Can You Have an eSIM and Physical SIM? (Know Here!)

If you are considering installing eSIM, you may be wondering, can you have an eSIM and physical SIM together?

The simple answer is yes, you can have an eSIM and a physical SIM card in your phone. The moment you activate your eSIM, on your carrier, you also transfer the number to your eSIM.

You can activate eSIM and have a physical SIM card in your phone at the same time. For this to be possible, your eSIM and physical SIM card should be operating on different carriers or plans. All you have to do is get a physical SIM card, activate it, and start using it.

If you already have a physical SIM card that you would like to convert to an eSIM, all you have to do is transfer your plan.

This can be done from your phone’s mobile settings. With that said, only a few devices support eSIM technology.

What Is an eSIM and How Does It Work?

An eSIM is a SIM card chipset that is permanently built into some smartphones.

Unlike a physical SIM card that can be removed and replaced, the eSIM cannot be removed.

However, it can hold different profiles, giving the user different numbers and plans.

The eSIM can hold up to ten different profiles. What this means is that you can use up to ten different carriers on your phone. Alternatively, you can have different plans on your phone.

All you have to do is select the profile you wish to use. The eSIM technology makes it convenient for those who love to travel to switch profiles.

With eSIM flexibilities, you may not even need a physical SIM card. However, it is okay to still keep a physical SIM card if you want.

At the moment, there are not a lot of devices that support eSIM technology. Most carriers already offer eSIM.

Some of the devices that support eSIM include:

• iPhone devices running on iOS13 and later versions
• Samsung devices above in the Galaxy series starting from Galaxy S20 and above
• Google Pixel devices sitting from Google Pixel 3a XL

Other Android devices from top brands such as Huawei and Nokia also support the eSIM technology. However, it is important to confirm with your specific device.

How Can You Have an eSIM and Physical SIM?

Now that we have established that you can have a physical SIM and an eSIM, there are steps you should take.

So, how can you use eSIM and physical SIM cards? If you are new to eSIM technology, here are specific steps you should take.

The steps below should help you deal with all your queries regarding eSIM technology and how it works.

1. Activate New eSIM on a New Carrier

If you already have a physical SIM card in your phone, you may want to activate eSIM.

In this case, we are assuming that you do not want to lose your old SIM card. At the same time, you do not want to lose your old number.

In this case, all you can do is get a brand-new plan from a new carrier. This new plan will work as your eSIM profile. At the same time, you will get to keep your old plan on your old carrier.

How to get a new eSIM number from a new Carrier on iPhone

1. Visit your new carrier’s website and get a plan
2. You will be prompted to check if your phone is compatible
3. Enter your IMEI to check compatibility and proceed
4. Request the QR Code for your eSIM
5. Login to your Carriers’ online portal or application
6. On your iPhone, go to “Settings” and then “Cellular.”
7. Tap “Add Cellular Plan” and scan the eSIM activation QR code provided by your carrier.
8. Enter the confirmation code provided by your carrier, if prompted.

With that, you will have added the eSIM profile to your phone. If you wish to use it, you can choose it as your default SIM card for calls or data.

How to get eSIM for a new carrier on your Android

1. Visit the website for your new carrier and get a plan
2. You will be prompted to check if your phone is compatible
3. Enter your IMEI to check compatibility and proceed
4. Request the QR Code for your eSIM
5. Go to your “Settings” and go to “Network & Internet.”
6. Tap on “Mobile network” 
7. Select “Advanced”
8. Select “Use SIM from eSIM activation code.”
9. Enter the eSIM activation code provided by your carrier to activate the eSIM.

2. Transfer your Current Number to eSIM and Keep Your SIM Card

The other option you have is to transfer your current number to an eSIM. When you do this, you get to keep the SIM card although it cannot be used.

However, you can transfer the profile back to the SIM card at any time you wish.

Below are the steps to transfer your current number to an eSIM on the same carrier.

Steps to switch from Physical SIM to eSIM on iOS and keep the number

1. Check if your iPhone and carrier support eSIM. iPhone 13 models or later versions support eSIM
2. Obtain an eSIM activation QR code from your carrier.
3. Open “Settings” and go to “Cellular.”
4. Tap “Add Cellular Plan” and scan the eSIM activation QR code provided by your carrier using your iPhone’s camera.
5. Enter the confirmation code provided by your carrier, if prompted.
6. Set your eSIM as your default line for voice calls, text messages, and cellular data.

Note: You do not have to remove your physical SIM card after switching to eSIM unless you are transferring the same profile. In this case, you should also have transferred your phone number.

Steps switch from physical to eSIM on Android

1. Check if your Android device and carrier support eSIM.
2. Obtain an eSIM activation code from your carrier.
3. Open “Settings” and go to “Network & Internet.”
4. Tap “Mobile network” and “Advanced”
5. Select “Use SIM from eSIM activation code.”
6. Enter the eSIM activation code provided by your carrier to activate the eSIM.
7. Set your eSIM as your default line for voice calls, text messages, and cellular data.

3. Transfer eSIM From One Phone to Another

While both physical SIM cards eSIMs are good options, eSIM has a challenge of transfer.

If you are upgrading devices, you must transfer eSIM from the current device to a new one.

Steps to transfer eSIM from one iPhone to Another

1. Make sure both iPhones are connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
2. On the old iPhone, go to Settings 
3. Select Cellular then tap on Add Cellular Plan.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the setup process and activate the eSIM on your old iPhone.
5. Once the eSIM is activated on your old iPhone, go to Settings 
6. Select General and tap on  About
7. Note down the ICCID number
8. On your new iPhone and go to Settings
9. Select  Cellular then Add Cellular Plan.
10. Choose the option to transfer your eSIM.
11. Follow the prompts to complete the setup process, and enter the ICCID number when prompted.

How to transfer eSIM from Android to Android devices

1. Make sure both Android devices are connected to a Wi-Fi 
2. On the old Android device, go to Settings 
3. Select Network & Internet then tap on Mobile Network 
4. Tap on Advanced Carrier then Add Carrier.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the activation
6. Go to Settings on the old device
7.  Select About phone and take note of the EID 
8. On your new Android device, go to Settings 
9. Tap on Network & Internet 
10. Select Mobile network then tap on Advanced 
11. Select  Carrier and Add Carrier.
12. Choose the option to transfer your eSIM.
13. Follow the prompts to complete the setup process
14. Enter the EID when prompted.

Note: Your eSIM will be transferred to your new Android device, and you should now be able to use it on the new device. However, you must select the profile as default to be able to use it.

Summary

To this point, the question can you use eSIM and physical SIM is well answered. If you have a phone that supports eSIM, you are ready to go.

As long as the carrier you want to use also supports eSIM you can start using eSIM. Most of the new phone models are all eSIM enabled.

Read Next: Can I Transfer eSim To Another Phone?