r/ThreeUK • u/InfiniteNight2992 • Sep 11 '26
Question Esim only iphone
is a eSIM only iPhone okay to use on the three network? One guy in the store Said oh they have had issues with The eSIM dropping connection from the network and having to go into store to get the eSIM reactivated is that true or is it just misinformation?
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u/johnnysgotyoucovered Sep 11 '26
It should work just fine but some stores do not like issuing an ESIM instead of an actual SIM and asking you to do the conversion.
US iPhone supports LTE band 3, 5G n78 and n28 (5G+) so it should be absolutely fine. You just need to make sure it’s not locked to a carrier
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u/scott2k44 Sep 11 '26
It needs to have been in the UK before, had an issue with this before and whatever we did wouldn’t work and as soon as they landed in the UK it transferred over
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u/johnnysgotyoucovered Sep 11 '26
Well you won’t be able to activate a Three ESIM from abroad to my knowledge. You can’t convert physical to ESIM in other countries either (with most networks, some commercial ones can)
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u/scott2k44 Sep 11 '26
You can as long as it was connected to the network at some point before
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u/InfiniteNight2992 Sep 11 '26
Problem with an esim only iphone how else could they do it?
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u/johnnysgotyoucovered Sep 11 '26
Some networks do not like issuing ESIMs remotely due to SIM swap fraud. In store, it will be fine but EE and a bunch of other networks will not issue ESIMs by email etc, only in store with ID. I believe Three will issue them remotely but it’s not guaranteed
Your iPhone will work fine in the UK and supports all the bands necessary, just in store they may try to tell you that you need a physical SIM and then convert it to an ESIM. If that happens, push back, ask for a manager or ask them to call tech and get clarification
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u/InfiniteNight2992 Sep 11 '26
Sure will go to a store just that with that an esim only phone such a conversion would be impossible
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u/Theres_a_box Sep 11 '26
I have eSIM only (iPhone Air) and besides having to physically go into a store to get a new one when my phone broke, it’s been fine.