If you take an iPhone 14 you bought inside the United States with you while traveling internationally, you will need a local eSIM. Here's how it works.
Not long from now, Apple will have again successfully shown the way ahead for the industry, and we will have no more SIM cards. Everything will be eSIM, just as it now is for US owners of the iPhone 14 range, and there are so many advantages that doubtlessly all phone manufacturers will follow suit.
Ultimately, it's also going to be the same internationally, with SIM cards a distant memory in every country in the world.
Whenever Apple pulls a move like this — such as removing the floppy drive, or the CD drive — there is always a period where things are unsettled. Rivals might mock the firm, such as when Apple was the first to remove the headphone jack from its phones, but even as they criticize Apple, they are already planning the same move.
This time, though, there is a difference because of the billion active iPhone users in the world, quite a few travel the globe. And it is going to take longer than usual for absolutely everywhere to switch to eSIM.
Which means nothing if you never leave the United States — but everything if you regularly leave the country.
How it used to be
This is still how it works for all but US iPhone users, but up until the iPhone 14, even owners in the States could wait until they arrived at a destination country. Then they could buy a local SIM card which would give them a certain amount of mobile data.
There were issues over picking the best deal for a local SIM card, and maybe that was fiddly enough that users didn't spend their entire first week abroad doing price comparisons. Whatever deal they got, it was almost certainly better than continuing to use their US SIM card.
Clearly it would be better financially, as carriers charge more for overseas use of a cell package. But it would also be better in every sense because, typically, US carriers limit overseas data speeds enormously.
By comparison, EU laws mean that a SIM card bought in France will have the same speed online in Germany, and without additional roaming charges. When Britain was voting for Brexit, carriers said they wouldn't introduce roaming charges — and of course most of them now have.
This means you can buy a Europe-wide SIM card, but you'd need a separate one for the UK. Or you could just skip visiting the UK, although the strength of the dollar against the pound makes going more tempting.
Wherever you are overseas, it used to be that people could be frugal and only use their iPhones when in Wi-Fi areas. Now online access is a requirement for daily life, with everything from train tickets to restaurant reservations, so travellers need data everywhere.
It's not just one eSIM, it's two
Apple has now long supported iPhones having dual SIMs where one is an eSIM, and one is a regular SIM card. The purpose was really so that if a user wanted a work and a personal phone number, they could have both on the same iPhone.
Now that dual SIM nature is a boon for international travelers. They can keep their existing US number and plan, but also add in an overseas plan.
So there's no risk of losing your original US SIM card because you had to replace it with, say, a European one.
It also means that instead of waiting until you arrive at your destination, you can research international roaming plans in advance — and install the one you buy before you leave.
This is why unlocked phones are good
If an iPhone is locked to one US carrier, Apple says that even with an eSIM, "your iPhone... can only be used with that network provider." You can still buy the equivalent of a local eSIM, but that eSIM has to work with your original provider.
To check whether your iPhone is unlocked:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on General
- Choose About
If the iPhone is unlocked, you will see the words "No SIM restrictions" showing.
Whereas if it isn't unlocked, your choices are immediately more limited, but it also means that your carrier is the right place to start your research. Go through your cellphone providers FAQ list about eSIMs and data plans for other countries.
If it is unlocked, you can still check your carrier's site and you will find international plans.
Alternatively, though, you can take advantage of firms that offer eSIM data plans worldwide. Holidayesim.com, for example, offers a range of options including one deal for 10GB data for $49 and Orange offers 8GB data for $20.
You can buy an eSIM from firms like this and your data allowance does not start being used up until you reach your destination country. However, such eSIM deals do usually come with a time limit — and the clock starts running as soon as you buy.
Or you can go directly to the sites of the network providers in the countries you're going to be visiting. Apple maintains a list online of all providers that support eSIM.
How buying an eSIM at your destination works
If you buy an eSIM from your carrier, they may support eSIM Carrier Activation, or eSIM Quick Transfer. You can follow the carrier's instructions to first buy the eSIM, then choose a data plan to go with it.
Alternatively, you can to the site of an overseas carrier, and in that case, the process is typically done either via that company's app, or its website. It can be worth installing the carrier's app and registering on it, because you can then use that to download the eSIM directly to your device.
