All three major US carriers, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, support eSIM. So do most of the prepaid brands and smaller carriers that run on their networks, like Cricket, Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile and Google Fi. This list is for you if you live in the US or are moving there: which eSIM carriers you can choose, how to get an eSIM from each, and what to check before you switch. Just visiting? See the visitor section below, or compare travel options in our guide to eSIM providers in the USA.
Which US carriers support eSIM?
Here's the short list of US eSIM carriers, grouped by the network they use. Apple keeps an official list of carriers that support eSIM on iPhone, and every name below is on it or on the carrier's own eSIM page (Apple: Wireless carriers that offer eSIM service).
- AT&T network: AT&T, AT&T Prepaid, Cricket.
- Verizon and its brands: Verizon, Verizon Prepaid, Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk.
- T-Mobile network: T-Mobile, T-Mobile Prepaid, Metro by T-Mobile. UScellular customers are now moving to T-Mobile too.
- Other eSIM carriers: Google Fi, Mint Mobile, Boost Mobile, Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Tracfone, Red Pocket, H2O Wireless, PureTalk, C Spire, Cellcom, Optimum and several regional carriers.
One more thing to know: iPhones sold in the US have no SIM tray since the iPhone 14. They work with eSIM only (Apple: Identify your iPhone model). So if you have a US iPhone, every carrier you pick needs to support eSIM.
The major US eSIM carriers
AT&T
AT&T supports eSIM on phones, tablets, smartwatches and some laptops. If you bring your own phone, you pick a plan online and download the eSIM, and you can move your current number during checkout. On an iPhone, the eSIM often installs during setup, or you go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (AT&T: Get to know eSIM).
For AT&T Prepaid, you get an eSIM activation card online or in a store and scan its QR code with your phone (AT&T Prepaid: eSIM).
Verizon
Verizon activates eSIM in the My Verizon app. If you bring your own phone, the app downloads the eSIM and connects you to the Verizon network, no physical SIM needed (Verizon: Activate or download eSIM).
Verizon Prepaid works the same way: you check your phone, pick a plan, create an account and activate the eSIM, all in the app (Verizon: Set up Prepaid with an eSIM).
T-Mobile
T-Mobile lets you download your eSIM over Wi-Fi. On an iPhone you're asked to activate an eSIM or transfer one during setup. On Samsung, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM. For other devices, use the T-Life app (T-Mobile: SIM card & eSIM).
For a new prepaid line, there's the T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app for iPhone and Android. T-Mobile says it was built for travelers coming to the US and for anyone who wants a second line. Your phone must be unlocked, and you must be in the US when you activate (T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app).
Does UScellular support eSIM?
UScellular is now part of T-Mobile. T-Mobile closed its purchase of UScellular's wireless business, including its customers and stores (T-Mobile Newsroom), and uscellular.com now leads to t-mobile.com. So for eSIM, you follow T-Mobile's steps. T-Mobile's SIM and eSIM help page also has a section for UScellular customers who move to T-Mobile.
Prepaid eSIM carriers and MVNOs in the USA
Prepaid brands and MVNOs (carriers that use a bigger carrier's network) let you pay upfront, without a contract. Most of them support eSIM now.
On the AT&T network
- Cricket: runs on the AT&T network. You need an unlocked, eSIM-capable phone, then you download a Cricket eSIM and activate it (Cricket: What is an eSIM?).
Verizon brands
- Visible: powered by Verizon's network. You choose eSIM when you order and activate it in the Visible app (Visible: Activate with eSIM).
- Total Wireless: a Verizon company, on the Verizon 5G network. eSIM activation is done online (Total Wireless: eSIM help).
- Straight Talk: a Verizon brand, on Apple's eSIM list.
On the T-Mobile network
- Metro by T-Mobile: runs on T-Mobile. New phones download the eSIM during setup (Metro: eSIMs).
Other carriers with eSIM
- Google Fi: uses T-Mobile's network for 5G. Pixel 2 and newer use an eSIM. Your phone must be unlocked, and you must be in the US for the first activation (Google Fi Help).
- Mint Mobile: on Apple's list, including for prepaid plans for international travelers.
- Boost Mobile: keeps a list of eSIM phones you can activate right after you sign up (Boost Mobile: eSIM devices).
- Xfinity Mobile: sends an eSIM to your phone when you activate in the Xfinity app (Xfinity: Activate your phone).
- Spectrum Mobile, Consumer Cellular, Tracfone and others: listed on Apple's US eSIM page.
How to get an eSIM from a US carrier
- Check your phone. Dial *#06#. If you see an EID, your phone supports eSIM. More in our guide on how to check eSIM compatibility.
