How Many eSIMs Can You Store on Your Phone?
Many travelers confuse stored eSIM profiles with active SIM lines. Here is the difference, what iPhone and Pixel users should know, and how to manage multiple travel eSIMs without confusion.
How Many eSIMs Can You Store on Your Phone?
Most eSIM-compatible phones can store multiple eSIM profiles, but the exact number depends on your device, software, carrier, region, and available eSIM memory.
For international travelers, the more useful question is not only “How many eSIMs can I store?” It is also:
- How many eSIMs can be active at the same time?
- Can I keep my home number active while using travel data?
- Should I delete expired travel eSIMs?
- Can I add a new eSIM without affecting an existing one?
The simple answer is that many modern phones can store several eSIM profiles, while only one or two mobile lines are usually active at once.
Apple says supported iPhones can store eight or more eSIMs and use two eSIMs simultaneously. Google says Pixel 7 and later phones can use two eSIM profiles at once when the carrier supports the feature. Samsung says eligible Galaxy devices can download up to 20 eSIM profiles, although the real limit may be lower depending on available eSIM memory and profile size.
Stored eSIMs vs Active eSIMs
An eSIM profile is a digital mobile plan installed on your phone. You may store profiles for different countries, providers, or phone numbers.
However, storing a profile does not mean it is currently connected to a mobile network.
| Term | What It Means | Travel Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stored eSIM | An installed plan saved on your phone | A Japan eSIM from a previous trip |
| Active eSIM | A plan currently enabled for calls, texts, or data | Your home number or Europe data eSIM |
| Default data line | The SIM or eSIM your phone uses for mobile internet | Your travel eSIM for maps and rideshares |
| Inactive eSIM | A stored plan that is turned off | A future Thailand eSIM installed before departure |
For most travelers, one active home line and one active travel line are enough:
- Keep your home number available for verification codes and important calls.
- Use a travel eSIM as your main mobile-data line.
- Turn off data roaming on your home line to reduce unexpected roaming charges.
- Keep future or expired travel plans inactive until you need them.
How Many eSIMs Can Popular Phones Store?
There is no single limit that applies to every phone.
iPhone
Apple says supported iPhones can store eight or more eSIMs. Compatible iPhone models can have two eSIMs active at the same time.
This can be useful for frequent travelers who want to keep:
- A home eSIM for their usual number
- A travel eSIM for data
- A backup eSIM for another country
- Older profiles that may be renewable or reusable
Some iPhone models also support one physical SIM plus one eSIM. The exact setup depends on the model and region where the phone was sold.
Google Pixel
Google says Pixel phones can store multiple eSIM profiles. Pixel 7 and later can use two eSIM profiles at once when the carrier supports this feature.
Google does not publish one universal maximum for stored eSIM profiles across every Pixel model. Treat the storage limit as device-specific and check your SIM settings before adding a new plan.
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung says eligible Galaxy devices can download up to 20 eSIM profiles. However, that maximum may be reduced by the size of installed profiles and the available memory on the eSIM chip.
Samsung also notes that eSIM availability and supported features can vary by model, carrier, and country. Check your device in:
Settings → Connections → SIM manager
Xiaomi and Other Android Phones
Many Android brands support eSIM only on selected models. The number of profiles you can store or activate may vary by exact device, software version, and regional model.
Before purchasing a travel eSIM, confirm:
- Your exact phone model number
- Whether the phone was sold as an eSIM-enabled regional version
- Whether the device is carrier-unlocked
- Whether “Add eSIM” appears in mobile network settings
- Whether your travel destination is covered by the eSIM plan
Can You Use Two eSIMs at the Same Time?
Sometimes.
A phone that supports dual active eSIM can let you keep your home number active while using a second eSIM for travel data. However, this depends on the phone model, operating system, carrier support, and regional version.
A practical travel setup often looks like this:
| Line | Purpose | Recommended Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Home SIM or eSIM | Calls, SMS, bank verification | Keep enabled, turn off data roaming |
| Travel eSIM | Maps, messaging, rideshare, browsing | Set as the primary mobile-data line |
| Extra stored eSIMs | Future trips or backup plans | Keep inactive until needed |
Do not assume that every stored profile can be active at once. Some phones can save many eSIMs but allow only one active eSIM. Others support a physical SIM plus one eSIM. Newer devices may support two active eSIMs.
How to Check Your eSIM Capacity
On iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Review the listed SIM and eSIM plans.
- Tap Add eSIM to check whether you can add another plan.
- Check which lines are currently turned on.
After installing a travel eSIM, choose it under Cellular Data or Mobile Data.
