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Managing Multiple eSIMs

7 min readBy Daniel Mercer, Lead eSIM Analyst
  • 43 countries tested
  • 280 plans reviewed
  • Verified June 2026

Daniel Mercer

Lead eSIM Analyst

43 countries tested280 plans reviewed14 airports tested8 years in telecom

Previously at Analysys Mason covering APAC mobile markets (2016-2021)

How we test

Published July 2026 · Updated June 2026

Device Limits

eSIM Profile Limits by Device

Every phone has a maximum number of eSIM profiles it can store and a separate limit on how many can be active at once. Stored profiles stay on the device indefinitely. Active profiles are the ones currently connected to a network.

DeviceMax StoredMax Active
iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 series8 profiles2 simultaneously
iPhone XR, XS, 11, 12 series8 profiles1 eSIM + 1 physical SIM
Samsung Galaxy S21+ and newer5-8 profiles (varies)1-2 (carrier version dependent)
Google Pixel 3-8Up to 5 profiles1 eSIM active
Google Pixel 9 seriesUp to 8 profiles2 simultaneously

In practice, most travelers use 2-3 profiles at a time: one home SIM, one active travel eSIM, and one backup or future trip eSIM. The storage limits are generous enough that running out of slots is rare unless you travel to many countries without cleaning up old profiles.

The active limit matters more. On iPhone 13 and newer, two eSIM lines run at once. One handles your calls and texts, the other handles data. On older iPhones, the physical home SIM and one eSIM split those duties.

How To

Adding and Switching eSIM Profiles

Adding a new profile works the same way on every trip: open your SIM settings, scan the QR code from your provider, and the profile downloads in 5-15 seconds. Each profile is independent. Adding one does not affect existing profiles.

Adding a Profile on iPhone

  1. Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code
  2. Scan the QR code from your provider confirmation email
  3. Tap Activate when prompted
  4. Label the profile immediately. Use something specific: “Japan Airalo 10GB” not “Travel SIM”
  5. Choose whether this plan is your default data line now or later

Adding a Profile on Samsung

  1. Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM
  2. Tap Scan QR code
  3. Frame the QR code and tap Add when the profile appears
  4. Name the profile using your destination and data amount

Switching Between Active Profiles

Switching does not delete the inactive profile. It simply moves data routing from one plan to another. The inactive profile stays stored on the device and retains whatever data balance remains.

On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > select the profile you want for data > toggle it on. The previous data profile turns off automatically.

On Samsung: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > tap the profile you want active. Tap “Set as active SIM” if prompted.

Switching itself takes 10-30 seconds. After that, your phone needs 1-3 minutes to find and register on the new network. During this gap you will see “No Service” or “Searching.” This is normal. Do not switch profiles again during this registration window.

If registration stalls past 3 minutes: toggle airplane mode on for 10 seconds then off. The phone re-searches for the network and usually connects within 60 seconds.

Organization

Naming and Organizing Your eSIM Profiles

A phone with 5 eSIM profiles labeled “Travel SIM 1,” “eSIM,” “Plan A,” “Data SIM,” and “Unknown” is a problem waiting to happen at an airport. Label every profile immediately after installation.

Naming Convention That Works

Use: Country + Provider + Data amount. Examples: “Japan Airalo 10GB,” “France Holafly Unlimited,” “Home AT&T.”

This naming tells you at a glance which profile is active, how much data remains (roughly), and which provider to contact if something goes wrong. It takes 10 seconds to set and saves confusion on every trip.

How to Rename on iPhone

  1. Settings > Cellular
  2. Tap the profile name under “SIMs”
  3. Tap “Cellular Plan Label”
  4. Select “Custom Label” and type your name

How to Rename on Samsung

  1. Settings > Connections > SIM Manager
  2. Tap the profile you want to rename
  3. Tap the pencil icon or “Edit”
  4. Enter your custom name and save

Color Coding on iPhone

iPhone lets you assign a color to each SIM line. This color appears in Control Center when you swipe down. Assign green to your home SIM and blue to your travel eSIM. The color makes it instantly clear which line is currently routing your data.

Keep no more than 3 profiles active in your daily awareness at any time: home, current trip, and one future trip you have pre-installed. Archive the rest by letting them remain stored but inactive.

Housekeeping

When to Delete Old eSIM Profiles

Delete a profile only when two conditions are both true: the plan has expired and the data balance is fully used. Deleting a profile with remaining data or validity throws away money you already paid.

