IoT eSIM for connected devices
Updated
An IoT eSIM is a SIM, removable or soldered, that can download and switch operator profiles over the air, so a device in the field can change mobile network without anyone touching it. For IoT, the GSMA standard that makes this work without a screen or a user is SGP.32. M2M.global eSIM profiles are on our roadmap; their status is shown below and updated as soon as it changes.
Status: Coming soon (checked 26 October 2026) · Notify me when available
Key points
- One device, any operator, for its whole life. Change profile when a network closes 2G or 3G, when a country restricts permanent roaming, or when terms change.
- No screen needed. SGP.32 adds a remote manager (eIM) that runs profile operations for a whole fleet.
- Shape does not matter. A removable eUICC or a soldered MFF2 chip can both be eSIMs.
- Same delivery. Whichever profile a device uses, private delivery keeps its data on private links to your cloud.
eSIM or physical SIM?
| Physical IoT SIM | IoT eSIM (eUICC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Change operator | Replace the card on site | Download a profile remotely |
| Best for | Existing devices, short deployments | New products, long-lived or hard-to-reach devices |
| Form factor | Card (2FF, 3FF, 4FF) | Card or soldered chip (MFF2) |
| Standard | ETSI card specifications | GSMA SGP.32 (IoT), SGP.02 (older M2M) |
Before choosing an eSIM
- Check your module and eUICC support SGP.32, not only SGP.02 or the consumer SGP.22.
- Decide who runs the eIM: the connectivity provider, or you.
- Keep a fallback profile that works in every country of deployment.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is an IoT eSIM?
An IoT eSIM is an eUICC, a SIM that can hold several operator profiles and receive new ones over the air, used in a device without a screen or a user. The current GSMA standard for this is SGP.32.
Why use an eSIM in an IoT device?
To change mobile operator without visiting the device: when a network shuts down 2G or 3G, when a country restricts permanent roaming, or when a better offer exists. For devices that last ten years or more, this is the main protection against connectivity changes.
Is an eSIM always soldered into the device?
No. The eUICC can be a removable card in the usual sizes or a chip soldered on the board (MFF2). What makes it an eSIM is remote provisioning, not its shape.