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| image credit – IoT business news |
It will soon be the end of the era of removable SIM cards. Get to know the smaller, next evolution of it.
eSIMs, which let you use two separate numbers on the same device, are a permanent component of your phone as opposed to disposable subscriber identity module (SIM) cards. Adding cellular connectivity to tablets, smartwatches, and other gadgets is also possible with the help of an eSIM.
If you are unfamiliar with eSIMs, don’t feel bad. Although cutting-edge technology has been developed for more than a decade, it wasn’t until recently that it was made accessible to the general public. Steve Jobs probably wanted to do away with physical card slots in the first iPhone, and there are still reports that Apple may soon release an eSIM-only handset.
Quick jargon note: The older card that you pop out of the side of your phone is referred to as a “physical SIM” very frequently. Even though an eSIM is significantly smaller, it is still significant. In comparison, the phrase “removable SIM” makes more sense and highlights the embedded nature of eSIMs.
Can I Use an eSIM on My Phone?
Your smartphone must be unlocked to use an eSIM, unlike detachable SIM cards. An excellent post on how to unlock your smartphone from significant providers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon was published by Consumer Reports. Once the phone is unlocked, each carrier offers a webpage with detailed instructions on how to start an eSIM. To complete the activation procedure, you must have access to Wi-Fi or cellular data, regardless of whether you’re using AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or another carrier.
Use Two Numbers on an eSIM: How to Do It?
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 and Apple iPad Air (2022, 5th Gen), as well as the Apple iPad (2021, 9th Gen), are eSIM compatible tablets for those who own them and are interested in cellular access. Additionally, both the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 come with an eSIM that you can choose to activate.
A businessperson who desires to have both their personal and work phone numbers linked to the same device may utilize a smartphone with an eSIM connection. (However, that sounds like a prescription for disastrous late-night messaging.) Travelers who cross borders frequently may value being able to switch between paid services with ease. On TikTok, videos that refer to the new technology as a “travel hack” have been going popular.
If you are an edge-case user who shifts between several different devices, eSIMs might be annoying to you. Fortunately for you, eSIM-only smartphones won’t be the only ones available for purchase for several more years. Therefore, you are free to proudly keep those metal pokey sticks in your junk drawer.
Converting to an eSIM is also a wise move in terms of privacy for the majority who don’t give their SIM card much thought once it’s in place. eSIMs offer “major security benefits,” according to the website of the Federal Communications Commission. Some of the SIM swap attacks that risk your smartphone can be avoided by using an eSIM.
