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22 June 2026 • 9 min
How to Convert Your Physical SIM to eSIM in Pakistan?
22 June 2026 • 9 min
Still carrying a tiny plastic card in your phone just to stay connected? You're not alone, as most of us in Pakistan grew up with physical SIMs and never questioned it. But things are changing fast, and if you've been hearing about eSIM and wondering what it is (whether your phone supports it) and how to actually switch, you're in the right place.
By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly what an eSIM is, why it's better, and how to convert your physical SIM to an eSIM step by step.
And no, no tech background is needed for you to understand. Let’s get to it!
Why Should You Switch from Physical SIM to eSIM?
eSIM is driving the future of mobile connectivity in Pakistan.
Before jumping into the how, let's talk about the why. Here are three solid reasons to make the switch from a physical SIM to eSIM:
Better Security
With a physical SIM, if someone gets hold of your SIM card (whether your phone gets snatched or the card gets lost), they can pop it into another device and potentially access your calls, OTPs, and accounts.
An eSIM is built directly into your phone's hardware. Nobody can take it out. It can't be cloned the way a physical SIM can, and it can't be handed to someone else.
Your number stays locked to your device, giving you a meaningful layer of protection that a plastic card simply cannot offer.
Dual SIM Convenience
Most eSIM-supported phones let you run two numbers at the same time, that is, your eSIM and a physical SIM in the tray.
Now, this is a game-changer if you want to keep a personal and work number on one phone, or if you're travelling and want a local number without removing your main SIM. No more carrying two phones. No more juggling SIM cards.
Ideal for Travel
Travelling abroad with a physical SIM means either paying expensive roaming charges or stopping at a shop when you land to buy a local SIM.
With an eSIM, you can activate a local data plan before you even board your flight, that too entirely from your phone. No queues, no counters, no scrambling at the airport.
What You Should Check Before Switching to an eSIM in Pakistan?
Switching to eSIM is simple, but there are two things you must check before switching:
1. Does My Phone Support eSIM And How To Verify?
Not every phone supports eSIM because older models generally don't. Here's a quick way to check:
iPhone: Go to Settings → General → About. If you see an "Available SIM" or "Digital SIM" section, your phone supports eSIM. iPhones from the XS series onwards (2018 and later) support eSIM.
Android (Samsung): Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager. If you see an "Add eSIM" or "Add Mobile Plan" option, you're good to go. Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer models generally support eSIM.
Other Android phones: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → SIM Cards. Look for an option to add an eSIM or digital SIM.
If you don't see any of these options, your phone likely doesn't support eSIM and you'll need a newer device.
2. Is Your Phone PTA Registered?
In Pakistan, all phones used on local networks need to be PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) registered.
To check if your phone is registered, simply send your device's IMEI number to 8484 via SMS, or visit the PTA website.
You can find your IMEI by dialling *#06# on your phone.
If your phone is not PTA registered, you may face issues activating any SIM, be it physical or eSIM, on Pakistani networks.
How to Convert Physical SIM to eSIM?
Here's a step-by-step process for switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM in Pakistan:
- Check device compatibility — Confirm if your phone supports eSIM. Use the steps above to check eSIM compatibility on your device.
- Contact your network provider — Reach out to your telecom operator (in-store, via app, or helpline) and request an eSIM conversion for your existing number.
- Complete biometric verification — As required by PTA regulations in Pakistan, you'll need to verify your identity through biometric verification using your CNIC.
- Receive your QR code — Once verified, your operator will provide a unique QR code, either digitally or on a printed voucher.
- Scan the QR code on your phone — Go to your phone's SIM or cellular settings and choose "Add eSIM" or "Add Mobile Plan." Use your camera to scan the QR code.
- Wait for activation — Your eSIM profile will download and activate within a short period, usually within a couple of hours.
- Remove your physical SIM — Once your eSIM is active and working, you can safely remove the physical SIM from your tray.
