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eSIMs are a tech that mobile networks have been slow to embrace, but at this point a fairly large number do offer them, and Smarty has just joined the club.
As outlined on a support page, existing Smarty customers can log in to their online account and request a swap to an eSIM from their dashboard. Once done, you’ll receive an email from Smarty with a QR code that you can scan to set up your eSIM – along with an activation code that you can use if you’re unable to scan the QR code.
It’s a simple process, and is largely the same as on other networks, with one slight difference being that you need to be an existing Smarty customer to get an eSIM.
That doesn’t rule new customers out though, as they can simply sign up for a physical SIM card and then request a swap to an eSIM during the activation process – or at any point afterwards.
This is a temporary limitation too – Smarty has said that new customers and group owners will be able to order an eSIM directly soon.
A SIM card upgrade
If you’re in the dark as to what an eSIM is – or why you might want one – then they're worth learning about. Standing for embedded SIM, an eSIM is built into your phone, so it’s not removable – it’s also not something that all phones have, and if you’re unsure whether yours does, you can dial *#06# on your phone. Having done that, if you see an EID number, that means your device supports eSIM.
In any case, most phones that have eSIM currently also have a physical SIM card slot, so you can choose one or the other (or both), but eSIMs can be more convenient as you don’t need to wait for a SIM card to be posted to you. They can also be handy for things like temporary travel SIM cards to use abroad.
Lots of other networks offer eSIMs too, including Three, Vodafone, O2, EE, Giffgaff, Honest Mobile, iD Mobile, Lyca Mobile, ParentShield, Sky Mobile, Spusu, Tesco Mobile, and VOXI – not to mention numerous travel eSIM providers. So Smarty is a little late to the party.
