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[[File:SIM card sizes.png|alt=Evolution of SIM Card|thumb|Evolution of SIM cards. An eSIM is not removable.]]
{{Short description|Programmable SIM card embedded into a device}}
{{lowercase title}}

An '''eSIM''' ('''embedded-SIM''') is a form of [[SIM card]] that is embedded directly into a device. Instead of an [[Engineering:Integrated circuit|integrated circuit]] located on a removable SIM card, typically made of [[Chemistry:Polyvinyl chloride|PVC]], an eSIM consists of software installed onto an eUICC chip permanently attached to a device. If the eSIM is eUICC-compatible, it can be re-programmed with new SIM information. Otherwise, the eSIM is programmed with its ICCID/IMSI and other information at the time it is manufactured, and cannot be changed. Different mobile telephones may not support an eSIM, may have a permanently programmed, unchangeable one, or one that can be reprogrammed for any [[Engineering:Mobile network operator|carrier]] that supports the technology. Phones may support physical SIMs only, eSIM only, or both.<ref>{{cite web | title=Can I Use an eSIM and a Regular SIM at the Same Time?|first=Alisha|last=Whitley | website=Airalo | date=6 April 2023 | url=https://www.airalo.com/blog/can-i-use-an-esim-and-a-regular-sim-at-the-same-time}}</ref>

Once an eSIM carrier profile has been installed on an eUICC, it operates the same as a physical SIM, complete with a unique [[SIM card|ICCID]] and [[SIM card#Authentication key (Ki)|network authentication key]] generated by the carrier.

The eSIM standard was first released in 2016; since that point, eSIM has begun to replace physical SIM in domains including cellular telephony.

== History ==
Since 2010, the GSMA had been discussing the possibility of a software-based SIM.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-18/gsma-explores-software-based-replacement-for-mobile-sim-cards.html|title=GSMA Explores Software-Based Replacement for Mobile SIM Cards|author=Diana ben-Aaron|date=18 November 2010|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=17 October 2014|page=1}}</ref>

While [[Company:Motorola|Motorola]] noted that eUICC is geared at industrial devices, Apple "disagreed that there is any statement forbidding the use of an embedded UICC in a consumer product".{{cn|date=May 2023}} Currently, the GSMA maintains two different versions of the standard: one for consumer devices<ref>{{Cite web|title=eSIM Consumer Specifications|url=https://www.gsma.com/esim/esim-specification/|access-date=2022-01-22|website=eSIM|language=en-US}}</ref> and another for [[Machine to machine|machine to machine]]  (M2M) devices.<ref>{{Cite web|title=eSIM for M2M|url=https://www.gsma.com/esim/remote-sim-provisioning-for-machine-to-machine/|access-date=2022-01-22|website=eSIM|language=en-US}}</ref>

A first version of the standard was published in March 2016, followed by a second version in November 2016.

== Implementation ==

In 2016, the [[Engineering:Samsung Gear S2|Samsung Gear S2]] Classic 3G smartwatch was the first device to implement an eSIM.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vincent |first1=James |title=Samsung's Gear S2 has the first certified eSIM that lets you choose carriers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/18/11044624/esim-wearable-smartwatch-samsung-gear-s2 |website=The Verge |date=18 February 2016 |publisher=Vox Media, LLC |access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>

In 2017, during Mobile World Congress, Qualcomm introduced a technical solution, with a live demonstration, within its Snapdragon hardware chip associated with related software (secured Java applications).{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

[[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]] first introduced eSIM support in September 2017 with the [[Engineering:Apple Watch|Apple Watch]] Series 3.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple Watch Series 3 features built-in cellular and more |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/09/apple-watch-series-3-features-built-in-cellular-and-more/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> The first [[Engineering:IPhone|iPhone]] models to support it were the [[Engineering:IPhone XS|iPhone XS]], [[Engineering:IPhone XS|iPhone XS Max]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max bring the best and biggest displays to iPhone |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/09/iphone-xs-and-iphone-xs-max-bring-the-best-and-biggest-displays-to-iphone/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> and iPhone XR,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple introduces iPhone XR |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/09/apple-introduces-iphone-xr/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> announced in September 2018. The first iPad model was the [[Engineering:IPad Pro (3rd generation)|iPad Pro (3rd generation)]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=New iPad Pro with all-screen design Is most advanced, powerful iPad ever |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/10/new-ipad-pro-with-all-screen-design-is-most-advanced-powerful-ipad-ever/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Apple Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> announced in October 2018. In September 2022, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the first iPhone models not to have a SIM card tray and to work exclusively with eSIM.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max - Technical Specifications |url=https://www.apple.com/iphone-14-pro/specs/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Apple |language=en-US}}</ref> Outside the United States, all iPhone models continue to be sold with support for both eSIM and physical SIM cards, while in mainland China eSIM isn't supported at all.

