How to switch SIMs on iPhone, including eSIM

Swapping physical SIM cards in your phone can be quite a hassle. You often find yourself searching for that small SIM eject tool that Apple conveniently provides with new iPhones, though this is not applicable in the US, where physical SIMs have been phased out.

If you can’t find the elegant Apple tool, a paper clip can serve as a substitute. Just straighten one end carefully, and gently poke it into the tiny hole in the SIM tray until it pops out. After that, inserting the new SIM card is straightforward.

When replacing your old SIM, it’s crucial to remember the orientation of the card in the tray. In contrast, switching between eSIMs simplifies this process significantly—no tools necessary.

Your iPhone can store up to eight eSIMs, but you can only activate two at any given time. It’s a good idea to keep your eSIMs organized, especially if some are no longer needed or are inactive. For instructions on how to remove undesired eSIMs, see How to Delete an eSIM on iPhone.

Switching between eSIMs is very user-friendly and can be done directly through the iPhone’s Settings app.

How to Switch an eSIM on Your iPhone

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, which is represented by a gray icon featuring gears.

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2. Proceed to the first page of Settings, where you’ll note the “Cellular” option if you’re in the US, or “Mobile Service” in the UK. Tap on this option.

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3. In the Cellular or Mobile Service page, you can handle various data settings, such as toggling data roaming on and off, setting data limits, and checking your data usage. Under “SIMs”, you will see your available eSIMs and your primary SIM, if applicable.

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4. Select the eSIM you wish to enable or disable. As shown in our example, we will activate the eSIM “GigSky” and deactivate the “Primary” SIM.

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5. Toggle the switch to either on (green) or off (gray) as needed. Disabling an eSIM does not remove it; it merely disables its functionality.

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6. As per iPhone limitations, only two active eSIMs can operate simultaneously. If you have more than two installed, the system will prompt you to deactivate one.

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7. Once you’ve activated your eSIM (indicated by green), it will be ready to use.

eSIM technology has gained popularity as a way to avoid hefty roaming fees when traveling. We’ve evaluated the top eSIM options tailored for various needs: best overall, most affordable, best for travel, business solutions, security, and more.

If you’re looking for guidance, check out our article on how to set up and utilize an eSIM on iPhone.

Author: Simon Jary, Contributor, Tech Advisor