- Make sure it's unlocked. A phone bought from another carrier, or in another country, must be unlocked before a new carrier can activate it. See how to unlock your phone.
- Pick a carrier and plan. Order online or in the carrier's app, and choose eSIM.
- Activate. Most carriers push the eSIM to your phone in their app or during setup. Others give you a QR code to scan.
- Keep your number (optional). Have your old carrier's account number and transfer PIN ready, and don't cancel your old line until the new one works.
Switching to a new iPhone? Use eSIM Quick Transfer
With eSIM Quick Transfer, you move your number from your old iPhone to your new one without calling your carrier. In the US, Apple lists AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Cricket, Xfinity Mobile, Spectrum, Consumer Cellular, C Spire, Cellcom, Nex-Tech Wireless and Red Pocket (Apple). Here's how eSIM Quick Transfer works.
Moving to the US: which eSIM carrier first?
If you're moving to the US, a prepaid eSIM is usually the easiest first step. You pay upfront and sign up online or in an app. A postpaid plan may ask for more: Apple notes that, depending on the country, you might need proof of local residency, a bank account or a credit card (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling).
Keep in mind that some prepaid lines can only be activated once you're in the US, like the T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app and Google Fi. So you may land without a US line for a few hours or days. A travel eSIM installed before you fly covers that gap: you have data when you land, and you can set up your US carrier in peace. Our USA 60GB plan lasts 90 days, which leaves time to settle in. It's data only, so your US number will come from the carrier you choose.
eSIM options for visitors to the US
Coming for a holiday or a work trip? You have three options:
- Roam with your home carrier. Easy, but check your carrier's roaming rates first.
- A US prepaid line. Apple lists AT&T, Cricket, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, T-Mobile and Visible for prepaid eSIM plans for international travelers. You get a US number, but some need you to be in the US to activate.
- A data-only travel eSIM. You buy and install it at home, and it connects when you land. You keep your own number for calls and texts, and use WhatsApp or FaceTime over data.
Want to compare travel options in more detail? Read our guide to eSIM providers in the USA.
If you mainly need maps, messages and rideshare apps, a data-only eSIM is enough. The SimOptions USA plans run on the AT&T network, have no phone number, and you can top up if you run low.
United States plans · 5 GB, 20 GB or 50 GB · See all USA eSIMs · Also visiting Canada or Mexico? See North America eSIMs
Install your travel eSIM before you fly
Set up your travel eSIM at home, so it's ready when the plane lands.
Before you leave
- Install it on Wi-Fi. Scan the QR code from your email. Step-by-step guides: install an eSIM on iPhone and install an eSIM on Android.
- Label the line "USA" or "Travel", so you can tell it apart from your home line.
- Don't delete it if it shows "No service" at home. The SimOptions USA eSIM activates on its own when you arrive in the US.
When you land
- Choose the travel eSIM for cellular data. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. With iOS 26 or later, you may get a "Turn On Travel eSIM" prompt that does this for you (Apple). On Android, pick the SIM for mobile data in your SIM settings.
- Turn on data roaming for the travel eSIM. Many travel eSIMs need it to connect.
- Turn off data roaming on your home line, so it can't use data abroad. Calls and texts on your home line may still cost roaming fees.
More detail in our guide to the correct roaming settings for an eSIM.
FAQs
Which carriers support eSIM in the USA?
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile all support eSIM. So do many prepaid brands and MVNOs, including Cricket, Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Google Fi, Boost Mobile, Xfinity Mobile and Spectrum Mobile.
Which prepaid carriers offer eSIM?
AT&T Prepaid, Verizon Prepaid, T-Mobile Prepaid, Cricket, Visible, Total Wireless, Straight Talk, Metro by T-Mobile and Mint Mobile all offer eSIM. Check the carrier's compatibility tool with your phone's IMEI before you buy.
Does UScellular support eSIM?
UScellular's wireless business is now part of T-Mobile, and uscellular.com redirects to T-Mobile. Follow T-Mobile's eSIM steps, or contact T-Mobile if you're not sure which carrier handles your account.
Can I use a US eSIM on a phone bought abroad?
Yes, if the phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. Check that it supports the bands used in the US, and ask the carrier to confirm it works on their network.
Can I get a US eSIM before I arrive?
It depends on the carrier. The T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app and Google Fi need you to be in the US to activate. A data-only travel eSIM, like the SimOptions USA eSIM, can be installed at home and connects when you land.
Can I keep my home number with a US eSIM?
Yes. Most eSIM phones can use two lines at once. Keep your home line on for calls and texts, use the US eSIM for data, and turn off data roaming on your home line.
Do eSIM and physical SIM give the same speed?
Yes. Speed depends on the network and your plan, not on the type of SIM.
