Can I activate an eSIM for new phone while abroad as an existing user with roaming plan?

[hot_girl_1999]

hey there, i know variations of this question have been asked before but my use case seems sorta specific, so here i am.

i am a Canadian living in the US with an existing PM account/subscription for CAN/US/MEX on a physical SIM. i am considering getting a new phone and the iPhone 17 does not have a physical SIM tray (at least the ones from USA, according to the Apple site). wondering if it is possible to switch to an eSIM without changing my plan but activate it while i am in the States - so everything stays the same, except i switch from physical SIM to eSIM, without being in Canada. also wondering if the Canadian iPhones have physical sim trays like the old ones do, because maybe it'll just be easier to wait til i am home.

thanks in advance!

[slusagm]

You can get the 2FA code via email or voicemail 

Click Didnt Receive Code and you should see both option.  

If you choose Voicemail, call yourself from another phone to retrieve the code, but of course , email could be easier 

[hot_girl_1999]

follow up question: if i get the new phone, and no longer have my old phone (thinking of trading it in for a credit), how would i log on to the PM app to activate the eSIM? does it require two factor authentication to use the app on a different device? 

[softech · Accepted solution]

@hot_girl_1999 

yes, you can change to eSIM using the app in US if you have a  CAN/US/MEX plan

[hot_girl_1999]

@BKNS27 @computergeek541 

sorry - to clarify, i want to know if i can do this while abroad in the US if i have the CAN/US/MEX plan, or do i have to activate the eSIM in Canada.

[BKNS27]

@hot_girl_1999 

From what I’ve read. The Canadian iPhone 17 will only have eSIM. The Canadian iPhone 16 was the last year with SIM/eSIM.

https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2025/09/09/apple-iphone-17-series-goes-esim-only-in-canada-what-it-mea... 

You just have to download the PM app on your iPhone 17 then login to your account and purchase an eSIM then to the Account tab>Change Your SIM Card.

 

[computergeek541]

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@hot_girl_1999 wrote:

i am a Canadian living in the US with an existing PM account/subscription for CAN/US/MEX on a physical SIM. i am considering getting a new phone and the iPhone 17 does not have a physical SIM tray (at least the ones from USA, according to the Apple site). wondering if it is possible to switch to an eSIM without changing my plan but activate it while i am in the States - so everything stays the same, except i switch from physical SIM to eSIM, without being in Canada. also wondering if the Canadian iPhones have physical sim trays like the old ones do, because maybe it'll just be easier to wait til i am home.

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Changing from a physical SIM to another SIM (or eSIM) has no effect on your plan.  Some of the iPhone models sold in Canada in the last few years still do have SIM card trays.