iPhone 13 Models Support Dual eSIMs [Updated]

According to the technical specifications for the iPhone 13, ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini, ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro, and ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max, all of the devices include dual eSIM support, which is a feature that's new to the ‌iPhone‌ lineup this year.

iphone 12 and 12 mini
Dual eSIM support means that the ‌iPhone‌ 13 models can use two eSIMs simultaneously rather than just one eSIM and one nano-SIM.

Prior ‌iPhone‌ models like the ‌iPhone‌ 12 had dual-SIM support, but only worked with an eSIM and a physical nano-SIM. The ‌iPhone‌ 13 models still support eSIM and nano-SIM, but also support two eSIMs for adopting carrier plans without a physical SIM card.

Apple's ‌iPhone‌ 13 models will not ship with a physical SIM card this year and carriers will instead use eSIM capabilities for activation. Because eSIM activation is being used for devices connected to a carrier when ordering, a WiFi connection will be needed for setup. From Apple:

Carrier-connected iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro models will arrive ready to activate with eSIM and can connect to your cellular voice and data service without a physical SIM card. You will need a Wi-Fi connection for setup.

To activate eSIM on an unconnected iPhone, please contact the carrier of your choice when you're ready.

Connecting with a carrier later can be done by inserting a physical SIM or contacting a carrier for eSIM activation.

The ‌iPhone‌ 13 models will be available for pre-order on Friday, September 17, and will officially launch on Friday, September 24.

Update: Apple has shared a support document with more details on the eSIM, including directions on setup.

Popular Stories

iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

These 5 Apple Products Will Reportedly Be Upgraded With OLED Displays

Friday January 16, 2026 7:07 pm PST by
Apple plans to upgrade the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iMac, and MacBook Air with OLED displays between 2026 and 2028, according to DigiTimes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that the iPad mini and MacBook Pro will receive an OLED display as early as this year, but he does not expect the MacBook Air to adopt the technology until 2028 at the earliest. A new iPad Air is...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

iOS 27 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday January 18, 2026 3:51 pm PST by
iOS 27 is still many months away, but there are already plenty of rumors about new features that will be included in the software update. The first beta of iOS 27 will be released during WWDC 2026 in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Friday January 16, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

MacBook Pro Buyers Now Facing Up to a Two-Month Wait Ahead of New Models

Sunday January 18, 2026 6:50 pm PST by
MacBook Pro availability is tightening on Apple's online store, with select configurations facing up to a two-month delivery timeframe in the United States. A few 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations with an M4 Pro chip are not facing any shipping delay, but estimated delivery dates for many configurations with an M4 Max chip range from February 6 to February 24 or even later. At...

Top Rated Comments

rjohnstone Avatar
57 months ago
I love using eSIMs. Someone steals your phone, they cannot pull the SIM to prevent you from tracking it.
All they can do is shut it off. The moment it gets turned back on, you got a location. I'll never use a physical SIM card again if I don't have to.
Installing and activating an eSIM was pretty easy with AT&T... not sure about other carriers.
Gave my daughter an iPhone 11 Pro that was unlocked. Didn't have a SIM card in it or any plan setup for it at the time. Just went to the AT&T website on her phone (via WiFi obviously) and had an eSIM installed and activated in about 10 minutes.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghanwani Avatar
57 months ago
What happens if both eSIMs are activated and you stick in a nano-SIM as well?
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whyamihere Avatar
57 months ago
Wonder if I'll be able to call Verizon to switch my number over to the new (paid for in full) 13 Pro eSIM without having to pay their garbage activation fee. If not, guess I'll just take the SIM out of my current phone and put it in the new one as I've always done.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
57 months ago
This is making me wonder how many years until Apple gets rid of the SIM card slot completely.

I love having a physical SIM for my main line, because it makes it trivial to move my service to a new device if something happens to my phone. If things end up going eSIM only it'll be like the old days of CDMA2000 carriers like Sprint and Verizon where you had to call in to move your line.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
esf215 Avatar
57 months ago

I love using eSIMs. Someone steals your phone, they cannot pull the SIM to prevent you from tracking it.
All they can do is shut it off. The moment it gets turned back on, you got a location. I'll never use a physical SIM card again if I don't have to.
Installing and activating an eSIM was pretty easy with AT&T... not sure about other carriers.
Gave my daughter an iPhone 11 Pro that was unlocked. Didn't have a SIM card in it or any plan setup for it at the time. Just went to the AT&T website on her phone (via WiFi obviously) and had an eSIM installed and activated in about 10 minutes.
Never thought of it that way. I’m still using a physical sim land thinking
About switching . Thanks
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OliOliOliOli Avatar
57 months ago

What happens if both eSIMs are activated and you stick in a nano-SIM as well?
??
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)