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Google Pixel 3 eSIM will work on Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T (eventually)
- The eSIM on the Google Pixel 3 isn’t locked to Google’s Project Fi.
- Although U.S. carriers don’t yet have eSIM systems set up, when they do the Pixel 3 will work with its eSIM on major carriers.
- The Google Pixel 2, however, is likely to stay eSIM-locked exclusively to Project Fi.
The Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL include eSIM technology, which allows you to connect your device to a wireless carrier without using a physical SIM card. The Google Pixel 2 has the same technology.
However, unlike the Pixel 2, the Pixel 3’s eSIM will work with any wireless carrier which has a system in place to utilize the technology, via XDA Developers. The Pixel 2’s eSIM is unfortunately locked to only work with Google’s own Project Fi.
Since the Pixel 3’s eSIM isn’t locked to Project Fi, it will be possible to jump from carrier to carrier using an unlocked device — and not need to swap SIM cards each time (or pay for a SIM card in the first place). All you’ll need to do is scan a QR or number code provided by your carrier and BOOM: your eSIM will connect your Pixel 3 to the network.
However, the three major U.S. carriers which have stated they will support eSIM tech — Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile — do not currently have systems in place to support eSIM, at least not yet.
For the time being then, the Pixel 3 eSIM will only work with Project Fi and other select global carriers which support the tech. But at least you can rest assured that at some point in the future it will work here at home on at least three of the Big Four carriers.
NEXT: eSIM: What it is, who’s got it, and why should you care?