Google unveiled the [[Engineering:Pixel 2|Pixel 2]] in October 2017, which added eSIM support for use with its Google Fi service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/4/16424740/google-pixel-2-xl-esim-technology-project-fi-first-ever|title=Google's Pixel 2 phones are the first to use built-in eSIM technology|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-11-09}}</ref> In 2018, Google released the [[Engineering:Pixel 3|Pixel 3]] and Pixel 3 XL and subsequently in May 2019, the [[Engineering:Pixel 3a|Pixel 3a]] and Pixel 3a XL, with eSIM support for carriers other than Google Fi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/fi/answer/7540641?hl=en|title=Set up and manage eSIM - Google Fi Help|website=support.google.com|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xda-developers.com/google-pixel-3a-hands-on-review/|title=Google Pixel 3a hands-on: a cheaper Pixel with stunning camera|date=2019-05-07|website=xda-developers|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/05/07/google-unveils-the-pixel-3a-and-pixel-3a-xl/|title=Google unveils the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL|last=Wiggers|first=Kyle|date=May 7, 2019|website=VentureBeat}}</ref> In October that same year, Google released the [[Engineering:Pixel 4|Pixel 4]] and Pixel 4 XL with eSIM support.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

[[Company:Motorola|Motorola]] released the 2020 version of the [[Engineering:Motorola Razr (2020)|Motorola Razr]], a [[Engineering:Foldable smartphone|foldable smartphone]] that has no physical SIM slot since it only supports eSIM.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

Plintron implemented the eSIM4Things [[Internet of things]] product, based on eSIM support for the devices and available in 28 countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/plintron-launches-esim4things-iot-connectivity-brand-in-india-with-bsnl--1254302|title=eSIM for Internet Of Things: A review|work=telecompaper|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref>

[[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]] introduced eSIM to the [[Software:Windows 10|Windows 10]] [[Operating system|operating system]] in 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4020763/windows-10-use-esim-for-cellular-data|title=Use an eSIM to get a cellular data connection on your Windows 10 PC|access-date=2019-12-24|language=en}}</ref> and launched its first eSIM-enabled device, Surface Pro LTE, in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2017-10-31|title=Microsoft's Surface Pro with LTE launches on December 1st|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/31/16576218/microsoft-surface-pro-lte-release-date-price|access-date=2020-08-30|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>

[[Company:Samsung|Samsung]] shipped [[Engineering:Samsung Galaxy|Galaxy]] S21 and S20 series smartphones in the US with eSIM hardware onboard but no software support out of the box. The feature was later enabled with the [[Software:One UI|One UI]] version 4 update.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-16|title=One UI 4 (Android 12) brings eSIM support to US Galaxy S21 devices|url=https://www.androidcentral.com/one-ui-40-brings-esim-support-galaxy-s21-series-us|access-date=2022-01-22|website=Android Central}}</ref> However, the implementation of the eSIM on the S21 and S20 in the US is different than the implementation in the rest of the world.
* The US variants lack the ability to specify different default SIMs for different functions, e.g., one SIM as the default for data and the other SIM as the default for voice. They require that the same eSIM be the default SIM for data, voice, and SMS.
* These variants also force a reboot each time the user switches eSIMs, while the non-US models do not, given that the CSC codes correspond to each single carrier.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
* If bought directly from a carrier, the phone can only add eSIMs from the same carrier as the one on the physical SIM card, even after a carrier unlock.

