Understanding eSIM and Dual SIM on wireless phones


Back to Support Home

SIM

  • A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM):
    • Contains the information needed to connect to the SaskTel network
    • Can be a physical SIM card or an embedded SIM (eSIM)


eSIM

  • An embedded SIM (eSIM):
    • Is an industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a SaskTel wireless plan without using a physical SIM
    • Provides all the same functionality as a physical SIM but is a digital version
  • Most newer-model devices are eSIM-capable


Dual SIM

  • Dual SIM allows you to use 2 SIMs and have 2 phone numbers on 1 device
    • The phone numbers can be on the same account or different accounts
  • Both phone numbers can make and receive voice calls, text messages (SMS), and multimedia messages (MMS)
    • This means you can have your personal and business phone numbers on one eSIM-compatible device or you can add a second line when travelling internationally

Most devices will need both a physical SIM card and an eSIM to make use of Dual SIM. The following eSIM-capable models can have both lines activated with eSIMs:

  • iPhone SE (3rd generation) or iPhone 13 series and later
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 series and Galaxy A35
  • Google Pixel 8 series


SaskTel plans and eSIM


eSIM-compatible devices

  • Apple iPhone:
    • XS, XS Max, XR, and iPhone 11 or newer
    • SE (2nd generation) and newer
  • Apple iPad:
    • iPad Pro 13-inch (2024), iPad Pro 11-inch (2024), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation)
    • iPad Air 13-inch (2024), iPad Air 11-inch (2024), iPad Air (3rd, 4th, and 5th generation)
    • iPad (7th, 8th, 9th, and10th generation)
    • iPad mini (5th and 6th generation)
  • Samsung Galaxy:
    • S23 FE
    • S21 Series and newer
    • A35
    • Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 and newer
    • Note 20
  • Google:
    • Pixel 8 series
  • Motorola:
    • Moto G 5G (2024)
    • Moto Edge (2023) and newer


Learn more

 

To activate an eSIM, you'll need a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

eSIM-only iPad Pro (2024) and iPad Air (2024)

If you're activating an eSIM on these devices and you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network, you can choose to continue without Wi-Fi during the setup process.

 

 

To move SaskTel phone numbers from 2 devices to 1 device with eSIM, you'll need to visit a SaskTel Store or Authorized Dealer.


eSIM Quick Transfer on Apple iOS devices

To do the following transfers, you'll need:

  • The latest iOS (17.5.1 or later on iPhone; 17 or later on iPad)
  • The latest carrier setting (SaskTel 58.1 or later)
  • On one of these devices:
    • iPhone 11 or newer
      • Exception: iPhone SE (2nd generation) does not support eSIM Quick Transfer
    • iPad Pro 13-inch (2024), iPad Pro 11-inch (2024), iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th, 5th, and 6th generation)
    • iPad Air 13-inch (2024), iPad Air 11-inch (2024), iPad Air (4th and 5th generation)
    • iPad (10th generation)
    • iPad mini (6th generation)

 
Converting a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same iPhone or iPad

  1. Go to Settings > Cellular.
  2. Tap Convert to eSIM.
  3. Tap Convert Cellular Plan.
  4. Follow the prompts and wait for your eSIM to activate.
    • Your physical SIM card will deactivate when your cellular plan activates on the eSIM
  5. Remove the SIM card from your iPhone or iPad.
  6. Restart your device.


Transferring your SaskTel phone number to an eSIM on a different iPhone or iPad

The Apple ID on both devices must match. The original device must be:

  • Passcode protected and unlocked
  • Nearby with Bluetooth turned on
  1. On the destination device, go to Settings > Cellular.
  2. Tap Add eSIM or Set up Cellular.
  3. Tap Transfer from Nearby iPhone (or iPad).
  4. Choose a cellular plan (phone number) to transfer.
    • If you don't see a list of numbers, tap Transfer From Another iPhone
  5. Follow the prompts on both devices to complete the transfer.

 

 

eSIM transfer on Android devices

You'll need to visit a SaskTel Store or Authorized Dealer to:

  • Move SaskTel phone numbers from 2 devices to 1 device with eSIM
  • Convert a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same Android device
  • Transfer your SaskTel phone number to an eSIM on a different Android device
  • Transfer your SaskTel phone number from an Android device to an eSIM on an iOS device, or vice versa

 

 

You may want to delete the eSIM from your device when you're disposing of your device or switching to a different device.

If you delete your eSIM, your wireless plan is not cancelled and you'll keep getting billed for the service.

If you delete your eSIM by mistake, please visit a SaskTel Store or Authorized Dealer to get a new eSIM.

Apple

  1. Open Settings.
    iOS settings icon
  2. Tap Cellular.
  3. Tap the eSIM you want to delete.
  4. Tap Delete eSIM.
  5. Optional: Tap Update Contacts to clear the eSIM data from your phone.


Samsung

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap Connections.
  3. Tap SIM manager.
  4. Tap the eSIM you want to delete.
  5. Tap Remove.
  6. Tap Remove again.
  7. Optional: Tap Move contacts and follow the steps on screen.


Google Pixel

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Network & Internet.
  3. Tap SIMs.
  4. Tap the eSIM you want to delete.
  5. Tap Erase SIM.

 

 

Using your SaskTel eSIM in other countries

Roaming rates and services are billed according to your SaskTel wireless rate plan, regardless of the SaskTel SIM type (physical SIM or eSIM).

See:


Using a foreign carrier's eSIM

  • Consider adding a roam & RELAX Travel Add-on from SaskTel for your wireless service
  • You can use a foreign carrier's eSIM plan if the carrier's network is compatible with your phone
    • When you get home, cancel the other carrier's eSIM plan and keep using your SaskTel service

 

 

Apple: AppleCare+, Apple TV, App Store, Apple Mail, Apple Watch, AirPlay, Beats, FaceTime, HomePod, iCloud, iMessage, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes, Mac OS X, and Safari are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Samsung, Galaxy, Note, and Tab are trademarks of Samsung in the United States or other countries.


Updated 07/11/2024 05:04 PM

Was this answer helpful?

Please let us know what we did well or what we can do to improve this answer. You won't receive a reply. If you need help, contact us.

Thanks for your feedback.
An error has occurred, please try again later.