Now you can get a Telstra plan or add a second number without a physical SIM card

Telstra has enabled the eSIM technology on the upcoming iPhone 11 to allow customers to run their Telstra plan or add a second number without the need for a physical SIM card.

An eSIM is a digital technology embedded in compatible devices which can be imprinted with the information usually stored on a physical SIM card.

Telstra’s service launches on Friday, September 20 – the same day the iPhone 11 goes on sale in Australia – and will allow customers who have a dual SIM or an eSIM-enabled device to activate a second service or replace their current physical SIM with an eSIM.

The iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone XR, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are Telstra dual SIM and eSIM compatible.

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Telstra can imprint your profile on to your device’s eSIM by sending you a QR code.

The latest iPhones have both a physical SIM card slot as well as an eSIM which means you can have two numbers on one device.

This is a handy feature if you have personal and business phone numbers or if you want to use one plan in Australia and a different plan when you’re travelling.

Either way, there is no need to switch between two SIM cards or two devices.

To set up the eSIM on an iPhone, you need to go to Settings > Mobile > Add Mobile Plan and scan the QR code from your eSIM card.

On an Android device you need to go to Settings > Network and Internet > Add Mobile Network and scan the QR code.

Vodafone quietly flicked on its eSIM services earlier this year while Optus apparently has had the same capability since April for Apple Watch and eSIM iPhones but chose not to share this information with anyone.

The iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro goes on sale on Friday September 20.