Traditional SIM cards can be a nuisance.
From juggling tiny bits of plastic, messing around with the drawer and the special opener (and finding the blasted thing), trying not to drop anything, and, of course, letting everyone know that you will have a different number for a certain amount of time, it’s frustrating just thinking about it.
And we haven’t even touched on using two different phones with two numbers and jumping between the two for work or pleasure.
That’s why we think it’s time for you to ditch fiddly, physical SIMs and get an eSIM.
In this article, we explore who could benefit from an eSIM, how to get an eSIM, and discuss some common eSIM concerns to put your mind at ease.
Who Needs an eSIM?
We are going to break it down into two categories: people who are going abroad (travellers) and people who are using their phone for work purposes (business), and why an eSIM is the best choice.
eSIMs for Travelers
No Additional Fees
Our phones have essentially become an extension of our arms at this point and most of us have developed a habit of just casually checking social media or scrolling when we are bored.
However, using your phone abroad can get very expensive, very fast.
Roaming charges are notoriously tricky and coming back to a larger phone bill than you expected because you forgot you were away or had an emergency situation that you had to use your phone to fix isn’t ideal for anyone.
eSIMs remove this worry as you can select a plan that suits your data usage and budget, access it via an eSIM app on your phone, set up and go.
No extra charges, no additional fees, just one upfront cost.
Local Signal
eSIMs rely on local networks to provide signal, meaning that you’re unlikely to be stranded with no bars or ways of getting in touch, making it a safer, more reliable choice.
Security
eSIM technology is built into most modern phones and, as a result, cannot be hacked, stolen, or swapped, by criminals trying to steal your information or data, so that’s one less thing to worry about.
It is worth noting though that you should still keep your phone in a secure place while you are traveling to avoid the handset getting pinched.
One Phone to Rule Them All
Juggling both your personal and work phone can get silly very easily and there are many comedy sketches about this exact scenario.
Using an eSIM means you can add your work profile to your personal phone, so you can use your handset for work without using up your own allowance or increasing your phone bill.
You can also switch between profiles, so you aren’t disturbed with personal calls during work hours and vice versa.
Reliable Connection
Your work and personal numbers also don’t have to be on the same network, so if you find you get better signal with a different company at your work location, you can switch to another provider during that time, keeping you connected and available.
This is also handy for business travelers as you can change your plan to a local provider via an eSIM app on your phone.
Where to Get an eSIM?
- Open the App Store or Google Play Store on your phone or tablet.
- Search for "Sim Local" and download the app.
2. Activate Your Bundle:
- Open the Sim Local app.
- Browse our eSIM bundles and choose one that is best suited to your needs.
- Once selected, proceed to checkout. Our bundles vary depending on your destination country, data allowance, and validity period, so please check all the details before purchasing.
- You may need to create an account or sign in to your existing Sim Local account during checkout.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the payment process.
3. Download and Activate Your eSIM:
- When payment is received, you will be sent instructions on downloading your eSIM profile. This might involve a QR code or a direct download link within the app.
- Open your phone's ‘Settings’ and navigate to the ‘Mobile Data’ or ‘SIM Card Management’ section (this will vary depending on your phone model).
- Look for an option to ‘Add eSIM’ or ‘Add Mobile Plan’.
- If you received a QR code, simply scan it using the camera on your phone.
- If you are sent a download link, just click it to download your eSIM profile.
- Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the eSIM activation process on your phone.
eSIM Top Tips
- Make sure your phone has eSIM technology capabilities – you can find your phone model listed on our handset checker.
- Update your Sim Local app regularly to ensure you have the latest eSIM profiles.
Common eSIM Concerns
Q: I have an eSIM compatible handset but can’t use eSIM – Why not?
A: Your phone may belocked to a specific carrier. Visit our guide to unlocking your phone and follow the instructions. Alternatively, contact your network provider for further information.
Q: What happens if I lose my phone with an eSIM?
A: eSIMs can be deactivated remotely so just contact customer services who will be able to assist.
Q: How can check if my phone is unlocked?
A: We have put together a handy blog with a guide to checking if you phone is unlocked.
Q: What are the downsides of using an eSIM?
There may be limited carrier availability depending on where you are planning on using your eSIM so it is worth checking in advance of travel that there is a bundle that will suit your needs in your destination country.
Most troubleshooting issues can be resolved via our FAQ page however, on the rare occasion that a more complex issue arises, contacting customer support is your best option although this can be difficult if you are unable to connect your phone to free Wi-Fi.
eSIMs also only work on phones which are unlocked but, if you make this error with Sim Local, we will give a 100% refund
Q: What are the benefits of eSIMs?
eSIMS are:
Conclusion
We’ve explored how you can avoid some stresses, such as messing around with tiny bits of plastic and juggling two handsets, simply by making the switch to eSIMs.
Whether you're a holiday maker, counting down the days to your next vacation, or a business professional carrying two phones around, eSIMs offer a secure and convenient solution, without scary bills or additional costs.
We have also provided you with a step-by-step guide on how to get an eSIM, which is made even more simple when you install an eSIM app.
Ready to make the switch?
Check out our eSIM bundles, with plans available in over 260 countries.
