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iPhone eSIM Support In Australia

How it works and which carriers support it

Girl using new iPhone XS Max

Last year Apple brought Dual SIM support to the new iPhones, including the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. A feature which allows you to have two cellular services and plans connected to the iPhone. For example, you may choose to have the primary service be your personal number. While an additional service is one you use for work.

The newest iPhones offer dual-SIM support by using a relatively new technology called eSIM which is essentially a SIM card that is embedded inside. It is the same technology inside the cellular versions of Apple Watch and the new iPad Pro.

The benefits of eSIM include being able to choose a carrier and plan on the go. It will even be possible to have a plan with a different provider to your primary plan. No need to go to a retail store to buy a SIM. The downside of this, however, is it relies on carriers to support the feature first. And this is where the issue begins.

eSIM Carriers

In Australia there are the ‘big three’ carriers which is made up of Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone. Currently, Optus and Vodafone have enabled eSIM technology for iPhones, while Vodafone has also enabled it for tablets (iPad). Telstra remains as the only telco which has not enabled eSIM for smartphones and tablets.

Carriers and their eSIM status is as follows:

Optus

Optus now offers eSIM support for smartphones, including iPhones with their mobile and SIM-Only plans. More information can be found here.

Telstra

Currently do not offer eSIM support for iPhone.

Vodafone

Currently do not offer eSIM support for iPhone. Vodafone has become the latest telco in Australia to launch eSIM for their customers for smartphones and tablets. More information can be viewed here.

I will update this article if and when a carrier enables eSIM. More information on using Dual SIM with eSIM can be found on Apple’s website.