What does eSIM mean? All info at a glance

The embedded SIM, or eSIM for short, is a new SIM card format that can replace conventional mobile phone cards or at least offer an alternative. Learn here the difference to the classic SIM cards and how to use the eSIM card.

eSIM: What you need to know about the new SIM format

Unlike classic SIM cards, the eSIM card is a permanently installed chip in mobile devices. Especially if you change your mobile provider, the new eSIM is advantageous, because instead of a new SIM card you only need an activation code. How you can activate the card depends on the mobile provider.

• At O2, you can request the activation code via the online portal or via the O2 app. You will then receive a letter with a QR code, which you must scan to unlock your eSIM profile.
• Customers of Telekom must also scan a QR code, which they receive either by mail or via the customer portal on the Telekom website.
• To unlock the eSIM at Vodafone, you also need an ePIN in addition to the activation code, which you must enter as confirmation when you have scanned the QR code. As with O2 and Telekom, you can request the activation code as well as the ePIN via the online portal.

Future of eSIM - providers and capable devices

To date, there are still relatively few devices and mobile providers that support or offer the new eSIM. In addition to the current iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches, the new Google Pixel smartphones are also equipped with the eSIM technology. The Korean manufacturer Samsung has so far only equipped its current Galaxy Watch with the new technology.