Forced eSIMs: Difference between revisions

Apple introduced eUICC chips & eSIM support alongside the release of the [[wikipedia:IPhone_12|iPhone 12]] series in 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple iPhone 12 |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_12-10509.php |url-status=live |access-date=16 Apr 2025 |website=GSM Arena |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128125301/https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_12-10509.php |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone 12 |url=https://www.apple.com/by/iphone-12/specs/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Apr 2025 |website=[[Apple]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250728172557/https://www.apple.com/by/iphone-12/specs/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025}}</ref> and has continued this feature to date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhones with eSIM support |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?chkESIM=selected&chkReview=selected&sMakers=48&sAvailabilities=1,2&s5Gs=0&idCardslot=3 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Apr 2025 |website=GSM Arena |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250405083105/https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?s5Gs=0&idCardslot=3&chkESIM=selected&chkReview=selected&sMakers=48&sAvailabilities=1%2C2 |archive-date=5 Apr 2025}}</ref> With the launch of the US model of the iPhone 14 series, iPhones dropped hardware support of user replaceable UICC Nano-SIM cards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple iPhone 14 |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_14-11861.php |url-status=live |access-date=16 Apr 2025 |website=GSM Arena |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128034701/https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_14-11861.php |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=About eSIM on iPhone |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Apr 2025 |website=[[Apple]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209120313/https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669 |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref> According to Apple, "'''iPhone 14''' models and later that are '''eSIM only''' can activate without a Wi-Fi network."<ref name=":2" /> In all other Apple model varieties that came out prior to mid 2025 - International and China - Nano-SIM remained supported outside the United States; by the 14 series, 15 series and 16 series. The 17 series drops Nano-SIM support in 11 additional countries: Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the U.S. Virgin Islands <ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=9 Sep 2025 |title=iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Models Are eSIM-Only in These Countries |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/09/09/iphone-17-esim-only-countries-list/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 Feb 2026 |website=MacRumors}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Apple iPhone 17 won't accept SIM cards in Canada |url=https://www.blogto.com/tech/2025/09/apple-iphone-17-sim-cards-canada/ |url-status=live |access-date=23 Feb 2026 |website=BlogTo}}</ref>. All versions of the 17 Air iPhone model, in all countries, only support eSIM<ref name=":3" />. (Most recent edit as of writing 2/23/2026)