iPhone 14 Pro US esim iPhone to use in the U.K.

[TorontoSS]

Hello!

I currently have family visiting the US and was wondering if anyone has successfully used a US esim iPhone pro in the U.K.

My provider (ee) supports esi. I have a 13mini with a normal physical SIM card, would it be an easy transition if I bought a US iPhone 14 pro?

thanks!

 

[MiamiBeach]

As long as the iPhone you buy is carrier unlocked, a US iPhone Pro will work if using an e-sim provider in the UK. The US iPhone 14 Pro has no physical sim slot anymore so you wouldn't be able to just transfer the physical sim from the 13 mini to the 14 Pro. As long as EE provide you an e-sim, it should be a straightforward process.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Technically it should work. Some things to keep in mind:

• Buy it from an Apple Store or the Apple Online Store. Phones sold at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc are not technically “unlocked” phones, they have a profile that assigns them to the first carrier you activate - and that must be a USA carrier. The only way to get a “truly” unlocked phone, is from Apple direct.
• You will not have Consumer Law coverage if you buy in USA.
• EE does support eSIM activation, but most other Carriers in UK do not yet. So be SURE you’re not going to want to change carriers.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Oh yeah… and it’s about a 6-week wait for a 14 Pro right now… 😬

 

[MegaBlue]

Technically it should work. Some things to keep in mind:

• Buy it from an Apple Store or the Apple Online Store. Phones sold at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc are not technically “unlocked” phones, they have a profile that assigns them to the first carrier you activate - and that must be a USA carrier. The only way to get a “truly” unlocked phone, is from Apple direct.
• You will not have Consumer Law coverage if you buy in USA.
• EE does support eSIM activation, but most other Carriers in UK do not yet. So be SURE you’re not going to want to change carriers.

I just wanted to add something: At the official 3rd party retailers, or at least Best Buy, they actually straight up can’t sell iPhones anymore without being activated on one of the Big Three as part of the sale. The POS systems just don’t let them be sold without seeing the IMEI is activated. You can still pay in full, at least.

 

[TorontoSS]

As long as the iPhone you buy is carrier unlocked, a US iPhone Pro will work if using an e-sim provider in the UK. The US iPhone 14 Pro has no physical sim slot anymore so you wouldn't be able to just transfer the physical sim from the 13 mini to the 14 Pro. As long as EE provide you an e-sim, it should be a straightforward process.

Technically it should work. Some things to keep in mind:

• Buy it from an Apple Store or the Apple Online Store. Phones sold at Best Buy, Target, Walmart, etc are not technically “unlocked” phones, they have a profile that assigns them to the first carrier you activate - and that must be a USA carrier. The only way to get a “truly” unlocked phone, is from Apple direct.
• You will not have Consumer Law coverage if you buy in USA.
• EE does support eSIM activation, but most other Carriers in UK do not yet. So be SURE you’re not going to want to change carriers.

I just wanted to add something: At the official 3rd party retailers, or at least Best Buy, they actually straight up can’t sell iPhones anymore without being activated on one of the Big Three as part of the sale. The POS systems just don’t let them be sold without seeing the IMEI is activated. You can still pay in full, at least.

These are all super useful - thank you so much! After thinking about it, I may just stick to my 13 mini. It's a great phone and so handy to take everywhere but thank you!