eSIM support on UK mobile networks: best and worst

Three, iD Mobile and Honest offer eSIM on the Three network

After experimenting with eSIM for a couple of years, we’re pleased to see Three offering eSIM permanently now. Though, it was a little unnerving still having to give a postal “delivery address” in their checkout.

Despite that, our Three eSIM came through by email moments later but did have a broken image for the QR code. We entered the manual details provided and our phone connected to the network in seconds.

We also bought an eSIM from low-cost provider iD Mobile (see their eSIM support page here). Their post-checkout credit check takes 20 minutes, so you lose the benefit of eSIM’s quick connections a little.

Best eSIM plans on these networks

Finally on the Three network, you can get an eSIM from Honest Mobile. We haven’t done it ourselves but if you’re into their eco-friendly outlook, they’re definitely worth a look.

That leaves SMARTY as the main provider on Three that doesn’t yet offer eSIM. They’re normally only a short while behind their parents Three on adopting features, so we suspect they will have eSIM in 2025.

Useful link: See all networks on Three

Lyca Mobile, spusu and EE are your options on EE’s network

For an eSIM on the EE network, Lyca Mobile are proving popular with our readers. We’ve done multiple test orders and found it all very slick and easy getting your eSIM activated (see their eSIM support page here).

You’ve also got low-cost rivals spusu from Austria. Our test eSIM order got on the network within a few minutes. We have heard people say their eSIMs do suffer from missed calls/texts though (not physical SIMs).

Best eSIM plans on these networks

On the far less price competitive end of the scale, you also have EE themselves of course. SIM only customers can download an eSIM from their account. Phone contracts, they send you a QR code with your phone.

That leaves 1pMobile and Talkhome Mobile as the main providers on EE where you can’t yet get an eSIM. We can’t see 1pMobile taking long to offer them in 2025 though.

Useful link: Compare networks that use EE

Choose from VOXI or Vodafone for an eSIM on their network

We’re really pleased to see Vodafone’s more affordable brand VOXI offering eSIMs. See their page on it here. You can sign up to one directly, without them sending you anything through the post.

Vodafone also have eSIM, including if you buy one of the much better value options via Carphone Warehouse, instead of signing up direct on Vodafone’s website. See the dropdown below:

Best eSIM plans on these networks

Low-cost providers Talkmobile and Lebara use Vodafone for signal but neither yet offer eSIMs. Talkmobile are owned by Vodafone, so we can see them being next on the list for offering eSIMs in 2025.

Useful link: Providers that piggyback on Vodafone

O2 and Sky Mobile are your eSIM choices on O2's network

For a while now, the only O2-based network you could get an eSIM with was O2 directly. You can order and have one sent to you immediately. The days of getting a physical SIM then “upgrading” it later are gone.

But now, it also looks like Sky Mobile support eSIM. They’re not making a big thing of it and we found you can’t order one immediately. You have to get a physical one and then change it later in your account.

Best eSIM plans on these networks

giffgaff don’t offer eSIM and nor do Tesco Mobile - both on the O2 network. giffgaff are notoriously slow at adding extra features like this and Tesco aren’t much quicker. Don’t expect eSIM on either anytime soon.

Useful link: Compare providers that use O2

Change networks faster and have multiple SIMs on the go

The first benefit of eSIMs is that they ideally remove any waiting time. You don’t need to wait for your physical SIM card to be delivered and you can install a new one whenever you like.

Imagine you’re fed up with your current mobile network and you’re able to just switch to another one by downloading the necessary information right away. eSIM allows that right now.

In theory this means networks will have to do more to keep their customers happy, or else risk losing them to another network. By improving the competition between networks, eSIMs should help improve quality of service.

And eSIMs make it easier to get the most out of a dual SIM phone. You can have a physical SIM and an eSIM in the same phone or potentially two eSIMs. This will help improve coverage or let you have two numbers.

Useful link: How text to switch works

There are a few other benefits of eSIMs

As we've said above, eSIMs let you have two SIMs on the go at once. That means you can have one number for work and another number for personal use. And you can expand signal by joining two different networks.

It's also useful for travel. If you're going somewhere your main mobile provider doesn't include roaming, you can add an eSIM from a local provider and crack on using your phone there without as big extra charges.

The removal of physical SIM trays also frees up a bit of space in the phone for extra battery or will allow for slimmer and more flexible designs in future once physical SIMs go.

The big downside to eSIMs is that they make it harder to switch phones. You can’t just pop in your old SIM into your new phone, you’ll have to ask your network for another eSIM code and do the process all over again.

Useful link: Compare eSIM only plans