eSIM on your China-market smartphone? Here's how!
Does the phone you want from China lack eSIM support? That does not have to stop you from buying it. A special SIM card can add access to eSIM plans on many China-market smartphones. The video shows how you can use one for a travel eSIM, for example.
How does eSIM work with a physical card?
The card looks like a regular SIM card, but it can store eSIM profiles directly. Your smartphone then uses the plan linked to the selected profile. This puts the eSIM function on the card, so it does not have to be built into the phone.
The card does not include a mobile plan. You get that from your mobile network or a travel eSIM service, then load the profile onto the card with a QR code or activation code using the 9eSIM app. According to the provider 9eSIM, the vast majority of Android smartphones are supported. Most require Android 10 or later.
How do you set it up?
Insert the card into your smartphone and open the 9eSIM app. Add a new profile, scan the QR code or enter the activation code. Once the download is complete, select the profile you want and activate it for use.
The video shows this principle on one example device. Menu names and individual steps may look different on your phone. The app needs to recognise both your device and the inserted card, then save the complete profile on the card.
Useful for travel, but check first
You could store your regular plan and a travel plan on the same card. Once you arrive, switch to the profile you need without buying or carrying another physical SIM card.
This option may be useful for China-market smartphones from OPPO, vivo, Xiaomi, Redmi, realme or OnePlus when the specific model lacks built-in eSIM support. The card occupies one physical SIM slot. Storing several profiles does not automatically mean that several plans can be used at the same time.
Compatibility depends on the exact model, region, mobile network and installed firmware. Before buying, check your phone in the 9eSIM app and confirm support with your eSIM plan provider.
