What an eSIM actually is
An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone as a chip, instead of a small plastic card you slide into a tray. Your carrier sends a digital profile to that chip, and it does the same job a physical SIM does: it tells the network who you are, which number you have and which plan you're on.
Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones and Google Pixels support eSIM, and some newer models, such as the iPhone Air, have no physical SIM tray at all. You can check yours in your settings: on iPhone, look under Settings › Cellular for an option to add an eSIM; on Android, look under your SIM or mobile network settings.
Before you switch: make sure the phone is unlocked
An eSIM doesn't get around a carrier lock. If your phone is locked to one carrier, a new carrier's eSIM won't work on it.
In Canada, the CRTC Wireless Code requires carriers to unlock phones free of charge on request, and new phones have been sold unlocked since December 2017. If you bought your phone before that, or second-hand, it's worth confirming. Our post on phone unlocking in Ontario explains how to check, and our phone unlocking page covers how we can help.
How switching carriers works with eSIM
- Confirm the phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.
- Write down your current account number and phone number. Your new carrier needs these to move (port) your number. Don't cancel your old plan first; porting your number cancels the old service for you.
- Sign up with the new carrier and choose eSIM when asked about the SIM.
- Activate the eSIM, usually in one of these ways:
- QR code: scan it from the camera or from the add eSIM option in your settings.
- Carrier app: some carriers activate the eSIM inside their own app.
- Direct activation: on some phones, the carrier pushes the eSIM to your phone and you just accept it.
- Connect to Wi-Fi during set-up. eSIM activation needs an internet connection.
- Test it. Make a call, send a text and check mobile data. Then delete the old eSIM profile only once the new one is working and your number has moved.
Treat an eSIM QR code like a key. It's generally meant to be used once, and anyone who scans it first could activate it. Don't post it or share it.
Moving an eSIM to a new phone
Switching phones is different from switching carriers. You can often transfer an existing eSIM without calling anyone:
- iPhone to iPhone: during set-up or later in Settings › Cellular, you can transfer the eSIM from your old iPhone, as long as your carrier supports it.
- Android: recent Samsung and Pixel phones offer eSIM transfer between phones of the same brand during set-up, depending on your carrier.
- Between iPhone and Android: this is less consistent. You may need a new QR code or the carrier's app.
If the transfer option doesn't appear, your carrier's support or app can issue a new eSIM. Keep the old phone until the new one is fully working.
Dual SIM: two numbers, one phone
Most eSIM phones support dual SIM: either a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs active at once. Common uses include:
- A personal number and a work number on one phone.
- Keeping your Canadian number active for texts and calls while using a local data eSIM when travelling.
- Trying a new carrier's data plan before fully switching.
You can choose which line handles data, calls and texts by default. Your phone can store more eSIM profiles than it can use at once, and you switch between them in settings.
Common eSIM snags
- "SIM not supported" or no service: the phone is probably still carrier-locked.
- Activation stuck: check Wi-Fi, restart, and confirm the eSIM was sent to the right device.
- Lost phone: you can't remove an eSIM to put in another phone. Contact your carrier for a replacement eSIM.
- Before a repair or trade-in: don't delete the eSIM unless you're sure you can get it back. Ask your carrier first.
Need a hand?
If your phone shows "SIM not supported" or won't take a new carrier's eSIM, it may still be locked. Woman Wireless On The Go can help with unlocking and other phone problems, with a certified woman technician coming to you anywhere in our service area. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247 with your phone model and current carrier, and you'll get a free quote before any work starts. You can also send a request online.
Need it fixed? We come to you.
Certified woman technician across Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto. See our phone unlocking service.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an unlocked phone to use an eSIM from another carrier?
Yes. An eSIM doesn't bypass a carrier lock. In Canada, carriers must unlock phones free on request under the CRTC Wireless Code, and new phones have been sold unlocked since December 2017, so check before you switch.
Can I keep my number when I switch to eSIM with a new carrier?
Yes. Give the new carrier your current account number and phone number so they can port it. Don't cancel your old plan first, because the port closes the old service once your number moves across.
Can I have two phone numbers on one phone with eSIM?
Yes, on most eSIM phones. You can use a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs, and choose which line handles calls, texts and data. It's useful for work and personal numbers or travel data plans.
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