www.popsci.com Open in urlscan Pro
2a04:fa87:fffd::c000:42c2  Public Scan

Form analysis
2 forms found in the DOM

GET /

<form role="search" method="get" class="search-form relative" action="/">
  <label>
    <span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span>
    <input type="search" class="search-field rounded pr-9" value="" name="s">
  </label>
  <button type="submit" class="search-submit w-5 h-5 absolute top-1/4 right-2 [&amp;>svg]:fill-accent-900" aria-label="Search">
    <svg class="search-icon" viewBox="0 0 48 47" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
      <path
        d="M33.8333 29.3333H31.7267L30.98 28.6133C33.5933 25.5733 35.1667 21.6267 35.1667 17.3333C35.1667 7.76 27.4067 0 17.8333 0C8.26 0 0.5 7.76 0.5 17.3333C0.5 26.9067 8.26 34.6667 17.8333 34.6667C22.1267 34.6667 26.0733 33.0933 29.1133 30.48L29.8333 31.2267V33.3333L43.1667 46.64L47.14 42.6667L33.8333 29.3333ZM17.8333 29.3333C11.1933 29.3333 5.83333 23.9733 5.83333 17.3333C5.83333 10.6933 11.1933 5.33333 17.8333 5.33333C24.4733 5.33333 29.8333 10.6933 29.8333 17.3333C29.8333 23.9733 24.4733 29.3333 17.8333 29.3333Z">
      </path>
    </svg>
  </button>
</form>

GET /

<form role="search" method="get" class="search-form relative" action="/">
  <label>
    <span class="screen-reader-text">Search for:</span>
    <input type="search" class="search-field rounded pr-9" value="" name="s">
  </label>
  <button type="submit" class="search-submit w-5 h-5 absolute top-1/4 right-2 [&amp;>svg]:fill-accent-900" aria-label="Search">
    <svg class="search-icon" viewBox="0 0 48 47" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
      <path
        d="M33.8333 29.3333H31.7267L30.98 28.6133C33.5933 25.5733 35.1667 21.6267 35.1667 17.3333C35.1667 7.76 27.4067 0 17.8333 0C8.26 0 0.5 7.76 0.5 17.3333C0.5 26.9067 8.26 34.6667 17.8333 34.6667C22.1267 34.6667 26.0733 33.0933 29.1133 30.48L29.8333 31.2267V33.3333L43.1667 46.64L47.14 42.6667L33.8333 29.3333ZM17.8333 29.3333C11.1933 29.3333 5.83333 23.9733 5.83333 17.3333C5.83333 10.6933 11.1933 5.33333 17.8333 5.33333C24.4733 5.33333 29.8333 10.6933 29.8333 17.3333C29.8333 23.9733 24.4733 29.3333 17.8333 29.3333Z">
      </path>
    </svg>
  </button>
</form>

Text Content

Search for:
 * Science
   * Archaeology
   * Biology
   * Dinosaurs
   * Physics
   * Popular Science Videos
   * Space
   * The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
 * Technology
   * AI
   * Aviation
   * Best of What’s New
   * Engineering
   * Internet
   * Military
   * Robots
   * Security
   * Vehicles
   * Photography
 * Environment
   * Agriculture
   * Animals
   * Climate Change
   * Conservation
   * Energy
   * Sustainability
   * Weather
 * DIY
   * Life Skills
   * Projects
   * Tech Hacks
 * Gear
   * Audio
   * Cameras
   * Computers
   * Fitness Gear
   * Gaming
   * Gift Guides
   * Home
   * Home Theater
   * Outdoor Gear
   * Phones
   * Tablets
   * Wearables
 * More
   * Newsletter
   * Cover Art
   * Store
   * Podcasts
   * Video
   * Popsci+
 * FIND US ON
   * Social
     * Facebook
     * Twitter
     * LinkedIn
     * Instagram
     * Pinterest
     * Youtube
   * Flipboard
   * Apple News+
   * RSS

 * Science
   * Archaeology
   * Biology
   * Dinosaurs
   * Physics
   * Popular Science Videos
   * Space
   * The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
 * Technology
   * AI
   * Aviation
   * Best of What’s New
   * Engineering
   * Internet
   * Military
   * Robots
   * Security
   * Vehicles
   * Photography
 * Environment
   * Agriculture
   * Animals
   * Climate Change
   * Conservation
   * Energy
   * Sustainability
   * Weather
 * DIY
   * Life Skills
   * Projects
   * Tech Hacks
 * Gear
   * Audio
   * Cameras
   * Computers
   * Fitness Gear
   * Gaming
   * Gift Guides
   * Home
   * Home Theater
   * Outdoor Gear
   * Phones
   * Tablets
   * Wearables
 * MERCH
   * Cover Art
   * Store
 * Newsletter

Search for:
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

DIY

Tech Hacks


ESIMS EXPLAINED: WHAT THEY ARE, AND HOW YOU CAN SET ONE UP

The Subscriber Identity Module card is changing.

