Helium Mobile subscribers can use either a physical SIM or eSIM setup, but you will want to ensure which your device will support before porting your number from your existing carrier. It is crucial that you verify before porting your number to avoid a loss in service while you wait for a physical SIM to arrive.
Please note that eSIM compatibility is determined by your device manufacturer and may vary by region and version variants. This is especially true for Android devices due to their high degree of customization across carriers and vendors.
If you have questions about your particular device or are unsure which SIM type your device supports, please contact the manufacturer or your existing carrier. Here are a few tips for
iOS:
iPhone 11 and newer models are all typically eSIM compatible. To check if your iOS device is eSIM compatible, you can:
Go to Settings > General > About.
While you're here, scroll down to the Carrier Lock section. If it says "No SIM restrictions", your device is unlocked.
Scroll down to the Available SIM (iOS 15 or later) or Digital SIM (earlier iOS versions) section.
If you see a 15-digit IMEI number, your device is eSIM compatible.
You can also check if your device is eSIM compatible by:
Going to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM and seeing if "Add eSIM" is available
Checking the model number of your device
If the model number does not match any of the China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao devices, your device should be eSIM-compatible.
You can also referring to the manufacturer documentation for your model to confirm.
Android
You can verify that your particular version is eSIM compatible using the following steps:
Open "Settings", then tap "Network & Internet"
Tap the + sign beside SIMs
If the Connect to Mobile Network page has a “Download a SIM instead?” option, your device should be eSIM-capable.
For some makes/models, it may be accessible by:
Open "Settings", then tap "Connections"
Tap "SIM Manager"
If Add eSIM is available, your device likely supports eSIMs.
Here's some common questions about SIMs and compatibility:
My other/old carrier is blocking me from adding an eSIM to my phone, help!
My other/old carrier is blocking me from adding an eSIM to my phone, help!
We recommend contacting your previous carrier directly to troubleshoot. If your phone is locked to your carrier, you will not be eligible to purchase a Helium Mobile plan.
Can I use an eSIM or do I need a physical SIM (PSIM) card as well?
Can I use an eSIM or do I need a physical SIM (PSIM) card as well?
This will depend on which phone you have! You will be able to choose either when signing up.
Can I use multiple SIMs on my phone?
Can I use multiple SIMs on my phone?
Only certain models are dual-eSIM compatible and can utilize multiple eSIMs. Please refer to the manufacturers documentation to find your phones dual-sim compatibility.
How do I switch from pSIM to eSIM?
How do I switch from pSIM to eSIM?
Please reach out to support using Live Chat or email [email protected] and we can help!
How do I transfer my contacts to my eSIM?
How do I transfer my contacts to my eSIM?
Most phones don't store the contacts on the SIM, but rather utilizing the built-in storage or cloud storage to save them. If you do have contacts on a different SIM, you can use the Import SIM Contacts option in that section to do this before switching to Helium Mobile.
What happens when I get a new number?
What happens when I get a new number?
You will lose your voicemail and call history. Unless you are using a new phone, your contacts will remain unchanged when you install your SIM.