October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Seoul desk3 min

How to Add, Remove, and Switch eSIMs on a Samsung Galaxy S23

Use the Galaxy S23 SIM manager to add an eSIM, choose preferred lines for calls and data, or remove a profile without canceling carrier service.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Manage eSIMs on a supported Galaxy S23 from Settings → Connections → SIM manager. From there, add a carrier-provided plan, choose which active line handles calls or mobile data, or remove a stored profile. eSIM availability depends on your carrier and region, and deleting a profile from the phone does not cancel the carrier plan.

Before you add an eSIM

Samsung lists the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra as eSIM-capable, but whether service works depends on the phone’s region and the carrier’s support. Check with your carrier that your specific device and plan are eligible and ask which activation method it provides. A carrier may also require a separate process to transfer or reissue an existing eSIM; adding a new profile is not necessarily a transfer.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Samsung documents these activation methods, but carriers do not necessarily offer all of them in every country:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Method What you need Availability
Carrier-preassigned plan A plan assigned by your carrier to your device or account Only if your carrier supports downloading a preassigned plan
QR code The eSIM QR code provided by your carrier Only if your carrier provides QR activation for your plan
Manual activation An activation code and any other details your carrier specifies Only if your carrier supports manual entry

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 eSIM guidance and carrier guidance note that eSIM support varies by country and network.

#1 Best Overall
SAMSUNG Galaxy S23 5G, US Version, 128GB, Phantom Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • Galaxy S23 sports a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display with adaptive 48–120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness high enough for strong outdoor visibility — giving you vibrant, crisp visuals and smooth motion while staying compact.

How to add an eSIM to a Galaxy S23

  1. Open Settings → Connections → SIM manager.
  2. Tap Add eSIM.
  3. Choose the activation option your carrier provided. For a QR code, tap Scan QR code and scan it. For a preassigned plan, follow the prompt to add or download the mobile plan. To enter details manually, choose the option for entering an activation code and use the information from your carrier.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to download and activate the profile. Menu wording and available choices can differ by region, software version, and carrier.

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series manual documents the SIM manager path and QR setup; its eSIM support guide also describes preassigned-plan downloads and manual activation codes.

How to switch lines and set SIM preferences

Adding a profile and choosing which line to use are separate actions. In Settings → Connections → SIM manager, turn on the SIM or eSIM profile you want active. When two lines are active, use the preferred SIM controls in SIM manager to choose which line handles voice calls and mobile data. Available controls may vary by configuration and software.

Rank #2
Sale
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE 5G, US Version, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • 6.4 FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Infinity-O Display (2400x1080), 403ppi, HDR10+ certified, 120Hz refresh rate
  • 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 5G (4 nm), Octa-core, 4500mAh Battery
  • Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 8MP, f/2.4 (telephoto) 3x optical zoom + 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), Front Camera: 10MP, f/2.4 (wide), Under Display Fingerprint
  • 3G: 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/29/25/26/28/38/39/40/41/46/48/66/71, 5G: N41(2500),N66(AWS-3),N71(600),N78(3500),N260(39GHz),N261(28GHz) (ensure to check compatibility with your carrier before purchase)
  • Fully Unlocked Version. Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.

Choose a line for calls or data

Set the preferred SIM for calls or mobile data in SIM manager. This changes the phone’s preference; it does not move, delete, or transfer either eSIM profile. For data, check the selected line before using mobile service if your plans have different allowances or charges.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Understand data switching

The S23 manual describes data switching, which can use another SIM for mobile data if the preferred SIM cannot connect. Samsung warns this may incur additional charges, so review your carrier terms before enabling or relying on it.

Rank #3
Samsung Galaxy S23 5G, 256GB, Cream - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • Galaxy S23 sports a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display with adaptive 48–120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness high enough for strong outdoor visibility — giving you vibrant, crisp visuals and smooth motion while staying compact.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to remove an eSIM profile

  1. Open Settings → Connections → SIM card manager. Depending on your software version, the menu may instead be labeled SIM manager.
  2. Select the eSIM plan you want to remove and switch it off.
  3. Tap Remove and confirm if prompted. Samsung also documents an option to remove all mobile plans, so check the selection carefully before using it.

Removing an eSIM profile only removes it from the phone; it does not cancel the carrier service or contract. Samsung UK’s support guide, “How to use an eSIM with your Galaxy phone” (updated 22 January 2025), states: “Removing plans on your Galaxy smartphone does not affect your contract with the network provider.” Contact the carrier separately to end service.

Best Value
Samsung Galaxy S23 5G, US Version, 128GB, Lavender - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • Galaxy S23 sports a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display with adaptive 48–120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a peak brightness high enough for strong outdoor visibility — giving you vibrant, crisp visuals and smooth motion while staying compact.
Rank #4
Sale
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Plus 5G, US Version, 256GB, Phantom Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • It offers a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with adaptive 48-120 Hz refresh rate plus up to ~ 1750 nits peak brightness and “Vision Booster,” meaning the screen stays bright and viewable even in strong sunlight — great if you use your phone outdoors a lot.

If setup or switching does not work

  • No Add eSIM option: Confirm the exact S23 model and its regional variant support eSIM, and ask your carrier whether eSIM service is available for that device and plan.
  • Activation method missing or rejected: Check with the carrier that the plan is eligible and that the QR code or activation details are valid and intended for this device. Ask whether the carrier must reissue or transfer the profile.
  • The wrong line is being used: Open SIM manager, confirm the intended profiles are active, and review the preferred SIM for calls and mobile data.
  • You removed a profile but service remains on your account: Contact the carrier to cancel or change the plan; removing the phone profile does not perform account cancellation.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.