SIMs are one of the most important parts of your phone. They let it “talk” to the Xfinity Mobile network so that you can use your phone for whatever you need.
There are two main types of SIMs: nanoSIM (physical SIM) and eSIM (electronic SIM). Some phones only work with one type, and some have both types.
Some phones still use a nanoSIM card, but a growing number of phones are now using an eSIM, which can make it even easier to activate your device on the Xfinity Mobile network.
- If you purchase a new device or bring your own device (BYOD), and that device has both nanoSIM and eSIM capabilities, the system will default to the best method of activation.
What is a SIM?
SIM stands for subscriber identity (or identification) module. It’s the way a mobile device like a phone works on a specific service provider’s network.
Without a SIM, or with the wrong one, your phone can’t connect to the mobile network you subscribe to.
Do all phones have SIMs?
Yes. Some mobile phones still use physical nanoSIMs (physical SIMs), which are the small rectangular cards that pop into a small tray in your phone.
Now, most phones use an eSIM. That means instead of a small card, all that information is downloaded to the phone to enable it to connect to the right network.
There are a few ways that can happen, depending on your phone’s model:
- A text message can be sent to the phone with the download link,
- You can scan a QR code and download it, or
- You can go to a specific web site to download it.
Some phones have both nanoSIM and eSIM capabilities. Those are called dual SIM phones. You can still use the physical nanoSIM, but now Xfinity Mobile will also work with the eSIM capability.
Why is this good news for you? With eSIM, you don’t need to visit a store or wait for a card to be shipped to you. You can activate your new phone more quickly and get on with your day.
Phones with dual SIM functionality can support two phone lines (like your personal number and a business number). They also allow you to add a local data plan if you’re traveling outside the country.
At this time, we only support one mobile service (Xfinity Mobile or Comcast Business Mobile) per device, regardless of whether you have a dual SIM device. However, dual SIM functionality can support adding a second line from another domestic carrier or a local data plan if you’re traveling outside of the country.
Note: Your phone must be unlocked to use its dual SIM functionality with another carrier.
If you want to learn more about how to manage the dual SIM functionality based on your device type, view the relevant links below:
What kind of SIM will my phone use for activation?
If you purchase a new device or BYOD, and that device has both nanoSIM and eSIM capabilities, the system will default to the best method of activation.
If you purchased your device directly from Xfinity Mobile, and it is a nanoSIM-capable device, the nanoSIM was already included with your purchase.
- If you brought your phone to Xfinity Mobile from another carrier, you may have gone to an Xfinity Retail Store or contacted us to have one shipped to you.
Beginning with the iPhone 14 series, new Apple iPhones have only eSIMs.
How will I activate my phone if it has eSIM?
Xfinity Mobile now supports eSIM for most compatible devices. This means if you’re bringing one of those phones from another carrier to Xfinity Mobile, you’ll be able to activate your phone on our network without visiting an Xfinity Retail Store or having a card shipped to you.
If you’re bringing a device that uses a nanoSIM to Xfinity Mobile from another carrier, you’ll need to insert the new nanoSIM that was shipped to you or that you received from an Xfinity Retail Store.
Find details on activating your new phone.
Does my iPad have eSIM?
Xfinity Mobile supports eSIM activation for the iPad Air (11-inch and 13-inch) and iPad Pro models (4th Generation and later), when customers bring these devices from another carrier or purchase new from Xfinity Mobile.
- All other iPads on Xfinity Mobile use nanoSIMs.