What is an eSIM and How Does it Work?

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a type of SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) that is directly embedded within the device, rather than being a removable card like a traditional SIM. eSIMs are significantly smaller than traditional SIM cards, are more convenient, can store multiple SIM profiles, and are less prone to damage.
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#garyexplains

[harrkev]

Physical Sim user here. The great thing about Sim cards is that you can easily move them from one device to another (for most carriers) without having to contact customer support. Going on a rough trip (say, boating)? Move your Sim into a beater phone that you don't care if it gets destroyed or drowned. Esim makes that use case more difficult, as you would have to contact customer service twice for that case.

[flamissia]

Thanks Gary, this is an excellent in-depth explanation of what eSIM is.

[theatonementsight]

Still on physical sim. Heard about esim when I was abroad recently. Your explanation and summary was clear and simple to follow so thankyou. Really tells me what would be helpful for me if I purchase a new phone and be able to have dual phone numbers in order to receive text messages from country of residence have another phone number to take calls etc.... while abroad.

[mmendezanahuac]

Dear Gary:
I'm interested on a demonstrative explanation of WiFi Calling.
Thanks for your efforts.

[limpoonkoon]

eSIM is good until I broke my phone. It was not easy to recover it as you would need a spare phone with eSIM to transfer it while waiting for your original phone to get repaired. While it was only my secondary number but the pain of not having a physical SIM to just pop into another phone really makes me rethink the pros and cons of eSIM. Luckily I got my original phone replaced immediately when sent for repair hence the downtime ended up being shorter than expected. :)

[Gram]

I'm looking at getting a new device. Saw a phone which offers dual sims namely SIM and eSIM . Thanks for your summary.

[Infernox-tgky]

More space, they should reborn the 3.5 jack port

[ltsnh]

Thanks for the update on eSIMs. I guess I could have used this concept on my last trip to Europe. I have an iPHone Pro Max.

[dancapell]

One advantage I see about the e-sim, is that it won't get damaged from miss handling it, dropping it, greasy fingers, etc.

[jimmcnevin]

In my opinion, the esim is the way the network will further control and limit user experience. Only phones they see as acceptable to the network will be allowed to function on the network. For example, phones that are imported to here in the US don't utilize the esim so they would be out and networks could further limit things to only devices that they sell. This limits your choices as to which phones you use.

[Acheron.]

Great video, explained it well! Now I just have to decide to go with an eSIM or traditional one for my new phone that arrives next week.

[thestorydude]

May be you could do a video on the security of eSIM and whether SIM swapping can occur on these.

[VoDo]

All makes sense however you talk about eSIM like its a choice over the old SIM however state it is built in. You also say it frees up space for other components however lots of new phones came with a nano sim spot and built in eSIM.
Also, and most importantly, Can a small eSIM chip be purchased to make older phones compatible with eSIM?

[darkerm]

I got got an eSim few days ago and I absolutely hate it. You are restricted to one device and you can't swap it more than 2 or 3 time a year. This is totally against privacy.

[petermainwaringsx]

I have a Pixel 6 Pro with a physical SIM, but I'm inclined to try a second pre pay eSIM. A least I know what is involved now. Thanks Gary.

[machomanmustafa]

Just a correction, I saw list mentions compatible Samsung devices with an exception of S22+, however I beg to differ, I am using S22+ and have used an esim on it acouple of times. To be more precise I'm using the exynos variant.

[bennolanswaggerdiaperteenbaby]

I’m using my eSIM on my new iPhone SE 3

[AlexJimm-rdjl]

My eSIM choice is BNESIM. It's fast, easy, and affordable.

[richsadowsky]

updated to a newer iPhone (forget version) and have not activated due to not working when following instructions from my carrier. This seems to be some artifact of the Sprint merger and hitting some edge case. So currently I am a regular SIM user on an iPhone 11 waiting to use my newer eSim-enabled iPhone still it its box. I will take it in to a Sprint branch at some point to get the better camera of the newer phone.

[FlashGormless]

Just a thought. There are over 30 million used phones sold every year, so with an Esim how does that work when the Esim is locked to the original purchaser?