So having bought the eSIM plan, to get the eSIM onto your iPhone, you go to the carrier's site, register, download the app and then:
- Open the carrier's app and tap on the prompt to download the eSIM
- Confirm you want to download it
- If prompted, select that you want the eSIM on this current device
It's important to be sure you want to download it to your current device, because you can only download an eSIM once.
If you need to download it on one device but install it on another, you will have the option to do that in the carrier's app. It entails that app generating a QR code that you then scan on the target device.
Introducing the eSIM-only iPhone 14
It's not two eSIMs, it's eight
The key advantage of a dual-eSIM system is that your iPhone continues to have its original, home eSIM. That isn't replaced by the one you've bought for your destination country.
However, it's also not the case that once you leave that destination country for another one, that you have to replace or abandon the new eSIM. Apple is curiously vague about this, but it says "on your iPhone, you can store eight or more eSIMs."
So it's at least eight, and however many you have, they will all "be there whenever you need them."
Only two eSIMs can be active at once, but "you can swap which of your stored eSIMs are active by changing the selection in Settings."
It's been a long time coming
It may take a while for eSIMs to become the norm, but that will happen faster now because of Apple.
And this is no overnight, casual decision. Apple has presumably planned for this for some time, and has been working with carriers for years, but it's also definitely wanted it from right back at the start of the iPhone.
Right from before the iPhone even came out, Steve Jobs wanted to get rid of SIM cards.
It's only taken fifteen years.
As an enthusiast deeply entrenched in the realm of mobile technology and telecommunications, it's evident that the shift towards eSIM technology is a transformative leap that's reshaping the way we connect globally. My expertise stems from closely following the trajectory of mobile advancements, including Apple's strategic moves in this domain.
The article discusses the evolution from traditional SIM cards to eSIMs, specifically focusing on the context of the iPhone 14 and its implications for international travelers. Drawing on my knowledge, I can delve into the core concepts mentioned:
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eSIM Advantages for International Travelers: The article underscores the convenience for iPhone 14 users, especially those in the United States, in adopting local eSIMs when traveling abroad. This move aligns with a broader industry trend toward eSIM adoption, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards.
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Transition Periods and Industry Trends: The narrative highlights Apple's historical pattern of introducing disruptive changes, such as eliminating the floppy and CD drives, and the eventual industry-wide adoption of these shifts. The move from traditional SIM cards to eSIMs is portrayed as another significant change that might face initial skepticism but is expected to become the global standard.
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Dual SIM Functionality for Travelers: Apple's inclusion of dual SIM capabilities in iPhones, with one being an eSIM, is positioned as a beneficial feature for international travelers. Users can maintain their original U.S. number and plan while also incorporating an overseas plan, mitigating the need to replace their primary SIM card.
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Impact on International Roaming: The article outlines the traditional approach of purchasing local SIM cards when traveling for better financial deals and improved data speeds. With the advent of eSIMs, users can now research and install international roaming plans in advance, streamlining the process and ensuring continuous connectivity.
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Unlocking iPhones for eSIM Flexibility: The necessity of having an unlocked iPhone for optimal eSIM usage is emphasized. The article provides a guide for users to check if their iPhone is unlocked and encourages them to explore international plans either through their carrier or third-party eSIM providers.
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Procuring eSIMs for International Use: The article details how users can acquire eSIMs, either through their carrier or third-party services like Holidayesim.com. It mentions the flexibility of purchasing eSIMs with data allowances that activate upon reaching the destination country.
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Activation and Management of eSIMs: The process of buying and activating eSIMs, whether through the user's carrier or an overseas carrier, is explained. The importance of checking compatibility and following carrier instructions for eSIM activation is highlighted.
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iPhone 14's Multiple eSIM Support: The key advancement in the iPhone 14 is its ability to store multiple eSIMs simultaneously. While only two eSIMs can be active at any given time, the capability to store at least eight eSIMs provides users with unprecedented flexibility and convenience.
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Apple's Long-Term Vision: The article concludes by acknowledging that while the widespread adoption of eSIMs may take time, Apple's strategic planning and collaboration with carriers position this shift as a well-thought-out decision. It references Steve Jobs' early vision of eliminating SIM cards and recognizes the culmination of this vision in the iPhone 14 after fifteen years.
In summary, the iPhone 14's eSIM capabilities represent a pivotal moment in the evolution of mobile connectivity, particularly for international travelers, and my in-depth knowledge allows me to articulate the nuances and implications of this technological shift.
