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eSIM

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comparison of SIM card sizes
Evolution of SIM cards. An eSIM is not removable.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a form of SIM card that is embedded directly into a device as software installed onto an eUICC chip. It connects to mobile network operators via remote SIM provisioning and users can change mobile network operators without the need to physically swap a SIM from the device.[1][2][3] Most flagship devices manufactured since 2018 that are not SIM locked support eSIM technology.[4]

Several eSIM plans can be stored at the same time and there is no need to obtain, store, and insert/eject (and potentially lose) small physical SIMs.[5][6] Users can change plans or carriers instantly online.[7]

eSIM plans cannot be easily transferred to another phone or reactivated if removed from a phone; the process usually requires technical support.[8]

If a phone is bought directly from a carrier with a SIM lock, the phone can only add eSIMs from the same carrier as the one on the physical SIM card, even after a carrier unlock.[9]

Technical specifications

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The eUICC chip used to host the eSIM is installed via surface-mount technology at the factory and uses the same electrical interface as a physical SIM as defined in ISO/IEC 7816 but with a small format of 6 mm × 5 mm. Once an eSIM carrier profile has been installed on an eUICC, it operates in the same way as a physical SIM, complete with a unique ICCID and network authentication key generated by the carrier.[10] If the eSIM is eUICC-compatible, it can be re-programmed with new SIM information. Otherwise, the eSIM is programmed with its ICCID/IMSI and other information at the time it is manufactured, and cannot be changed. One common physical form factor of an eUICC chip is commonly designated Machine-to-Machine Form Factor 2 (MFF2).[11] All eUICCs are programmed with a permanent eUICC ID (EID) at the factory, which is used by the provisioning service to associate the device with an existing carrier subscription as well as to negotiate a secure channel for programming.[12]

The GSMA maintains two different versions of the eSIM standard: one for consumer and Internet of things devices[13] and another for machine to machine (M2M) devices.[14]

History

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Development

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In November 2010, the GSMA began discussing the possibility of a software-based SIM.[15] In March 2012, at the meeting of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Motorola noted that eUICC is geared at industrial devices, while Apple foresaw eSIMs in consumer products.[16]

The eSIM was released in March 2016. In March 2017, during Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm introduced a technical solution, with a live demonstration, within its Snapdragon hardware chip associated with related software (secured Java applications).[17]

First devices launched with eSIM

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In February 2016, Samsung released the Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G smartwatch, the first device to implement an eSIM.[18]

The first Apple device released with eSIM technology was the Apple Watch Series 3, released in September 2017.[19] In 2018, it introduced it to iPhone, with the iPhone XS[20] and iPhone XR,[21] and iPad, with the iPad Pro (3rd generation).[22] The first iPhone models lacking a SIM card tray and requiring use of eSIMs were the US-sold iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, announced in 2022.[23] Outside the United States, all iPhone models continue to be sold with support for physical SIM cards, but the iPad Air (6th generation), iPad Pro (7th generation), and iPad Mini (7th generation), announced in 2024, work exclusively with eSIM.[24]

In October 2017, Google unveiled the Pixel 2, the first mobile phone to use an eSIM, available via its Google Fi Wireless service.[25] In 2018, Google released the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL and in May 2019, the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, with eSIM support for carriers other than Google Fi.[26][27][28] Pixel 10 series devices (except the Pixel 10 Pro Fold) were the first devices by Google that lack physical SIM card slots, therefore requiring use of eSIMs.[29]

In December 2017, Microsoft launched its first eSIM-enabled device, the Microsoft Surface Pro LTE.[30] In 2018, Microsoft also introduced eSIM to the Windows 10 operating system.[31]

Motorola released the 2020 version of the Motorola Razr, a foldable smartphone that only supports eSIM.[32]

