eSIMs in Australia: Compare plans and switch easily

What is an eSIM?

eSIMs, short for embedded SIMs or electronic SIMs, are digitally embedded in your phone, tablet or other compatible technology.

They let you activate a mobile plan without the hassle of purchasing a physical SIM card or waiting for one to be delivered.

Instead, you download a digital SIM, often by scanning a QR code from your mobile provider.

How does an eSIM work?

Setting up an eSIM is pretty simple. You'll either be asked to activate it by downloading the provider's smartphone app or through a QR code.

Depending on your device, you might be able to install multiple eSIMs.

For example, most newer iPhones can support 8 or more eSIMs, allowing you to use 2 phone numbers at the same time.

Which providers offer eSIM support in Australia?

eSIMs are becoming increasingly mainstream, with plenty of big and small mobile providers in Australia making this feature available on their plans.

In fact, 32 out of 49 providers in our database offer eSIMs:

eSIM vs physical SIM: Which is better?

eSIMs certainly have some perks that a traditional SIM can't provide. But whether or not it's better for you is a different story.

Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons to help you suss it out.

Which phones are eSIM compatible in Australia?

This isn't an exhaustive list but we've tried our best to include as many phones as possible across Appe, Samsung, Google, OPPO and more.

eSIM plans from the big three telco

You can get both prepaid and postpaid eSIM plans from Optus, Vodafone and Telstra, both for your phone and your wearables.

• Optus eSIM plans

  Optus doesn't require a QR code for activation. The 2 types of plans available are:

  1. "Number Share" for wearables
  2. eSIM prepaid Flex and postpaid plans for eSIM-compatible phones

  Optus's Number Share is the same as Telstra's One Number, in that you need to be on a postpaid plan, activate it in the app for your device and then chat to Optus to confirm it. It also costs $5 per month.

• Vodafone eSIM plans

  Vodafone has similar options to the other 2 bigger providers. Its options are:

  1. NumberSync for wearables on postpaid plans costs $5 a month and can be activated through the device's app.
  2. Customers on postpaid plans can request to switch to eSIM through the Vodafone app.
  3. eSIM is available for prepaid plans, but you still have to buy and activate a physical SIM first.

  If you're looking to sign up you can go through your settings and select a mobile plan. From there you'll need to follow the prompts in order to activate your eSIM. It might take up to 15 minutes to transfer across.

• Telstra eSIM plans

  Telstra offers 2 different types of eSIM plans:

  1. One for compatible phones and tablets (similar to a regular phone plan)
  2. And a "One Number" plan which allows you to share the same number between your phone and a wearable (such as an Apple watch). This option is only available as an add-on on Telstra's Upfront mobile plans for an additional $5 a month.

  From here you will need to download the MyTelstra app and follow the prompts. If this doesn't show, it's likely your device is not eSIM compatible.

Travelling with an eSIM

If you're travelling overseas, consider signing up to an international eSIM from providers such as Airalo, Holafly and SimsDirect.

It makes getting a temporary SIM card very quick (sign up is only a few minutes with almost instant access) in case you didn't have time to grab a physical SIM before your flight.

"During my recent travels, I visited the airport to acquire a physical SIM card and was taken aback by the exorbitant prices for data. Opting for an eSIM through Airalo, I secured a Europe-wide plan at nearly one-fifth of the cost, offering both savings and convenience."

Harrison Khannah

Finder crew member

Frequently asked questions

• Do eSIMs have better signal than a physical SIM?

  No, there is actually no difference in signal strengths between an eSIM and physical SIM card. Instead the strength of your signal will depend on factors such as network coverage, quality of the device's antenna, others on the network and what is in the way of the signal path.

• Are eSIMs free in Australia?

  It doesn't cost you any extra to select the option of an eSIM in Australia. Just make sure your device is eSIM compatible before you sign up.

• Do eSIMs come with a phone number?

  Some eSIMs come with a phone number, but it may not be instantly available when you activate it. This means you're able to have 2 phone numbers working on the on device if you have 2 eSIMs or 1 eSIM and a physical SIM loaded into your phone.

• Can I convert my current SIM card to an eSIM?

  Yes, you should be able to convert your current physical SIM card to an eSIM so long as your mobile provider offers an eSIM option.

• Can eSIMs work without the internet?

  When it comes to your initial activation, you will be required to download your carrier's profile, meaning you will need an internet connection. But after the eSIM has been activated, it acts in the same way as a physical SIM card.

• Will an eSIM drain my phone battery?

  No, an eSIM will not drain the battery of your device. It consumes the same as a physical SIM card.

• Can I use eSIMs for smartwatches?

  You can use an eSIM for your smartwatch but there's a limited selection of providers in Australia offering this feature.

  As it currently stands, only the big 3 telcos (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) allow you to add a smartwatch to your plans via an eSIM, but it will usually cost $5 or so extra a month as a second device on your phone plan.

• Will iPhone eventually be eSIM only?

  While nothing has been confirmed in Australia just yet, mobile makers seem to be moving away from traditional physical SIMs.

  Since the iPhone 14 launch, Apple has only sold smartphones with eSIM support in the US. This means the phone is not compatible with SIM cards.

  The iPhone 16 launch has come and gone meaning we're still at least another year away from potentially having an eSIM-only iPhone.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

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