Can I switch from physical SIM to eSIM?+
Switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM is straightforward with most US carriers. Contact AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon through their app and look for the eSIM transfer option. T Mobile SIM card activation for eSIM works through the T-Mobile app: select Transfer SIM, scan the QR code, and your digital profile installs in minutes. Your physical SIM stops working once the eSIM activates, so confirm the transfer is complete before removing your old card.
Is eSIM better than a physical SIM card?+
eSIM is better than a physical SIM card for most international travelers. An eSIM installs over the air in under 5 minutes with no card swap or store visit needed. It activates in minutes through a QR code scan with no delivery wait and no nano SIM card to lose. HelloRoam eSIM plans start at $1.03 and cover 185+ countries. Physical SIMs still make sense for phones made before 2018 or destinations with limited eSIM carrier support.
Is eSIM more secure than physical SIM?+
eSIM is more secure than a physical SIM because no one can remove it from your phone or clone it by swapping it into another device. Your HelloRoam connection stays locked to the phone you installed it on. A physical SIM slides out in under 5 seconds and fits into any compatible phone, which is exactly what SIM swap attackers target. The GSMA confirms eSIM meets the same encryption standards used to protect all cellular connections.
What are the advantages of eSIM over physical SIM?+
eSIM advantages over a physical SIM include instant activation via QR code, no plastic card to lose, and the ability to store multiple carrier profiles on one device. HelloRoam eSIM connects you to 212+ networks across 185+ countries. You can activate a travel plan before your flight and switch between countries without setting foot in a phone shop.
Can I have two eSIMs on one phone?+
Most modern smartphones support two or more eSIM profiles at once. Apple iPhones from the XS (2018) onward support dual eSIM. The iPhone 13 and later can run two eSIMs at the same time without a physical SIM. Samsung Galaxy S21 and newer also support multiple eSIMs. HelloRoam lets you add a travel data plan alongside your home carrier eSIM so your number stays reachable abroad.
Do eSIMs give you a phone number?+
HelloRoam travel eSIMs provide data only and do not assign a new phone number. You keep your existing number on your physical SIM card for calls and texts. The eSIM handles mobile data at local rates across 185+ countries, which avoids data roaming charges from your home carrier. For Wi-Fi calling, use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime over your eSIM data connection.
How much does an eSIM cost compared to a physical SIM card?+
An eSIM costs less than a physical SIM card for international travel in most cases. HelloRoam eSIM plans start at $1.03 for fixed data packages, while airport SIM kiosks charge $15 to $40 for tourist packs and US carrier day passes run $10 to $12 per day. There is no shipping fee and no kiosk markup, because the eSIM arrives by email as a QR code. You pay once for a prepaid plan, with no monthly fees and no roaming surcharges.
How to add 2nd eSIM to iPhone?+
Adding a second eSIM to an iPhone takes about 2 minutes. Open Settings, tap Cellular, then Add eSIM, and scan the QR code HelloRoam sends after purchase. iPhones from XS (2018) onward support multiple eSIM profiles. Label each line so you know which handles data. The iPhone 13 and later can run two eSIMs at the same time.
How is an eSIM different from a nano SIM card?+
A nano SIM is a removable plastic card, about 12.3 by 8.8 mm, that sits in a tray on the side of your phone. An eSIM has no card at all: it is a chip soldered inside the phone, and you download the carrier profile to it instead of inserting anything. Both hold the same kind of profile and connect to the same cell networks. The practical difference is setup. You swap a nano SIM by hand, while you install a HelloRoam eSIM by scanning a QR code before your trip. Most eSIM phones still keep a nano SIM tray, but iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US have none.
What are the disadvantages of eSIM?+
eSIM has three main limitations: your phone must be carrier-unlocked, eSIM-compatible, and released after 2018 on iPhone or 2020 on most Android phones. A HelloRoam eSIM profile is not transferable between phones once installed. You also need Wi-Fi for the initial profile download. For most travelers with eSIM compatible phones, these trade-offs are minor compared to instant QR code activation with no SIM card swap and no kiosk queue.
