How many eSIMs can I have on one phone? More than most people expect. Modern phones can store several eSIMs at once, so you can keep your plans for different trips or a work line in one place. The catch is that only one or two can be active at the same time.
Here is how many eSIMs iPhones and Android phones can hold, how many you can use together, and how to keep several eSIMs organized.
In this guide:
- Stored vs. active eSIMs
- How many eSIMs can an iPhone have?
- How many eSIMs can an Android phone have?
- Can you use two eSIMs at once?
- How to manage several eSIMs
- FAQs
Stored vs. Active eSIMs
There are two different numbers to know:
- Stored eSIMs: how many eSIM profiles your phone can keep installed. Think of them as SIM cards in a drawer.
- Active eSIMs: how many lines can be switched on at the same time. On most phones, that is two: either a physical SIM plus an eSIM, or two eSIMs.
Even with two active lines, only one of them provides mobile data at any moment. The other can still receive calls and texts if its plan includes them.
How Many eSIMs Can an iPhone Have?
Most modern iPhones can store between five and ten eSIMs, and Apple says recent models can hold eight or more. Two lines can be active at once:
| iPhone | Active lines |
|---|---|
| iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, SE (2nd gen) | One physical SIM + one eSIM |
| iPhone 13, SE (3rd gen) and later | Physical SIM + eSIM, or two eSIMs |
| Models without a SIM tray (for example US models from iPhone 14) | Two eSIMs |
Check your own phone under Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service), where every installed eSIM is listed.
How Many eSIMs Can an Android Phone Have?
Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other Android phones typically store around five to seven eSIMs, depending on the model. Most allow one physical SIM and one eSIM to be active together, and recent flagships such as the Pixel 7 and later can run two eSIMs at the same time.
You will find your eSIMs under Settings > Connections > SIM manager on Samsung, or Settings > Network & internet > SIMs on Pixel. Not sure your phone supports eSIM at all? Here is how to check in seconds.
Can You Use Two eSIMs at Once?
Yes, if your phone supports dual eSIM. A popular travel setup is your home number on one eSIM and a travel data eSIM on the other. Set the travel eSIM for mobile data and your home line for calls and texts, just as you would with a physical SIM. Here is how to set up both lines.
What you can't do is combine two lines to get faster internet. Your phone uses one data line at a time.
How to Manage Several eSIMs
- Label every line clearly, for example "Home", "Japan trip", or "Europe". You can rename them in your SIM settings.
- Switch off the lines you are not using, instead of deleting them, if you might still need them.
- Delete expired travel eSIMs. egoViet plans can't be topped up, so once a plan has expired, there is nothing more to use on it. Here is when to turn off or delete an eSIM.
- Never delete an eSIM you still need. An eSIM usually can't be reinstalled once removed, and it can't be moved to another phone.
Planning several trips? You can buy and install eSIMs for each destination in advance from the egoViet eSIM store. Follow our installation guide for each one, and check our compatibility list if you are using a new phone.
FAQs: How Many eSIMs Can I Have?
How many eSIMs can I have on my iPhone?
Most modern iPhones can store between five and ten eSIMs, with two lines active at the same time.
Can I have two eSIMs active at once?
Yes, on phones that support dual eSIM, such as the iPhone 13 and later and the Google Pixel 7 and later. Only one line provides mobile data at a time.
Can I install the same eSIM on two phones?
No. An eSIM is tied to the phone it is installed on and can't be moved or reused after removal. To share data, use your phone as a hotspot.
Should I delete old travel eSIMs?
Yes, once the plan has expired and you no longer need it. It keeps your settings tidy and frees up space for new eSIMs.