Finding eSIM carriers in the US and Canada is more difficult than you might think. If nothing else, the major carriers haven’t done much work marketing their new eSIM plans. Considering the technology has been around since 2016, you’d expect it to be everywhere by now.

In this article, we’ll run through the top eSIM carriers in the US and Canada. First, let’s look at eSIM phones so you can know whether this information is relevant to you.

Which Phones Support eSIM?

As mentioned, eSIM technology was first introduced in 2016. This means the chances are high that your phone supports a virtual SIM card. Here’s an up-to-date list of eSIM phones.

Apple

• iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro
• iPhone SE 2
• iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 3

Google

• Google Pixel 2 XL
• Google Pixel 3a, 3 XL, 3a XL
• Google Pixel 4, 4a, 4 XL
• Google Pixel 5, 5a
• Google Pixel 6, 6 Pro

Samsung

• Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+5G, S21+5G Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20, 20 Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Fold
• Samsung Galaxy Fold 3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 and 3 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
• Samsung Watch

Other Android Phones

• Huawei P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro
• Oppo Find X3 Pro
• Oppo Find X5, X5 Pro
• Oppo Reno 5A
• Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G
• Oppo A55s
• Motorola Razr 2019
• Motorola Razr 5G
• Gemini PDA
• Rakuten Big-S
• Rakuten Big
• Sony Xperia 10 III Lite

It’s also worth noting that any 4G-enabled tablet made after 2017 will likely have eSIM compatibility. The same is true for some laptops, and eSIMs are becoming increasingly common in smart wearables. However, we’re focusing on eSIM phones here.

List of eSIM Carriers

To get an eSIM plan, you first need to choose a carrier that offers them. If you plan to use a carrier different from your main SIM provider, make sure your phone is unlocked first.

Here are the main carriers of eSIM USA and Canada. It’ll be worth keeping track of eSIM carriers because more are added every day.

USA

1. AT&T
2. T-Mobile
3. Truphone
4. Ubigi
5. Verizon Wireless
6. Visible

Canada

1. Bell
2. Fido
3. Freedom
4. Koodo
5. Lucky Mobile
6. Rogers
7. Shaw
8. Telus
9. Virgin

There are numerous other eSIM carriers in different countries. Apple has helpfully compiled a list of all eSIM carriers across the world. You can also use this list if you’re on an Android phone.

How do I Activate an eSIM Plan?

Providing your phone is unlocked or you’re using the same carrier as your standard SIM, activating eSIM on your phone isn’t difficult. Here’s how you set up eSIM plans on either iPhone and Google Pixel.

Activating eSIM on iPhone

Setting up eSIM plans on iPhones is super easy. The phone will pretty much guide you through the process, much like it does when you set up a physical SIM card. Here’s the steps you’ll need to take:

1. Purchase your plan from the relevant carrier.
2. They’ll either email a QR code or send you a physical document in the mail.
3. Scan the code and click on the notification when it appears.
4. Tap Add Cellular Plan and follow the steps.

The carrier might also give you an app that allows you to purchase eSIM plans and transfer data. Of course, you’ll need a Wi-Fi connection or existing cellular plan when activating eSIM.

You can also convert and transfer physical SIMs to eSIMs when switching phones. On your new phone, go to Settings, tap Mobile Data and select Add Data Plan. The instructions are incredibly clear, so just do what it tells you.

Activating eSIM on Google Pixel

Like Apple, Google is well known for its easy-to-use products and operating systems. Setting up eSIM plans on a Google Pixel is pretty straightforward:

1. Begin by purchasing a relevant plan from a carrier.
2. They’ll send you a QR code in the mail or give you one in store.
3. On your Pixel, open Settings, select Mobile Network and tap Operator.
4. Select Add Operator.
5. When prompted, open the camera app and scan the QR code.
6. Follow the steps to install the eSIM plan on your phone. 

If for any reason you can’t scan the QR code, you can manually enter it. At the Add Plan screen, select Add Manual Code. Then, enter the code that’s included with the QR, which will likely be below it. This process also works for iPhone or any other device that accepts eSIM plans.

Again, you’ll need an internet connection to set this up. As with an iPhone, switching between plans (if you’ve got more than one on your device) involves going to Settings and then Mobile Network. In the Operator menu, you can switch between plans.

Get Your First eSIM Card with Textr

Textr will soon launch its own eSIM plans that’ll provide all the functionality and convenience you’ve come to expect from our products. Better yet, they’ll be a greater range of plans than with mainstream eSIM carriers, and they’ll be much cheaper!

You’ll be able to call and text using Textr Team with an eSIM while traveling. It’s perfect for businesses, but tourists will find plenty of useful features in it, too.

The Textr Team app allows you to text and call from the same app using VoIP. Also, you can set up multiple numbers in different countries, reducing the massive fees you have to pay when using your domestic phone number internationally. You get unlimited SMS and MMS messages and high-quality call minutes, so what’s not to love?

Start your 7-day free trial today to see how Textr Team can work for you. Download it now on iOS, Android, and for web browsers.