What Is eSIM and How It Works in India? (2025 Updated Guide)

eSIM in India has become one of the biggest mobile technology upgrades in 2025, especially with modern smartphones removing physical SIM trays. If you’re wondering what eSIM is, how it works, how to activate eSIM in India, and which phones support it, this guide explains everything in a simple way. Whether you use Airtel, Jio, or Vi, this 2025 updated guide gives you all details about eSIM benefits, limitations, and step-by-step activation.

Table of Contents

1. What Is eSIM?
2. How eSIM Works in India
3. eSIM Supported Devices in India (2025)
4. Benefits of Using eSIM
5. Limitations of eSIM
6. Indian Operators That Support eSIM
7. How to Activate eSIM in India (Airtel, Jio, Vi)
8. How to Switch Phones With eSIM
9. Important Tips Before Switching to eSIM
10. Conclusion

1. What Is eSIM?

eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that’s built directly into your smartphone’s hardware, meaning you do not need a physical SIM card. Everything including activation, switching networks, or deleting the SIM profile happens digitally.

eSIM is officially supported by major Indian operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vi and is compatible with most flagship smartphones in 2025.

2. How eSIM Works in India

Instead of inserting a SIM card, the mobile operator sends a QR code or activation code. When you scan it, your phone downloads a digital SIM profile and activates the mobile network.

Once activated, eSIM works exactly like a physical SIM—same calls, data, SMS, and network connectivity.

Key points:

• No physical SIM tray required
• You can store multiple eSIM profiles in one phone
• More secure than physical SIM cards

3. eSIM Supported Devices in India (2025)

By 2025, almost all premium phones support eSIM. Here’s the updated list:

✔ Apple iPhones

• iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
• iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14 series
• iPhone 15 & 16 series (India variants still have physical SIM + eSIM)

✔ Samsung Phones

• Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 series
• Galaxy Z Fold & Flip series
• Galaxy Note 20

✔ Google Pixel

• Pixel 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
• Pixel Fold

✔ Motorola, Oppo, Vivo

Only select premium models support eSIM.

4. Benefits of Using eSIM

eSIM offers multiple advantages, especially in 2025:

• No more physical SIM cards — easier switching and setup.
• Better security — thieves cannot remove the SIM card.
• Multiple profiles — use separate work and personal numbers.
• More internal space — helps manufacturers improve battery and features.
• Improved water resistance since there is no SIM tray.

5. Limitations of eSIM

Before switching, note these drawbacks:

• You cannot instantly move the SIM to another phone without operator help.
• Not all budget phones support eSIM in India.
• You must visit the store if your phone is lost or damaged.
• Some users face issues while transferring eSIM between devices.

6. Indian Operators That Support eSIM

eSIM is supported by all major telecom providers:

• Jio
• Airtel
• Vodafone Idea (Vi)

BSNL does not support eSIM as of 2025.

7. How to Activate eSIM in India (Airtel, Jio, Vi)

✔ Airtel eSIM Activation

Steps:

1. Send SMS: eSIM <email> to 121
2. Reply with "1" to confirm
3. You will receive a QR code on email
4. Scan QR → eSIM activates automatically

✔ Jio eSIM Activation

Steps:

1. Visit Jio Store or Jio App
2. Provide IMEI & EID numbers
3. Your eSIM profile will be generated

✔ Vi eSIM Activation

Steps:

1. Send SMS: eSIM <email> to 199
2. Confirm with "1"
3. Scan QR code sent by Vi

Activation usually takes 10–30 minutes.

8. How to Switch Phones With eSIM

This is the part most users find confusing. Here’s the simplest explanation:

To switch eSIM to a new phone:

1. Open your operator app (Jio, Airtel, Vi)
2. Choose “Move eSIM” or “SIM transfer”
3. Enter new phone’s IMEI and EID
4. Receive a new QR code
5. Scan QR on your new phone

Note: eSIM cannot be switched by simply moving a chip, unlike physical SIM.

9. Important Tips Before Switching to eSIM (2025)

• Always save the QR code until activation completes.
• Keep physical SIM as backup if your phone supports hybrid mode.
• Do not reset your phone before transferring the eSIM.
• If your display is damaged, switching eSIM may require a store visit.

10. Conclusion

eSIM is the future of mobile connectivity in India, and 2025 is the year when most smartphones are shifting toward digital SIM technology. It’s secure, modern, and extremely convenient once you learn how it works. Whether you're using Jio, Airtel, or Vi, activating eSIM is quick and easy with a simple QR code scan. If your device supports it, switching to eSIM can make your smartphone experience faster, safer, and more future-ready.