Giffgaff Finally Launches UK eSIM Support
giffgaff has just become the latest UK provider to introduce eSIM (Electronic SIM) support, although at present they only appear to be allowing existing customers with the operator’s latest Smartphone app installed – to transition from a physical to electronic SIM. Giffgaff eSIM Support
For a bit of context on all this. The eSIM standard is an alternative to physical SIM cards, which works by essentially embedding an electronic SIM into your device (Smartphone) and that could – once fully implemented – make it easier and quicker to switch between operators (e.g. not having to wait for a SIM card to arrive), as well as to use additional networks alongside your main mobile operator (e.g. eSIMs for travel when abroad).
Where to find eSIM on giffgaff?
- Make sure you’re running the giffgaff app version
12.13.0-v337or above:- If not, you can update your giffgaff app on the Apple App Store / Google Play Store (this version will be coming to Huawei at a later date)
- Then, force quit the app and relaunch it to make sure you’re running the latest version
- You can find the version inside the app, by going under
Accountand scrolling to the bottom.
- Log into the app using your account on a device that uses eSIM
- Go to
Account → SIM → Replace my SIM → Switch to a new eSIM - Then, follow the instructions there
Make sure you do this on WiFi so that the switch goes smoothly.
The steps above will set things in motion and start the switch from your current SIM onto an eSIM, and then give you the choice to download and install the eSIM on that device.
Just like a physical SIM Swap, this process typically takes between 15 minutes to an hour, but in very rare cases this can go up to 24 hours.
What is supported now Giffgaff eSIM Support
- Existing members can switch to and from an eSIM
- Physical SIM / eSIM → eSIM:
- Just use the steps above
- Physical SIM / eSIM → Physical SIM:
- You’ll need a giffgaff SIM card that hasn’t been used before
- you can’t go back to your old physical SIM, only back to one that hasn’t been used before!
- This will take you to the current web setup that you’re familiar with to switch to a physical SIM
- Physical SIM / eSIM → eSIM:
Limitations and coming soon
- If you don’t already have an account on giffgaff, then you won’t be able to get an eSIM on giffgaff, but this will be coming very soon
- It will also be part of the native app journey
- Until then, you’ll have to activate a physical SIM and then switch onto an eSIM
- If you report your physical SIM or eSIM as lost or stolen, you’ll have to reactivate your account using the physical SIM that gets sent to you by post.
- You can then switch back to an eSIM after successfully reactivating your account
- We’ll be making things easier soon to allow you to jump straight onto an eSIM as it’s not an option right now.
- Wearables (e.g. smart watches) aren’t officially supported
- While wearables make use of eSIM technology in the background, these devices have other network dependencies that aren’t available on our network yet
- Unfortunately, we can’t give you a solid timeframe for when we might bring in this kind of support
- Similar to physical SIM swaps, this functionality isn’t available during the night. This situation comes from factors that are outside of our control, but we expect that it’ll get better in the future.
Here are some indicative prepaid UK eSIM card prices:
