Phone makers are slowly working to eliminate as many ports as possible. We’ve already lost3.5mm headphone jackson most models, and there’s talk that Apple wants to ditch wired charging and data in a few years. That might not be realistic, but if you’re in the US, mostiPhonesare now shipping without a SIM card slot. It’s not hard to imagine more companies following suit.
For that reason or simply convenience, it’s worth exploring whether any carrier you’re signing up for supportseSIM. What does the eSIM situation at Google Fi look like?
How Google Fi cuts costs and simplifies your cell plan
Google Fi can streamline your cell phone carrier experience and make your payments more affordable in the process.
Does Google Fi offer eSIM?
Yes.In fact, while you can get a physical SIM card for the service, eSIM seems to be Google’s priority. You probably won’t find Google Fi SIMs at your local electronics store, so expect to wait a few days for one to appear in your mailbox.
Which phones support eSIM on Google Fi?
This is arguably the biggest catch with the tech. As of this writing, Google only supports eSIM on the following phones:
Other phones could hypothetically work as long as they offer eSIM, but don’t assume they will. You’ll want to scan Google’scompatibility listas new products hit the market.
How to set up an eSIM on Google Fi
Setting up a Google Fi connection on a new phone is basically as simple as downloading an app.
How do you set up a Google Fi eSIM?
Google has tried to simplify the setup process as much as possible, so it usually looks like this:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of eSIM?
Along those lines, eSIM can potentially be better for travel. Some companies now even specialize in eSIM travel plans, which you can buy in advance to hit the ground running at your destination, which is preferable to fiddling with a SIM tool in a shop or airport terminal.
It’s also possible to load several eSIMs on any given phone, whereas you’ll get two physical slots at most.
The one major downside of eSIM is switching devices. While there’s no card to lose or damage, you also can’t switch phones on the fly – you need to run through a setup process on the new hardware.
