iPhone Air Is eSIM-Only Worldwide: 2026 Travel & Setup Guide
The iPhone Air is the boldest design choice in Apple's 2026 range: it's astonishingly thin, and to get there Apple removed the SIM tray entirely — in every region of the world. There is no nano-SIM slot anywhere. For most owners that changes nothing day to day, but for travelers it has one big implication: a travel eSIM isn't just convenient, it's the only way to add a local data line abroad. Good news — it's also the easiest way. Here's everything you need to know.
📶 iPhone Air eSIM support
- eSIM: the only connectivity option — globally.
- Physical SIM: none, in any region.
- Dual SIM: multiple eSIM profiles, two active at once.
- Storage: up to eight eSIM profiles stored on device.
Because there's no slot, you can't pop in a friend's SIM or buy a plastic SIM at the airport. Everything is digital — which, with a travel eSIM, is faster anyway.
📲 How to set up an eSIM on the iPhone Air (step by step)
- Buy your plan before you fly. Choose a RoamJet eSIM for your destination — you'll get a QR code by email within minutes.
- Open Settings → Cellular (Mobile Service) → Add eSIM.
- Scan the QR code (or tap "Enter Details Manually" if you're already abroad without a printer).
- Label it "Travel" so it's easy to tell apart from your home line.
- Pick which line to use for data — set the RoamJet eSIM as your data line and keep your home number for calls/texts.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM only. This is required for the plan to work abroad and does not incur roaming charges — you're on a local network through RoamJet.
The whole thing takes about two minutes, and you can do it from your couch days before departure. The eSIM stays dormant until you arrive and connect.
✈️ Why the iPhone Air and travel eSIMs are a perfect match
The Air's whole philosophy is "less to carry" — and a travel eSIM is the connectivity version of that. No SIM pin, no spare cards in your wallet, nothing to lose. Buy your destination plan before departure, and the second your plane lands and you switch off airplane mode, you're online: maps, ride-hailing, translation, restaurant bookings, all working from the gate. Add your home eSIM back as a second line and you keep your number too.
📶 Get connected the moment you land
The iPhone Air has no SIM slot — a RoamJet eSIM is the simplest way to get data abroad. Install it before you fly and you're connected on arrival in 200+ countries.
Browse RoamJet eSIM plans →📊 iPhone 2026 eSIM comparison
| Model | eSIM | Physical SIM | Active eSIMs |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | ✅ | US: none · others: yes | 2 |
| iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max | ✅ | US: none · others: yes | 2 |
| iPhone Air | ✅ | None (worldwide) | 2 |
| iPhone 17e | ✅ | Region-dependent | 2 |
| MacBook Neo | ❌ | None | — (Wi-Fi only) |
❓ Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone Air have a SIM card slot?
No — the iPhone Air is eSIM-only in every region worldwide. There is no physical SIM tray.
How do I get mobile data abroad on an iPhone Air?
Add a travel eSIM such as RoamJet before you travel. It activates the moment you arrive and connect to a network.
Can the iPhone Air store more than one eSIM?
Yes — it stores up to 8 eSIM profiles and can run 2 at once, so you can keep a home line and a travel line.
What if I land somewhere and forgot to set up an eSIM?
You can still buy and install a RoamJet eSIM on the spot over airport Wi-Fi using manual entry — no QR scan or printer needed.
Is an eSIM as fast as a physical SIM?
Yes — an eSIM connects to the same local networks at the same speeds; the only difference is it is digital.
🔗 Keep reading
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