Samsung shipped the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S20 in North America with eSIM hardware onboard but no software support out of the box. The feature was enabled with the One UI version 4 update in November 2021.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Remote SIM Provisioning: How it Works. GSMA. 2017-04-25.
  2. ^ O'Halloran, Joe (2024-06-07). "eSIM set to be next mobile industry disruptor". Computer Weekly.
  3. ^ Semma, Joe (2024-10-30). "eSIM adoption: A game-changer for the telecommunications market". AlixPartners.
  4. ^ Whitley, Alisha (2023-04-06). "Can I Use an eSIM and a Regular SIM at the Same Time?". Airalo.
  5. ^ Lunn, Emma (2022-03-24). "A Guide To eSIMS". Forbes.
  6. ^ "AirCarta - Instant Global eSIM Connectivity for 190+ Countries". AirCarta. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  7. ^ Andriekute, Aurelija (2024-08-07). "eSIM vs. physical SIM: What is the difference, and which is better?". Saily.
  8. ^ "Move from Android to iPhone or iPad". Apple Inc.
  9. ^ "Unlocked Device and Ubigi eSIM Profile". Ubigi. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  10. ^ "Nokia X30 5G". Nokia.
  11. ^ "Clearing up the term "eSIM"". Hologram.
  12. ^ "SGP.29 v1.0 EID Definition and Assignment Process". GSMA. 2020-07-31.
  13. ^ "eSIM Consumer and IoT Specifications". GSMA.
  14. ^ "eSIM for M2M". GSMA.
  15. ^ ben-Aaron, Diana (2010-11-18). "GSMA Explores Software-Based Replacement for Mobile SIM Cards". Bloomberg News.
  16. ^ Ziegler, Chris (2012-06-01). "Embedded SIMs: they're happening, and Apple thinks they could be in consumer products". The Verge. Vox Media.
  17. ^ "Highlights of Mobile World Congress 2017 Seminar: eSIM – a New SIM for a New Generation of Connected Consumer Devices". GSMA. 2017-03-26.
  18. ^ Vincent, James (2016-02-18). "Samsung's Gear S2 has the first certified eSIM that lets you choose carriers". The Verge. Vox Media.
  19. ^ "Apple Watch Series 3 features built-in cellular and more" (Press release). Apple Inc. 2017-09-12.
  20. ^ "iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max bring the best and biggest displays to iPhone" (Press release). Apple Inc. 2018-09-12.
  21. ^ "Apple introduces iPhone XR" (Press release). Apple Inc. 2018-09-12.
  22. ^ "New iPad Pro with all-screen design Is most advanced, powerful iPad ever" (Press release). Apple Inc. 2018-10-30.
  23. ^ "iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max - Technical Specifications". Apple Inc.
  24. ^ Hardwick, Tim (2024-05-07). "Apple's New Cellular iPad Air and iPad Pro Models Are eSIM Only". MacRumors.
  25. ^ Statt, Nick (2017-10-04). "Google's Pixel 2 phones are the first to use built-in eSIM technology". The Verge.
  26. ^ "Set up and manage eSIM - Google Fi Help". Google.
  27. ^ "Google Pixel 3a hands-on: a cheaper Pixel with stunning camera". xda-developers. 2019-05-07.
  28. ^ Wiggers, Kyle (2019-05-07). "Google unveils the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL". VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 2021-04-30.
  29. ^ Radochia, Stephen (2025-08-24). "The downsides of eSIM-only phones like the Google Pixel 10". Android Authority.
  30. ^ Warren, Tom (2017-10-31). "Microsoft's Surface Pro with LTE launches on December 1st". The Verge.
  31. ^ "IDEMIA to partner with Microsoft to facilitate eSIM management for Windows 10 Enterprise Devices" (Press release). IDEMIA. 2018-09-26.
  32. ^ "Using an eSIM with the Motorola Razr". EE.
  33. ^ "One UI 4 (Android 12) brings eSIM support to US Galaxy S21 devices". Android Central. 2021-11-16.
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