How to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM with your current operator (keeping your number)

Switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM with your existing operator is free in most cases, doesn't require changing your number or plan, and takes minutes from the operator's app or customer area. Here are the exact steps for each Spanish operator, what you need before you start, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why switch to eSIM with your operator?

• You free up the physical SIM — useful if you have a phone with a dual tray (eSIM + nano-SIM) and want to use the physical slot for another travel card or a second line.
• Faster activation when you change phones. Moving the eSIM to a new phone takes 5 minutes from the operator's app or via QR code — no waiting for a SIM to be shipped in the post.
• Better protection against theft. If your phone is stolen, they can't pull the SIM and put it in another phone (the classic "SIM swap" attack to access SMS two-factor authentication). The eSIM is tied to the phone's hardware — harder to extract.
• Two lines in a single phone. Combine your eSIM (main Spanish operator) with a physical SIM (prepaid for the kids, a second work line, a travel eSIM for holidays) without having to swap anything.

Check whether your phone is compatible

Phones compatible with eSIM in Spain include:

• iPhone: XS, XR and later (XS, 11, SE 2020, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and onwards).
• Google Pixel: 3, 3 XL and all later models.
• Samsung Galaxy: S20, Note 20 and later (S20, S21, S22, S23, S24, Z Flip, Z Fold) — provided they're the European version. US-imported Galaxy phones do NOT include eSIM (a Samsung decision for that market).
• Xiaomi: most since 2021 (Mi 12, 13, 14, Redmi Note 12+).
• OPPO, OnePlus, Realme, Honor: mid-to-high range since 2022.

To confirm: under Settings > General > About (iPhone) or Settings > About phone (Android), check whether an "EID" appears (a unique eSIM identifier). If it's there, your phone is compatible. Full list on our eSIM compatibility page.

Before you start: what to have on hand

1. Your ID (DNI / NIE / passport). The operator may ask for it to confirm your identity.
2. Access to the operator's customer area or app. Make sure you have the password to hand (if not, recover it before starting the switch).
3. An active internet connection (WiFi recommended). During eSIM installation the phone downloads the profile from the operator's server.
4. The phone charged above 50%. The process usually takes 5-10 minutes in total; running out of battery halfway through can complicate recovery.

Movistar

1. Open the Mi Movistar app.
2. Go to My account > My lines and select the line you want to switch to eSIM.
3. Tap Switch to eSIM (on some models it appears as Digital card).
4. Confirm with your ID and SMS verification. Movistar sends a QR to your email within a few minutes (sometimes instantly within the app itself).
5. Open the email or screen with the QR on another device and scan it from Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or the equivalent flow on Android.

If you prefer to do it by phone, call 1004 from a Movistar line and ask for the switch to a digital card. They may charge a fee (~€10–15) if you do it this way instead of via the app.

Vodafone

1. Open the Mi Vodafone app.
2. Go to Services > Mobile line and select the line you want to convert.
3. Tap Request eSIM and confirm your identity with your ID.
4. You'll receive the QR by email within a few minutes. Some contracts allow it instantly straight from the app without email.
5. Scan the QR from the phone where you want to activate the eSIM.

If you request the switch by phone (22123 from Vodafone), it's usually free for customers within an active commitment period.

Orange, MasMovil and Yoigo (MasOrange group)

After the MasOrange merger, the three operators share infrastructure and the flow is very similar. In the relevant app (Mi Orange / Mi MasMovil / Mi Yoigo):

1. Go to Services > My line and select Switch to eSIM.
2. Confirm with your ID.
3. You receive the QR in the app itself (visible instantly) or by SMS / email within minutes. With MasMovil it usually comes by email; with Orange directly in the app.
4. Scan from the phone and activate the line.

Customer service: Orange 1414, MasMovil 2373, Yoigo 622. It's usually free if you do it from the app; by phone they may charge ~€5–10.

Simyo and Lowi

The two main MVNOs of the Orange group offer free eSIM from the operator's website. Process (Simyo, identical on Lowi):

1. Go to simyo.es > Mi Simyo (customer area).
2. Select My line > Switch to eSIM.
3. Confirm with your ID and customer password. The QR appears on screen instantly.
4. Scan it from the phone.

Simyo customer service: 1212 (free from Simyo). Lowi handles everything from its customer area — it has no traditional phone support.

Lebara, DigiMobil, Llamaya Azul and other MVNOs

• Lebara: offers eSIM both to new customers and to existing customers who want to switch from a physical SIM. Request it from the My Lebara app > Services > Switch to eSIM, or by calling 1542. Free.
• DigiMobil: eSIM available since 2024. Free switch from the DigiMobil app or by calling 1200. Especially useful for the Romanian and Eastern European community who already use DigiMobil heavily.
• Llamaya Azul: eSIM offered on some plans. Confirm with customer service on 134 before starting the switch.
• Pepephone, You Mobile, O2 and other small MVNOs: eSIM support has improved a lot in 2025-2026 but not all of them offer it yet. Ask customer service first — if the answer is no, the only option is to switch to an operator that does support it (with free number portability).

If your operator doesn't support eSIM or something fails

Three common situations and what to do:

1. Your operator doesn't offer eSIM. The only solution is to port your number to an operator that does. Portability is free and completes within 24 hours. You keep your number, switch operator and, when signing up for the new line, choose eSIM directly.
2. The QR won't scan. Make sure the QR is on another device's screen (phone/tablet/computer), well lit and large enough. If it still fails, every operator also gives you the manual codes (SM-DP+ and activation code) to enter by hand — they're in the same email or screen where the QR appears. More detail in our eSIM QR installation guide.
3. You're left without a line during the switch. If the switch gets stuck halfway (the eSIM doesn't activate but the physical one is already disabled), contact your operator's customer service to temporarily reactivate the physical SIM until it's resolved. That's why we recommend doing the switch during business hours and with WiFi available.