Using eSIM in China

[Randy W]

As vacation season looms, now is as good a time as ever to become familiar with the eSIM, the digital version of the SIM card that carries your phone number. The technology is a boon for travelers, our correspondent writes.

from the NY Times on Facebook

 

 

Attention, Travelers: Now Is the Best Time to Switch to eSIM
The digital version of the SIM card, included on many newer phones, is set to become prevalent. It also offers affordable cellular data abroad.

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Where Apple leads, others typically follow, so you can expect handset makers like Samsung and Google to also go all-in on eSIM — a digitized SIM card embedded into the phone’s computer chip that you can activate with any cellular network’s service plan.

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The main reason to use eSIM services for travel is to save money. The big U.S. carriers, like AT&T and Verizon, offer international roaming options, including $10 day passes for using your phone in foreign countries. The costs quickly add up for a two-week trip with family.

In contrast, an eSIM data package that can be used for the entirety of your trip costs a few dollars. The tricky part is choosing an eSIM service provider because there are many, and most are unfamiliar brands like Airalo, GigSky and Flexiroam. (Apple provides a list of eSIM service providers on its website.)

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A nice thing about eSIM is that you can buy a plan and set up the service on your phone well in advance of a trip, then activate it when you arrive at your destination. After you buy a plan, the eSIM service provider sends you a list of instructions.

The Nomad app showed a list of steps. In the iPhone’s settings app, I clicked on the cellular menu, clicked “Add eSIM” and typed in an activation code. As I crossed the border into Canada, I went back into the cellular settings, selected the Nomad phone line and toggled on the option for “Turn on this line.”

 

from ZDNET

The worst thing about the eSIM-only iPhone 14 

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What about SIM support in China?
It should be noted that eSIM is not permitted in China. That will present issues for American travelers to the PRC who expect to swap SIM cards once on the ground. US-sold iPhone 14 models will not be compatible with China's telephone carriers.

According to MacRumors, iPhone 14 models sold in China will have a SIM tray. An image captured by a Reddit user shows that Dual SIM support will be available for iPhone 14 devices sold in China.

 

 

[Randy W]

The bottom line? From Apple support - eSIM CAN be used in China, since it functions the SAME as any other SIM card. But the Chinese carriers will not activate it - you must use a roaming plan from a foreign provider.

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eSIM on iPhone is not offered in China mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, some iPhone models feature eSIM. Learn about using Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards in China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. For travelers visiting China mainland who wish to use an eSIM for prepaid data plans, these are offered by many worldwide service providers.

About eSIM on iPhone