In short: the number of eSIMs an iPhone can have depends on the model. Starting with the iPhone 13, your iPhone can store up to 8 eSIM profiles on the device, although only 2 lines can be active at the same time in Dual SIM mode. Older models (iPhone XS to 12) store up to 5 eSIMs and activate only one alongside the physical SIM.
It's one of those questions that pops up just when you're preparing for a trip: you've bought an eSIM for your destination, you already have your work and personal ones... and suddenly you wonder if your iPhone can handle so many digital cards. The short answer is above. The long answer, with all the nuances by model and a few tricks that hardly anyone knows, is what you'll find in this guide. The idea is simple: to land with internet, without roaming, and without stress.
Store vs. activate: the difference that changes everything
First of all, we need to clarify a very common misunderstanding, because almost all confusion stems from it. It's one thing how many eSIMs your iPhone can store and quite another how many it can have active at the same time.
Think of your iPhone as a wallet with several cards inside. You can carry 8 cards stored, but you can only use two at a time to pay. The same goes for eSIMs: the device stores up to 8 profiles in its secure chip, but iOS only allows two lines to function simultaneously. The others remain in reserve, turned off, waiting their turn. They don't consume data, don't drain battery, and don't interfere with anything. They are simply there, ready when you need them.
This distinction is key for travelers. You can accumulate the eSIM from your last trip to Thailand, the one for Japan, the one for Europe, and your home one, all stored on the same iPhone, and activate only the one you need at any given moment. No need to remove trays, no need to look for a clip to eject the SIM, no losing anything.
How many eSIMs each iPhone model supports
Apple introduced the eSIM in 2018 with the iPhone XS. Since then, each generation has gradually expanded the capacity to store profiles. Here is the complete reference table to know exactly what your model can do.
| iPhone Model | eSIMs stored | Active lines at once | Physical SIM slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS / XS Max / XR | Up to 5 | 1 eSIM + 1 physical SIM | Yes |
| iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / Pro Max | Up to 5 | 1 eSIM + 1 physical SIM | Yes |
| iPhone 12 (all) | Up to 5 | 1 eSIM + 1 physical SIM | Yes |
| iPhone 13 (all) | Up to 8 | 2 active eSIMs (Dual SIM) | Yes (except USA) |
| iPhone 14 (all) | Up to 8 | 2 active eSIMs (Dual SIM) | No in USA / Yes elsewhere |
| iPhone 15 (all) | Up to 8 | 2 active eSIMs (Dual SIM) | No in USA / Yes elsewhere |
| iPhone 16 (all) | Up to 8 | 2 active eSIMs (Dual SIM) | No in USA / Yes elsewhere |
The significant leap came with the iPhone 13. It was the first model capable of storing 8 profiles and, above all, the first to allow two eSIMs to be active simultaneously without relying on a physical SIM. Before, if you wanted two lines at the same time, one of them had to be the plastic card.
Also note that these figures may vary slightly depending on the iOS version. Apple has adjusted the storage limit in some updates, so keeping your iPhone updated ensures you have the maximum number of profiles available. If you want to delve into the technical details by model, we have a specific guide on how many eSIM profiles an iPhone can have.
The special case of iPhones in the United States
Here's a nuance that surprises many people. Starting with the iPhone 14, all models sold in the United States are eSIM only: they don't have a physical SIM slot. No tray, no clip, nothing. Only eSIM.
iPhones purchased in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and the rest of the world do retain the nano-SIM tray in addition to the eSIM. This matters if you buy a used iPhone imported from the US or if you travel there and consider buying one. We explain this in more detail in our guide on the iPhone 14 without a SIM slot in the US.
How many eSIMs can be active at once
You already know that the limit is two simultaneous lines. But how are they distributed according to the model? The logic is this:
- iPhone XS, 11, and 12: one active eSIM plus one physical SIM. You cannot have two eSIMs working at the same time; the system does not allow it on these models.
- iPhone 13, 14, 15, and 16: two active eSIMs simultaneously, without the need for a physical SIM. You can also combine an eSIM with the physical card if your model has a slot.
Dual SIM mode goes far beyond having two numbers. You can decide which line each application uses, which number appears when you make a call, and which handles mobile data by default. Everything is controlled from Settings > Mobile Data. If you want to fully understand how this technology works, you'll find it useful to read how Dual SIM works with two lines.
How to manage multiple eSIMs on iPhone
iOS gathers all your profiles in one place, making them quite intuitive to manage once you know where to look. Here are the steps:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Mobile Data (in some versions it appears as "Cellular" or "Mobile Data").
- You will see all your lines listed, both active and those you have in reserve.
- Tap any line to expand its options: activate, deactivate, rename, or delete.
Name them so you don't go crazy
This is one of those small tricks that makes a huge difference when you accumulate several cards. You can rename each eSIM with a custom label. Instead of seeing "Mobile Plan 1," "Mobile Plan 2," and "Mobile Plan 3"—impossible to distinguish—use names like "Work," "Personal," "Europe Trip," or "USA Summer." When you go to activate one, you'll instantly know which is which.
Switching active lines without deleting anything
The great advantage of eSIM over physical cards is precisely this: you switch lines without touching the hardware. You have a travel eSIM stored, the time comes, you go into Settings, select it, and activate it. Your usual line goes into a suspended state, but it doesn't disappear: you reactivate it whenever you want with a couple of taps.
This makes the iPhone an ideal tool for frequent travelers. You buy the eSIM for your destination, install it before leaving, and activate it as soon as you land. And if your next destination is the European continent, check out the eSIM for Europe options before leaving home.
