Apple is responding to concerns about the iPhone 14 US models dropping traditional SIM card slots for eSIMs with a new support document that tries to tout the various benefits.
The support document is designed to address how many international travelers swap out their US cellular SIM cards for foreign ones when they fly overseas. Apple’s decision to remove the traditional SIM card slot in the iPhone 14 caused many to fear it’ll become a hassle to switch cellular providers outside the US, or force them to pay expensive roaming fees.
Cupertino thinks otherwise. In the support document, Apple confirms the iPhone 14 can support up to eight eSIMs, which is the same for product models going back to iPhone XS. In addition, both the iPhone 14 and earlier iPhone 13 models can have two eSIMs active at the same time.
“This could, for example, include one eSIM for your home and another eSIM for the place you're visiting,” Apple adds. “You can swap which of your stored eSIMs are active simply by changing your selections in Settings. This might be helpful if you travel regularly to the same places.”
The eSIM-only approach also means all your electronic SIM cards are stored in one place: your phone. “With eSIM, you don't need to obtain, carry, and swap physical SIM cards (which can also be lost), or wait for them to arrive by mail,” the company adds.
The document goes on to offer instructions on how an iPhone 14 owner can sign up for an eSIM from foriegn and international cellular providers. “Many carriers offer prepaid options that you can purchase from the carriers' websites or apps before you arrive,” Apple notes. “Carriers will provide steps for how to activate your eSIM digitally, like with a QR code or carrier app.”
A separate support page then shows all the carriers that offer eSIMs, including eSIM quick transfer, which enables you to port your old phone number to the iPhone 14, without contacting the carrier. But in other cases, you’ll need to visit the cellular carrier and provide proof of identification. According to Apple, there are “over 400 carriers in 100 markets all over the world that support eSIM on iPhone.”
Still, that doesn’t mean every cellular provider across the globe supports eSIM technology. However, the iPhone 14’s adoption of eSIMs for US product models may prompt carriers worldwide to offer it over time.
"The technology sees faster adoption once Apple uses that to sell iPhones,” wrote research firm Counterpoint last week. “It happened with dual cameras, portrait cameras, the display notch with Face ID. The same phenomenon will repeat with eSIM.”