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While eSIMs have been around for a long time, these embedded SIM cards still aren’t supported by most UK networks, and even fewer offer them on Pay As You Go.
That said, you do have a handful of options if you want to get an eSIM on a Pay As You Go plan. We’ll cover them below, and if you’re not sure what an eSIM is – or why you might want one – check out our guide covering what is an eSIM and which networks/phones support eSIMs.
Note also that you need a phone that supports eSIMs in order to use one, but these are widely available, and the guide above details many of your options.
Which networks offer eSIMs on Pay As You Go?
At the time of writing, four networks officially offer eSIM on Pay As You Go. These include Three, Giffgaff, Lyca Mobile, and Tesco Mobile.
We’ll talk those through in more detail under dedicated headings below, but first a word about Vodafone. This network doesn’t officially offer eSIMs on Pay As You Go, but according to posts on the company’s forums, people have successfully switched from a physical SIM card to an eSIM on Pay As You Go plans. However, we obviously can’t guarantee this would work.
Note also that the following information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing, but if in doubt, check directly with the network you're interested in using an eSIM with.
Three
Three is the only one of the four main UK networks to offer eSIMs on Pay As You Go at the time of writing, though the others do offer eSIMs on Pay Monthly plans.
In any case, you can’t request an eSIM while signing up for a Pay As You Go plan on Three, but once you’ve received a physical SIM card, you can call Three’s contact centre or visit a Three store to request an eSIM in its place.
Giffgaff
Giffgaff similarly requires you to order a physical SIM card first, but once you’ve received and activated it, you can switch to an eSIM, even on Pay As You Go.
To do this, download the Giffgaff app, and head to Account > SIM > Replace my SIM > Switch to new eSIM, then simply follow the steps to install your new eSIM.
Lyca Mobile
Lyca Mobile also lets you use an eSIM with its Pay As You Go plans, and better yet you can request one when placing your order. Just tap the ‘swap to eSIM’ option during checkout.
You’ll then receive an email containing an eSIM QR code. Just point your phone’s camera at this, and follow the prompts to install it.
If you already have a physical SIM card with Lyca Mobile, then you can switch to an eSIM by ordering a new free eSIM on the network’s site, then scanning the QR code to install it, and heading to the ‘SIM Swap’ section of your online Lyca Mobile account.
Tesco Mobile
Tesco Mobile’s site doesn’t make it clear whether eSIMs work with Pay As You Go or just Pay Monthly, but a customer service agent assured us that you can access them on Pay As You Go.
Getting one at checkout doesn’t appear to be an option online, but you can give Tesco Mobile a call or head in store to get one, or to switch to one if you already have a physical SIM card.
