What is eSIM (What is e-SIM)
The first question that comes is what is e-SIM? Actually, e-SIM is a virtual SIM installed in the mobile phone. It is not like a SIM card. If you take an e-SIM, you do not have to insert any type of card in your phone. It is activated over-the-air through the telecom company, but in this you get features like SIM card.
Benefits of eSIM (Benefits of e-SIM)
The good thing with e-SIM is that you do not need to change the SIM card when you change the operator. Also, unlike the SIM card, there is no effect on the e-SIM if the phone overheats or gets wet with water. Many users complain that their SIM card does not work properly after a while, but this is not the case with e-SIM. This is a virtual SIM, so the possibility of damage is eliminated.
eSIM supported mobile phones in India
There are many smartphones currently available in India, which support e-SIM. These include smartphones from Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola. The e-SIM supported mobile phones available in India are as follows:-
Samsung smartphones with eSIM support
Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung Galaxy Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Motorola smartphones with eSIM support
Motorola Razr and Motorola Razr 5G
Apple smartphones with eSIM support
Includes iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Google smartphones with eSIM support
Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL, Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3 XL and Google Pixel 4a
How to buy eSIM in India
Jio eSIM
To buy a new Jio e-SIM, visit Jio Store, Reliance Digital or Jio Retailer. Just like a normal SIM card, to buy an eSIM you will also have to provide your valid ID card and photo. You can also convert your existing SIM card into e-SIM. For this you have to send an SMS. This process varies depending on the mobile device. You can see the methods in the “How to activate eSIM” section below.
Airtel eSIM
Airtel users can also buy e-SIM through SMS.
Users have to write their registered email ID by giving a space after eSIM and send it to 121. For example “eSIM nitexxxx@xxx.com” (without quotes)
Now you will get SMS from 121. To confirm your process, you will have to send 1 in reply to this SMS.
After this you will get another SMS from 121 and you will be asked to consent to the call.
Now a QR code will be sent by the company to your e-mail ID.
Here you have to scan the QR code with your mobile phone, the method of which is different for each mobile. You can see the methods in the “How to activate eSIM” section below.
VI (Vodafone Idea) eSIM
Vodafone Idea, now known as VI, is currently offering e-SIM only to postpaid customers.
If you are an existing or new postpaid customer, then you have to send SMS to 199 by typing your registered email ID by giving space after eSIM.
Now you will get an SMS from the company.
To confirm this, send ESIMY in reply to SMS.
Now you will get another SMS asking for consent to the call.
After this, QR code will come on your e-mail ID.
Here you have to scan the QR code with your mobile phone, the method of which is different for each mobile. You can see the methods in the “How to activate eSIM” section below.
How to activate eSIM (How to activate e-SIM)
Activate Jio eSIM
For Apple iPhone models:
1. First of all, make sure that your iOS version should be 12.1 or higher.
2. Now go to the phone’s settings and click on About phone for EID and IMEI.
3. After this write GETESIM <32 Digit EID> <15 Digit IMEI> from your iPhone model to 199.
4. You will now receive a 19 digit eSIM number and eSIM profile configuration details.
5. Now SMS SIMCHG <19 digits eSIM number> to 199.
6. After two hours you will receive an update on eSIM processing.
7. After receiving the message, confirm it by sending ‘1’ to 183.
8. Now you will get an automated call on your Jio number, in which you will be asked for your 19 digit eSIM number.
9. The new e-SIM activation will be confirmed to you via SMS.
10. Now you have to configure the eSIM profile in your iPhone, for which go to Settings and click on Mobile Data.
11. After this tap on Add Data plan and enter the activation code given in the eSIM profile configuration details here.
12. After entering the activation code, click on Next on the upper right side.
13. Now tap on Add Data plan again.
14. After this, select the Data Plan labels as per your choice and select your country.
15. Now your e-SIM has been successfully activated.
For Samsung phones:
First of all, follow the same procedure as mentioned above from Steps 1 to Step 9. after this
1. Go to Settings and tap on Connections.
2. Now tap on SIM card manager.
3. Now tap on Add mobile plan.
4. Select Scan Carrier QR code.
5. After this tap on Enter Code.
6. Enter the activation code in the format LPA:1$smdprd.jio.com$, after which you will receive a 32 digit activation code via SMS. Now you have to tap on Connect.
7. Jio eSIM has now been activated, which you will see in the SIM card manager.
For Google phones:
First of all, follow the same procedure as mentioned above from Steps 1 to Step 9. after this
1. Go to Settings and tap on Network & Internet.
2. Now select Mobile network and tap on Download a SIM.
3. After this click on Next and enter the activation code manually.
4. Now click on Enter it manually.
5. Enter the activation code in the format LPA:1$smdprd.jio.com$, after which you will receive a 32 digit activation code via SMS.
6. Now select Activate and tap on Done.
7. Your Jio eSIM is now activated.
For Motorola phones:
First of all, follow the same procedure as mentioned above from Steps 1 to Step 9. after this
1. For Motorola Razr 5G, go to Settings and select Network & Internet.
2. Now select Mobile network and click on Next (for Motorola Razr tap on Mobile network, click on Select Advanced and then tap on Carrier. After this click on Add Carrier and then select Next.)
3. Now follow the above steps 3 to 7 for Google Pixel phones.
How to activate Vi eSIM
For iPhone models:
1. Make sure your Wi-Fi or mobile data device is connected.
2. Now go to Settings and tap on Mobile Data.
3. Now tap on Add mobile plan.
4. After this, scan the QR code received in the mail and follow the prompts.
For Samsung models:
1. First go to Settings and tap on Connections.
2. Now tap on SIM card manager and click on Add mobile plan.
3. After this click on Add Using QR Code.
4. Now scan the QR code received on the mail and follow the prompts.
For Google Pixel models:
1. Go to Settings and tap on Network & Internet.
2. Now select Mobile network and tap on Download a SIM.
3. After this click on Next and scan the QR code received in the mail.
4. Now follow the prompts shown on the screen.
For Motorola Razr models:
1. Go to Settings and select Network & Internet.
2. Now click on Mobile network and tap Next.
3. Now scan the QR code received in the mail and follow the prompts.
How to activate Airtel eSIM
For iPhone, Samsung models
iPhone users can follow the same process as Vi. After the scanning process tap on Label eSIM. Similarly, Samsung users can also follow the steps for Vi. After scanning, tap on Add in Add new mobile plan option.
For Pixel models:
1. First go to Settings and tap on Network & Internet.
2. Now select Mobile network and tap on Advanced.
3. After this click on Carrier and then on Add Carrier.
4. Now scan the QR code received in the mail.
5. After scanning, click on Download and Done.
For Motorola Razr:
1. Go to Settings and select Network & Internet.
2. Now go to Mobile network, tap on Carrier and then on Add Carrier.
3. Now scan the QR code received on the mail and after completion of the process, tap on Download.
4. Click on Done and activate the eSIM.
For Motorola Razr 5G:
1. Go to Settings and select Network & Internet.
2. Now click on + next to Mobile network.
3. Now click on Next (Download your Sim) and scan the QR code received in the mail.
4. After scanning, click on Activate.
