Forum Discussion

Anny's avatar
Anny
Team SMARTY
04-09-2025

eSIM is here 🎉

You’ve been asking, and we’ve been listening. We’re excited to let you know that eSIM is now available for existing SMARTY customers🙌

We’re starting things off with a soft launch, so right now you’ll only see the option if you’re an existing customer and you go through the SIM replacement journey. That means if your phone supports eSIM and you want to switch from your physical SIM, you’re good to go.

Wait, what’s an eSIM?

An eSIM (which stands for embedded SIM) is a small chip that’s built directly into your phone or device. Instead of inserting a physical SIM card, your mobile plan can be downloaded straight onto the eSIM.

Think of it like streaming a song instead of popping in a CD, it’s all digital, and it’s all seamless.

How to make the switch

Just log into your SMARTY account, head to Account settings > Manage plan > Replace SIM, and choose to replace your current SIM with an eSIM. Follow the remaining steps and you’ll be up and running in no time.

We’re rolling this out carefully to keep things smooth, but more eSIM goodness is on the way 👀

Need more information or support on eSIM?

Check out our Help and FAQ page for the most common FAQs.

Thanks for sticking with us and your feedback helped make this one happen 💚

eSIM

34 Replies

  • MSF's avatar
    MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    04-09-2025

    Anny Thanks for posting this. It will certainly cut down the whinge-fest!!

  • PaulWil_2300509's avatar
    PaulWil_2300509
    SMARTY Pioneer
    10-09-2025

    Excellent! I've just swapped mine over. Seamless and super quick.
    Any news on when/if Smartwatches will be supported. Would love to add my Samsung Ultra to my eSIM connection.

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      10-09-2025

      PaulWil_2300509  That's good to know!

      Now, now, you're being a bit impatient aren't you!? 😥  The wheels of Smarty grind exceedingly slowly - look how long it took to get this far ðŸ’¤

  • ChrisM's avatar
    ChrisM
    SMARTY Maverick
    15-09-2025

    I'm also on Android and don't have the option to swap my physical SIM for an eSIM in the app, although I can see that option on the web page so thank you to who posted that.

    I have a Samsung S25 Ultra and Samsung watch ultra, so I would like to know how to get the eSIM working in the watch. In the Three shop they said it would possible with them (although they made it sound like a second contract). Ideally I would just like to swap the eSIM between the phone and the watch, I don't need them both simultaneously active. Anyone know if that is likely to be possible?

  • DavidSm_1800216's avatar
    DavidSm_1800216
    SMARTY Maverick
    09-09-2025

    Hi. I’ve activated eSIM on iPhone 16 but physical sim still showing as primary. Cannot make calls or send texts.  Please help

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      09-09-2025

      DavidSm_1800216 Don't you need to remove the physical sim or at least turn it off in the settings?

      I haven't done this with smarty yet, but have used esims alongside the physical sim and normally need to choose which one I want to use.

      • DavidSm_1800216's avatar
        DavidSm_1800216
        SMARTY Maverick
        09-09-2025

        Yes that is the solution thank you otherwise every time you phone you have to chose the sim

  • PsychedelicMonk's avatar
    PsychedelicMonk
    SMARTY Maverick
    10-09-2025

    There is no replace SIM option for me within the Smarty app dashboard. Account settings and Manage plan are 2 separate buttons and neither contain a replace SIM option. What am I missing?

  • PhilipW_2272353's avatar
    PhilipW_2272353
    SMARTY Pioneer
    11-09-2025

    Will the e-sim work with other networks worldwide. 

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      11-09-2025

      PhilipW_2272353  It will work the same as a physical sim. You will be able to roam in EU countries using your Smarty plan. You will need add-on credit to roam in other countries - price as per the Smarty Price Guide.

  • Irishado's avatar
    Irishado
    SMARTY Pioneer
    13-09-2025

    If I want to transfer my number to another phone how do you transfer an eSIM?

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      14-09-2025

      Irishado  Yes, you will need to set up the new phone for that Esim. You will need a QR code via your account I believe.

      If you aren't certain, a web chat with Smarty Support will clarify for you.

  • Gabriel_2086494's avatar
    Gabriel_2086494
    SMARTY Pioneer
    17-09-2025

    Hello!

    I currently have a sim card on an iPhone 12, if I travel and buy abroad a new phone (eSIM only) can I setup the new phone with the eSIM and toss the old one? Or do I need to wait until I return the uk?

    thanks !!

    • MSF's avatar
      MSF
      SMARTY Guru
      17-09-2025

      Gabriel_2086494 Firstly, you will need to be sure that you buy a version that will work with UK network frequencies.

      Secondly, as I understand it, you will need a code to make the esim work and it should therefore be possible to move the sim from one phone to another once you have the code.

      You will also need to ensure that you make that esim the priority use sim o your phone.

      • jak22's avatar
        jak22
        SMARTY Maverick
        18-09-2025

        The activation code like the QRcode are one time things

        It may be that iPhones support an eSIM transfer process but the default will be to request a new eSIM

        I know from experience that can go wrong  - and even on chat it took some effort to get to an activation code at the end of a long chat session

        Moving a SIM to a new phone is easy with physical - I'm not looking forward to having to go through that again for a new phone

        eSIM is likely going to be a more frequent topic now so its worth researching it.

  • Gabriel_2086494's avatar
    Gabriel_2086494
    SMARTY Pioneer
    17-09-2025

    Hello!

    I currently have an iPhone 12 with SIM card.

    if I travel and buy a new phone (eSIM only) abroad, can I set it up smarty’s esim there, and toss the old phone or do I have to be in the uk to set it up?

    thanks!