One of the lesser-known aspects of eSIM is that your iPhone can store many more profiles than you might think. This opens up interesting possibilities for frequent travelers: installing plans for various countries and activating them without having to reinstall anything.
Limits by iPhone model
| iPhone Model | Stored Profiles | Simultaneously Active | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS / XS Max / XR (iOS 12.1) | 5 | 1 eSIM + 1 SIM | Original limit |
| iPhone 11 (iOS 13+) | 8 | 1 eSIM + 1 SIM | |
| iPhone 12 / 13 (iOS 14-15+) | 8 | 2 eSIMs + 1 SIM (with limitations) | |
| iPhone 14 (rest of the world) | 8 | 2 eSIMs + 1 SIM | |
| iPhone 14 (U.S., eSIM only) | 8 | 2 eSIMs | No physical SIM |
| iPhone 15 (iOS 17+) | 8 | 2 eSIMs + 1 SIM | |
| iPhone 16 (iOS 18+) | 8+ | 2 active | Apple does not specify exact upper limit |
Managing eSIM profiles
Profile management is done from Settings → Cellular. From there you can:
- View all installed profiles — they appear as numbered lines or with the name you assigned them
- Rename each profile — tap the name and edit. Ex: "PuraSIM Europe June", "PuraSIM Japan 2026"
- Activate/deactivate — tap the profile and activate or deactivate without deleting
- Delete a profile — only if you no longer need it and want to free up space
Active vs. installed profiles
| Status | Description | Consumes battery | Consumes data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed (inactive) | Saved on chip, not connected | No | No |
| Active (using data) | Connected to network, using internet | Yes | Yes |
| Active (standby) | Connected to network, not actively in use | Very little | No |
| Deleted | Permanently deleted from device | — | — |
Strategy for frequent travelers
If you travel frequently to the same destinations, you can pre-install plans and activate them when you need them:
Recommended strategy for 4 annual trips:
- When purchasing each new plan, install it immediately, even if the trip is 3 months away.
- Name it with destination + date: "PuraSIM Japan Oct26"
- Upon arrival at your destination, activate it in Settings → Cellular in less than 10 seconds.
- Upon return, deactivate it (do not delete — you'll have it available if you return before it expires).
Conclusion
You can have up to 8 eSIM profiles installed on your iPhone, though only 1-2 will be active simultaneously. This allows you to pre-install plans for all your destinations for the year and activate them instantly without Wi-Fi. For frequent travelers, this is a huge advantage that very few people utilize.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I delete an eSIM profile, can I reinstall it?
It depends on the provider. Some generate a new QR from your account; others do not allow reinstallation. Never delete an active profile or one with remaining time unless the provider confirms they can provide it again.
Can I have profiles from different providers at the same time?
Yes. You can have 3 PuraSIM profiles, 2 Airalo, and 1 Holafly simultaneously installed. They are independent.
Do installed but inactive profiles have an expiration date?
The installed profile does not expire. What expires is the data plan it contains. If the plan expired, the profile remains installed but without available data.
How much space does each eSIM profile take on the iPhone?
Practically nothing — a few kilobytes of digital data. It has no impact on iPhone storage.
Does Android have the same profile limit as iPhone?
It depends on the manufacturer. Samsung generally allows 5-10 profiles; Pixel 7+ up to 10; other Android models vary. The GSMA standard does not specify a minimum higher than 1.
