Thinking of Ditching Physical SIMs? Here's What to Know About eSIM on the Galaxy S23

Ever found yourself fumbling to pop open your SIM tray with a paperclip, only to realize your new carrier uses eSIM? If you're using a Samsung Galaxy S23, you're in luck it fully supports eSIM technology, and switching over is easier than you think.

Let’s walk through what that means, how it works on the Galaxy S23, and whether it's the right move for you.

Does the Galaxy S23 Support eSIM? 

Yes, it absolutely does. Samsung packed the Galaxy S23 with flexible SIM support, giving users the option to use two physical SIMs, or go with a combination of one physical SIM and one eSIM. It's a great step toward a more streamlined, future-ready experience especially if you travel often or juggle multiple numbers.

Depending on the model you have (like the U.S. variant or global versions), the SIM configuration might vary slightly, but most versions allow you to use one active eSIM + one nano SIM. That’s dual SIM functionality, minus the need for two tiny cards.

How to Set Up an eSIM on Your Galaxy S23

Setting up an eSIM is surprisingly painless. Here's how it works:

• Go to: Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager > Add Mobile Plan
• Choose one of the following methods:
• Scan a QR code from your carrier
• Enter activation info manually
• Use a pre-assigned plan (if your carrier supports it)

Once you complete the setup, you can activate the eSIM profile and start using it just like a regular SIM. Need to switch between SIMs? You can toggle between your eSIM and physical SIM with just a tap. You can also store multiple eSIM profiles, but only one can be active at a time alongside your physical SIM.

Dual SIM or Dual eSIM?

Here’s where it gets interesting. While some phones like Google Pixel or newer iPhones let you run two eSIMs at once, the Galaxy S23 doesn't go that far. You can only have Two physical SIMs active OR One eSIM + one physical SIM

It’s still a solid setup, especially for people who want to use their personal and work numbers on the same device or keep one SIM local and the other for international travel. But if you're dreaming of a no-SIM-tray life with dual eSIMs running simultaneously? The S23 isn’t quite there yet.

Why eSIM Is a Game-Changer for Travelers

Imagine landing in another country and activating a local data plan without even opening your phone. That’s the eSIM dream.

With the Galaxy S23, you can preload multiple eSIMs from different providers and switch between them depending on where you are. Just remember: only one eSIM can be active at a time, so if you have a few stored, you’ll need to toggle between them manually. Still, it beats lining up at a SIM booth in the airport or dealing with tiny SIM ejector tools mid-trip.

If you're ready to embrace a more modern mobile experience, the Galaxy S23 makes eSIM surprisingly simple. Whether you're balancing work and personal calls or hopping between countries, having that digital SIM flexibility just makes life easier.

Sure, it’s not perfect you can’t run two eSIMs at the same time but for most people, the ability to switch and store multiple profiles is a major win.