What is an eSIM and what do you need to use it in Chile?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your iPhone: you don't insert it, you install it by scanning a QR code or using a link. To use it in Chile, you need a compatible iPhone, Wi-Fi connection for installation, and a local or traveler data plan, without touching your usual physical SIM card.
If you've never used one, the idea might sound more technical than it is. In practice, installing an eSIM is similar to installing any profile on your phone: you receive a QR code (usually by email), scan it with your iPhone camera, confirm a couple of screens, and you're done. Your iPhone will have two active lines simultaneously: the one you already had (for calls or messages from your country, if your carrier allows it while roaming) and the new one, dedicated only to cellular data in Chile.
This is precisely what solves a very specific problem for travelers: arriving at Santiago airport, turning on their phone, and having working internet without standing in line at a mall to buy a physical SIM or relying on hotel Wi-Fi. If you want to understand the technology in more detail before continuing, there's a complete explanation in what is an eSIM.
Which iPhones support eSIM?
Apple introduced eSIM in 2018, so the short answer is: if your iPhone is an iPhone XS or later, it has the feature. Older models (iPhone X, 8, 7, and older) do not include it, regardless of the iOS version you install.
What does change between models is how eSIM and physical SIM coexist. Since the iPhone 14, devices sold in the United States no longer have a physical SIM tray: they work only with eSIM, and can store several eSIM profiles, although only one can be active as a data line at a time. iPhones sold in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, or Argentina, on the other hand, usually retain the physical tray in addition to the eSIM, so you can use both methods simultaneously.
| iPhone Model | Has eSIM? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone X, 8, 7 and older | No | Only accept physical SIM |
| iPhone XS, XS Max, XR | Yes | First models with eSIM, in dual with physical SIM |
| iPhone 11, 12, 13 (all variants) | Yes | eSIM + physical SIM, depending on the sales market |
| iPhone SE (2020 and 2022) | Yes | eSIM + physical SIM |
| iPhone 14, 15, 16 (all variants) | Yes | In the US, eSIM only; in the rest of Latin America, eSIM + physical SIM |
To check if your particular device has the feature, go to Settings > Cellular (or "Mobile Data" in some system languages) and look for the "Add eSIM" or "Convert to eSIM" option. If it appears, your iPhone is compatible. The full list of phones that accept eSIM, not just Apple, is in eSIM compatible phones.
Is your iPhone ready to install an eSIM in Chile?
Just because the model is compatible doesn't always mean you can install any eSIM immediately. There are two things worth checking before you buy yours.
The first is whether your iPhone is locked to a carrier. This happens especially with devices purchased in installments or subsidized by a company (common in the United States): some of these carriers restrict the installation of third-party eSIMs while the phone is still under contract. To check, go to Settings > General > About and look for "Carrier Lock." If it says "No SIM restrictions" or "No restrictions," you can install any eSIM without a problem.
The second is having space for an additional eSIM. An iPhone can store multiple eSIM profiles, but it can only have a limited number active at a time (usually one eSIM plus one physical SIM, or two eSIMs on models without a tray). If you already use an eSIM for another country or for your main line, you might need to delete an old profile you no longer use before installing the one for Chile, from Settings > Cellular > select the plan > Delete Cellular Plan.
An unlocked iPhone with a recent software update almost never causes problems when installing an additional eSIM. Most last-minute issues are related to carrier lock, not the eSIM itself.
Which companies offer eSIM in Chile?
In Chile, local operators such as Entel, Movistar, Claro, and WOM offer eSIM, but it's designed for resident customers: they usually require a Chilean RUT (tax ID), a local billing plan, and, in some cases, you need to visit a physical store to activate the number. This is a reasonable process if you live in the country, but impractical if you're just passing through for a week or two.
That's why there's a second category: travel eSIMs, specifically designed for tourists and short-term visitors. This type of eSIM, like PuraSIM's, doesn't ask for a RUT or contract: it's purchased online, activated with a QR code, and provides cellular data to get around the country for the days of your trip, without committing you to anything after you return home. The key difference compared to a local operator is this: one is designed for those who stay, the other for those who pass through.
If your plan is to enter and leave Chile on a short trip, checking out PuraSIM's eSIM for Chile directly usually saves you the hassle of getting a local line you'll never use again.
Is eSIM free in Chile?
No. eSIM as a technology doesn't cost more than a physical SIM (in fact, it usually saves on shipping or buying a plastic chip), but the data plan inside always has a cost, regardless of whether the card is physical or digital. "Free" would only be the format, never the data you consume.
What does vary is how much you pay and for how long. A travel data plan is charged only once, for the amount of gigabytes and days you need, and it doesn't renew automatically or tie you to a minimum permanence period, as is the case with many local operator plans. The prices and data volumes available for Chile can be checked directly on the product page, as they change depending on the plan you choose.
How do I get an eSIM for my iPhone before traveling to Chile?
The process has few steps and does not require any in-person procedures. Here's how it looks from beginning to end:
- Confirm your iPhone is compatible. Go to Settings > Cellular and look for "Add eSIM" (see the previous section if you have doubts).
- Choose the data plan for Chile based on how many days you'll be there and how much you plan to use the internet (browsing and maps use little data; watching videos or sharing data with another device uses more).
- Buy online and receive the QR code by email. You don't need to wait for physical delivery or pick anything up at a store.
- Install the profile from home, using Wi-Fi, before traveling. Scan the QR code from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. The phone will have the profile saved, but not yet activated.
- Upon landing in Chile, activate the data line of that eSIM (activate it as the primary data line and leave your usual line only for calls or SMS if your home carrier allows it while roaming).
