Apple's iPhone 17 Air Goes eSIM-Only Worldwide

Apple has taken another bold step in its mission to redefine the smartphone experience. With the launch of the new iPhone 17 series, Apple has confirmed that the iPhone 17 Air will be eSIM only worldwide (except for China). This will be the first time ever that an iPhone model will be eSIM only outside the United States. This follows Apple’s U.S.-only rollout of eSIM-exclusive iPhones starting with the iPhone 14 in 2022, but the expansion to international markets represents a huge shift for travellers and iPhone users worldwide.

For the first time in Apple’s history, the eSIM-only approach is moving beyond the United States. The iPhone 17 Air will ship without a SIM card tray not just in America, but also across Europe and most other international markets, making it the first truly worldwide eSIM-only iPhone. The only exception is China, where regulatory hurdles and limited eSIM infrastructure mean Apple is expected to either retain physical SIM support for the iPhone 17 Air or withhold the model in China entirely.

This worldwide rollout highlights how seriously Apple is betting on a future without physical SIM cards, and it cements the iPhone 17 Air as the device that takes eSIM mainstream.

• The iPhone 17 Air is eSIM only worldwide
• There are eSIM only models of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max available in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, USA & US Virgin Islands. In every other region, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will have a physical SIM card tray and eSIM capabilities.

Apple considers itself the pioneer of eSIM because it was the first to bring the technology to mass-market consumer devices. It began in 2017 with the Apple Watch Series 3, which quietly introduced eSIM into wearables. A year later, the iPhone XS made dual SIM (physical + eSIM) possible, marking a turning point for mobile users. Then in 2022, Apple went further by releasing the U.S. iPhone 14 lineup without any SIM tray at all.

The iPhone 17 Air now takes that vision global, moving Apple’s eSIM-only strategy beyond America for the first time. It cements the company’s role in pushing the mobile industry toward a future without physical SIM cards. But while Apple is betting big on eSIM, not every market or network is fully ready to support that future.....yet.

That’s where eSIM industry leaders like Sarah McGarr (CEO of Sim Local) help highlight both the benefits and the challenges of this eSIM only shift:

Sarah McGarr, CEO of Sim Local, explains both the upside and the challenges of this new reality.

“Going eSIM-only makes it faster and easier to connect to a network almost anywhere. You can download a plan in minutes without fiddling with a tiny SIM card, which is a huge win for convenience. With the iPhone 17 Air going eSIM-only in Europe for the first time, this marks a major shift for Apple customers across the continent. It sets a new standard for how people expect to stay connected while travelling.

But the truth is not every mobile network is ready yet. The ability to use an eSIM is not just country-dependent, it’s also device and network-dependent. That means a traveller could land somewhere only to find their network does not support eSIM, or that their plan options are limited. And if their phone is locked to a network, they won’t be able to switch to a local network via eSIM at all.”

For travellers embracing eSIM-only iPhones, preparation is everything:

• Check device compatibility - Make sure your iPhone is unlocked and supports eSIM.
• Research local networks - Not all operators in every country have rolled out eSIM yet.
• Download before you fly - Buy and activate a local eSIM plan in advance so you are online the moment you land.

As McGarr highlights:

“Nobody wants to land in a new country and waste time hunting down a SIM card. You want to turn on your phone and be connected straight away. With a local eSIM plan you can do exactly that. Apple’s eSIM move outside the US will make more people expect this kind of convenience. It’s up to the industry to make sure travellers can always find easy and affordable ways to stay connected.”

Apple’s decision is also a sustainability play. Millions of plastic SIM cards are manufactured, shipped, and ultimately discarded each year. By removing the SIM tray altogether, the iPhone 17 reduces waste and helps make global travel greener.

It certainly feels that way. Apple’s global push toward eSIM-only iPhones is more than just a technical tweak. It is a redefinition of how mobile users stay connected abroad. For travellers, the convenience is unmatched, but planning ahead will matter more than ever. Apple’s move forces mobile networks to fast-track their eSIM infrastructure. What was once optional is now urgent.

At Sim Local, we see this as an opportunity to deliver on our eSIM mission which is helping travellers connect easily, affordably, and sustainably, wherever their journey takes them.

Activating an eSIM on the iPhone 17 Air is quick and easy. Apple has designed the process to make it as straight-forward as possible.

1. Choose your eSIM plan - You can get one directly from your mobile operator or buy a travel eSIM from a trusted provider like Sim Local.
2. Scan a QR code or use the app - Most carriers (and Sim Local) provide a QR code, app download or activation codes. Simply scan the code with your iPhone’s camera or follow the in-app prompts.
3. Follow on-screen setup - Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM and let your iPhone guide you through activation.
4. Label your eSIM - If you’re using multiple lines (e.g., work + travel), you can give each eSIM a label to make switching easy.
5. Connect instantly - Once activated, you’ll be online within minutes - no SIM ejector tool, no hunting for a store.

💡 Pro tip from Sim Local:
If you’re travelling, download and activate your eSIM before you fly. That way, you’ll be connected the moment you land. Also, if you still need more help, read our activation guides or watch our YouTube eSIM tutorials.