WTF is eSIM? Glad you asked
What is
an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM built right into your phone. It does the exact same job as the plastic SIM card you used to wrestle into a tiny tray, minus the plastic, the tray and the paperclip. You download it instead of inserting it, and you can be connected in minutes. See our eSIM compatibility checker.
Built in, not popped in
eSIM stands for embedded SIM. The chip lives inside your phone, so there's nothing to insert, lose or snap in half.Set up in minutes
Scan a QR code or tap install in the ZenSim app and you're connected. No hunting for a SIM kiosk at the airport.More than one plan
Most modern phones can store multiple eSIMs, so you can keep your number from home and add a Travel eSIM for your next trip.
The techy bit, made easy
How does an eSIM work?
So, what is an eSIM and how does it work? Every eSIM-capable phone has a tiny chip built into it. Instead of your provider posting you a card with your mobile details on it, they send those details to your phone digitally. Your phone saves them as an eSIM profile, connects to the network and you're away.
There are three ways to get your ZenSim eSIM onto your phone:
- Install it in the app: grab the ZenSim app, tap install and your eSIM downloads straight onto your phone. The easiest option by a mile.
- Scan the QR code: we'll email you a QR code. Pop it up on another screen and scan it with your phone's camera.
- Enter it manually: no second screen handy? Copy the activation code from the ZenSim app and enter it in your phone's eSIM settings.
Whichever way you go, you'll need WiFi, and on a compatible phone the whole thing usually takes a few minutes.
Once it's installed, your eSIM behaves just like a physical SIM. Same network, same calls, texts and data. You just never have to touch it. Want to change plans or add another one later? It's all done in your phone settings or the app, no store visit required.
How to use travel esims
How it works
If you haven't used a travel eSIM before, you're in for a treat. It only takes a few minutes to setup and it's a fraction of the cost of roaming! See WTF is eSIM.
1. Quick phone check
Let's make sure your phone's on board. Our eSIM compatibility checker has all of the answers.
2. Choose a plan, enter your details
Choose a plan for your destination, enter your details and your payment information.
4. Auto-activated on arrival
Update settings on arrival (we'll email these to you) and boom, you're connected. Check your usage in the ZenSim app.
Plastic vs digital
eSIM vs physical SIM
The difference between a SIM and an eSIM comes down to form, not function. Both identify you on a mobile network and connect you to calls, texts and data. One is a plastic card you insert, the other is a profile you download. Here's how they stack up:
| Feature | Physical SIM | eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A removable plastic card | A digital profile on a chip built into your phone |
| How you get it | Posted to you or picked up in store | Downloaded via QR code or app |
| Setup time | Days, if you're waiting on the mail | Usually a few minutes |
| Switching plans | Find a paperclip, pop the tray, swap cards | Download a new profile, no tools needed |
| Losing it | Easy to lose, bend or snap | Nothing to lose, it lives inside your phone |
| Plans per phone | One per SIM slot | Several can be stored on most phones |
| Network and speed | Same network, same speeds | Same network, same speeds |
Bottom line: an eSIM does the same core job as a physical SIM. It's just faster to set up, easier to switch, and a whole lot harder to lose down the back of the couch.
Clearing up the confusion
eSIM vs dual SIM vs Travel eSIM
These three get mixed up all the time, which is fair enough, they sound pretty similar. Here's the quick and painless version of what each one actually means.
eSIM
The eSIM is the digital SIM itself, a profile downloaded onto the chip in your phone. Most eSIM phones can store several profiles, but only one or two can be active at the same time. Think of it like your wardrobe: heaps of jackets, but you can only wear one at a time (two if you're feeling bold). Switch between saved eSIMs in your settings without deleting a thing.Dual SIM
Dual SIM means your phone can run two mobile services at once, either a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs on newer phones. It's how you get two numbers on one device, like a personal and a work number, without lugging around two phones.
Travel eSIM
A Travel eSIM is a separate eSIM profile made for overseas data. Install it alongside your number from home, set it as your data line when you land, and you're online for a fraction of the cost of roaming. We cover 200+ destinations, including eSIM plans for Europe.
One thing worth knowing: a ZenSim eSIM can only be active on one phone at a time. Switching phones before your trip? Give us a shout and we'll help you sort it.
eSIM benefits, compatibility and cost
Okay, so what is an eSIM used for in real life, and why should you care? The big advantage of an eSIM is how much hassle it cuts out. Here's what you get:
- Connected in minutes: Digital activation means no queues, no kiosks and no waiting. Install it and you're ready to roll.