Nokia X30 5G supports eSIM.<ref name=":0">[https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_gb/nokia-x-30/specs?sku=VMA751X9FI1AL0 Nokia X30 5G] Nokia</ref>

Sony Xperia 5 IV model XQ-CQ54 supports eSIM.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Xperia 5 IV XQ-CQ54/XQ-CQ62/XQ-CQ72 {{!}} Help Guide {{!}} Configuring an eSIM (XQ-CQ54 only) |url=https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-5m4/v1/en/contents/TP1000669480.html |access-date=2022-12-27 |website=helpguide.sony.net}}</ref>

== Design ==
A traditional [[SIM card]] consists of an [[Engineering:Integrated circuit|integrated circuit]] located on a [[Universal integrated circuit card|universal integrated circuit card]] (UICC), typically made of PVC, which is manually inserted into a device. By contrast, an eSIM is a virtualized SIM card profile installed onto an eUICC chip permanently [[Engineering:Surface-mount technology|surface-mounted]] to a mobile device at the factory. The eUICC chip used to host the eSIM uses the same electrical interface as a physical SIM as defined in ISO/IEC&nbsp;7816 but with a small format of 6&nbsp;mm × 5&nbsp;mm. Once an eSIM carrier profile has been installed on an eUICC, it operates in the same way as a physical SIM, complete with a unique [[SIM card|ICCID]] and [[SIM card#Authentication key (Ki)|network authentication key]] generated by the carrier.<ref name=":0" />

== Usage ==

An eSIM is typically [[Remote SIM provisioning|provisioned remotely]]; end-users can add or remove operators without the need to physically swap a SIM from the device.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://podm2m.com/euicc-future-sim-technology/ |title=eUICC – The Future for SIM Technology |date=2019-08-29 |website=PodM2M |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829155231/https://podm2m.com/euicc-future-sim-technology/ |archive-date=29 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> All eSIMs are programmed with a permanent eSIM ID (EID) at the factory.<ref>{{Cite web|title=SGP.29 v1.0 EID Definition and Assignment Process|url=https://www.gsma.com/esim/resources/sgp-29-v1-0-eid-definition-and-assignment-process/|access-date=2022-01-22|website=eSIM|language=en-US}}</ref> This number is used by the provisioning service to associate the device with an existing carrier subscription as well as to negotiate a secure channel for programming.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

== Specifications ==

eSIM is a global specification by the GSMA that enables remote SIM provisioning of any mobile device. GSMA defines eSIM as the SIM for the next generation of connected consumer devices. Networking solutions using eSIM technology can be widely applied to various [[Internet of things]] (IoT) scenarios, including connected cars (smart rearview mirrors, [[On-board diagnostics|on-board diagnostics]] (OBD), vehicle [[Wi-Fi hotspot|Wi-Fi hotspots]]), [[Artificial intelligence|artificial intelligence]] translators, [[MiFi]] devices, smart earphones, [[Physics:Smart meter|smart metering]], [[Engineering:GPS tracking unit|GPS tracking unit]]s, DTU, bike-sharing, advertising players, [[Closed-circuit television|video surveillance]] devices, etc. eSIMs effectively resolve [https://esimcard.com/blog/how-to/setup-esim-hotspot-on-iphone-android/ hotspot tethering] issues, ensuring stable, seamless connectivity.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}

One common physical form factor of an eUICC chip is commonly designated ''MFF2''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hologram.io/blog/clearing-up-the-term-esim/|title=Clearing up the term "eSIM"|website=Hologram|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-23}}</ref>

The European Commission selected the eUICC format for its in-vehicle emergency call service, known as eCall, in 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blog.jtiot.com/euicc-and-esim-are-they-the-same-thing | title=EUICC vs eSIM: What is the difference between eSIM and eUICC? | date=5 March 2019 }}</ref> All new car models in the EU must have one by 2018 to instantly connect the car to emergency services in case of an accident.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theverge.com/2012/6/1/3057577/etsi-euicc-embedded-sim-apple|title = Embedded SIMs: they're happening, and Apple thinks they could be in consumer products|date = June 1, 2012|access-date = October 25, 2014|website = The Verge|publisher = [[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]]|last = Ziegler|first = Chris}}</ref>

Russia has a similar plan with the [[Astronomy:GLONASS|GLONASS]] (national satellite positioning system) called ERA-GLONASS.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://blog.coswitched.com/euicc-embedded-universal-integrated-circuit-card/|title = eUICC – embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card|date = September 27, 2014|access-date = October 25, 2014|website = Coswitched.com|last = Bruno|first = Duarte|archive-date = 2015-07-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150719111125/http://blog.coswitched.com/euicc-embedded-universal-integrated-circuit-card/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

