I am also a Verizon customer but sadly have already left the states. Do you by chance know if it’s possible to make this switch while you’re already abroad?

Initially, I was thinking just to get an eSim added when traveling.

But it seems like some (if not most) carriers either don’t know of it or have yet to catch up/support with this new feature.

I think it’ll be much easier to leave the physical slot vacant and just buy a temporary foreign SIM for use if needed.

The only downside I can think of is removing my protective case to install, which can do result in damaging itself after a few times.

I use Spigen – beautiful but VERY fragile.

If you transfer your physical SIM service to your eSIM, your carrier no longer supports that physical SIM. So if you wanted to use that same SIM card later, you would need to contact your carrier and activate it.

Hi Yadong,

Yes, you can temporarily disable your eSIM service by tapping Settings > Cellular. Underneath Cellular Plans, choose your eSIM line then toggle Turn On This Line off. That should turn off all calls, messaging, and data use on that line until you turn it back on.

Once you get a physical SIM in your travel location, pop it in and you should be able to use it for calls, messaging, and data as long as the SIM card and provider support those services.

We did this recently on our iPhone 11 Pro, disabled the eSIM (which we use in the US) and enabled a purchased SIM card in the country we traveled to and it worked like a charm!

Enjoy your trip!

Liz

Hi Jun San,

Yes, the QR code they send you should work the first time.

Try calling Verizon again and ask them for a senior technician and tell them you want to move your number from the physical SIM to the eSIM because you need to physical SIM open for business purposes (like traveling on business.) Ask them to walk you through the process step by step on the phone and verify that your number successfully transfers to your eSIM leaving your physical SIM slot available.

It’s amazing how difficult this process can be! It seems that even after a year, many stores and employees still no very little about eSIM service!

Good luck,

Liz

I tried to this step today and I even went to a Verizon store and they have no clue what I was talking about.

I wanted to transfer my physical SIM to the eSIM.

What they did was gave me another line for the eSIM with a different phone number and an added line. So I told them I did not want that.

I contacted customer service and the QR code they emailed me did not work so they advised me to go to a Verizon store.

Did the QR code they emailed worked the first time?

HI NPM,

You still should be able to switch to eSIM with Verizon–the 60-day hold Steve mentions applies to Verizon iPhone users who want to switch to a different carrier.

If you’re switching from a Verizon physical SIM to a Verizon eSIM, there shouldn’t be any waiting period.

Liz