thailand, Singapore, the UK, the US, Japan, South Korea, France and Spain, finding providers is simple. You can definitely travel with eSIM. The fear is unfounded.
In many cases, eSIM is more convenient than hunting down a local SIM. Instead of kiosks, you can just download an app, sign up for a regional plan, and get connected.
While travelling, a local number helps with ride-sharing and food delivery apps. For local calls, working with a carrier in-country is easier.
You’ll also be spoilt for choice abroad, with providers like Nomad and SimOptions. Prices are lower, too. A local 20GB or 50GB plan is enough for a week’s travel without breaking the bank. Before you fly or soon after arrival, get on Wi-Fi and activate a local eSIM. If you’ve saved multiple profiles, toggling between them is easy.
Are there downsides to eSIMs?
If you’re abroad and damage your phone, it’s not as simple as moving a SIM into a spare handset. You’ll need to download your carrier’s app and follow the steps.
At a glance
What is eSIM?
An eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM built into your iPhone, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card.
What you need
An iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later. Yes, all eyes are on iPhone Air.
A wireless network provider or worldwide service provider that supports eSIM
Your new iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network or hotspot.
How to activate an eSIM
In most cases, you can activate your eSIM while you’re setting up your iPhone, or you can activate your eSIM after setup via the app of your telecom network provider.
eSIM Quick Transfer
If your network provider supports eSIM Quick Transfer, you can transfer the SIM from your previous iPhone to your new iPhone without contacting them. With some network providers, you can also convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM.
Before you begin, make sure:
- You’ve signed in to both devices with your Apple Account
- Your previous iPhone is unlocked with the device passcode
- Both devices are nearby with Bluetooth turned on
- Both iPhones are on iOS 18.4 or later
During setup of your new iPhone, if you’re asked to transfer your phone number, follow the onscreen instructions to transfer your physical SIM or eSIM. With iOS 26, you can transfer more than one phone number to your new iPhone. Your previous SIM will be deactivated when the mobile plan on your new iPhone is activated.