[[Place:Singapore|Singapore]] is seeking public opinions on introducing eSIM as a new standard, as more compatible devices enter the market.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/switch-mobile-operator-without-changing-sim-cards-imda-wants-10395682|title=Switch mobile operator without changing SIM cards? IMDA wants feedback on eSIM tech|website=CNA|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-date=2019-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120011830/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/switch-mobile-operator-without-changing-sim-cards-imda-wants-10395682|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== {{anchor|iSIM|}}iSIM and nuSIM ==
In 2021, Deutsche Telekom introduced an alternative to eSIMs for smaller devices and the ''Internet of things'' in form of integrated SIMs (iSIMs) fully integrated into a security enclave of the modem SoC (System on Chip). Called nuSIM, they are smaller, cheaper and more eco-friendly since no extra hardware and plastic is required. In addition they can meet the same security requirements as a classical or eSIM; they ease the logistics and production of small devices. The projected adoption rate of iSIMs in mainstream consumer devices, including mobile phones. It can be expected that because of these advantages iSIMs will also replace the (e)SIMs in [[Engineering:Mobile phone|mobile phones]] and other connected consumer devices in the future. <ref>{{cite web |title=eSIM und nuSIM – was sind die Unterschiede? Telekom arbeitet an nuSIM |language=de |publisher=Portalavenue GmbH |work=M2M-Kommunikation.de |url=https://www.m2m-kommunikation.de/beratung/esim-und-nusim-was-sind-die-unterschiede.html |access-date=2022-06-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622171155/https://www.m2m-kommunikation.de/beratung/esim-und-nusim-was-sind-die-unterschiede.html |archive-date=2022-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=nuSIM: Unsere innovative iSIM-Lösung |language=de |publisher=Deutsche Telekom |url=https://iot.telekom.com/de/netze-tarife/iot-sim-karten/nusim |access-date=2022-06-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622171401/https://iot.telekom.com/de/netze-tarife/iot-sim-karten/nusim |archive-date=2022-06-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=nuSIM – die integrierte SIM für das Internet der Dinge |language=de |publisher=Deutsche Telekom |date=2022-02-15 |orig-date=2021 |author-first=Daniel |author-last=Kunz |url=https://iot.telekom.com/de/blog/nusim-die-integrierte-sim-fuer-das-internet-der-dinge |access-date=2022-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123030915/https://iot.telekom.com/de/blog/nusim-die-integrierte-sim-fuer-das-internet-der-dinge |archive-date=2021-11-23}}</ref>

==Advantages and disadvantages==

===Advantages===

* Several SIMs can be stored at the same time.<ref name=lunn>{{cite web |author=((Emma Lunn (Forbes contributor)))|title=A Guide To eSIMS | website=Forbes Advisor UK | date=24 March 2022| url=https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/mobile-phones/esims/}}</ref>
* No need to obtain, store, and insert/eject (and lose) small physical SIMs.<ref name=lunn/>
* If the phone is stolen, it can be tracked by "find my phone" services, while a physical SIM can be removed.<ref name=lunn/>
* The risk of damaging a SIM socket's delicate contacts inserting and removing a SIM is eliminated.
* Phones with eSIM only do not need to be built with hardware SIM holders or means to insert them. This is particularly relevant for small devices such as [[Engineering:Smartwatch|smartwatch]]es.<ref name=lunn/>

===Disadvantages===
* If a phone is broken, anything restricted to the eSIM's network becomes inaccessible; in particular, calls cannot be received, and resources (calls, SMS, data) paid for cannot be used. A physical SIM can be transferred from a broken to a working phone.<ref name=lunn/>
* The eSIM, which allows communications to be made and charged to the account-holder, cannot be removed if having the phone repaired, or lending it to someone.
* The phone's location can always be tracked if switched on; functions such as camera, WiFi Web use, playing stored videos, etc. cannot be used untrackably by removing the SIM.<ref name=lunn/>
* eSIM accounts must be deleted or transferred from a phone which is sold or disposed of.

* Compatibility issues with some phones, e.g. US phones that do not accept eSIMs from other countries.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.gsma.com/esim/ eSIM overview] from the GSMA
[[Category:Computer access control]]

{{Sourceattribution|ESIM}}