How Many eSIMs Can You Use On One Phone?

If you are thinking about switching from a physical SIM card to an eSIM, or you already have one and want to add another, you have probably asked yourself the same question many others have: how many eSIMs can a phone support?

This is more than just a technical detail. It is an important consideration for people who travel often, work in different countries, or want to keep personal and work numbers separate. The answer is not the same for every device. It depends on the phone you have and the level of eSIM support it offers.

What Is an eSIM and Why Does It Matter How Many You Can Use

An eSIM is a virtual SIM card that works on your phone without the need for a physical plastic card. It is activated by scanning a code and connects to a mobile network just like a traditional SIM card.

What makes eSIM different is that a single phone can store multiple eSIM profiles and let you switch between them whenever you need. On some devices, you can even keep more than one eSIM active at the same time, which means you can use two phone numbers simultaneously without swapping cards.

This is especially valuable for people who travel abroad and want to use a local number without losing access to their primary line. It is also useful for anyone who needs one number for work and another for personal use, while keeping both on the same device.

How Many eSIMs Can a Phone Store and How Many Can Be Active

Most modern smartphones can store several eSIM profiles, but usually only one or two can be active at the same time. For example, a phone might let you save five or six plans on the device, but in practice you can only use one or two numbers at once. The rest remain stored and can be switched on whenever you need them.

Apple Devices

On iPhones, the way eSIM works depends on the model. The first iPhones that supported eSIM were the iPhone XR and iPhone XS. These allow one eSIM to be active together with a physical SIM card. Starting with the iPhone 13, Apple added the ability to keep two eSIMs active at the same time, so you can use two numbers entirely on eSIM without needing a physical card.

The iPhone 14 and newer models, in some markets, are sold without a physical SIM slot and work only with eSIM. These can store up to eight different eSIM profiles and have two active at once. So if you are wondering how many eSIMs your iPhone can handle, the answer is up to eight stored profiles, with two active at the same time, if you are using one of the more recent models.

Samsung and Other Android Devices

On Android devices, especially Samsung, the answer is a little more complicated. Samsung has many different models, and not all of them have the same capabilities. For example, the Galaxy S21 supports only one active eSIM along with a physical SIM card. The Galaxy S23 and the Z Fold 5, on the other hand, allow two active eSIMs at the same time, or one eSIM and one physical SIM.

Some high-end Android models can store dozens of profiles, sometimes as many as twenty. Still, the main limitation is the number of profiles that can be active at the same time, which is usually one or two. To know for sure, you should check your phone’s settings under the mobile network section or look at the device manual.

How to Check How Many eSIMs Your Phone Supports

The easiest way to find this out is to go into your phone’s settings, in the section where SIM cards or mobile plans are managed. There you can see whether your phone gives you the option to add another plan or to keep more than one active at the same time.

If you already have an active eSIM and your phone does not allow you to add a second, then the device supports only one active eSIM. If you are able to switch between profiles or keep two active at once, then your phone supports multiple eSIMs.

Are There Limitations from Mobile Operators

While most limitations come from the device itself, in some cases mobile operators can also play a role. Some may restrict the number of profiles that can be registered on a single device, or they may not support having more than one eSIM active at the same time. This is rare, but it is something to keep in mind, especially if you are using a phone purchased abroad.

Who Benefits Most from This Feature

Having multiple eSIMs is especially useful for professionals who travel regularly, for people who divide their time between two countries, for those who use different networks to get better coverage, and for anyone who wants to keep work and personal numbers separate.

For everyday users who do not travel often and rely on just one mobile network, there may be little need to have more than one eSIM.

Ready to Use More Than One eSIM

If your phone supports it, you do not need to limit yourself to a single number. With VIAeSIM, you can add a new eSIM in just a few minutes, with no paperwork, no plastic card, and no long term contract. You can activate a number for travel, for work, or for staying connected abroad, all from your phone, anytime and anywhere.

Choose the plan that fits your needs and enjoy the freedom to stay connected wherever you go. Try VIA eSIM today!