What is an eSIM and how does it work?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a small chip already built into your phone or watch that does the job of a physical SIM card — there's no plastic card to insert. Instead of visiting a store, you activate it by scanning a QR code (or through an app), and your number and plan are provisioned onto the device in a few minutes. Everything then works exactly like a normal SIM: calls, texts, data. Because it's digital, an eSIM makes it easy to keep your number when you change phones, hold more than one number on a single device, and download a new line for travel before you've even left home. The main requirement is simply that your device supports eSIM. If you're wondering how to activate eSIM, most providers simply require scanning a QR code and following the on-screen instructions.