How to Convert Physical SIM to Onic eSIM? (Step by Step)
Converting your physical SIM to Onic eSIM is done entirely through the Onic app. So, no need to visit any store. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Download the Onic App — Available on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- Sign up — Register using your email address.
- Select a plan — Browse Onic's available plans and choose the one that suits you.
- Choose eSIM — When given the option between physical SIM and eSIM, select eSIM. Make sure your phone supports it before doing so.
- Pick your number — Choose a new number or port in your existing number from another network.
- Enter your details — Fill in your profile information as required.
- Complete payment — Pay through your preferred method (debit/credit card, JazzCash, EasyPaisa, or bank account).
- Biometric verification — An Onic representative will complete the verification process.
- Receive your QR code — Onic will send your unique eSIM QR code to your registered email.
- Scan and activate — Open your phone's cellular settings, tap "Add eSIM," and scan the QR code. Your Onic eSIM will activate within 2 hours.
Why You Should Switch to Onic eSIM?
Here's a side-by-side comparison of what you get with a physical SIM versus an Onic eSIM:
Physical SIM vs Onic eSIM Comparison
See the comparison table image above for delivery time, durability, dual SIM support, activation process, security, and environmental impact differences.
How To Activate eSIM on Your Phone?
Once you have your QR code, activation takes just a few minutes.
How To Activate eSIM on iPhone?
Go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code. Point your camera at the QR code. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete setup. Your eSIM will be active shortly after.
How To Activate eSIM on Android?
Go to Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM. Tap "Scan QR Code" and point your camera at the QR code. Follow the on-screen steps. Activation completes within a couple of hours.
Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi during the eSIM activation process.
Will My Apps Still Work After Switching to eSIM?
This is one of the most common worries people have. But the good news is that switching to eSIM doesn't change your number. Everything stays the same.
Will WhatsApp Still Work After Switching to eSIM?
Yes, WhatsApp will still work after switching to eSIM.
WhatsApp is tied to your phone number, not your SIM type. As long as your number stays the same, your WhatsApp account, chats, and contacts remain untouched.
You may need to re-verify your number in WhatsApp after the switch, it will simply send you an OTP to confirm.
Will My Mobile Banking Apps Still Work After Switching to eSIM?
Yes, your mobile banking apps will still work after switching to eSIM.
Banking apps are linked to your account credentials and phone number. Switching to eSIM does not affect them. However, some banking apps may send a verification OTP to your number after detecting a SIM change.
This is a normal security step. Just complete the verification and you'll be back in as usual.
Will I Still Receive OTPs on my eSIM?
Yes, absolutely. You will still receive OTPs after switching to eSIM.
OTPs are sent to your phone number, not to the physical SIM card. Since your number stays the same when you switch to eSIM, all OTPs (for banking, shopping, social media, or anything else) will continue to arrive normally.
Do I Need to Update My Number Anywhere After Switching to eSIM?
No, you don’t need to update your number anywhere after switching to eSIM.
Because you're keeping the same phone number, you do not need to update your number with any app, bank, or service.
The switch is super smooth from the outside as only the technology delivering your calls and data has changed.
Is eSIM the Right Choice for You?
eSIM is a great fit if you have a recent smartphone (iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 or newer), want a cleaner and more secure mobile experience, or travel frequently and want the flexibility to add data plans without swapping SIM cards.
It's also the smarter choice if you want both a personal and a work number active on a single device, or if you simply want the ease of managing everything like your number, your plan, your usage, from a single app without ever stepping into a store.
If your phone is older and doesn't support eSIM, or if you prefer the familiarity of a physical card, a traditional SIM still works perfectly fine for now.
Common eSIM Issues in Pakistan and How to Fix Them?
eSIM QR code not scanning?
Why it happens:
- Camera lens is dirty or smudged.
- QR code images are too small, blurry, or printed at low quality.
- Lighting in the room is too dim or creates a glare on the screen.
- Phone camera is moving too much while scanning.
How to fix it:
- Clean your phone camera lens with a soft cloth before scanning.
- Hold your phone steady, at the right distance, not too close, not too far away.
