how many esim can be used in iphone

My eSIM Adventure: From Mobile Novice to Multi-Card Mastery

As a tech enthusiast and freelancer who frequently travels between countries, my phone holds countless stories about eSIMs. Over the years, upgrading from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16, I’ve gone from fumbling with SIM swaps to seamlessly juggling work and life with eSIMs. Today, I’ll share my eSIM journey—along with the technical details you care about, all woven into the tales!

1. First Encounter: When I Heard About eSIMs

H2: iPhone 11’s Dual-SIM Debut: A Crash Course in Physical SIM + eSIM
Back in 2020, when I first switched to the iPhone 11, I was struggling with overseas data plans. Then I learned about eSIMs—no physical card, just scan a QR code to activate. It felt like magic! My setup back then:

  • Primary SIM: Physical SIM from a local carrier (for calls/SMS)
  • Secondary SIM: eSIM from an international provider (data hotspot only)

A Little Mishap: At first, I mistook eSIMs for "virtual cards" and worried about losing data. Later, I learned eSIMs are electronic profiles burned into the phone’s chip—just as reliable as physical SIMs. But note: the iPhone 11 only supports 1 physical SIM + 1 eSIM. Dual eSIMs didn’t arrive until the iPhone 13.

2. Globe-Trotting: Dual eSIMs Banish Roaming Fees

H2: iPhone 13’s Dual eSIM Experiment: Two Worlds in One Phone
After upgrading to the iPhone 13 in 2022, my "dual eSIM strategy" leveled up! During a European road trip, I pre-loaded a regional data eSIM and grabbed a local eSIM at a convenience store.
Real-World Perks:

  1. Data Freedom: Primary eSIM for hotspot navigation; secondary eSIM for local calls.
  2. Cost Savings: eSIM plans were ~30% cheaper than physical SIMs (especially for short trips).

Key Detail: iPhones 13 and newer support 2 active eSIMs—no physical SIM needed. But mainland China models still require a physical SIM for dual service due to regional policies.

3. Work Hacks: The Ultimate Multi-Number Setup

H2: iPhone 16’s 10-SIM Lifestyle: A Freelancer’s Secret Weapon
With my iPhone 16, I now juggle 10 stored eSIMs! As a designer working with 5 clients, each gets a dedicated number:

  • Client A: Silent eSIM (emails only, no work-life interruptions).
  • Client B: Active eSIM (calls + data for meetings).
  • Backups: 3 regional eSIMs (for emergencies).

Switching Tricks:

  1. Go to Settings → Cellular, tap the target eSIM.
  2. Choose "Set as Primary" or "Data Only."
  3. Switch in seconds—10x faster than physical SIM swaps!

4. Upgrade Woes: The eSIM Transfer Headache

H2: iPhone 14 to 15: My Near-Disaster eSIM Migration
When upgrading last year, I assumed eSIMs would auto-transfer. Nope—they all vanished! Here’s the right way:
✅ Do This:

  1. Back up eSIMs on the old device (some carriers allow cloud storage).
  2. Select "Restore from Backup" during new phone setup.
  3. Re-bind with carriers (especially for locked devices).

❌ Avoid: Gray-market eSIMs may not transfer. Stick to official carriers.

5. Tech Face-Off: eSIM vs. Physical SIM

H2: After 5 Years, Here’s My Verdict

Why eSIMs Win

  1. Durability: No more cut/bent/lost SIMs (or ahem toilet drops).
  2. Space-Saving: iPhone 16 Pro Max ditched the SIM tray for sleeker design.
  3. Eco-Friendly: Millions of plastic cards saved annually.

Drawbacks

  • Carrier Limits: Some local providers still don’t support eSIMs.
  • Device Lock-In: Hard to move eSIMs to tablets (few brands allow this).
  • Contract Hassles: Locked phones restrict eSIMs to specific carriers.

6. The Future: Where Next for eSIMs?

H2: My 2025 Prediction: Will eSIMs Take Over Everything?
Rumors say the Apple Watch Ultra 4 will have standalone eSIM support. Imagine:
✓ One eSIM syncing across phones, tablets, cars, and smart homes.
✓ Corporate eSIMs toggling work/personal networks instantly.
✓ Family Plans with shared data but separate numbers.

Pro Tip: Some carriers already offer "One Number, Multiple Devices"—e.g., using your phone’s eSIM to activate a watch (perfect for workouts).

Cheat Sheet: eSIM Support by iPhone Model

Model Max Stored eSIMs Active eSIMs Physical SIM Slot
iPhone 11/XR 8 1 (with physical SIM) Yes
iPhone 13/14 8 2 Yes (varies by region)
iPhone 15/16 10 2 No (US models)
Mainland China 1 eSIM max Requires physical SIM Yes

Final Thoughts: What started as curiosity has made eSIMs indispensable. Next time, I’ll share how I use dual eSIMs for "phone分身术"—like separate social media accounts to keep work from invading life!

(P.S.: Got eSIM questions? Drop them below—I’ll help you dodge the pitfalls!)