eSIM providers in the UK

eSIMs have become a lot more easily available in the last couple of years, as while this tech has existed for a while, it wasn’t long ago that only a few networks offered them.

Now, a large number of UK networks support eSIMs on Pay Monthly plans, and a subset of those do on Pay As You Go too. So while you still can’t get an eSIM on every network or with every plan type, there’s a good chance the network you’re on offers them – and we’d expect the holdouts to follow suit soon.

That’s great news, because eSIMs have a number of advantages. These include the ease with which you can change network, since you don’t need to wait for a new SIM card in the post. They can also support multiple numbers, and they take up less space than a removable SIM card, leaving more room for other components (once SIM card slots are removed from phones).

If you’d like to give an eSIM a try, you’ve come to the right place, because below you’ll find an overview of every significant UK network that offers them.

Which networks offer eSIMs on Pay Monthly?

At the time of writing, seventeen UK networks offer eSIMs on Pay Monthly plans (meaning SIM Only or a phone on contract), including the main four networks.

Networks offering eSIMs in the UK

eSIM provider	New Customers	Existing Customers
	Select eSIM at checkout	Contact 1pMobile on 03333 442278
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order.	Convert via your phone’s settings screen
	Place order using Giffgaff app	Swap to eSIM using Giffgaff app
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Contact Honest Mobile
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Swap via the iD Mobile app
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order (only for iPhone Air users)	Contact Lebara on 5588
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Contact Lyca Mobile on 322
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Call O2 on 202, or visit an O2 store
	Select eSIM at checkout	Contact network to switch to eSIM
	Select eSIM at checkout	Switch to eSIM using online Sky Mobile account
	Select eSIM at checkout	Switch to eSIM using online Smarty account
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Swap to eSIM by contacting network
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Contact Talkmobile
	Order physical SIM then contact network to switch to eSIM	Swap to eSIM by contacting network
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Use the Three app or My3 online
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Swap to eSIM on your Vodafone account
	Select eSIM at checkout when placing order	Swap to eSIM on your VOXI account

Below, you’ll find more details of each network’s eSIM offering.

• EE

EE lets you choose an eSIM while placing an order for a SIM Only plan or a smartphone (assuming the phone has eSIM support).

If you’re an existing customer, then on an iPhone you should go to Settings > Mobile Service. Then, if you want to convert from a physical SIM, tap ‘Convert to eSIM’. Or if you're using a QR code, or wanting to move from another iOS device, tap ‘Add eSIM’.

On an Android phone you can head to Settings > Network and Internet, then tap your active SIM and select ‘Convert your SIM to eSIM’. Note though that the exact layout and wording of these options may differ a bit depending on your device.

For more information, head to EE’s eSIM help page.

• O2

O2 lets Pay Monthly customers select an eSIM during checkout, or you can contact O2 on 202 or head to an O2 store to switch to an eSIM.

To find out more, read O2’s eSIM support page.

• Three

Three also offers eSIMs on Pay Monthly plans. To get one, you can select the eSIM option at checkout (when placing an order for a Lite, Value, or Complete plan).

Existing customers can switch to eSIM through their device settings, or via the Three app or website.

Head to Three’s eSIM support page for more information.

• Vodafone

Like the rest of the big four networks, Vodafone also offers eSIMs on Pay Monthly plans. You can get one by requesting it at checkout, or if you’re an existing customer you can select the ‘Activate my eSIM’ option on your Vodafone account when using an Android phone, or head to Settings > Mobile Service on an iPhone, or give the network a call.

Take a look at Vodafone’s eSIM support page for more details.

• 1pMobile

1pMobile was later than some networks to the eSIM game but it now offers them and you can select one at checkout. If you’re an existing customer, get in touch with 1pMobile on 03333 442278 to switch to eSIM.

To learn more, head to 1pMobile’s eSIM support page.

• Giffgaff

Want an eSIM on Giffgaff? Then whether you’re about to sign up or an existing customer, you should start by downloading and opening the Giffgaff app. If you haven’t signed up yet then look for the eSIM option on the dashboard, and then choose a plan. If you’re an existing customer, then go to Account > SIM > Replace my SIM > Switch to a new eSIM.

For further details, take a look at Giffgaff’s eSIM support page.

• Honest Mobile

Honest Mobile makes you choose whether to get a physical SIM or an eSIM as the first step at checkout, so it’s hard to miss the eSIM option.

The network doesn’t appear to say how or if you can switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM as an existing customer, but we’d recommend giving them a call if you’re in that situation.

• iD Mobile

iD Mobile gives you the option to select an eSIM during checkout. Or if you’re an existing customer with a physical SIM card you can select ‘Get a replacement eSIM’ on the iD Mobile app or your online account.