By David Nield

Posted on Oct 13, 2024 8:02 AM EDT

You can set up an eSIM in a few minutes with an internet connection. Screenshot:
Apple


SHARE

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in
affiliate programs. Learn more ›

Since they first arrived, smartphones have needed a SIM (Subscriber Identity
Module) card to connect to a carrier and identify users on the network. But if
you’ve bought a device in recent years (like the iPhone 16), then you may have
found it uses an eSIM, or embedded SIM, rather than the traditional physical
card.

With an eSIM, your details are stored on a chip inside the phone, not on a card
you can swap in and out. This chip can be reprogrammed if needed, so tasks like
switching numbers are faster and more convenient, and not much changes in terms
of the actual user experience.

While SIM cards are still around, eSIMs are very much the future. Here’s what
you need to know about them and how they work.


HOW AN ESIM WORKS

The shift from SIM card to eSIM may seem like a drastic one, but the technology
is actually very similar—you’re just using a reprogrammable integrated circuit
inside your phone rather than an integrated circuit on a physical card you can
see and hold (and swap between handsets). All the information the eSIM needs can
be grabbed from the internet, rather than being written on a card.

The key information is your cell number and the identity and data plan attached
to it. Your eSIM lets you make and accept calls, send and receive texts, and get
online when you’re not connected to a Wi-Fi network. After the initial
configuration is complete, you’re not going to notice any difference between
using an eSIM or using a traditional SIM.

Using an eSIM means you can set up or change a number without having to wait for
a new card to come in the mail (though it’s not quite as quick as having two
physical SIM cards with you and simply swapping one for the other when you need
to). It can help when you’re traveling, for example, because you can order and
set up a new country-specific eSIM on the web in minutes, without ordering a new
card.

Many phones support multiple eSIMs, which means you can manage several numbers
at once. And here’s another benefit: You don’t have to worry about losing your
SIM ejector tool, or have to spend time hunting around for a spare paperclip if
you misplace it. Changing SIMs is as easy as changing accounts in your email
app.

Users in different parts of the world have different habits and different
requirements, so the physical SIM will be around for a while yet. In the long
term, though, the eSIM will become the norm, not just in smartphones but in
other devices like tablets, laptops, and drones as well. Without a SIM card
slot, gadgets can be smaller, or have more room for extra storage or bigger
batteries.


HOW TO SET UP AN ESIM

Setting up an eSIM on a Pixel phone. Screenshot: Google

If your phone supports eSIMs, you’ll see options to configure this when you’re
setting up the phone for the first time—either to add a new eSIM or to transfer
one from another device. If you bought the phone from a carrier with a plan
attached, all you should need to do is tap through a few confirmation screens.

Should you be switching a number from another phone or setting up an eSIM on a
handset you’ve bought separately, it’s only a bit more complicated. The carrier
you purchased the eSIM from should give you full instructions for how to get it
working. Typically this will involve an activation code that proves you are who
you say you are.

On an iPhone, head to Settings and then choose Cellular and Add Cellular Plan,
to configure an eSIM. If you already have a plan in place, you’ll also see Add
eSIM, which launches the same process for an additional eSIM (you can have up to
eight on the same iPhone). If you’re using an older model with a physical SIM
card, there will also be a Convert to eSIM option.

Android, meanwhile, offers much more eSIM support and many more software
settings. The Google Pixel 9, for example, supports both a physical SIM and one
or two eSIMs. You can configure eSIMs by heading to Settings and then choosing
Network and Internet, SIMs, Add SIM, and Set up an eSIM. Again, just follow the
instructions for entering the activation code or scanning the QR code from your
eSIM provider.

When it comes to moving your number from an old phone to a new phone, the eSIM
process isn’t quite as quick as the SIM card method. You’ll need to check with
your carrier for the exact instructions—it’ll typically involve a few clicks on
your carrier’s website—to indicate that you’re switching phones. Then you just
need to set up the eSIM on the new handset as described above.

 * Gear
   
 * Phones
   
 * Technology
   




DAVID NIELD


CONTRIBUTOR, DIY

David Nield is a freelance contributor at Popular Science, producing how to
guides and explainers for the DIY section on everything from improving your
smartphone photos to boosting the security of your laptop. He doesn’t get much
spare time, but when he does he spends it watching obscure movies and taking
long walks in the countryside.

