This is an accepted version of this page
AneSIM (embedded subscriber identity module) is a form ofSIM card that is embedded directly into a device as software installed onto aneUICC chip. It connects tomobile network operators viaremote SIM provisioning and users can changemobile network operators without the need to physically swap a SIM from the device.[1][2][3] Most phones released in 2018 or later support eSIM technology.[4]
Historically, SIM cards could hold just one subscriber identity linked to a single service provider plan. In order to switch service provider, the SIM card needed to be physically changed to a new SIM card with a different subscriber identity.[5] With a eSIM, 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.[6] Users can change plans or carriers instantly online.[7]
If a phone is bought directly from a carrier with aSIM lock, the phone can only add eSIMs from the carrier that locked the phone, even after a carrier unlock.[8]
The eUICC chip used to host the eSIM is installed viasurface-mount technology at the factory and uses the same electrical interface as a physical SIM as defined inISO/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 uniqueICCID andnetwork authentication key generated by the carrier.[9] 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).[10] 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.[11]
TheGSMA maintains two different versions of the eSIM standard: one for consumer andInternet of things devices[12] and another formachine to machine (M2M) devices.[13]
In November 2010, theGSMA began discussing the possibility of a software-based SIM.[14] In March 2012, at the meeting of theEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute,Motorola noted that eUICC is geared at industrial devices, whileApple foresaw eSIMs in consumer products.[15]
The eSIM was released in March 2016. In March 2017, duringMobile World Congress,Qualcomm introduced a technical solution, with a live demonstration, within itsSnapdragon hardware chip associated with related software (secured Java applications).[16]
In February 2016,Samsung released theSamsung Gear S2 Classic 3G smartwatch, the first device to implement an eSIM.[17]
The first Apple device released with eSIM technology was theApple Watch Series 3, released in September 2017.[18] In 2018, it introduced it toiPhone, with theiPhone XS[19] andiPhone XR,[20] andiPad, with theiPad Pro (3rd generation).[21] The first iPhone models lacking a SIM card tray and requiring use of eSIMs were theUS-soldiPhone 14 andiPhone 14 Pro, announced in 2022.[22] Outside the United States, all iPhone models continue to be sold with support for physical SIM cards, but theiPad Air (6th generation),iPad Pro (7th generation), andiPad Mini (7th generation), announced in 2024, work exclusively with eSIM.[23] As of September 2025, theiPhone 17,iPhone 17 Pro are eSIM only in a number of countries[24], touting larger batteries in this configuration[25], and theiPhone Air is also Apple's first device with no physical SIM capability in any country.[26]
In October 2017, Google unveiled thePixel 2, the first mobile phone to use an eSIM, available via itsGoogle Fi Wireless service.[27] In 2018, Google released thePixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL and in May 2019, thePixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL, with eSIM support for carriers other than Google Fi.[28][29][30] While the Pixel 3 series only supported one concurrent SIM or eSIM, the Pixel 3a series supported dual-SIM with one physical SIM and one eSIM. Starting with thePixel 7, dual eSIM became supported, but one physical SIM card can still be used. US-soldPixel 10 series devices (except thePixel 10 Pro Fold) were the first devices by Google (outside of select carrier-lockedSprintNexus devices) that lack physical SIM card slots, therefore requiring use of eSIMs.[31]
In December 2017,Microsoft launched its first eSIM-enabled device, theMicrosoft Surface Pro LTE.[32] In 2018, Microsoft also introduced eSIM to theWindows 10 operating system.[33]
Motorola released the 2020 version of theMotorola Razr, afoldable smartphone that only supports eSIM.[34]
Samsung shipped theSamsung Galaxy S21 andS20 in North America with eSIM hardware onboard but no software support out of the box. The feature was enabled with theOne UI version 4 update in November 2021.[35]