For more information, head on over to iD Mobile’s eSIM support page.

• Lebara

As of October 2025, Lebara has started offering eSIMs, but initially just for new customers using an iPhone Air. However, eSIM availability will be expanding to other devices and existing customers before too long.

You’ll be able to select an eSIM during checkout – though at the time of writing you’ll first be asked to confirm whether you’re using an iPhone Air or another device (and if it’s another device then the eSIM option won’t be available).

• Lyca Mobile

Lyca Mobile also lets you just select an eSIM during checkout. To swap to an eSIM if you already have a physical SIM, just call Lyca Mobile on 322 from your Lyca Mobile number.

For more, take a look at Lyca Mobile’s eSIM support page.

• ParentShield

Like most networks, ParentShield lets you select an eSIM at checkout. If you’re an existing customer who wants to switch to eSIM, get in touch with the network to request a switch to one.

For more information, check out ParentShield’s eSIM announcement page.

• Sky Mobile

With Sky Mobile you’ll also be able to select an eSIM at checkout, or you can switch to an eSIM through your online Sky Mobile account.

Take a look at Sky Mobile’s eSIM support page for further details.

• Smarty

Smarty also offers eSIMs at checkout, and you’re also free to request a swap to an eSIM at any time via your online account.

For more information, head to Smarty’s eSIM support page.

• Spusu

Spusu lets you select the eSIM option during checkout, or you can switch to eSIM by getting in touch with the network.

Head to Spusu’s eSIM support page for more.

• Talkmobile

Talkmobile – which uses Vodafone’s network – lets you select an eSIM at checkout on any of its plans.

There’s no support page that we can see for switching to eSIM if you’re an existing customer, but it’s likely that the network will be able to move you over if you ask them to.

• Tesco Mobile

Want an eSIM on Tesco Mobile? Then first order a plan with a physical SIM card, and then contact Tesco Mobile to switch.

Head to Tesco Mobile’s eSIM support page if you need more help or information.

• VOXI

With VOXI, you can select an eSIM during the checkout process on its SIM Only plans, so a VOXI eSIM is simple to get.

If you’re an existing customer, then you can switch to eSIM by going to the ‘eSIM’ option in your online account.

For more information, head over to VOXI’s eSIM support page.

Which networks offer eSIMs on Pay As You Go?

Not as many networks offer eSIM on Pay As You Go as Pay Monthly, but a handful do, with the options below being the current selection.

• O2

O2 offers eSIMs on Pay As You Go but you can only get one in store.

• Three

Three’s process for getting eSIMs on Pay As You Go is similar to Pay Monthly, as you can select one at checkout.

• Vodafone

Vodafone’s process for getting an eSIM on Pay As You Go is the same as Pay Monthly – just select the eSIM option at checkout, or if you want to switch to eSIM, then if you have an Android phone select the ‘Activate my eSIM’ option on your Vodafone account, or with an iPhone head on your phone to Settings > Mobile Service, or just contact the network.

• Giffgaff

To get a Pay As You Go eSIM on Giffgaff as a new customer, first download the Giffgaff app, then select the ‘eSIM’ option on your dashboard, and choose a plan from there.

As an existing customer, open the app and go Account > SIM > Replace my SIM > Switch to a new eSIM.

• iD Mobile

iD Mobile lets you select a Pay As You Go eSIM at checkout, just like it does with Pay Monthly plans.

• Lyca Mobile

Just select an eSIM at checkout to get one on Pay As You Go on Lyca Mobile. To swap to an eSIM, just call Lyca Mobile on 322 from your Lyca Mobile number.

• Tesco Mobile

You can’t get an eSIM at checkout on Tesco Mobile when ordering online, so start with a physical SIM and then request a swap, or head to a Tesco store and get an eSIM there.

How do I set up an eSIM?

First, you need a compatible phone, though a huge number of handsets now do support eSIMs, including most recent Samsung and Apple smartphones.

In most cases when you request an eSIM from a network you’ll be sent a QR code, which you then just scan with your phone’s camera. This will then automatically install the eSIM (though you might be prompted to install a ‘Mobile Plan’ or a ‘Data Plan’ – in which case do so).

If scanning the QR code doesn’t work with the camera, then you can alternatively scan it from your phone’s settings screen. On iOS you’d head to Settings > Mobile Service > Add eSIM.

On Android the process varies a little depending on the brand of your phone, but with a Samsung phone for example, you’d head to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM > Scan QR code. The process on other brands of phone will be a variation of this, so look for screens that talk about ‘Connections’, ‘Network’, ‘SIMs’, or similar to find it.

In the unlikely event that your network doesn’t provide you with a QR code, it should give you full details of how to set up its eSIM.