Is eSIM Supported in Android Phones?

Is eSIM Supported

If you’re in the market for a new phone and are hoping for a slightly easier carrier experience, it may be worth looking at some of the latest foldable Android phones. These devices are often eSIM-compatible, which is a nice way to avoid the little plastic SIM card we all know and love.

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a reprogrammable chip built into your phone during manufacturing. It serves the same function as a traditional SIM — it identifies you as a subscriber and gives you access to a carrier’s network. However, an eSIM works 100% digitally. That means you can purchase an esim support phones plan, install the profile on your Android device, and instantly connect to a mobile network without needing to remove or insert the physical SIM.

As you might expect, the most popular phones from Apple and Samsung feature eSIM support. The technology is still relatively new, but it’s quickly becoming more common as carriers work to make the experience simpler for their customers.

Is eSIM Supported in Android Phones?

Most of the time, when you have an eSIM-compatible phone, you can use multiple lines at once. That’s because each eSIM can actively hold subscription profiles from different carriers, and you can switch between them with the press of a button in your phone’s settings. Some phones also allow you to store up to five eSIM profiles on the phone, but only one can be active at any given moment.

However, even with a universal eSIM standard, there are still some hiccups in how the technology is implemented on Android phones. Some of the major MVNOs, for instance, aren’t very clear about what phones they support with their eSIM services. Mint Mobile, for example, says that its eSIM service works with most Samsung and Pixel phones, but our Max Weinbach found that it only worked on his Galaxy Z Fold 4. Verizon’s EVDO-based Visible network also has some snags, including the fact that its eSIM support is limited to the S21 and Note 20 series of phones (no foldables).

So, if you’re considering an eSIM-compatible Android phone and are wondering whether your carrier supports it, be sure to do your research first. Check your phone’s IMEI number, or look up its “eSIM IMEI” in the phone’s settings to find out. You can also contact your phone’s manufacturer or carrier directly for more information on what models are eSIM-compatible with their network. With more and more phones adopting the technology, the snags will hopefully fade away over time. We’ll be watching to see if the push from Apple and other big-name manufacturers can help smooth things out further. For now, though, it’s best to consider eSIM as a nice-to-have feature, not a necessity. After all, there’s still plenty of cellular connectivity options available for you if you’re not interested in making the switch. Just be prepared to pay a bit more for your next device.