- Scan in a well-lit area, away from direct sunlight or harsh glare.
- If scanning from a screen, increase the brightness of the display showing the QR code.
- If the QR code still won't scan, ask your network to provide the manual activation code as an alternative.
eSIM activated but no signal or network?
Why it happens:
- The eSIM profile was not set as the active line after activation.
- The phone needs a restart to fully register the new eSIM on the network.
- Your network coverage may be limited in your specific area.
How to fix it:
- Restarting your phone is the first and most effective step in most cases.
- Go to Settings → Cellular → your eSIM profile and confirm it is set as the active line.
- Toggle airplane mode on, wait 10 seconds, then turn it off.
- Check the network coverage map to confirm coverage in your area.
- If the issue continues, contact your network support directly through the app, website or helpline.
Activation taking longer than 2 hours?
Why it happens:
- High traffic volume on the network during peak hours can slow down profile downloads.
- A weak or unstable Wi-Fi connection during activation can interrupt the process.
- The QR code may have been scanned incorrectly, causing an incomplete activation.
How to fix it:
- Make sure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network throughout activation.
- Wait up to 2 hours as most eSIM activations complete well within this window.
- If 2 hours have passed with no activation, restart your phone and check again.
- Contact network support via the in-app chat or helpline. Delays are usually resolved quickly and your number will not be affected.
eSIM profile disappeared after a software update?
Why it happens:
- Major iOS or Android OS updates can occasionally remove stored eSIM profiles.
- Some updates reset network settings, which can wipe the eSIM configuration.
- This is a known occasional issue across multiple phone brands.
How to fix it:
- Check Settings → Cellular to confirm the eSIM profile is no longer listed
- Contact your network to request a re-issue of your eSIM profile, this is a standard, straightforward process.
- Your number, plan, and account details remain completely unaffected.
- Once your network re-issues the profile, simply re-scan the new QR code to restore your eSIM.
Phone says "eSIM not supported"?
Why it happens:
- The device model does not support eSIM hardware.
- The phone was purchased in a region where the manufacturer disabled eSIM functionality.
- The device is not PTA registered, which can restrict network feature access.
- An older software version may be preventing eSIM from being recognized.
How to fix it:
- Search your exact phone model online to confirm whether it supports eSIM.
- Check your PTA registration status by sending your IMEI number (dial *#06#) via SMS to 8484.
- Update your phone to the latest available software version.
- If your device is a regional variant with eSIM disabled, a physical SIM or a different device will be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does eSIM activation take?
eSIM activation can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the network, device, and how busy the system is at the time of activation.
With Onic eSIM, activation completes within minutes of scanning the QR code. In rare cases, usually during peak hours or due to a slow Wi-Fi connection, it may take a little longer. If your eSIM has not been activated after 2 hours, contact Onic support through the app and they will sort it out promptly.
2. Can I convert my SIM to eSIM without changing my number?
Yes, you can convert your SIM to eSIM without changing your number. You can simply port your existing number to an eSIM. Your number stays exactly the same, only the SIM format changes.
3. Can I use eSIM and physical SIM together?
Yes you can use physical SIM and eSIM together, as long as your phone supports Dual SIM functionality. Most modern smartphones allow you to run your eSIM and a physical SIM from another network simultaneously on the same device.
4. Can I switch back to a physical SIM after converting to eSIM?
Yes, you can switch back to your physical SIM after converting to eSIM. Contact your network support to request a reversal. They will guide you through the process of deactivating the eSIM and issuing a physical SIM for the same number if needed.
5. Can non-PTA phones work with eSIM?
No. In Pakistan, all phones need to be PTA registered to access local mobile networks, and this applies to eSIM as well. If your phone is not PTA registered, you will not be able to activate an eSIM or use any local network services on it, regardless of which operator you choose.
To check whether your phone is PTA registered, dial *#06# to find your IMEI number, then send it via SMS to 8484. If your phone is not registered, you can complete the registration process through the PTA's official website or designated approval channels before proceeding with your eSIM activation.
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