If you’re the kind of person who likes to have maximum freedom and flexibility while you travel, you’re probably already aware of eSIMs.
Don’t worry if not, though, all will be explained.
While veryone else has been busy fiddling with plastic SIM cards abroad, eSIMs, short for embedded digital SIMs, have been quietly changing the game for travellers looking for seamless connectivity while on the move.
But as the tech evolves, so do the questions. Such as, can you have two eSIMs at once?
So put the kettle on, or grab something stronger if you've just seen your recent roaming charges, because we're diving into the wonderful world of dual eSIM capability.
But first....
What Is an eSIM and How Does It Work?
Before we get ahead of ourselves, let's cover the basics for those new to eSIMs.
An eSIM is essentially the digital version of those plastic SIM cards we've been popping in and out of our phones since the mid-nineties.
Instead of physical cards, eSIMs are built directly into your device's hardware.
When you're off on your holidays, the benefits are huge. Firstly, there’ll be no more losing those tiny, fiddly SIM cards.
You can say goodbye to trying to wrestle them in and out of your phone, dropping them in the footwell of the taxi, or losing them down the side of the sofa, you know the story.
Then there’s the benefit of being able to activate new plans remotely. Gone will be the days of hunting for SIM card shops abroad, showing your ID and opening an account etc. Beacuse of course, you'll no longer need that physical SIM card.
And finally, the biggie - the cost benefits. If you’ve ever dared to check Google Maps or send a meme from the beach, you’ll know how fast roaming charges can sneak up on you.
The problem? Your regular network often charges you extra for using your data in another country.
And most of us don’t find out until we get home to a nasty surprise on our bill.
With an eSIM, you can dodge all that. You get to choose your own data plan before you even leave the country.
Instead of guessing and worrying about how much you've racked up on data, you get to make the decisions.
You decide how many GB you buy, where you need it for and when you activate it - all before the plane even takes off.
This means no surprise bills, no stressing on the beach and no nasty surprises - just full transparency and control. Game. Changed.
Can You Have Two eSIMs At Once?
The short answer is yes. On most modern phones you can have two active eSIMs at once.
Known as dual SIM functionality, it's becoming increasingly common, particularly on newer devices.
There are a few things to bear in mind though.
- Multiple eSIM profiles vs active eSIMs - Most new smartphones can store multiple eSIM profiles - recent iPhone models can store up to eight, for example. However, having them stored doesn't mean they're all active at the same time.
- Dual standby vs dual active - Most phones offer dual standby, meaning both eSIMs (or a physical SIM and an eSIM) can receive calls/texts, but only one handles data at a time.
- Physical SIM and eSIM combinations - Some phones that don't support dual eSIM can still operate with one physical SIM and one eSIM active at the same time.
Let's put this in context with a scenario most Brits will understand all too well.
You're heading to the south of France for a long weekend. Work expects you to be contactable on your UK number, but you don't fancy paying extortionate data roaming charges just to post photos of your pain au chocolat.
With dual eSIM capability, you could keep your UK number active for urgent work calls, while simultaneously using a local French eSIM for affordable personal data.
Which Phones Support Two eSIMs?
Support for dual eSIM varies across manufacturers and models.
The list is growing fast however, thanks to the increasing popularity of eSIMs.
Here's a quick rundown of which phones support two eSIMs.
iPhones
- iPhone 13 and newer (including iPhone 14 and 15 series): Full dual eSIM support.
- iPhone XR through iPhone 12: Support for one physical SIM plus one eSIM.
- US-sold iPhone 14/15 models: eSIM only, no physical SIM tray, but support multiple eSIMs.
Google Pixel
- Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and newer: Dual eSIM support.
- Older Pixels (Pixel 3a or later): One physical SIM plus one eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy
- S21, S22, S23 series and newer: Many models support dual eSIM, but it varies by region.
- Older models: Usually support one physical SIM plus one eSIM.
Other Manufacturers
Support is increasing across brands like Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo, but specific capabilities differ between models.
The tech landscape changes faster than the British weather, so for the most up-to-date compatibility information, check Airalo's regularly updated list of eSIM-compatible devices.
Can You Use the Same eSIM On Two Phones?
Generally speaking, no, you can’t use the same eSIM on two devices simultaneously.
An eSIM is typically locked to the specific device it's installed on.
This is because each eSIM has a unique identifier tied to your specific device.
When you activate it, the profile becomes bonded to that device's hardware.
Attempting to clone it would be like trying to use the same ticket for two different people at Glastonbury - security's not having it.
Having said that, there are some exceptions and workarounds.
- Family or multi-device plans: Some providers offer plans where you can have similar data packages across multiple devices, but these are technically different eSIMs with their own profiles.
- Data-sharing features: Some phones allow data-sharing or hotspot functionality, letting other devices piggyback on your connection.
- Business solutions: Enterprise eSIM management sometimes offers more flexibility for company devices.
But for the average traveller just wanting to use one eSIM across your phone and tablet? Not possible, I'm afraid - you need separate eSIMs for each device.
However, buying two or more eSIMs is still likely to cost significantly less than a shock data roaming bill.
Can eSIM Be Used On Two Devices?
To clarify the distinction from the previous section - while you can't use the identical eSIM profile on multiple devices, you can certainly use eSIMs as a technology across your IoT gadgets.
Many modern tablets, smartwatches and even some laptops now support eSIM technology.
Each device would need its own eSIM profile, but you could potentially get similar data plans for all your devices from the same provider.
For example, if you're off to New York for that long-awaited shopping spree, you could get an eSIM from Airalo for your phone and a separate one for your tablet.
Both would connect to the same networks, but they'd be distinct eSIMs with their own data allowances.
How Many eSIMs Can You Have?
Most modern smartphones can store multiple eSIM profiles, even if only one or two can be active simultaneously.
The specific limits vary by device.
- Recent iPhones can store eight or more eSIM profiles.
- Samsung Galaxy devices can store as many as 20 eSIM profiles.
- Google Pixels generally store multiple eSIM profiles.
It's worth noting that there's often a distinction between...
- The number of stored profiles: How many different eSIMs your phone can keep in its memory.
- The number of active lines: How many can be functioning at the same time.
- The number of active data connections: Usually only one eSIM can use data at any time.
Quick Checklist - Is Your Phone Ready for Dual eSIM?
Not sure if your device can handle the dual eSIM life? Here's a quick way to check.
Check your phone settings
- iPhone: Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM or Mobile Plan.
- Android: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add Mobile Plan.
If these options exist, your phone likely supports eSIMs.
Look for 'Dual SIM' in your phone's specifications
- Check if it specifically mentions 'Dual eSIM' or 'eSIM and physical SIM'.
- Check manufacturer's website, or better yet, check Airalo's device compatibility list.
You could also contact your current provider to get more specific information on converting to an eSIM.
Two eSIMs - Twice the Convenience
So there you have it. Yes, you absolutely can have two eSIMs active at once on many modern phones.
And you can store even more profiles, so they're ready to activate when you need them.
Ready to reap the dual eSIM benefits on your next adventure?
Choose, install and activate an eSIM from Airalo before your trip and experience the smoothness and convenience of staying connected on your travels.
All while saying goodbye to shock data roaming bills and SIM cards. What's not to love?