The Critical Warning About QR Codes

Most eSIM QR codes are single-use. Once you scan and install a profile, the QR code is consumed. If you delete the profile from your phone, you cannot reinstall it by re-scanning the original QR code. The profile is gone permanently.

Airalo is an exception. Their app stores your installed profiles and allows re-downloading from the app if you accidentally delete one. Check your provider’s policy before deleting any profile.

Before deleting: open the provider app and confirm the data balance is zero and the plan is expired. Screenshot the confirmation. Then delete.

How to Delete on iPhone

  1. Settings > Cellular
  2. Tap the profile you want to remove
  3. Scroll down and tap “Delete eSIM”
  4. Confirm deletion

How to Delete on Samsung

  1. Settings > Connections > SIM Manager
  2. Tap and hold the profile
  3. Select “Remove” or tap the trash icon
  4. Confirm

For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to delete an eSIM profile.

Travel Strategy

Multi-Country eSIM Profile Strategy

Frequent travelers visiting multiple countries per trip have three approaches. Each suits different travel styles and budgets.

Strategy 1: Regional Plan (One Profile, Auto-Switching)

Buy one regional eSIM plan that covers all your destinations. Airalo Europe covers 39 countries. Airalo Asia covers 15+ countries. One QR code, one profile, automatic carrier switching at every border.

Best for: travelers visiting 3+ countries, overland trips, anyone who does not want to manage multiple profiles. Per-GB cost is higher than country-specific plans, but there is zero management overhead.

Strategy 2: Per-Country Profiles (Manual Switching, Lowest Cost)

Install a separate eSIM for each country before departure. Label each one clearly. Switch profiles manually when crossing each border. Network registration takes 2-3 minutes after each switch.

Best for: travelers with a fixed 2-3 country itinerary who want the lowest per-GB cost. Country-specific plans average 30-50% less per GB than regional plans. Worth the switching effort for longer stays in each country.

Pre-trip preparation: install all country profiles at home over WiFi before departure. Verify each one appears in Settings. Leave all inactive until you cross the relevant border.

Strategy 3: Primary Plan Plus Backup Profile

Install your primary travel eSIM from one provider (Airalo) and a backup eSIM from a second provider (Saily or Nomad). If your primary plan has connectivity issues, switch to the backup instantly. No store visit, no wait.

Best for: travelers in countries where network reliability varies, remote areas with patchy coverage, or anyone who needs guaranteed connectivity for work calls. The backup plan costs $5-10 for small data and provides insurance against provider outages.

A Practical Multi-Country Setup

A 10-day trip to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan with a backup plan looks like this: 4 profiles installed before departure, all inactive.

  • Home AT&T (physical SIM, always active for calls)
  • Japan Airalo 10GB (inactive until landing at NRT or HND)
  • Korea Nomad 5GB (inactive until Incheon arrival)
  • Taiwan Airalo 3GB (inactive until Taoyuan arrival)

Switch profiles at each border. Keep the previous country’s plan inactive but stored in case you need a data top-up or unexpectedly return. Delete all three after the trip once data is fully used.

See the border crossing eSIM guide for switching timing and troubleshooting details.

FAQ

Common Questions

How many eSIMs can an iPhone hold?

iPhone 13 and newer can store up to 8 eSIM profiles with 2 active simultaneously. iPhone XR, XS, 11, and 12 can store 8 profiles with 1 eSIM plus 1 physical SIM active at a time. You switch between stored profiles in Settings without reinstalling or re-scanning a QR code.

Can I have two eSIMs active at the same time?

On iPhone 13 and newer and on some Samsung Galaxy models, yes. Two eSIM lines can be active simultaneously. Only one line handles data at a time; the other handles calls and texts. On older iPhones (XR through 12), one eSIM and one physical SIM can be active, but not two eSIMs.

How do I switch between eSIM profiles?

On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > select the profile you want active > toggle it on for Cellular Data. On Samsung: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > tap the profile. Switching takes 10-30 seconds, followed by 1-3 minutes for the phone to register on the new network.

Can I reinstall a deleted eSIM?

Usually no. Most eSIM QR codes are single-use. Once you delete the profile from your phone, it cannot be reinstalled using the same QR code. Airalo is an exception: their app allows re-downloading an installed plan. Always verify that your plan data is fully used before deleting any profile.

Should I keep old eSIM profiles on my phone?

Delete profiles only after the plan has expired and all data is used. An expired profile with remaining data is still worth keeping as a backup or for a return trip. If a profile is fully depleted and expired, delete it to free a storage slot for your next destination.

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