On Google Pixel
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap SIMs.
- Review your physical SIM and installed eSIM profiles.
- Select Add SIM or Download a SIM when available.
Menu wording can vary slightly by Android version.
On Samsung Galaxy
- Open Settings.
- Tap Connections.
- Tap SIM manager.
- Review active SIMs and installed eSIMs.
- Tap Add eSIM when available.
If there is no eSIM option, your phone may not support eSIM, may be a regional version without eSIM, or may need a software update.
Should You Delete Old or Expired eSIMs?
Not automatically.
An expired travel eSIM can remain stored on your phone. Removing old profiles may make your SIM settings easier to manage and can free capacity on devices with limited eSIM storage.
However, deleting a profile may make it harder to reuse or top up the plan later.
Before deleting an eSIM, check:
- Is the plan completely expired?
- Can the eSIM be topped up or renewed?
- Can the provider issue a replacement profile?
- Is the activation QR code reusable?
- Have you saved the installation details?
- Are you certain it is not your home phone-number line?
Do not delete an eSIM simply as a troubleshooting step unless your provider tells you to do so. Many eSIM QR codes can only be used once.
Troubleshooting: I Cannot Add Another eSIM
Your phone has reached its storage limit
Older travel eSIM profiles may still be installed. Review inactive plans and remove only profiles that you know you will not need again.
On Samsung devices, profile size can affect the number of downloadable eSIMs.
Your phone supports eSIM but not dual active eSIM
Your phone may let you store multiple profiles but require you to disable one before enabling another.
This is normal. Switch the active eSIM in your SIM settings instead of trying to activate all stored profiles at once.
Your phone is carrier-locked
A carrier-locked phone may reject an eSIM from another provider. Confirm that your phone is unlocked before your trip.
For travelers, an unlocked device is generally the most flexible setup because it can use a home carrier line and a separate travel eSIM.
The eSIM QR code has already been used
Many eSIM QR codes are one-time activation codes. If you removed the eSIM and cannot reinstall it, contact the provider before buying another plan.
The eSIM installed but has no data
Check these settings:
- Is the travel eSIM turned on?
- Is it selected as the mobile-data line?
- Is mobile data enabled?
- Does the provider require data roaming on the travel eSIM?
- Have you arrived in the plan’s supported destination?
- Does the provider require an APN setting?
- Is network selection set to automatic?
A quick airplane-mode toggle or phone restart can also help the device reconnect after you arrive.
Best Practice for Travelers Using Multiple eSIMs
Use clear labels and organize your plans before your trip.
- Label your home line, such as “Canada Home.”
- Label your travel eSIM by destination, such as “Japan Data.”
- Save QR codes and installation details in a secure place.
- Install the travel eSIM on Wi-Fi before departure when the provider allows early installation.
- Set the travel eSIM as the default data line after landing.
- Turn off data roaming for your home SIM or eSIM.
- Avoid deleting a travel eSIM until you know whether it can be reused.
ACE Mobile provides prepaid travel eSIM plans for travelers who want to arrange mobile data before they land. Check the plan details for activation timing, coverage, data allowance, validity, and hotspot support.
FAQ
How many eSIMs can an iPhone store?
Apple says supported iPhones can store eight or more eSIMs. Compatible iPhones can have two eSIMs active at the same time.
Can I have two eSIMs active at once?
Some phones can. Supported iPhones can use two active eSIMs, and Pixel 7 or later phones may use two active eSIMs when the carrier supports it.
Do old eSIMs take up space?
Yes. Expired or inactive eSIM profiles may remain stored on your phone until you delete them.
Should I delete an eSIM after travel?
Only after confirming that the plan cannot be renewed, topped up, or reinstalled. Keep any plan you may need again.
Can I use a physical SIM and travel eSIM together?
Often, yes. Many phones support one physical SIM plus one eSIM, but the exact setup depends on the model and regional version.
Does storing multiple eSIMs mean I can use them all at once?
No. Stored and active profiles are different. Your phone may save several eSIMs but allow only one or two active mobile lines at a time.
Final Thoughts
There is no universal eSIM limit for every phone. Most modern eSIM phones can store several profiles, while one or two lines can usually be active at once.
For travel, focus on the setup that matters: keep your home number available when needed, use a travel eSIM for mobile data, and avoid deleting profiles until you understand your provider’s reinstallation policy.
Related Articles
- What Is eSIM and How Does It Work?
- How to Install an eSIM Before You Travel
- Does eSIM Keep Your Phone Number?
- eSIM vs Physical SIM for International Travel
- Best Travel eSIM for Canada
