| Cult of Mac

eSIM explained: Keep your iPhone connected anywhere without a physical SIM card

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Traveling to another country? With an eSIM, rest assured your iPhone will work.
Traveling to another country? With an eSIM, rest assured your iPhone will work.
Photo: Andrea Piacquadio@Pexels.com

Can you imagine switching to another cellular provider for your smartphone without having to go to a shop or wait for your physical SIM card to be shipped? Or traveling abroad knowing your phone will work and you won’t face data-roaming charges? Or using the same phone number on your smartphone, watch, car and even your refrigerator?

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Well, modern eSIM technology — the future of data connectivity — makes all of that possible and even easy. The “e” stands for “embedded,” and it’s probably already on your devices. Let’s look at how you can benefit from it, especially with international travel.

Apple video explains how to activate an iPhone 14 eSIM

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Apple video explains how to activate an iPhone 14 eSIM
Setting up an iPhone 14 with an eSIM should be simple.
Graphic: Apple

iPhone 14 models require eSIM rather than physical SIM cards. That means those getting Apple’s latest handsets have to activate them via eSIM – they can’t simply plug in a SIM card to get connected to a wireless network.

It’s new to many iPhone users, but Apple released a video that explains how to activate an eSIM on an iPhone.

iOS 16 will make transferring an eSIM between iPhones easier

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Apple watch
eSIMs are about to get even easier to move from one iPhone to another.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iOS 16 will make it easier to transfer an eSIM between iPhones using Bluetooth.

As spotted by @carsonwaldrop on Twitter, iOS 16 adds an option to import an eSIM from another iPhone in the “Set up eSIM” menu. Apple requires that the other iPhone is nearby, unlocked, has Bluetooth turned on, and is running iOS 16 during the process.

T-Mobile’s Test Drive program gets eSIM support for easy setup on iPhone

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T-Mobile Test Drive
No additional hardware required.
Photo: T-Mobile

The Test Drive program that allows smartphone users to try out T-Mobile’s network free for 30 days now supports iPhone’s built-in eSIM.

You previously needed to use a mobile hotspot and a physical T-Mobile SIM card to take advantage of the trial. Now, you simply need to download an app on iPhone XS or later.

Apple Watch finally gets cellular support in New Zealand

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Apple Watch Series 5 California Face
It could be one of many new faces.
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch users in New Zealand can now take advantage of cellular connectivity on compatible devices.

Local carrier Spark has become the first to roll out eSIM support and a new plan aimed specifically at wearables. It only serves Apple Watch Series 5 for now — but support for other devices will come later.

This eSIM lets you roam in Europe and the US

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Finally, your can leave your travel SIMs at home.
Finally, your can leave your travel SIMs at home.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

KnowRoaming’s new eSIM lets travelers in the United States and Europe add a new roaming SIM to their late-model iPhone or iPad, just by scanning a barcode. So, if you’re already on vacation, and you can’t bring yourself to speak to the locals, you can easily sign up and get started — all without a physical SIM card.

iPad Air vs. Pro vs. mini: Which one’s right for you?

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The complete iPad lineup now includes Apple Pencil support, best-in-class performance, advanced displays and all-day battery life, Apple says.
There's an iPad for everyone.
Photo: Apple

Apple today added two new iPads to its lineup while dropping the 10.5-inch iPad Pro released in 2017. It now offers five different tablets, each of which has its own advantages. So how do you choose the right one?

Which iPad is best for unparalleled performance? Which one offers more bang for your buck? Which is starting to look a little long in the tooth?

Our in-depth comparison shows you exactly how all five of Apple’s current iPads stack up — and helps you decide which one is worth your hard-earned cash.

What’s new in iOS 12.1

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iOS 12.1 brings live depth control preview to the camera app.
iOS 12.1 brings live depth control preview to the camera app.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

iOS 12.1 is now available to download, and it brings a surprising number of neat new features to iPhones and iPads.

We get to enjoy Group FaceTime, live Depth Control when we’re taking photos — and the essential bagel emoji.