How to delete an eSIM you no longer need
When you're approaching the 8-profile limit, or simply want to clean up, you can delete those you no longer use. Pay attention, because here's a delicate point: deleting an eSIM is an irreversible action. Once deleted, you cannot recover it without going through the activation process with the operator again.
The steps are these:
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data.
- Select the line you want to delete.
- Scroll down and tap Delete Plan (or "Delete eSIM").
- Confirm the warning message.
Before you tap, ask yourself if you can easily reactivate it. With prepaid travel data eSIMs, the plan usually expires once consumed or past its validity, so deleting them after use makes perfect sense and frees up space. With your main operator's line, however, it's best not to touch it unless you know exactly what you're doing. If you get confused, here's a step-by-step guide on how to delete an eSIM profile from your phone.
What almost no one tells you about eSIMs on iPhone
So far, what you find everywhere. Now come the details you only discover by using them – or by getting a scare in the middle of a trip.
Myth: "storing many eSIMs slows down the iPhone"
False. Inactive profiles do not consume resources. They are stored in the secure chip and do not affect performance or battery life. You can have your 8 profiles stored without noticing absolutely anything in the phone's speed. The battery only suffers when you have two active lines searching for coverage at the same time, not because of those in reserve.
Install your travel eSIM at home, with your Wi-Fi
This is the most common mistake and the one that causes the most trouble. To install an eSIM, you need an internet connection (scan the QR and download the profile). To use it, you don't. The correct move is to install it before leaving, using your home Wi-Fi, and leave it deactivated. Upon landing, you activate it with a tap and you have data without relying on airport Wi-Fi. If you try to install it upon arrival and can't find a network, you're stuck.
eSIMs do not transfer automatically when changing iPhones
When you get a new iPhone, your eSIMs don't automatically transfer like photos or apps do. Some carriers and regions offer "quick eSIM transfer" between nearby Apple devices, but it's not universal and doesn't work with all travel eSIMs. It's prudent to contact each carrier or review the process before selling your old phone. We detail this in the guide on how to transfer your eSIM to a new phone.
Saving a travel eSIM does not mean keeping it paid for
Another common confusion. Having a prepaid eSIM stored and inactive costs you nothing: it's not a subscription. It simply keeps the profile in case you return to the same destination. However, the balance or data days of that eSIM do expire according to the terms of the plan you purchased, even if the profile remains on your iPhone. Storing the profile and having available data are not the same thing.
Combine your physical SIM with eSIM if your model allows it
If you have an iPhone with a slot (all those outside the US), you are not forced to choose between physical SIM and eSIM: you can use both. Keep your usual physical card for calls and SMS from your regular number, and add a data eSIM for the country you are visiting. The best of both worlds, and you still receive that bank SMS on your home number.
Real use cases for having multiple eSIMs
Accumulating profiles is not just for geeks. These are the situations where it's really worth it.
Separate work and personal life
One eSIM for your business number and another for your personal one, both on the same phone. You always know which line is calling you before answering, and you can silence your work line after hours without turning off your phone.
Travel without expensive roaming
The classic. You buy a local or regional eSIM before leaving, activate it upon landing, and browse at local rates. Your home number remains active to receive important calls or verification codes. Traditional roaming can cost several euros a day depending on the operator and destination; always check the current rate with yours and compare it. If you travel to the United States, for example, an eSIM for the United States avoids surprises on your bill.
Redundant coverage in difficult areas
If you work or live in an area with irregular coverage, having two active operators at once gives you a backup: when one falters, you use the other. Useful in villages, mountains, or road trips.
Maintain local numbers in several countries
For those with family, clients, or business in more than one country, keeping local numbers without carrying multiple phones is a huge convenience. Everything is managed from a single iPhone screen. And if for now you only need your Spanish number to be operative while you're away, a Spanish eSIM keeps you connected to your country.
Test operators before deciding
As long as you don't reach the limit of 8, you can save several test eSIMs and alternate them to compare coverage and real speed in your area before committing to one. And if you're torn between eSIM and traditional roaming, it's worth doing the math before each trip: eSIM almost always wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many eSIMs can an iPhone 13 store?
The iPhone 13 can store up to 8 eSIMs on the device, although it can only have 2 active lines simultaneously in Dual SIM mode. It was the first model to exceed the 5-profile limit of previous generations.
Can I use two eSIMs at the same time on an iPhone?
Yes, but it depends on the model. Starting with the iPhone 13, you can have two eSIMs active at the same time without needing a physical SIM. On older models (XS, 11, and 12), one of the two active lines must be a physical SIM; they do not allow two simultaneous eSIMs.
Does the iPhone XS support eSIM?
Yes. The iPhone XS was the first iPhone with eSIM, launched in 2018. It stores up to 5 profiles and allows one active eSIM alongside a physical SIM, but not two eSIMs at once.
Does the iPhone slow down by having many eSIMs stored?
No. Inactive profiles do not consume resources, battery, or performance. Only active lines affect consumption. You can have the maximum number of profiles stored without noticing any difference in phone speed.
What happens to my eSIMs if I change iPhones?
They do not transfer automatically. Some carriers and regions offer quick transfer between Apple devices, but it's not universal and doesn't work with all travel eSIMs. It's safest to contact each carrier or review the transfer process before getting rid of your old phone.
Do iPhones sold in the USA only have eSIM?
Yes. Since the iPhone 14, all models sold in the United States are eSIM only, without a physical SIM slot. Those sold in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and the rest of the world retain the nano-SIM tray in addition to the eSIM.
Can I keep eSIMs from past trips stored without being charged?
Yes. Storing an inactive eSIM profile does not incur any cost or subscription; it simply occupies one of the spaces on your iPhone in case you return to the destination. Keep in mind that the data or validity of that plan does expire according to the conditions you purchased, even if the profile remains installed.