- Nothing to lose: No tiny card to misplace, snap or leave behind in a hotel room. Your eSIM lives safely inside your device.
- Easy switching: Add a Travel eSIM for your next trip without hunting for a paperclip or swapping out your home SIM.
- Two numbers, one phone: On dual SIM phones, keep your home number on while your Travel eSIM handles the data.
- Managed in the app: Check your usage, top up and add extra countries in the ZenSim app.
- Less plastic: No card, no packaging, no postage. A small win for e-waste and part of how we keep things sustainable.
Is my phone eSIM compatible?
What is an eSIM compatible device? It's any phone, tablet or smartwatch with an eSIM chip built in. That includes iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, plus most recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models.
Phones bought on a plan from another telco may need to be unlocked first. Before you buy anything, check if your phone supports eSIM. It only takes a sec.
How much does an eSIM cost?
The eSIM itself is just the delivery method, so you're really paying for the data plan that sits on it. There's no plastic SIM to post, so there's no SIM fee to get started.
Heading overseas? Explore Travel eSIMs for 200+ destinations, with prepaid plans and no sneaky recurring charges.
The nitty gritty
eSIM FAQs
Plot twist: there's no actual card. "eSIM card" is just a common way of describing an embedded SIM, a chip built into your phone that stores your mobile details digitally. It does the same job as a physical SIM card and connects you to the same networks, minus the plastic.
Speed, convenience and flexibility. Here's the short version:
- Get connected in minutes, no waiting for a SIM in the mail or queueing at an airport kiosk.
- Store multiple eSIMs on one phone, so you can add a Travel eSIM for overseas trips without touching your number from home.
- Switch plans or providers without a store visit or a paperclip.
- Nothing to lose or snap, and an eSIM can't be pulled out and popped into another phone.
- Less plastic and no postage, which fits right in with our sustainability approach.
It depends on the plan. Most Travel eSIMs, including ours, are data-only, so there's no number, but apps like WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime work fine over data.
A mobile plan eSIM does come with a phone number for calls, texts and data. If you're in Australia, our monthly plans include a number, or you can bring your existing one with you.
You pay for the plan, not the eSIM, so there's no SIM fee to get started with ZenSim. Travel eSIM prices depend on your destination, how much data you need and how long you're away. Have a look at our Travel eSIMs to see plans for your trip.
Your phone needs to support it, and moving to a new phone means replacing or reinstalling your eSIM instead of just swapping a card across. Some older phones also limit how many eSIMs can be active at once. For most people, that's a small trade-off for the convenience.
Not every device supports eSIM. It depends on the manufacturer and model, but most newer smartphones, tablets and smartwatches are on board. Our eSIM compatibility checker has all the answers.
It depends on your phone. Most eSIM phones can store several eSIM profiles, but how many can be active at the same time varies:
- iPhone 13 and later support two active eSIMs at once.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 series and Google Pixel 7 and 8 series were among the first Android phones to support two active eSIMs.
- iPhone XS, Samsung Galaxy S20, Google Pixel 3a and later support dual SIM using one physical SIM and one eSIM.
If your phone can't run two eSIMs at once, you can still store multiple profiles and switch between them in your settings.
Yep. Most eSIM phones still have a physical SIM slot, so you can use both, often at the same time. Check our eSIM compatibility checker to see what your phone supports.
Yes. eSIMs use advanced encryption and authentication, which makes them very hard to tamper with. And unlike a physical SIM, an eSIM can't be pulled out of your phone and used in another one.
Nice choice, enjoy the new toy! You can't move an eSIM directly between phones (at least not yet), and a ZenSim eSIM can only be active on one phone at a time.
On an Australian monthly plan, open the ZenSim app, head to the manage section of your service and tap Replace eSIM, then install it on your new phone. Your first replacement each year is free, and any extras are A$2.
Got a Travel eSIM? Reach out and we'll help you sort it.
You what?! No stress. On an Australian monthly plan, order a replacement with Replace eSIM in the ZenSim app, then install it again. Deleted a Travel eSIM? Reach out and we'll help.
Most providers let you activate an eSIM straight on your phone by scanning a QR code or using their app, no store visit needed. Moving your number to a new provider? Just give them your current number and ID at checkout and they'll handle the transfer.
Nope. Your signal depends on the network coverage where you are, not whether you're using a physical SIM or an eSIM.
Pick a Travel eSIM for your destination, then install it by scanning the QR code we email you or tapping install in the ZenSim app. Do it before you fly and it'll switch on when you land.
Signing up to an Australian monthly plan? We'll allocate your eSIM once you have finalised your payment, then you can install it in the app the same way.
