Do I need to remove my physical SIM card to use an eSIM? | Nomad (2024)

FAQs

Do I need to remove my physical SIM card to use an eSIM? | Nomad? ›

Since an eSIM does not require a physical SIM slot to work, it eliminates the need for you to remove your physical SIM card for you to be able to use an eSIM.

As long as you make sure data roaming is "off" for your primary cellular plan, you won't rack up any roaming charges. The advantage of keeping your primary cellular plan on while you're also using an eSIM data plan is that you're fully reachable on your regular phone number.

Furthermore, the e-SIM works the same way as a traditional SIM card, but you don't need a physical SIM card to use it. It is actually pre-installed in the device and you can activate it by installing the “eSIM profile” of a new operator.

All iPhone models that support eSIM can have multiple eSIMs and use Dual SIM with two active SIMs at the same time. You can use Dual SIM by using a physical SIM and an eSIM. iPhone 13 models and later also support two active eSIMs. iPhone models without a physical SIM tray support two active eSIMs.

Yes, you can still use your SIM card after installing the eSIM, in fact you can even use both cards simultaneously, your primary card for calls and message, and the eSIM for Internet.

With eSIMs, you get the connection without the hassle — an eSIM is embedded in your device, so you don't need to fumble around with a physical SIM card to connect to a mobile network.

When you switch to eSIM, your physical SIM card becomes obsolete. Your mobile device will no longer recognize the physical SIM card and you will no longer be able to use it to connect to a cellular network.

However, according to my recommendation, Opting for eSIM is an advisable choice for travelers because eSIMs offer greater flexibility and convenience when moving across countries. They eliminate the need for Traditional SIM swapping, making it easier to change carriers and manage multiple profiles on a single device.

No, each SIM card, whether a physical card or an eSIM, supports one unique phone number. So you can ask your network provider to convert your SIM to an eSIM or vice versa, but the two different SIM cards cannot have the same number.

If you convert your physical SIM card to an eSIM, your SIM card will stop working. Other than that, nothing else will change, except now you won't need to open the SIM tray to switch network carriers.

What happens to my SIM card when I use eSIM? ›

Tap Convert to eSIM. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card is deactivated when the cellular plan on your iPhone activates.

Your device may allow you to store multiple eSIMs at once, and it's easy to switch between your eSIMs. You can also switch from an eSIM back to your Primary SIM.

Tap Convert to eSIM. Wait for your eSIM to activate. Your previous SIM card will be deactivated when the mobile plan on your iPhone is activated. Remove the physical SIM from your iPhone.

Only delete your eSIM if you have a standby SIM card ready with you to replace the eSIM. Deleting your eSIM means that you will lose all ability to make phone calls, send SMS, and use the mobile data on your SIM card. Hence, your mobile phone will lose all communication methods.

Now, let's address the burning question: does installing an eSIM change your phone number? The answer is generally no. When you install an eSIM, it doesn't directly alter your phone number. Your phone number remains the same, and you can continue to use it as you normally would.

The capabilities on your primary line will continue to work when you add a data-only eSIM for mobile data. For example, you may keep your primary line for your home and set up a data-only eSIM plan as your secondary line while travelling.

Yes, you can! Assuming you have an eSIM-compatible device, you will be able to use your eSIM regardless whether there is a physical SIM card in your phone.

If you have a Primary SIM, roaming on that should be "OFF" while you're using aloSIM. This is because you do NOT want to be relying on your Primary SIM (regular phone number) when you're traveling outside of their coverage zone.