Can an ESIM Be Locked When Traveling?

Can an ESIM Be Locked When Traveling?

eSIMs are a convenient new way to activate your phone's cellular plan. Not only are they easier to use, but they're more space-efficient for smartphone manufacturers as well.

However, they're not as secure as physical SIMs and there may be some disadvantages to using them. Read on to discover more.

You canג€™t unlock your eSIM if youג€™re on a carrier

A SIM card, also known as an Embedded Subscriber Identity Module (ESM), is a chip embedded into your smartphone that links it to its wireless carrier. It contains seventeen-digit codes which identify both the country and region where your phone was manufactured as well as which network it's connected to.

eSIMs (electronic SIMs) are now ubiquitous in smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, drones and beyond as a space-saving solution for connectivity. Programmable remotely through software, these SIMs allow you to switch carriers without needing to buy a new SIM card.

Physical SIM cards, which must be manually installed onto your device, are carrier-specific. With eSIMs, however, carriers worldwide can offer services and bundles compatible with this standard like shared data plans for multiple devices. Ultimately, switching providers will become much simpler and less expensive for consumers and carriers alike thanks to this standardization.

You canג€™t unlock your eSIM if youג€™re on a contract

Phones that use eSIMs, like the iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S8, can be unlocked from their carriers. This is great news when traveling since it means you can use different cellular plans on one device.

Thanks to eSIM, there's no need for physical SIM cards anymore. That means you can switch phones without taking out the card and set up additional networks much easier with eSIM.

An eSIM card can be incredibly convenient when traveling abroad, as you no longer need to buy a physical SIM card from the local carrier and insert it into your phone. With an eSIM, all international calls and data will be handled automatically by the phone's built-in GPS system.

When you purchased your phone, you agreed to a contract that allows the carrier to lock it to their network for a specified length of time. Some carriers only require one year while Big Wireless companies require two or three years.

You canג€™t unlock your eSIM if youג€™re on a SIM-free device

If you have a SIM-free device such as the iPhone 14 or any other phone without a physical SIM tray, your eSIM may already be locked. This is because an eSIM is nonremovable and embedded within your phone's processor.

Unlocking an eSIM that has been locked is not a simple process, as you will need your IMEI number - the unique ID Apple uses for tracking your device.

Once you have this information, you can use the unlock code to permanently unlock your eSIM and remove any security restrictions placed on it when it was first manufactured.

Embedded SIM (eSIM) technology is on the rise, with more and more major tech brands adopting it. Apple being one of the most prominent examples, supporting eSIM on all iPhone models from the iPhone XS onwards.

You canג€™t unlock your eSIM if youג€™re traveling abroad

Apple has had eSIM support built-into iPhones for years now, yet the technology still isn't perfect for travelers. One major issue is that eSIMs may not always work with your home carrier's network, so switching to another eSIM while abroad won't work either.

To avoid this hassle, research international roaming plans ahead of time and install them before you travel. Many eSIM companies provide apps to guide you through the process; others will send an email with instructions once you land.

An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that connects to your phone's carrier. You can purchase them from an eSIM company website or download their app. After making a purchase, you'll receive confirmation email with QR code to scan on your phone - this allows the plan installation and activation to begin as soon as possible.

Can an ESIM Be Locked When Traveling?