 * 
 * 


LATEST

Gear


THE BEST WIRELESS GAMING MICE OF 2024, TESTED AND REVIEWED THE BEST WIRELESS
GAMING MICE OF 2024, TESTED AND REVIEWED

By Chris Coke

Science


PLANTS COULD BE MANIPULATING SPERM IN COMPLETELY NEW WAYS PLANTS COULD BE
MANIPULATING SPERM IN COMPLETELY NEW WAYS

By Laura Baisas


REVIEWS IN TECH HACKS


YOU CAN (AND SHOULD) STOP CHARGING YOUR PHONE WHEN IT HITS 80 PERCENT YOU CAN
(AND SHOULD) STOP CHARGING YOUR PHONE WHEN IT HITS 80 PERCENT

By David Nield


6 IOS 18 SETTINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE ASAP 6 IOS 18 SETTINGS YOU MIGHT WANT
TO CHANGE ASAP

By David Nield


HOW TO GET MS-DOS UP AND RUNNING ON WINDOWS OR MACOS HOW TO GET MS-DOS UP AND
RUNNING ON WINDOWS OR MACOS

By David Nield


HOW TO SET UP APPLE PAY HOW TO SET UP APPLE PAY

By Abby Ferguson


WINDOWS AND MACOS CAN FREE UP STORAGE SPACE FOR YOU—HERE’S HOW WINDOWS AND MACOS
CAN FREE UP STORAGE SPACE FOR YOU—HERE’S HOW

By David Nield


HOW TO BLOCK WEBSITES ON YOUR HOME NETWORK HOW TO BLOCK WEBSITES ON YOUR HOME
NETWORK

By David Nield


STOP IPHONE APPS FROM ACCESSING ALL YOUR CONTACTS IN IOS 18 STOP IPHONE APPS
FROM ACCESSING ALL YOUR CONTACTS IN IOS 18

By David Nield


HOW TO MAKE TEXT BIGGER—AND 7 OTHER IPHONE TRICKS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE
TEXT BIGGER—AND 7 OTHER IPHONE TRICKS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW

By David Nield

SEE MORE


REVIEWS IN DIY


HOW TO SET UP A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY HOW TO SET UP A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

By Justin Pot


HOW LONG DO TVS LAST? WHEN AND WHY YOU SHOULD REPLACE YOUR SET. HOW LONG DO TVS
LAST? WHEN AND WHY YOU SHOULD REPLACE YOUR SET.

By Nicholas Ware


HOW TO SHARE YOUR ETA IN GOOGLE MAPS OR APPLE MAPS HOW TO SHARE YOUR ETA IN
GOOGLE MAPS OR APPLE MAPS

By David Nield


HOW TO HIDE APPS ON YOUR IPHONE HOW TO HIDE APPS ON YOUR IPHONE

By David Nield


HOW TO MIRROR YOUR IPHONE ON YOUR MAC HOW TO MIRROR YOUR IPHONE ON YOUR MAC

By David Nield


GOOGLE IS MAKING DARK WEB REPORTS FREE FOR EVERYONE. HERE’S HOW THEY WORK.
GOOGLE IS MAKING DARK WEB REPORTS FREE FOR EVERYONE. HERE’S HOW THEY WORK.

By David Nield


HOW TO CLONE YOUR VOICE ON YOUR IPHONE OR MAC HOW TO CLONE YOUR VOICE ON YOUR
IPHONE OR MAC

By David Nield


HOW TO USE THE MATTER SMART HOME STANDARD: THE BEST WAY TO GET ALL YOUR DEVICES
TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER HOW TO USE THE MATTER SMART HOME STANDARD: THE BEST WAY
TO GET ALL YOUR DEVICES TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER

By David Nield

SEE MORE

LIKE SCIENCE, TECH, AND DIY PROJECTS?

Get Popular Science’s biggest stories delivered to your inbox.

SIGN UP
 * Science
   * Archaeology
   * Biology
   * Dinosaurs
   * Physics
   * Popular Science Videos
   * Space
   * The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
 * Technology
   * AI
   * Aviation
   * Best of What’s New
   * Engineering
   * Internet
   * Military
   * Robots
   * Security
   * Photography
 * Environment
   * Agriculture
   * Animals
   * Climate Change
   * Conservation
   * Energy
   * Sustainability
   * Weather
 * DIY
   * Life Skills
   * Projects
   * Tech Hacks
 * Gear
   * Audio
   * Cameras
   * Computers
   * Fitness Gear
   * Gaming
   * Gift Guides
   * Home
   * Home Theater
   * Outdoor Gear
   * Phones
   * Tablets
   * Wearables
 * More
   * Editorial Standards
   * How We Test And Review Products
   * About Us
   * Contact Us
   * PopSci Merch
   * PopSci Shop
   * PopSci+
   * Privacy Policy
   * Terms & Conditions
   * Affiliate Disclosure
   * Sitemap
   * DepositPhotos


FOLLOW US

 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DISCLAIMER(S)

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of
any purchases made.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of
Service.

© 2024 Recurrent. All rights reserved.

‹›