The activation itself takes about 1 minute once you turn it on, and you have 180 days from the moment of purchase to activate it, so there's no problem buying it weeks in advance. If you get stuck at any point in the process, there's 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp, and also a step-by-step guide on how to install an eSIM.
A practical example: a week in Santiago, Valparaíso, and Atacama
To put it in context, imagine a typical week-long trip: two days in Santiago, two in Valparaíso, and three in San Pedro de Atacama. Before leaving home, with Wi-Fi, the eSIM is installed on the iPhone (it is saved, without spending any of the plan yet). At the departure airport, with the flight about to leave, the data line is activated: this way, the phone shows coverage as soon as it lands in Santiago, without depending on airport Wi-Fi to request a ride or find the hotel.
In Santiago and Valparaíso, cities with good coverage, normal use involves maps, messaging, and social media: it consumes relatively little. The most demanding stretch is usually Atacama, where the signal is more limited due to the desert's geography, and it's advisable to pre-download offline maps of the area (San Pedro, Moon Valley, salt flats) as a backup, in addition to having the eSIM active for when there is coverage.
Upon returning, the same iPhone retains the Chilean eSIM profile. It can be deleted if it's no longer going to be used, or left there at no cost, so as not to repeat the installation process on a future trip to the country.
eSIM vs. physical SIM vs. international roaming in Chile
To decide between the three options, it helps to compare them on the points that truly matter when you're organizing a trip, not just the technology behind each one.
| Option | Do you change the physical SIM? | Do you keep your number for calls/SMS? | Can it be prepared before traveling? | Required paperwork |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM (PuraSIM) | No | Yes, along with your usual line | Yes, installable days before with Wi-Fi | None: buy online, no RUT or contract |
| Local physical SIM in Chile | Yes, you remove it and put it back when you return | No, while you use it | No, it's purchased in the country | ID document and, sometimes, in-person registration |
| International roaming from your home carrier | No | Yes | Yes, it's activated before leaving | Depends on the carrier and whether it includes Chile in its coverage |
A local physical SIM is usually convenient for those staying in Chile for a long time or needing a real Chilean number. Home carrier roaming is convenient but, outside specific regional agreements, tends to be the most expensive option per gigabyte. The travel eSIM falls in the middle: it doesn't provide a local number, but it solves cellular data needs without paperwork and without touching your usual SIM. You can delve deeper into each comparison in eSIM vs. roaming and eSIM vs. physical SIM.
What to do if your iPhone doesn't detect the network in Chile
If you arrived and don't have data, before assuming something went wrong, it's worth checking these points in order, which resolve most cases:
- Turn airplane mode on and off. This forces your iPhone to search for a network again, which solves most "no signal" cases right after landing.
- Confirm that the correct data line is selected. In Settings > Cellular, check that the Chile eSIM (not your usual line) is marked as the "Cellular Data" line.
- Check that "Voice & Data" has a compatible network selected, within Settings > Cellular > [your eSIM] > Data Network.
- Restart your phone. It sounds obvious, but it resets the connection with the nearest antenna.
- Verify that the plan is still valid (that data hasn't run out or the validity period hasn't expired).
If you still don't have a signal after this, there is 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp to review your specific case. There is also a specific guide with more frequent causes in common eSIM problems.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to install an eSIM on my iPhone before traveling to Chile?
Yes, to install the profile (scan the QR code and download it), you need an internet connection, either Wi-Fi or cellular data. Once installed, the profile remains saved on your phone, and you can activate it when you have coverage in Chile, without needing Wi-Fi at that moment.
Can I have both the Chile eSIM and my regular line active at the same time?
Yes, on most compatible iPhones you can have both lines active: one for calls and messages (your usual line) and the other, the eSIM, dedicated to cellular data in Chile. You configure this in Settings > Cellular, choosing which function each uses.
What if my iPhone is from the United States and doesn't have a physical SIM tray?
iPhone 14 and later models sold in the United States only work with eSIM, so you can install the Chile eSIM just like on any other compatible model, without the lack of a physical tray being an issue.
Does the eSIM work in remote areas like the Atacama Desert or Patagonia?
It depends on the local cellular network coverage in that specific area, just like with any physical SIM. In very remote areas, the signal can be limited due to geography, so it's advisable to download offline maps as a backup for stretches without coverage.
What is the minimum iPhone I need to install an eSIM?
The iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR, released in 2018, are the oldest models with eSIM. Any subsequent model also includes it. iPhone X, 8, 7, or older models do not have this feature.
Can I install the Chile eSIM before leaving my country?
Yes, and it's recommended: install the profile with Wi-Fi at home, but don't activate it as a data line until you land in Chile. This way you arrive with internet ready from the airport, without losing any plan validity while you are still traveling there.
What do I do if I lose or change my iPhone during the trip?
An eSIM cannot be physically transferred from one phone to another like a plastic card. If you need to change devices in the middle of your trip, the quickest way is to contact support, available 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp, to review options for the plan you've already purchased.
Do I need to unlock my iPhone to use an eSIM from another country?
You need your iPhone to not have an active carrier lock. You can check this in Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. If the phone is unlocked or has completed its lock period with the original carrier, you can install the Chile eSIM without restrictions.
Conclusion: what to do before your flight
If your iPhone is an XS model or later and is not carrier-locked, you already meet the essentials for using an eSIM in Chile. The rest is a matter of order: buy the plan in advance (you have 180 days from purchase to activate it, so there's no rush or risk in doing it early), install it with Wi-Fi before leaving home, and activate it only upon landing so as not to lose a single day of validity.
For a specific trip to Chile, the most straightforward approach is to check the eSIM for Chile, choose the plan according to your days and data needs, and install it calmly before your flight. And if it's your first time using an eSIM in any destination, the definitive guide to eSIM for travel covers any other questions that might arise outside of Chile.
